Dear Fellow Bulldogs:
Please allow me to thank you for your support of South Carolina State University Athletics over the years. As we continue our journey towards reclaiming our rightful place among the elite of the MEAC and earning recognition and acclaim outside of our conference, I felt the need to begin this dialogue.
Let me begin by sharing the Goals of the department.
GOAL #1 – To graduate athletes in a timely manner.
We are proud to say that every effort is made to graduate our student-athletes. – SCSU’s graduation success rate is 74%. Twenty five (25) students were Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars last year, the second highest in the nation, and twenty four (24) student-athletes graduated in the Fall of 2007.
GOAL #2 – To build self-disciplined and competitive teams.
We can no longer rest on the laurels of the past when it was inevitable that SCSU would reign at the top of the MEAC. We recognize that and commend the men and women’s teams for their championship feats. And, as we revamp our approach towards turning our programs around, we ask for your indulgence.
GOAL #3 – To meet academic and operation standards as set by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and South Carolina State University.
GOAL #4 – To serve as ambassadors for the University through Athletics.
Not only are our athletes expected to serve as ambassadors, but so are our athletics administrators and staff. We will certainly make ourselves available for alumni meetings, functions, etc. Please contact us at (803) 536-7242 or email me directly at cmjohnson@scsu.edu alerting us of your functions so that we may make plans to attend.
GOAL #5 – To promote life after athletics and a life-long relationship with the University after graduation via involvement in alumni chapters.
A database of former athletes is being updated in an effort to reach out to those who wore the “Garnet and Blue” in the past. Please help us by emailing your contact information to Ms. Valerie Dinkins at Vdinkin1@scsu.edu.
GOAL #6 – To solicit corporate sponsors to enhance varsity and non-revenue producing sports (watch for more specifics in subsequent web postings).
GOAL #7 – To devise marketing and advertising campaigns which encourage attendance at athletic events.
We need your help. Our goal is to get the information out early, giving alumni and supporters adequate time to make plans to attend athletic events We feel that we have a very attractive 2008 football schedule, and prices are affordable. Our athletes need to see our fans in attendance as they compete in all of our sports.
GOAL #8 – To enhance the professional development of the Department’s coaching staff.
Coaches are encouraged to attend conferences and clinics in order to stay abreast of changing coaching trends. In fact, it is part of the evaluation process.
GOAL #9 – To improve the physical facilities for identified varsity sports.
A Health, Wellness, Physical Education Activity and Sports Complex Task Force has been charged to explore the feasibility of building a facility to cover all aspects of our student population. In order to keep pace in the recruiting wars, we recognize that our facilities need to be upgraded.
This year the men and women’s basketball teams moved into newly-renovated locker rooms at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, where new laundry and training rooms were also added and a new gym floor installed. These upgrades come on the heels of the addition of the new scoreboard and artificial turf at the Stadium. So, as you can see, we are making strides but recognize we still have much to do.
There are still challenges ahead, as the football locker room, strength and conditioning and training rooms, as well as the track need immediate renovations. The department will continue to push forward towards renovations.
GOAL #10 – To administer a scholarship program for athletes.
GOAL #11 – To adhere to the University’s standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.
There is so much going on in the Athletics Department that I cannot begin to cover them all in this initial web post. But, please feel free to contact me via email or call me with concerns or questions that you have about SCSU Athletics. We need and want your support and we certainly welcome your input.
I will be attending the MEAC Basketball Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina March 10-15, 2008 and will be available during the National Alumni Meeting being conducted in Raleigh in conjunction with the tournament. I will be addressing the group Saturday morning and can answer any questions that you may have.
Again, I can be reached at (803) 536-7242 or cmjohnson@scsu.edu. Thanks for your support and together we can make it happen!
Congratulations to former football All-American Edwin Bailey, who is scheduled for induction into the MEAC Hall of Fame March 12 in Raleigh, NC during the league’s Basketball Tournament and to former Bulldog athletics director Dr. Willis Ham, who will be inducted into the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in June!
GO BULLDOGS,
Charlene M. Johnson
Director of Athletics
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