2010 South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame inductees (l–r): Front – Paul Scarpa and Wayne Tolleson; Back – Stan Smith, Courtney Shealy Hart, Joe Bostic, Bill Currier, and Bob McNair. Bill Currier never viewed himself as one of South Carolina’s elite athletes.

Yet, on Monday night, May 24, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the Ben Lippen football coach and athletics director took his place among them.

Currier, a standout defensive back during his career at the University of South Carolina and nine seasons in the NFL, was among the eight individuals inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame as the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary.

“It’s humbling,” Currier said. “I’m just one of those guys that kept going the best I could. And it’s great to be acknowledged for achievement—not spectacular, but very consistent achievement.

Current Ben Lippen athletic director and former USC standout Bill Currier signs souvenir programs after Monday’s media conference with other member s of this year’s class of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Currier, a native of Baltimore, was a three– year starter for the Gamecocks and received the Steve Wadiak MVP Award, the Bill Guerard Award (highest GPA), and the Rex Enright Captain’s Cup as a senior at South Carolina in 1976. He is the only person to earn all three awards in one season.

Currier was drafted in the ninth–round of the 1977 draft by the Houston Oilers for whom he made the NFL’s All–Rookie team. He spent three seasons with the Oilers, one with New England, and five with the New York Giants. Only five players former USC players spent more seasons in the NFL.

“Its great that you’re acknowledged for being there every day and getting your job done—first with Carolina and then three professional teams,” Currier said. “I didn’t make spectacular plays, but I graded out in the 90s and that’s what coaches look for.”

And that is what he has tried to teach the athletes at Ben Lippen School in Columbia since he joined the staff in 1989 as the school’s athletics director and lone coach.

“The biggest (lesson I try to pass on) is I’ve learned your life consists of more than successes on the field or in academics,” Currier said. “Your life is made up of your relationships with people and your relationship with God. If you keep those priorities straight, everything else will fall in line.”

He remains the athletics director but turned over the head coaching responsibilities to others after being diagnosed with cancer in 1997. In recent years, he has served as an assistant coach.

Joining Currier in this year’s eight–member hall class were Joe Bostic, Horace Grant, Bob McNair, Paul Scarpa, Courtney Shealy Hart, Stan Smith, and Wayne Tolleson.

In addition to honoring this year’s hall class, the hall of fame organization presented several annual honors during the ceremonies. PGA Tour member Lucas Glover was named the Professional Athlete of the Year; former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller was named the Piggly Wiggly Male Athlete; track and field athlete Amber Campbell was named the Boyd Management Female Athlete; and former Appalachian State football standout Armonti Edwards was named the Peter and Ane DiVenere– Bobby Richardson Sportsmanship Award winner.

Hall Inductees

Bob McNair—The USC graduate is the owner of the NFL’s Houston Texas and an Aiken– based thoroughbred stable.

Horace Grant—The 1987 ACC player of the year while with Clemson played 17 seasons in the NBA and won four championships (3–Chicago, 1–Los Angeles Lakers).

Courtney Shealy Hart—Irmo native won two Olympic relay gold medals in the 2000 Games and, while attending Georgia, multiple NCAA titles.

Stan Smith—Won U.S. Open (1971) and Wimbledon (1972) men’s singles titles to go along with 54 doubles titles. He has resided in Hilton Head for decades.

Wayne Tolleson—A graduate of Spartanburg High went on to a 10–year career as an infielder with three Major League teams. He played football and baseball at Western Carolina.

Paul Scarpa—The Furman tennis coach for 41 years created the scoring system used by the NCAA for dual matches and created the Tenex tape used on clay courts.

Joe Bostic—A two– time All–America offensive lineman for Clemson played 10 seasons for St. Louis in the NFL including an All–Rookie Team nod in 1979.