By Thomas Grant, Jr.
WEST COLUMBIA, SC – Brookland-Cayce High School will induct eight former standout athletes into the school’s Hall of Fame next month.
The free induction event is Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room in the school arena.
Here are this year’s inductees:
Daryl Byrd: Multi-sport athlete. Baseball lettered 3 years, catcher, All-State and All-Region, North/South selection (Captain, MVP). Football lettered 2 years, outside linebacker. Played baseball at The Citadel (catcher, designated hitter, outfielder), 2 Regular Season South Conference Championships, 3 Southern Conference Tournament Titles, featured in Bigger Faster Stronger, a national strength magazine. Collegiate baseball coaching: University of Arkansas (2002, Wichita Regional Champion, 2002 Super Regional), Hutchinson Community College (2003), McNeese State University (2004).
Dakota Dozier: Lettered in football, 2008 All-Region, All-Area, All-State, Captain and MVP. Played for Furman University, 3-time All-Conference, 2-time All-American, 2013 Unanimous All-American; 4th round NFL pick, New York Jets (five seasons), also played for Minnesota Vikings (three seasons) and Chicago Bears (one season).
Jennifer Owens Gillis: Multi-sport athlete. Softball All-State (1999-2002), Sports Report and State Player of the Year (2000, 2002), nominated and participated in the Wendy’s All American (hosted by George Rogers, 2000), Region Player of the Year (1999-2002), All-Area (1999-2002). Pitcher in 2000 BC State Championship win, North/South game (pitcher). Volleyball, 1997-1999. Graduated from the University of South Carolina.
Stephanie Owens Price: Multi-sport athlete. Softball All-Region (1997-1998), All-Area (1995-1998), All-State (1996-1998), 1997 Region Player of the Year, North/South game (1998). Volleyball (1999-1997) and cross-country (1998). Graduated from College of Charleston on a softball scholarship (pitcher, third base, first base).
Jonathon Rumph: Multi-sport athlete. Lettered 4 years in basketball and football, All-Region, All-State and 3A Player of the Year, North/South All Stars (awarded South Offensive MVP of the game). Selected to South Carolina Basketball All Stars. Attended Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi, as a 3-star recruit and the No. 4 JUCO receiver in the country, received an associate degree. Awarded a full athletic/academic scholarship at the University of Georgia as a wide receiver (degree in human development and family science). Rumph was given the opportunity to join the NFL’s New York Jets and the Canadian Montreal Alouettes. Returned to his hometown ready to help the next generation succeed both on and off the field and hosted two free Jonathon Rumph Community Building Camps, with the first held at Brookland-Cayce High School. Later was a Brookland-Cayce assistant football coach and a member of the coaching staff of the West Columbia Tigers.
Eddie Tanner: Multi-sport athlete. Baseball lettered 3 years at shortstop (1978, 1979, 1980), 1979 runner-up State Champion and 1980 State Champion, All-Metro/Player of the Year Award. Football lettered two years, and basketball lettered two years. Drafted in 1980 MLB draft (9th round, Cleveland), played Cleveland/St. Louis (A-ball), St. Louis (AA-ball), Cincinnati (AAA-ball).
Jeff Twitty: Lettered in baseball. Signed with Anderson Junior College, moved on to play at the University of South Carolina on scholarship as a pitcher (two years). While there, set single-season school record with 10 saves. Selected in MLB draft by Kansas City Royals (1979, 25th round), played in the 1980 World Series against Philadelphia Phillies.
Zeke Walker: Multi-sport athlete. Lettered in football, basketball, track, and field. Defensive back and quarterback, 2013 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection, All-Region (twice), named Brookland-Cayce’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. Rated the No. 34 prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports. A scholar-athlete award winner, he played football at Indiana University.
Photo from WLTX – Dakota Dozier
