The Bulldog Wire — Vol. 11 | July 2026
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SC State Alumni Newsletter — Keeping the Legacy Alive

“So Hard!”

31 Aug 2026 • Vol. 19
🐾 So Hard, Bulldog Nation

87 Points, Back on the Yard — and Sushi at The Pit!

South Carolina State football team celebration — The Bulldog Wire

There’s nothing quite like coming back home to South Carolina State University, especially when Bulldog football is back on the yard. And what a way to start the season.

The Bulldogs opened 2026 with a historic 87–0 victory over Savannah State, setting the tone in a major way. With Coach Chennis Berry continuing to preach the “1–0 mindset,” the focus now shifts to the next challenge — the Florida A&M Rattlers in Miami. One game at a time. One opponent at a time. 1–0.

But being back on campus wasn’t only about football. I also had the opportunity to make my way back to The Pit, and let me tell you — The Pit has definitely stepped its game up.

Not shown in the picture is an Asian food station with lo mein and the whole nine yards. But wait… there’s more. They have a sushi bar. That’s right — SUSHI AT THE PIT!

For those of us who remember eating there during our days at SC State, that might be hard to believe. It was fun walking through, remembering the old days and seeing how much the campus experience has evolved for today’s students.

That’s one of the best parts about coming home. You get to celebrate the traditions that made SC State special while seeing the university continue to grow.

From 87–0 on the football field to sushi in The Pit, it was definitely a memorable weekend back on the yard. The Bulldogs are back. The campus is moving forward. And it still feels good to come home.

So Hard, Bulldog Nation!

⭐ Featured This Week
🐾 Bulldog Nation Celebrates

Forever a Bulldog: SC State Enshrines Its 2026 Hall of Fame Class

SC State Athletics Hall of Fame — Grier, Duncan, Moses, and Sims enshrined posthumously

Legends aren’t remembered simply because they played the game — they’re remembered because they changed it.

On Friday, August 28, South Carolina State University celebrated another powerful chapter in Bulldog history as 15 distinguished individuals were enshrined into the SC State Athletics Hall of Fame at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

The 2026 class represented generations of excellence across football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, track and field, and service to the university. Four members, Grier, Duncan, Moses, and Sims, were honored posthumously, ensuring that their contributions will continue to be remembered by generations of Bulldogs.

Among those receiving one of SC State Athletics’ highest honors were football standouts John Courtney, Leonard Duncan, Charles Glaze, Tyler McDonald, Walter Mitchell, Damien Moses, Chris Ragland and Robert “Mickey” Sims, along with Bernard Bowman, Ralph Miller, Maria Craciun, Charles “Chuck” Gadsden, Douglas Grier, John Hinson and Dr. James H. Salley.

The photographs from the evening tell their own story — Bulldog legends standing proudly together, certificates in hand, surrounded by family, alumni and supporters who came to celebrate careers that helped shape the legacy of South Carolina State Athletics.

And the celebration didn’t end Friday night. The class was honored again during halftime of Saturday’s season opener against Savannah State — connecting Bulldog history with the generation carrying the tradition forward today.

That is what a Hall of Fame represents. Excellence remembered. Sacrifice honored. Legacy preserved.

🐾 Congratulations to the South Carolina State University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Once a Bulldog. Forever a Bulldog. Forever part of the legacy.

🎙️ Life After SCSU — Exclusive Interview

Bill Hamilton: 50 Years, Countless Legends, One Bulldog Story

50 Years. He Was There. Countless Legends. One Bulldog Story. — Bill Hamilton

For more than 50 years, Bill Hamilton has been one of the guardians of South Carolina State athletic history. From the glory years of Willie Jeffries and championship football to generations of All-Americans, NFL players and Hall of Famers, Hamilton has spent a lifetime documenting the people and moments that built the Bulldog legacy.

#BillHamilton #TheBulldogWire #LifeAfterSCSU #SCState #HBCU #HBCUPride #CoachingLegacy #MentorshipMatters #CommunityLeadership #StudentAthletes #LeadershipAndLegacy

📚 Must Read

Book of the Week

The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires — Dennis Kimbro
The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires
Dennis Kimbro, with the Napoleon Hill Foundation
Drawing on interviews with more than 1,000 Black millionaires, Dennis Kimbro uncovers the mindset, discipline, and choices that turned everyday people into self-made success stories. Part inspiration and part practical roadmap, this book challenges readers to take ownership of their financial future and build wealth with purpose. A powerful read for any Bulldog working to build their own legacy.
Get the Book ↗
Take Action
Get Involved,
Bulldog Family

Your support keeps the legacy alive — every action counts.

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⭐ National Alumni Association
South Carolina State University National Alumni Association

Stay connected, get involved, and support your alma mater through SCSUNAA. Log in to your chapter portal, update your membership, and stay in the loop with everything happening across Bulldog Nation.

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2026 Football Season
TV Schedule

Mark your calendars! Catch every Bulldog game on ESPN+, ESPN, and ESPNU all season long.

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🎟️
Miami • Sept 6
Luxury Suite Tickets Available

We have 6 luxury suite tickets for the September 6 game in Miami — food and drinks included. Contact City Ced for details.

📞 Serious Inquiries: Call/Text (919) 796-2587
SCSU Dorchester County Chapter — Ultimate Bulldog Road Trip Raffle, SCSU vs CSU
Dorchester County Chapter SCSUNAA
The Ultimate Bulldog Road Trip Raffle!

SCSU vs. Charleston Southern — October 10, 2026. One winner receives 4 game tickets, 4 Bulldog t-shirts, and a hotel room for the weekend! 📅 Ticket Sales: July 7 – September 30, 2026 • 🎉 Raffle Drawing: October 1, 2026. Every ticket purchased helps provide scholarships for deserving SC State students.

🎟️ Get Your Raffle Tickets ↗
🏟️
Season Tickets
The State Club

Lock in your seats and pack the stands with Bulldog pride all season long.

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🏈
Former Athletes
SCSBFAA 2026–2027

Come back and give back. Only $60/year. Goal: 100 new members by end of summer.

Pay Online ↗ Zelle: [email protected]
🏛️
Capital Campaign
SC State $41M HBCU Athletics Campaign

President Conyers has set audacious goals and we are behind him 1000%. We can’t just talk about it — we have to be about it.

Read the Story ↗
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Support Our Students
Pack the Pantry

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Willie Jeffries Tournament

Tee it up for a legend and support Bulldog athletics. Grab your spot before it fills up!

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📊 Bulldog Wire Poll
Bulldog Wire Round-Up at Santee State Park — Are You In?
We’re exploring a Friday pre-game Round-Up at Santee State Park — families welcome, fun on the lake, all alumni orgs, coaches & leadership represented. We need your input!

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The Bulldog Wire is written with love for the SC State family — past, present, and future.

So Hard! 🐾