22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 18, 2015
submitted photo
Pictured is assistant director of the Gamecock Club Jay Brown holding the phone for Jimmy Stewart’s personal call from South Carolina baseball head coach Chad Holbrook.
Jimmy Stewart’s commitment to Gamecocks honored on Veterans Day
by brian hand Executive Editor
Jimmy Stewart was scheduled to be the Legendary Fan of the Game for the Florida game. But with it being Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, it made sense that the Gamecock Club bestow the veteran with the honor on that day. To make this happen, Gamecock Club executive director Patrick McFarland and assistant director of the Gamecock Club Jay Brown visited Stewart at Carolina Pines Hospital in Hartsville, South Carolina to present him with the Legendary Fan of the
Game blazer on Veterans Day. They were joined by Darlington County Gamecock Club chapter representatives and members of Stewart’s family, including his wife, Camilla. In addition to receiving the blazer honoring him for his dedication to all things Gamecock, Stewart even received a personal call from South Carolina baseball head coach Chad Holbrook. “Without supporters like you, our program would not be successful,” Holbrook told Stewart on the phone. “We appreciate you and we will be thinking of you.” Stewart said it was “fantastic” to receive
the Legendary Fan of the Game honor and the personal call from Holbrook. “I never expected anything like that,” Stewart said. Stewart originally started following the Gamecocks in 1967, which was just about the time his cousin Tommy Suggs started playing quarterback for South Carolina. Stewart would of course during that time frame get to enjoy seeing his cousin lead the Gamecocks to the 1969 ACC Championship. Stewart points out though that his favorite memory is watching his Gamecocks absolutely dominate Clemson, 56-20, in 1975. From their Hartsville, South Carolina
home, Jimmy and Camilla Stewart have traveled near and far to watch the Gamecocks with the Stewarts visiting the majority of the SEC schools. McFarland and the Gamecock Club are just in general more than thankful for Stewart’s commitment to the Gamecocks. “Jimmy has always been a true supporter of the Gamecocks,” McFarland said of the 28-year member of the Gamecock Club. “Through thick and thin, he and his wife are there in their garnet and black. We are so thankful for all they have done and continue to do for the Gamecocks. Most importantly, we appreciate their friendship.”