USC Aiken Pacers
Athletic teams representing University of South Carolina Aiken
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The USCA Pacers (formerly USC Aiken) are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Carolina Aiken, located in Aiken, South Carolina, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Pacers have primarily competed in the Peach Belt Conference since the 1990–91 academic year. The Pacers' primary rival is conference foe Augusta.
| USCA Pacers | |
|---|---|
| |
| University | University of South Carolina Aiken |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Conference | Peach Belt |
| Athletic director | Todd Wilkinson[1] |
| Location | Aiken, South Carolina |
| First season | 1961 |
| Varsity teams | 11 (5 men's, 5 women's, 1 co-ed) |
| Basketball arena | Convocation Center |
| Baseball stadium | Roberto Hernandez Stadium |
| Softball stadium | USCA Softball Facility |
| Soccer stadium | Pacer Pit |
| Nickname | Pacers |
| Colors | USCA Midnight and USCA Fire Red[2] |
| Mascot | Ace the Pacer |
| Website | pacersports |
| Team NCAA championships | |
| 3 | |
| Individual and relay NCAA champions | |
| 2[3] | |
USCA competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Men's and women's tennis were discontinued at the end of the 2018–19 school year. The Pacers also sponsor a co-ed Spirit Squad.
History
USCA's athletic programs were initially known as the Rebels. The mascot name was changed to Pacers in 1971.[4]
Conference affiliations
NCAA
- Peach Belt Conference (1990–present)[5]
Varsity teams
| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross country |
| Cross country | Soccer |
| Golf | Softball |
| Soccer | Volleyball |
Baseball
Ahead of the 2026 season, former Barton College head baseball coach joins the Pacers, succeeding Michael Holder.[6] Holder followed his former boss, Kenny Thomas, who led the Pacers to nine NCAA Southeast Regional appearances across 22 seasons as head coach.[7]
Longtime Coastal Carolina head coach Gary Gilmore served as an assistant from 1986–1989 and subsequently as head coach at USCA from 1990–1995.
It was at the end of Gilmore's first season on staff in 1986 that pitcher Roberto Hernández was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft.[8] Hernández later made substantial donations to his alma mater, which led to a new baseball stadium being constructed and named in his honor on the university's campus.
Men's basketball
The men's basketball program has been led by Mark Vanderslice since the 2015–16 season.[9]
Women's basketball
The women's basketball program was led by head coach Mark Miller from the 2016–17 season through the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.[10]
In April 2025, Gannon assistant coach Brittany Batts was named the Pacers' new head coach. At Gannon, Batts was named the 2024 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant of the Year[11]
Cross country
The Pacers' cross country program was led by head coach Marshall Leonard through 2024.[12] Longtime Lynchburg coach Jim Sprecher is set to lead the program beginning in fall 2025.[13]
Golf
The Pacers' golf program has been led by coach Michael Carlisle since the 1991–92 season. During his tenure, the program has experienced unprecedented success, including a run of three consecutive national championships (2004, 2005, and 2006).[14]
Men's soccer
The men's soccer program is led by head coach Nick Sakiewicz.[15] He takes over for longtime coach Ike Ofoje, who was also the Pacers' inaugural women's soccer head coach.[16]
Women's soccer
The women's soccer program is led by head coach Adam Kleman.[17] Kleman succeeds Tina Murphy, who in her two year tenure before departing for Gardner-Webb led the Pacers to their first Peach Belt tournament appearance since the 2017–18 season.[18]
Softball
The Pacers' softball program is led by head coach Jaclin Poole. Under Poole's leadership, the Pacers made the 2022 Peach Belt Conference tournament, the program's first since 2016.[19]
Volleyball
The Pacers' volleyball program is led by head coach Glenn Cox, who has guided the program since 2008.[20]
Conference championships
As members of the Peach Belt Conference the Pacers have won 55 conference championships (46 team, nine individual) across five programs.
Men's Sports
Baseball
- PBC Regular Season - 3 (1994, 2009, 2013)
- PBC Tournament - 2 (1992, 1993)
Basketball
- PBC Regular Season - 7 (1992-93, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2022-23, 2023-24)
- PBC Tournament - 5 (1993, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2025)
Golf
- PBC Championships - 12 (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
- PBC Individual Champions - 9 (Brian Kassel '93, Jamie Stanley '95, '97, Brooks Blackburn '96, Scott Brown '02, '06, Dane Burkhart '05, Brandon Robinson-Thompson '14, Johnson Holliday '18)
Women's Sports
Basketball
- PBC Regular Season - 3 (1990-91, 2001-02, 2007-08)
- PBC Tournament - 1 (2012)
Volleyball
- PBC Regular Season - 10 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- PBC Tournament - 5 (1991, 1992, 1996, 2006, 2007)
Regional championships
The Pacers have had consistent success in regional competition, claiming 15 (10 team, five individual) NCAA Division II Region Titles across five sports.
Team
| Association | Division | Sport | Year | Opponent/Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | Division II | Baseball | 1993 | Francis Marion | 13–2 |
| Men's Golf | 2002 | – | 835– | ||
| 2003 | Francis Marion | 865–878 | |||
| 2004 | Kennesaw State | 578–586 | |||
| 2005 | Armstrong State | 887–891 | |||
| 2006 | Columbus State | 875–912 | |||
| Men's Basketball | 2013 | Barton | 82–75 | ||
| 2014 | Montevallo | 84–73 | |||
| Men's Tennis | 2019 | Wingate | 4–2 | ||
| Volleyball | 2016 | Queens | 3–2 |
Individual
| Association | Division | Sport | Year | Individual(s) | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | Division II | Men's Golf | 1997 | Jamie Stanley | Individual Title | 220 (+4) |
| 2003 | Scott Usher | 212 (–4) | ||||
| 2005 | Scott Brown | 216 (0) | ||||
| 2006 | Scott Brown | 211 (–5) | ||||
| 2012 | Matt Atkins | 210 (–6) |
National championships
Team
| Association | Division | Sport | Year | Opponent/Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | Division II | Men's Golf[21] | 2004 | Chico State | 1,191–1,200 |
| 2005 | Armstrong State | 1,158–1,163 | |||
| 2006 | Columbus State | 1,148–1,160 |
Individual
| Association | Division | Sport | Year | Individual(s) | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | Division II | Men's Golf | 2005 | Dane Burkhart | Individual Title | 279 (–5) |
| 2008 | Jeff Goff | 278 (–2) |
Notable alumni
Baseball
- Rich Batchelor, (1986–89)[22]
- Scott Cassidy, (1994–95)[23]
- Paul Fletcher, (1986–87)[24]
- Roberto Hernández, (1986)[25]
- Adam Riggs, (1993–94)[26]
- Bryan Ward, (1993)[27]
- Reggie Williams, (1987–88)[28]
Men's basketball
- Chris Commons, (2007–09)[29]
- Josh Dollard, (2008–09)[30]
Men's golf
- Matt Atkins, (2010–13)[31]
- Scott Brown, (2001–05)[32]
- Roberto Díaz, (2005–08)[33]
Men's soccer
- Ranaldo Bailey, (2018–19)[34]
- John Lesko, (2006–08)[35]
Women's soccer
- Akeyla Furbert, (2012–15)[36]
