COLUMBIA, S.C. – After more than six decades of honoring athletic excellence, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (SCAHOF) now has a permanent home.
The Hall of Fame and the South Carolina State Museum have announced a landmark partnership that will celebrate the Palmetto State’s greatest athletes and its rich sports legacy. The museum, located at 301 Gervais Street in downtown Columbia, will now serve as the Hall of Fame’s official home.
“This is another terrific day in the history of athletics in South Carolina,” said Andy Solomon, SCAHOF Executive Director. “To go from word-of-mouth and banquet ceremonies to a permanent exhibit space is a game changer.”
Founded in the late 1950s by the South Carolina Association of Sportswriters, the Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1960. That inaugural group included legends like Rex Enright (USC), Banks McFadden (Clemson), and Frank Selvey (Furman). Clemson football coach Frank Howard served as the Hall’s first president.
Amy Bartow-Melia, Executive Director of the State Museum, said the partnership aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission. “We’re committed to preserving and sharing stories that reflect our state’s history and culture. This collaboration allows us to highlight the incredible achievements of South Carolina athletes.”
(L-R, photo by Travis Bell / CREATIVE) Richard Seymour, Landon Powell, Clint Dempsey, Harold Olson, Gary Gilmore, Ralph Lundy, Shannon Johnson, Susan Hill Whitson.
The announcement coincides with the Hall’s 63rd Annual Induction Ceremony, held May 19 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The Class of 2025 includes:
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Richard Seymour, Pro Football Hall of Famer (Lower Richland High)
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Clint Dempsey, World Cup soccer standout (Furman)
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Gary Gilmore, NCAA Championship-winning baseball coach (Coastal Carolina)
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Landon Powell, All-American catcher (USC)
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Shannon Johnson, WNBA All-Star and Olympian (Hartsville)
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Harold Olson, Clemson offensive lineman (1958–59 ACC titles)
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Susan Hill-Whitson, record-setting tennis player (Clemson)
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Ralph Lundy, legendary soccer coach (Erskine, College of Charleston)
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Don Whitehead, Erskine basketball star (posthumous)
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Nelson Brownlee, Claflin women’s basketball coach (posthumous)
Additionally, special awards were presented to:
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Kerry Tharp (Willie Jeffries Ambassador for Sports Award)
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South Carolina All-Sports Officials (Bobby Richardson Sportsmanship Award)
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Jim Hudson, Columbia businessman (Felix “Doc” Blanchard Citizen for Sports Award)
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Pete Iacobelli, Associated Press writer (Herman Helms Excellence in Media Award)
With a new home and a renewed spotlight, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame continues its mission to honor the past while inspiring future generations of athletes.