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:USC Aiken Pacers

{{Infobox college athletics

| name = USC Aiken Pacers

| logo = USC Aiken Primary Logo.svg

| logo_width = 200

| university = University of South Carolina Aiken

| association = NCAA

| conference = Peach Belt

| division = Division II

| director = Todd Wilkinson{{cite news|title=USC Aiken Announces Todd Wilkinson As Director Of Athletics|url=https://pacersports.com/news/2022/12/28/general-usc-aiken-announces-todd-wilkinson-as-director-of-athletics.aspx|access-date=January 5, 2023}}

| location = Aiken, South Carolina

| first season = 1961

| teams = 11

| mens_teams = 5

| womens_teams = 5

| coed_teams = 1

| basketballarena = Convocation Center

| baseballfield = Roberto Hernandez Stadium

| soccerstadium = Pacer Pit

| softballstadium = USCA Softball Facility

| mascot = Ace the Pacer

| nickname = Pacers

| color1 = Pacer Blue

| color2 = Ace Red

| color3 = Triumph Gray{{cite web|title=Colors|url=https://app.pickit.com/#/brand/61bcf3f72d0d530012244568/621e59f60fe5a80010eebddc|access-date=July 3, 2023}}

| hex1 = 012855

| hex2 = E4012B

| hex3 = A2AAAD

| pageurl = https://pacersports.com/

| ncaa titles = 3

| indiv_relay ncaa champs = 2{{cite web|title=2022-23 PBC CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE|url=https://peachbeltconference.org/sports/2022/7/25/GEN_0725224137.aspx|access-date=January 16, 2023}}

| altlogo = 200px

}}

The USC Aiken Pacers are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Carolina Aiken, located in Aiken, South Carolina, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Pacers have primarily competed in the Peach Belt Conference since the 1990–91 academic year. The Pacers' primary rival is conference foe Augusta.

USCA competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Men's and women's tennis were discontinued at the end of the 2018–19 school year. The Pacers also sponsor a co-ed Spirit Squad.

History

USCA's athletic programs were initially known as the Rebels. The mascot name was changed to Pacers in 1971.Pacer Times, [https://issuu.com/pacertimes/docs/orientation_pdf/1 Vol. 50 no. 1, p.1] (August 8, 2013).

Conference affiliations

NCAA

  • Peach Belt Conference (1990–present){{cite web|title=Conference History|url=https://peachbeltconference.org/sports/2020/7/12/information-about-history.aspx|access-date=January 2, 2023}}

Varsity teams

class="wikitable"; style= "text-align: "

! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|USC Aiken Pacers|border=1|color= white }}"| Men's sports

! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|USC Aiken Pacers|border=1|color= white }}"| Women's sports

Baseball

| Basketball

Basketball

| Cross country

Cross country

| Soccer

Golf

| Softball

Soccer

| Volleyball

= Baseball =

Ahead of the 2022 season, Michael Holder took the reins of the Pacer baseball program.{{cite news|title=Pacers ready to begin new era under Holder|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/sports/pacers-ready-to-begin-new-era-under-holder/article_cde74b20-8534-11ec-8c84-ff0df96808dc.html|access-date=February 5, 2023}} Holder succeeded longtime coach Kenny Thomas, who led the Pacers to nine NCAA Southeast Regional appearances across 22 seasons as head coach.{{cite news|title=Kenny Thomas To Retire After 2021 Season|url=https://pacersports.com/news/2020/8/19/baseball-kenny-thomas-to-retire-after-2021-season.aspx|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

Longtime Coastal Carolina head coach Gary Gilmore served as an assistant from 1986–1989 and subsequently as head coach at USCA from 1990–1995.

It was at the end of Gilmore's first season on staff in 1986 that pitcher Roberto Hernández was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft.{{cite web|title=Roberto Hernández|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernaro01.shtml|access-date=March 20, 2024}} Hernández later made substantial donations to his alma mater, which led to a new baseball stadium being constructed and named in his honor on the university's campus.

= Men's basketball =

File:Convocation Center arena.jpg

The men's basketball program has been led by Mark Vanderslice since the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|title=College Basketball: Division II head basketball job for Vanderslice|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2015/08/03/college-basketball-d-ii-head-job-for-vanderslice/|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

= Women's basketball =

The women's basketball program was led by head coach Mark Miller from the 2016–17 season through the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.{{cite news|title=USC Aiken announces Mark Miller will be new women’s basketball head coach|url=https://www.wjbf.com/news/usc-aiken-announces-mark-miller-will-be-new-womens-basketball-head-coach/|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

In April 2025, Gannon assistant coach Brittany Batts was named the Pacers' new head coach. At Gannon, Batts was named the 2024 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant of the Year{{cite news|title=Brittany Batts named new USC Aiken women’s basketball coach|url=https://www.wjbf.com/sports/brittany-batts-named-new-usc-aiken-womens-basketball-coach/|access-date=April 19, 2025}}

= Cross country =

The Pacers' cross country program was led by head coach Marshall Leonard through 2024.{{cite news|title=MARSHALL LEONARD NAMED USCA HEAD CROSS COUNTRY COACH|url=https://peachbeltconference.org/news/2022/2/14/mens-cross-country-marshall-leonard-named-usca-head-cross-country-coach.aspx|access-date=February 5, 2023}} Longtime Lynchburg coach Jim Sprecher is set to lead the program beginning in fall 2025.{{cite news|title=Sprecher To Depart Lynchburg Following Outdoor Track Season, Jake Reed To Take The Helm|url=https://lynchburgsports.com/news/2025/2/10/track-field-sprecher-to-depart-lynchburg-following-outdoor-track-jake-reed-to-take-the-helm.aspx|access-date=February 10, 2025}}

= Golf =

The Pacers' golf program has been led by coach Michael Carlisle since the 1991–92 season. During his tenure, the program has experienced unprecedented success, including a run of three consecutive national championships (2004, 2005, and 2006).{{cite web|title=Michael Carlisle - Head Men's Golf Coach|url=https://pacersports.com/staff-directory/michael-carlisle/22|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

= Men's soccer =

The men's soccer program is led by first-year head coach Nick Sakiewicz.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=USC Aiken Hires Nick Sakiewicz To Lead Men’s Soccer Program |url=https://pacersports.com/news/2023/12/21/mens-soccer-usc-aiken-hires-nick-sakiewicz-to-lead-mens-soccer-program.aspx |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics |language=en}} He takes over for longtime coach Ike Ofoje, who was also the Pacers' inaugural women's soccer head coach.{{cite web|title=Ike Ofoje - Men's Soccer Coach|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/ike-ofoje/645|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

= Women's soccer =

The women's soccer program is led by first-year head coach Adam Kleman.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=USC Aiken Hires Adam Kleman As Head Women’s Soccer Coach |url=https://pacersports.com/news/2023/8/10/mens-soccer-usc-aiken-hires-adam-kleman-as-head-womens-soccer-coach.aspx |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics |language=en}} Kleman succeeds Tina Murphy, who in her two year tenure before departing for Gardner-Webb led the Pacers to their first Peach Belt tournament appearance since the 2017–18 season.{{Cite web |title=Tina Murphy - Women's Soccer Coach |url=https://pacersports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/tina-murphy/616 |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics |language=en}}

= Softball =

File:USCA Softball field.jpg

The Pacers' softball program is led by fourth-year head coach Jaclin Poole. Under Poole's leadership, the Pacers made the 2022 Peach Belt Conference tournament, the program's first since 2016.{{cite web|title=USC Aiken Is Sixth Seed For PBC Championship|url=https://pacersports.com/news/2022/5/2/softball-usc-aiken-is-sixth-seed-for-pbc-championship.aspx|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

= Volleyball =

The Pacers' volleyball program is led by head coach Glenn Cox, who has guided the program since 2008.{{cite web|title=Glenn Cox - Volleyball Coach|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/glenn-cox/613|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

Conference championships

As members of the Peach Belt Conference the Pacers have won 55 conference championships (46 team, nine individual) across five programs.

=Men's Sports=

Baseball

  • PBC Regular Season - 3 (1994, 2009, 2013)
  • PBC Tournament - 2 (1992, 1993)

Basketball

  • PBC Regular Season - 7 (1992-93, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2022-23, 2023-24)
  • PBC Tournament - 5 (1993, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2025)

Golf

  • PBC Championships - 12 (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
  • PBC Individual Champions - 9 (Brian Kassel '93, Jamie Stanley '95, '97, Brooks Blackburn '96, Scott Brown '02, '06, Dane Burkhart '05, Brandon Robinson-Thompson '14, Johnson Holliday '18)

=Women's Sports=

Basketball

  • PBC Regular Season - 3 (1990-91, 2001-02, 2007-08)
  • PBC Tournament - 1 (2012)

Volleyball

  • PBC Regular Season - 10 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
  • PBC Tournament - 5 (1991, 1992, 1996, 2006, 2007)

Regional championships

The Pacers have had consistent success in regional competition, claiming 15 (10 team, five individual) NCAA Division II Region Titles across five sports.

=Team=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Association

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Division

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Sport

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Year

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Opponent/Runner-Up

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Score

align="center"

| rowspan="10" | NCAA

| rowspan="10" | Division II

| rowspan="1" | Baseball

| 1993

| Francis Marion

| 13–2

align="center"

| rowspan="5" | Men's Golf

| 2002

| –

| 835–

align="center"

| 2003

| Francis Marion

| 865–878

align="center"

| 2004

| Kennesaw State

| 578–586

align="center"

| 2005

| Armstrong State

| 887–891

align="center"

| 2006

| Columbus State

| 875–912

align="center"

| rowspan="2" | Men's Basketball

| 2013

| Barton

| 82–75

align="center"

| 2014

| Montevallo

| 84–73

align="center"

| rowspan="1" | Men's Tennis

| 2019

| Wingate

| 4–2

align="center"

| rowspan="1" | Volleyball

| 2016

| Queens

| 3–2

=Individual=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Association

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Division

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Sport

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Year

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Individual(s)

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Event

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Score

align="center"

| rowspan="5" | NCAA

| rowspan="5" | Division II

| rowspan="5" | Men's Golf

| 1997

| Jamie Stanley

| rowspan="5" | Individual Title

| 220 (+4)

align="center"

| 2003

| Scott Usher

| 212 (–4)

2005

|Scott Brown

|216 (0)

2006

|Scott Brown

|211 (–5)

2012

|Matt Atkins

|210 (–6)

National championships

=Team=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Association

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Division

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Sport

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Year

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Opponent/Runner-Up

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Score

align="center"

| rowspan="3" | NCAA

| rowspan="3" | Division II

| rowspan="3" | Men's Golf{{cite web|title=NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship Results |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/golf_champs_records/2015/DIIMChamps.pdf |work=NCAA|publisher=NCAA.org|access-date=January 14, 2016}}

| 2004

| Chico State

| 1,191–1,200

align="center"

| 2005

| Armstrong State

| 1,158–1,163

align="center"

| 2006

| Columbus State

| 1,148–1,160

=Individual=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Association

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Division

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Sport

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Year

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Individual(s)

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Event

! style="background:#012855; color:#ffffff;" | Score

align="center"

| rowspan="2" | NCAA

| rowspan="2" | Division II

| rowspan="2" | Men's Golf

| 2005

| Dane Burkhart

| rowspan="2" | Individual Title

| 279 (–5)

align="center"

| 2008

| Jeff Goff

| 278 (–2)

Notable alumni

= Baseball =

  • Rich Batchelor, (1986–89){{cite web|title=Richard Batchelor - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/richard-batchelor/319|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Scott Cassidy, (1994–95){{cite web|title=Scott Cassidy - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/scott-cassidy/486|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Paul Fletcher, (1986–87){{cite web|title=Paul Fletcher - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/paul-fletcher/259|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Roberto Hernández, (1986){{cite web|title=Roberto Hernandez - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-hernandez/232|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Adam Riggs, (1993–94){{cite web|title=Adam Riggs - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/adam-riggs/473|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Bryan Ward, (1993){{cite web|title=Bryan Ward - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/bryan-ward/455|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Reggie Williams, (1987–88){{cite web|title=Reggie Williams - Baseball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/baseball/roster/reggie-williams/311|access-date=January 15, 2023}}

= Men's basketball =

  • Chris Commons, (2007–09){{cite web|title=Chris Commons - Men's Basketball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/chris-commons/2627|access-date=January 21, 2023}}
  • Josh Dollard, (2008–09){{cite web|title=Josh Dollard - Men's Basketball|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/josh-dollard/2629|access-date=January 21, 2023}}

= Men's golf =

  • Matt Atkins, (2010–13){{cite web|title=Matt Atkins - Men's Golf|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/matt-atkins/3087|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Scott Brown, (2001–05){{cite web|title=Scott Brown - Men's Golf|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/scott-brown/3010|access-date=January 15, 2023}}
  • Roberto Díaz, (2005–08){{cite web|title=Roberto Diaz - Men's Golf|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/roberto-diaz/3040|access-date=January 15, 2023}}

= Men's soccer =

  • Ranaldo Bailey, (2018–19){{cite web|title=Ranaldo Bailey - Men's Soccer|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ranaldo-bailey/8567|access-date=January 21, 2023}}
  • John Lesko, (2006–08){{cite web|title=John Lesko - Men's Soccer|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/john-lesko/3701|access-date=January 29, 2023}}

= Women's soccer =

  • Akeyla Furbert, (2012–15){{cite web|title=Akeyla Furbert - Women's Soccer|url=https://pacersports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/akeyla-furbert/5528|access-date=January 29, 2023}}

References

{{reflist}}

==External links==

  • {{Official website}}

{{Peach Belt Conference navbox}}

{{College sports in South Carolina}}