WAVE PAGE 2023

Dear Fans of the Mighty Green Wave,

Thank you for coming out tonight to support our Green Wave! We are blessed to live in a community that, for nearly a century, has put its heart and soul behind our high school and all the endeavors its students choose to embark. Each Friday night is an opportunity to celebrate that great tradition, whether it be the players on field, the spirited student section, our storied band program, the dedicated cheerleaders, the alumni who keep coming back to see the legacy continue, or the young people of this town who are waiting in the wings for their chance to continue that legacy even further. There is no place like Summerville in the fall!

Head Football Coach Ian Rafferty begins his fourth year leading the Green Wave on the grid iron. Since the end of last season’s Lower State appearance, Coach Rafferty’s program has been centered around family, integrity, and hard work, all core values that represent the privilege and responsibility of representing the Oval S. The Green Wave staff, with the addition of Coach Magwood and the revamped Strength and Conditioning Program, have been hard at work this off season making sure that our young men are bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter than they were last year. We have high expectations for this year’s Green Wave Team and I look forward to all of us cheering them on to victory!

The 2022-23 year for Green Wave Athletics was an exciting one. Green Wave Teams won 10 Region Championships, finished 10th in the Carlisle Cup, which ranks 5A high schools according playoff finishes, celebrated 26 student-athletes receiving scholarships to compete at the collegiate level, competed for 3 State Titles, and finished the year with a State Championship by the softball team. This year, we’re excited to announce the addition of Boys Volleyball to our athletic family. I would be remised if I did not thank the support from our Dorchester 2 Board of Trustees, our principal Michelle Leviner and his outstanding faculty, and our district leadership, including Superintendent Dr. Shane Robbins for it’s unyielding support of our students of Summerville High School for helping us continue this legacy of excellence.

Thank you again for your support for our kids. It is appreciated and it is important. Now – Let’s cheer the Green Wave on to victory!

Matt Legare Summerville High School

MATT LEGARE

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

IAN RAFFERTY

HEAD COACH, 2020 PRESENT

Ian Rafferty begins his 21st year in coaching and his 4th year leading the Green Wave Football Program. Rafferty is a 1994 graduate of Summerville High School where he played under the legendary Coach John McKissick. He was an All-Region, AllLow Country, and All-State football player as a junior and senior. Rafferty was also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl after his Senior season. Coach Rafferty was also a standout wrestler while at SHS and was a member of the 1992 and 1993 state championship wrestling teams. After high school, Rafferty attended North Carolina State University. During his time with the Wolfpack, Rafferty was a three-year starter on the offensive line, earning AllACC honors and a selection in the East-West AllStar game following his senior season. Rafferty played three seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets and the Tennessee Titans.

After his playing career was over, Rafferty moved back to the Summerville area and began his coaching career at Fort Dorchester High School. Rafferty served as the offensive coordinator with the Patriots, while also heading up the school’s strength and conditioning program. In 2015, Rafferty coordinated the offense on the 15-0 state championship team, which scored 63 points in the title game against Dorman. In his 19 years of coaching, Rafferty has coached numerous players who went on to play college football, and several who made it to the NFL.

Coach Rafferty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from North Carolina State University, a Master’s Degree in Teaching Physical Education from The Citadel, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. He is married to his beautiful wife Carrie, and they have three children: Drew (24), Lilly (16), and Reid (13).

OMAR NESBIT

OFFENSIVE LINE

Coach Nesbit graduated from The Citadel in 2002 with a degree in Business Administration. While at The Citadel, he was a 4-year starter for the bulldogs earning AllSouthern Conference honors in both academics and athletics. Omar was also an All-American in 2001.

Coach Nesbit began his coaching career at Fort Dorchester High School in 2006. He then spent 9 years as the offensive line and tight ends coach at Chowan University, in Murfreesboro, NC. While at Chowan, he served as the team’s academic coordinator and assistant strength and conditioning coach. Additionally, while there, Coach Nesbit coached 7 All-Conference offensive linemen. Coach Nesbit joined the Green Wave coaching staff in 2016.

Omar is married to his wife, Sarah, who is a Science and CATE teacher at SHS. Together, they have a 9-year-old son, Lucas and twins Quentin and Eli are 5 years old. Omar is the son of Caroline and Ronald Nesbit and has one brother, Jamar, a 1994 graduate of SHS and Super Bowl Champion with the New Orleans Saints.

OFFENSIVE LINE

JAMIE TYLER

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Jamie Tyler begins his 6th year as the outside linebackers coach for the Green Wave. He is a 1995 graduate of West Florence High School where he played defensive end and linebacker and was voted a team captain during his senior season. He played football at Presbyterian College and was a member of the 1998 team that forced 48 turnovers in 11 games, which ranked them first nationally in turnover margin (+2.27) He received a degree in secondary education in 2000. After graduating, he began his teaching and coaching career at Manning High School where he coached the defensive ends for the 2000 AAA Lower State Champions. After two years at Manning, Coach Tyler moved to North Charleston and coached at Fort Dorchester High School. In 2012, he returned to Manning to coach linebackers and serve as the defensive coordinator from 2013-2015.

Jamie is married to Lee, a 1996 graduate of SHS and a second grade teacher at Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary. They have two children, Thomas (17) who is in 11th grade at SHS and Ellison (15) who is in the 10th grade at SHS.

RYAN CHARPIA

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ QUARTERBACKS

This will be Coach Ryan Charpia’s 4th year teaching and coaching at Summerville High School. Prior to teaching and coaching at quarterbacks for 9 seasons at Fort, Coach Charpia spent 5 seasons coaching Wide Receivers at Woodland High School. Charpia attended James Island High School where he played wide receiver and quarterback for his father, head coach Reed Charpia. Ryan’s father Reed is an SHS Alum who played for and coached with legendary Coach John McKissick and is a member of the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Ryan was a 4A All-Region selection at quarterback in 1999, a Post and Courier AllLowcountry Team honorable mention, and a North/ South All-Star nominee. During his senior year, Ryan set James Island High School’s record for passing TD’s and passing yards in a season. Charpia was also selected to the All-Region and Sports Report’s AllState baseball teams his senior year. Coach Charpia graduated from Clemson University in 2005 with a degree in Secondary Education. While attending Clemson, Charpia was a member of the football team from 2001 to 2004 and a two-time letterman at wide receiver for the Tigers. Ryan and his wife Hayley have two sons, Clark (9) and Rhett (5).

QUARTERBACKS

TJ SMITH

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tj Smith completed his Bachelor's degree in Accounting at Lenoir Rhyne University. While at LR he was a dynamic All American wide receiver that led his team to a Conference Championship and ending his 2018 season with 51 Rec, 1,059 yds and 12 TDs. Prior to LR he also attended Concord University where he was named the MEC Freshman Player of the Year, Don Hansen All American, BSN All Region, was named First Team All Conference while leading his team to another Conference Championship in 2014. Tj Smith ended his college career with 179 rec, 3,281 yds, 34 TDs. In 2020 he signed with the (CFL) Edmonton Elks as a WR. Coach Smith is from Charleston, SC and graduated from Ft. Dorchester High School.

RECIEVERS

AHREN SELF

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Coach Ahren Self begins his ninth year as the Defensive Coordinator for the Green Wave. Prior to his arrival in Summerville, he spent nine years at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga. During his stint at Clarke Central, Coach Self was the Head Coach for three years and spent six seasons as the Gladiator’s Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach. In that time, he helped The Gladiator’s to eight consecutive playoff berths; two Region Championships, and a State Championship appearance in 2009. Coach Self brings with him a wealth of experience both in high school and at the collegiate level. Prior to arriving at Clarke Central, Coach Self’s most recent stop was at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he spent 2 years coaching the secondary and coordinating the punt team. Previously he coached at Elon University; where he was the Secondary Coach and Special Teams Coordinator; in addition, he coached at The Citadel, and at Syracuse University where he was able to work with All-Pro Linebacker Keith Bullock from the Tennessee Titans. He spent his entire career coaching on the defensive side of the ball, coaching either defensive backs or linebackers.

As a player, Coach Self played Defensive Back for The Citadel from 1991 – 1994 and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. There he was named “The Most Outstanding Defensive Back” following his Senior Year. In 1992, He was selected as the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as well as, South Carolina Defensive Player of the Week. Coach Self was also a member of the team that upset Division I-A Arkansas and won the Southern Conference Championship in 1992. Coach Self and his wife Caroline have 2 children; Chad and Chelsea.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

KEVIN BELLUSH

SAFETIES

Kevin Bellush starts his 21st year of coaching this year. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, PA. At his high school, he played football, basketball, and ran track. He went on to attend Edinboro University where he played college football, Go Fighting Scots! He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education in 2003 from the university.

Before working with Summerville, Bellush had previously held coaching positions at Fort Dorchester and Ashley Ridge High Schools working with Linebackers and Defensive Backs. He has also served as Head JV Football Coach and Head Boys & Girls Track Coach.

Coach Bellush serves as the PE teacher at Newington Elementary School. He is also the Boys and Girls Head track and Field coach here at the school. He is married to Karen Bellush, a dance and theatre teacher at Marrington Middle School of the Arts and they have two children; Jaden and Brodi.

TAV SCHWARTING CORNERBACKS

Tav Schwarting begins his fourth year as the cornerbacks coach for the Green Wave. Schwarting is a 2014 graduate of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School where he played football for Coach Butch Crosby. Schwarting was All Region and ALL Times and Democrat football his senior year at Bamberg-Ehrdardt. He also lettered in basketball and track and field. After graduation, Schwarting attended Presbyterian College and played football for the Blue Hose for 2 years before he had to end his playing career due to and injury. Schwarting then transferred to the University of South Carolina where he graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Management. While at USC, he served as the linebacker coach for 3 years at Gray Collegiate on Coach Adam Holmes’ staff. Schwarting is currently enrolled in the Masters of Art in Teaching Physical Education at The Citadel.

ALLEN SMITH

KICKERS

Allen Smith starts his second year of coaching as part of the Green Wave coaching staff. He graduated from Summerville High School in 04’ where he played football and soccer. During his time as a placekicker at Summerville High he earned All-State Honors, and was rated as one of the top 25 kickers in the nation by the Ray Guy Kicking Academy. He went on to play football at Georgia Military College and the University of Alabama before earning his degree at the University of South Carolina in business management.

KENTRIL WHITE

DEFENSIVE LINE

Kentril White enters his 18th season as a member of the Summerville High School Green Wave coaching staff. Kentril is a 1998 graduate of Summerville High School, where he played football and track. Upon graduating from Summerville High School, Kentril attended Florida State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While at Florida State, Kentril was a member of the 99’-00’ National Championship Team and multiple ACC Championships. In addition to being a member of the National Championship Team, Kentril won the Freshman Academic Achievement Award and Walk -on Player of the Year. In 2014, Kentril was inducted into the Summerville High School Hall of Fame. Kentril is the son of Floyd and Lorraine White, and he has one daughter, Gabrielle Nicole White.

CALEB STRICKLAND

DEFENSIVE LINE

Coach Strickland is entering his ninth year of coaching and his fourth year coaching the defensive line at Summerville. He is a Graduate of Summerville High School where he lettered in football and wrestling. After high school he attended The University of South Carolina where he majored in Physical Education and was a member of the equipment staff for the football team. Coach Strickland spent 5 years coaching at Ashley Ridge. Coach Strickland teaches Physical Education at Summerville High.

DEFENSIVE LINE

CARLO JIMENEZ

RUNNING BACKS

Carlo Jimenez is going into his 5th year with the Green Wave football program, with this being his 3rd season as Varsity Running Backs and Tight Ends coach. Coach Jimenez is a 2012 graduate of Pinewood Preparatory School and attended college at Gardner-Webb University, where he graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Sport’s Management and 2018 with a Master’s in Business Administration. While at Gardner-Webb, Coach Jimenez was a student coach working with the defensive line. After graduating, Coach Jimenez got promoted to a graduate assistant coaching position where he coached TE’s/RB’s and was video coordinator. Before officially becoming a part of the Green Wave program, Coach Jimenez partook in a coaching internship with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in the Spring of 2019 as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. While in Green Bay, Coach Jimenez assisted the offensive staff and worked with the TE’s. He currently teaches Business at Summerville High School.

FOOTBALL SENIORS

BILLY PENN

HEAD B-TEAM FOOTBALL COACH

Billy Penn is a 1991 graduate of Summerville High School where he lettered in football as a running back and linebacker, and a State Runner-up in wrestling. Coach Penn is married to Lindsey Hodge Penn (SHS Class of 2000) and has three kids Dee, Morgan and Ava. Coach Penn attended SC State and CSU, playing football for the Bucs. Penn graduated from the SC Fire Academy in 1994 and served his community for 27 years. Coach Penn has been inducted to the Summerville Hall of Fame and the Scott Firefighter Hall Fame (Lion’s Den) for his achievements in both. Throughout the time as a firefighter he was a substitute teacher while coaching football and wrestling for The Greenwave! While coaching he won two State Championships as a B Team wrestling coach and was a part of Coach John McKissick’s coaching staff from 20042006. Coach Penn came back to coaching in 2019 and has been recently named the Head Coach of the Summerville B Team Football. Coach Penn is the son

SCOTT LITTLE

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

Scott Little, SCAT, ATC has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Summerville High School since 08’. Scott is a Green Wave alumni and went on to Charleston Southern University earning his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. After graduation he spent three years as the Head Athletic Trainer for Pinewood Prep in Summerville before returning to SHS. Along with his athletic training duties Coach Little teaches the various levels of Sports Medicine offered within the school’s Health Science curriculum.

ALEXIS BENNETT

ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASHLEY JACOBS

VARSTIY CHEERLEADING HEAD COACH

Ashley Jacobs begins her 7th season as the leader of the Summerville High School Cheerleading Program. Last season, Coach Jacobs led the team to another state appearance at the 5A SCHSL Cheerleading State Championships. Coach Jacobs has been awarded the Region 8AAAAA Year and Summerville High School, Teacher of the Year. Coach Jacobs is a native of Clinton, SC where she attended Presbyterian College. She cheered for four years in high school and continued her cheer career throughout college. She has taught Mathematics at Summerville High School for the past nine years, currently serving as the Math Department Chair, and has enjoyed watching her students grow into lifelong learners. Similar to how she is in the classroom, Coach Jacobs instills a strong desire within her cheerleaders for them to work hard and devote their time and energy to becoming the best team they can be. Coach Jacobs is excited to lead this year’s team to success.

LESLIE GILREATH

BAND DIRECTOR

Leslie Gilreath is a native of Anderson, SC and a graduate of Furman University. As Drum Major of the Furman Marching Band, his studies there included work with Jay Bacook, nationally known composer, arranger and band consultant. He also studied composition with composers, Michael Hennagin and Carolyn Bremer at the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, OK. This, his 14th year at SHS, will be his 20th year in education, including one year as Director of the Green Machine of Berea High School and six as Director of the Green Wave Band of Easley, SC. Mr. Gilreath was the 2011 Summerville High School Teacher of the Year and a Dorchester District Two Honor Teacher of the Year. He currently serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair and is certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. He is also the owner of NightMusik.com, LLC, a music publishing company for marching bands, and his arrangements/compositions are played by bands across the United States. During his tenure, the Summerville Marching Band has placed in the top five of SCBDA State Championships 12 times, including the 2004 State Championship and the 2005 Lower State Championships. The Summerville Symphonic and Concert Bands are consistently rated Superior and/or Excellent in Concert Festival Performance. The Summerville Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the Music Educators National Conference Southern Division Convention in 2007. Leslie is the son of Donald and Janice Gilreath of Anderson, SC. He resides here in Summerville.

BEN HIPP

COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR

Mr. Hipp has served as an adjudicator, clinician, designer, and consultant for numerous finalist programs across the Southeast including the Chapin, Pickens, Blythewood, Summerville, White Knoll, Ninety-Six, Lexington, Irmo, Hanahan and Ashley Ridge High School Bands, the 2006 World Champion Etude Winter Guard, the Epiphany Indoor Youth Ensemble, Charles Towne Independent Winter Guard and the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Born in Lexington, SC; Mr. Hipp graduated from the University of South Carolina with a major in music and minor in education and art studio. He has performed with the USC Marching Band Flag Line and with Millennia Carolina Independent A Winter Guard where he was the captain in 1999 and 2000.

Under Mr. Hipp's direction, the Summerville Color Guard has recently won various field and indoor awards and have been named the 2016 Cadet and Scholastic Open State Champions, 2010 Winter Guard International World Championships Scholastic A Class Finalist, 2016 Winter Guard International World Championships Scholastic Open Class Finalist and the 2004, 2014 State 5A State Marching Band Champions. Mr. Hipp joined the Summerville color guard staff in 2004 and is currently in his fourteenth year as Color Guard Director at Summerville High School. Mr. Hipp was formerly the Early College Program Coordinator at Summerville High School coordinating with Trident Technical College on dual enrollment classes. In addition, Mr. Hipp is the Carolina Territory Manager for North and South Carolina for Algy Costumes and flag designer for Algy and he recently began working as the Southeast Territory Manager for Marching Bandworks.