Courtesy of Newberry College Athletics
NEWBERRY — Newberry College and Newberry College Athletics suffered a terrible loss with passing of President, Dr. Maurice Scherrens.
Dr. Scherrens became President of Newberry College in 2012. Over the next thirteen years, he led the college through a transformative era. Under his leadership, the college added graduate programs, grew enrollment by nearly 60%, and expanded campus infrastructure with the first new buildings since the 1970s—including academic spaces, residence halls, and athletic facilities. Most importantly, he cultivated a culture that placed students at the heart of every decision.
He loved everything about Newberry College and took great pride in growing opportunities for student-athletes and celebrating the triumphs of our student-athletes and coaches.
During his time as President, the Wolves won numerous championships and have added several sports including men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s wrestling and acrobatics and tumbling, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s field hockey and triathlon.
Earlier this month the college followed through on another sport he championed, men’s volleyball, which will become a varsity sport next year.
Adding those sports created new opportunities for students to attend Newberry College, increasing student-athlete enrollment from 580 to 800 student-athletes.
Many of the facilities that are making a difference in the lives of Newberry College student-athletes were constructed or renovated during Dr. Scherrens’ tenure.
It began in 2013 with the addition of the Smith Road Soccer and Softball complexes.
The Melvin and Dollie Younts Athletic Performance Center (2020) and Founders Federal Credit Union Fieldhouse (2023) were two of the most impactful additions to Newberry College Athletics in the last 40 years.
The addition of the Smith Road soccer and softball facilities in 2013, the AMC Turf Practice Field in 2021, the partnership with the City of Newberry on the development of the Oakland Tennis Center, along with the renovation of MacLean Gym (2023), locker rooms and training facilities for women’s triathlon, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s wrestling and the addition of an auxiliary training room on College Street were also significant facility projects.
There are many competitive highlights which include four of the football program’s five trips to the NCAA playoffs while taking home the SAC titles in 2016, 2021 and 2022.
- The Wolves baseball team won the SAC regular season titles in 2019 and 2023, the tournament title in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both years, hosting the regional in 2023.
- The Newberry College women’s field hockey and men’s lacrosse teams were established in 2013 and 2018 respectively and have grown into nationally ranked programs.
- The men’s golf team placed fifth at the 2017 NCAA Tournament and won the NCAA men’s golf academic national championship in 2023.
- Men’s wrestling won six consecutive NCAA Super Region Titles and placed in the top-20 at the national tournament five times.
- The women’s volleyball team received an NCAA Tournament bid in 2013 and women’s basketball in 2015.
- The Wolves women’s tennis team has made NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2022 and 2024.
Academic achievement has also been a hallmark of the department under the stewardship of Dr. Scherrens.Most recently, 13 of the 14 inductees to the 2025 Bachman Honor Society were student-athletes.Twenty-four student-athletes earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-American honors since 2012.
Elayni Stokes (volleyball) won the SAC President’s Award for the 2014-15 academic year while Parker Keeler (2024 field hockey), John Parker (2024 men’s wrestling), Jomar Lugo (2023 baseball) and Carson Smith (2022 football) earned Elite 23 awards for having the top cumulative grade point average at conference championship events.
Dr. Scherrens’ made a profound and lasting impact on Newberry College Athletics. Through his memory and the advancements made possible by his commitment to student-athletes, Newberry College will continue to be a top contender in both competition and academic achievement.