GSA Daily Staff Report
Published July 26, 2010

Members of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association arrived in Greenville yesterday and will continue with the association’s All-Sports Clinic through Wednesday at the Carolina First Center.

This year's event is expected to draw more than 4,000 people. It is anticipated that roughly half of the attendees will stay in Greenville.

"This is the first time since 2005 that the All-Sport Clinic has been held in Greenville," said Todd Bertka, vice president of sales for the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We hope the attendees will take full advantage of our destination, attractions, and experience for themselves Greenville's great restaurants, wonderful museums and stunning Falls Park."

The group, with a membership of more than 5,000 in 2009, sponsors 14 annual all-star events throughout South Carolina in football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, tennis, baseball, softball, soccer and golf. During its more than 60 years of existence, the association has awarded more than $520,000 in scholarships to deserving children of South Carolina high school coaches.

This group of high school athletic coaches, based in Greenwood, held its first clinic the year the group was founded. Each year since then, the SCACA has conducted a major clinic that represents all the group's different sports and stresses proper techniques, strategies, rules and sportsmanship for both coaches and players.

Featured speakers for the 2010 clinic include the football staffs from Clemson University, Presbyterian College and Louisiana State University. In addition to coaching sessions in individual sports, the clinic holds sessions that help SCACA members become better all-round people. Topics include skin cancer, financial planning, facility maintenance and the legal ramifications of coaching.

This year, the association will also induct six coaches into its Hall of Fame. Inductees must have been a member of SCACA for at least 20 years and have an overall winning record in their sport.

"Having the Hyatt as our host hotel will give our members the opportunity to stroll the downtown streets and see for themselves how the area has blossomed since our last visit," says Shell Dula, executive Director of SCACA. "And during our free time, we'll be within easy walking distance of good shops and restaurants. We look forward to a great week in Greenville."