|
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – November 11 has been declared Buddy Pough Day in honor of South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.
The 2023 football season marks his final season with the university.
As SC State athletics recognizes the impact he made, they are encouraging all Bulldogs to come out and support Pough at his last home game. The home game against Morgan State is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
In lieu of the $30 ticket price, SC State has reduced the price to $22 for online purchases only. The new online ticket price represents the 22 years Pough has served as the head football coach.
"Establishing Buddy Pough Day was a way for us to show our appreciation for our legendary Coach Buddy Pough," SC State President Alexander Conyers said. "Coach Pough is more than just a legend on our campus and the world of college sports, he is a living example to our students who epitomizes a loyal alumnus. So, we are delighted to honor him in this way."
Pough is a long-time Bulldog who graduated from the university and worked seven years as an assistant football coach (1979 – 1985) under the late William "Bill" Davis. This makes a total of 29 years on the Bulldog sidelines in coach ranks. He also played four seasons at SC State.
Over the course of his career as SC State's head coach, Pough has achieved a total of 150 wins with a 150–92 overall record and a 114–43 conference record.
This breaks the record of previous head coach Willie Jeffries' 128 wins.
Pough's record includes 11 championships – three Black College Football National titles and eight MEAC crowns. He also received four MEAC Coach of the Year awards, two National Coach of the Year awards, and two national HBCU titles.
His teams have captured three MEAC titles (2008, 2009 & 2021) outright, shared five others (2004, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2019), and made four trips to the prestigious FCS playoffs (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013).
Even though the university is sad to see him leave, the Bulldogs are grateful for his tenacity and influence, and wishes him the best on his future endeavors.
To purchase the $22 tickets, go to South Carolina State University Athletics - Official Athletics Website (scsuathletics.com).
|