American Legion helps local baseball talent attend USCB



Scott Mullen, the Beaufort High School Baseball Coach, Rich Delmore (Adjutant, American Legion Post 9), Artie Heape (American Legion Commander, Post 9), Brian Lewallyn, USCB Assistant Baseball Coach, Weldon Smith, USCB Baseball Player, and George E. Miller (Athletic Director, American Legion Post 9).



October 25, 2011

Beaufort and Bluffton, SC- American Legion Posts 9 and 207 from Beaufort donated a $1,000 scholarship to local USCB baseball player, Weldon Smith who played at Battery Creek High School. 

Present for the donation were Scott Mullen, the Beaufort High School Baseball Coach, Rich Delmore (Adjutant, American Legion Post 9), Artie Heape (American Legion Commander, Post 9), George E. Miller (Athletic Director, American Legion Post 9), and Brian Lewallyn, USCB Assistant Baseball Coach.

The local American Legion provides a scholarship each year to a baseball player at USCB who is from Beaufort County to help bridge the gap between local baseball talent in Beaufort County with the Sandsharks at USCB.  According to Miller, “The local American Legion baseball teams are supported by and dependent upon local businesses and individuals.  As such, we want to help local ballplayers get a solid four year college education right here, at home.”

Smith, who received the scholarship, stated “I am so thankful to the American Legion and the USCB baseball coaches for their amazing support.”  According to Head Baseball Coach, Rick Sofield, “There hasn’t been any more deserving player in our program to receive an award than Weldon. He is one of finest individuals I have been associated with at any level. I’m proud to know him.”

                                                                                                                                     

Such scholarships also motivate student Athletes to remain at USCB for their entire 4 years of baccalaureate education. According to Athletics Director, Ty Rietkovich, “Many local people still view us as a short-term campus, with the intent of transferring elsewhere after two years.  But, more and more our athletes are viewing USCB as destination.  This year we will be graduating our biggest class of student athletes to date. And there’s more to come.”

MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                                              

Candace Brasseur

USCB Public Information Director

843-208-8030 

brasse@uscb.edu