Game and Hall to focus on statewide growth

December 3, 2014

GREENVILLE, SC – Citing South Carolina’s long history of high caliber football, the organizers of the Charleston-based Medal of Honor Bowl and the Greenville-based South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announced plans Wednesday to expand their influence statewide.

Willie Jeffries, a coach in the game and a member of the Hall of Fame, said these two events are great ways to share the story of South Carolina’s rich football legacy.

“South Carolina has one of the richest football histories in the country,” said Jeffries, the legendary South Carolina State coach. “Spend a little bit of time in this state and you’ll know South Carolinians love our football. South Carolina has played such a major role in the sport that it has become an inextricable part of the American football fabric.”

Retired Clemson head coach Danny Ford, who is a Hall of Fame member and Hall board member, said this is a unique coming together of South Carolina football that benefits players and fans.

“I am glad that these two came together to the show case the best athletes of South Carolina and all around,” he said. “I think it is going to be a very good opportunity for the players and the people in the state.”

The Medal of Honor Bowl brings the best college football seniors in the country to Charleston to showcase for the National Football League and honor the troops in a “Celebration of Heroes.” The game will be played on January 10, 2015 at The Citadel’s Johnson-Hagood Stadium. The game will air live on the NBC Sports Network.

The Hall of Fame honors athletes, coaches, business and media professionals from the Palmetto State who created a historic and significant impact on college and/or professional football and helps promote and preserve the game of football and those who play it. The Class of 2015 induction ceremony will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville on April 16, 2015 followed by a joint celebrity golf tournament in the Upstate with the Medal of Honor Bowl on April 17, 2015.

David Wyatt, a Greenville attorney and the Chairman of the Hall of Fame Board, said the goal is to unite these two events to put South Carolina football on a national platform. There will be numerous joint events including a conference during the week leading up to the bowl game that will focus on connecting players with business leaders. It is part of a Hall program called “Business Connect.”

“Business Connect is made up of successful businessmen who are college football alumni willing to have a conversation about their area of business with players making the transition from football to the business world,” Wyatt said. “The common bond of college football creates a great foundation for a meaningful conversation.”

 

About the two events

For more information and tickets for the Medal of Honor Bowl and the Mercedes raffle visit www.mohbowl.com. People are also invited to become a voting member of and learn more about the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame at www.scfootballhof.com.
Like the Medal of Honor Bowl on Facebook www.facebook.com/MOHbowl and follow them on twitter @MOHBowl. Like the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame on Facebook www.facebook.com/scfootballhof and follow them on twitter @SCFootballHOF.