NORFOLK, Va. – Former South Carolina State quarterback Nathaniel "Nate" Rivers was among four former student-athletes and one coach inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Hall of Fame Friday (Mar. 14) during a 9 a.m. brunch at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel.
Rivers, who became the 20th SC State inductee in the prestigious hall, was joined in the 2014 Class by Howard's Andrea Gardner (basketball), Hampton's Kellie Wells (track), Morgan State's Tanisha Kemp (softball), and former North Carolina A&T head football coach William "Bill" Hayes.
"Today is a proud moment for me," said the Wadmalaw Island, SC native during his acceptance speech. "I'm overwhelmed and humbled by this recognition, to be joining so many outstanding athletes and coaches whose names have been called before me. It felt great to be sitting there with the other inductees (in the 2014 Class)."
Rivers, a standout quarterback for the Bulldogs from 1976-1979, was supported by, among others, 18 of his former teammates, including several of the Bulldog offensive linemen that protected him during his career, other SC State players, school administrators, alumni and members of his immediate family at the enshrinement.
"I do not accept his award as an individual," Rivers said. "It is indeed a team achievement and a lot of my teammates are here today, including some great offensive linemen. Thank you for being here," he said to his teammates. "Also allow me to thank SC State University, the MEAC and everyone affiliated with this event. "Philip Murphy (former SC State defensive tackle and a 2012 inductee) called me when I was on the way here. He said Nate the MEAC Hall of Fame event is first class. He was right.
"My mom is 82 and could not be here, my dad has passed on, but I'm grateful to have my wife (Ramona who presented him) and my oldest daughter here today. My youngest daughter could not be here."
SC State recently inaugurated president Thomas Elzey, Bulldog athletics director Charlene Johnson and head football coach Buddy Pough were among the SC State administrators and supporters in attendance.
Bulldogs teams were among the most productive in the MEAC during Rivers' career, compiling a four-year record of 20-2-1 in the conference, and winning three straight MEAC titles (1976, 1977, and 1978). He earned first-team All-MEAC accolades in 1977 when he was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. He was drafted in the fifth round of the college draft in 1980 by the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded him to the New York Giants, where he played for three seasons. Rivers is enshrined in the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame (2000) and is a member of the school's Centennial (1907-2007) Football Team.
Following his stint in the NFL, he had a distinguished military career, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring.
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