ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The South Carolina State Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the SC State Former Athletes Association, will honor former football coaching great Willie Jeffries during the "Honoring the Legacy of Willie Jeffries" weekend on October 16-17, 2015 in Orangeburg, S.C. The weekend will be two days filled with fun activities honoring the coaching legacy of Coach Jeffries.
 
On Friday, October 16 at 7 p.m., there will be a gala in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center to kick off the weekend. Coach Jeffries will be the guest of honor and all of his former players in attendance will be recognized. Tickets are $100.
 
The festivities continue on Saturday, October 17 when South Carolina State takes on Howard University at 2 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The Former Athletes Association is sponsoring a tailgate party for Coach Jeffries and his former players from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, Coach Jeffries and all of his former players who attend the game will be recognized during a halftime ceremony.
 
The SC State Former Athletes are offering a weekend package deal for just $130, which includes a ticket for the gala, a football game ticket, and access to the tailgate party at the football game. The host hotel for the weekend is the Sleep Inn in Orangeburg. Rooms are available for $79.99 per night plus tax and reservations can be made directly by calling (803) 531-7200. Ask for the Willie Jeffries Weekend rate.
 
Individuals interested in purchasing the package deal can send a money order or cashier's check (no personal checks) to South Carolina State University, Attn. Director of Athletics, 300 College Street, NE, Orangeburg, SC 29117. Make money orders or checks payable to South Carolina State Foundation and put Athletics in the memo line. Payments will be accepted by mail until Friday, October 9, 2015. Packages can be purchased in-person until Friday, October 16, 2015.
 
For more information about this exciting weekend, contact John "Scrap Iron" Alford by phone at (803) 447-2521 or by email at scrap71@bellsouth.net.
 
 
ABOUT WILLIE JEFFRIES
One of the greatest and most accomplished college football coaches in history, College Football Hall of Fame coach Willie Jeffries had two outstanding stints at the helm for South Carolina State (1973 to 1978, and 1989 to 2001), compiling a 128-77-4 record with the Bulldogs.
During those years, he led South Carolina State to three Black College National Championships, seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and a number of postseason appearances in the Division I-AA playoffs.
 
In September, Jeffries – who coached the likes of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson, four-time Super Bowl winner Donnie Shell, three-time Pro Bowl player and three-time All-Pro defensive end Robert Porcher, the late Orlando Brown, a 10-year NFL veteran, and former Denver Broncos sack master Barney Chavous – will be recognized for these and many other accomplishments when he steps up to receive the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Award, representing South Carolina State.
 
Jeffries' coaching prowess brought national attention to the Bulldogs' football program, and his achievements propelled him to blaze trails for many black head coaches in major college football. In 1979, he became the first African-American head coach of a Division I program, taking over at Wichita State University. The Shockers were ready for this groundbreaking moment for black coaches and college football.
 
Jeffries coached the Shockers from 1979 to 1983. In 1982 he guided Wichita State to an 8-3 record, the highlight of his time there. He returned to HBCU football in 1984 as the head coach at Howard. He spent five seasons coaching the Bison before heading back to South Carolina State for his final coaching stop.
 
Jeffries retired in 2001 with a 179-132-6 record overall in his 29-year coaching career. In 2010, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and South Carolina State unveiled Willie E. Jeffries Field during the Nov. 5 home game in which the Bulldogs hosted the Howard Bison. Today, Jeffries stays close to the South Carolina State football program. The school's board of trustees has given him the title of Head Football Coach Emeritus.