News Summary
The statue of legendary coach Bob Prevatte will be relocated to The Reservation at Gaffney High School. This honor recognizes his significant contributions to local athletics. Prevatte, who passed away at 98, led Gaffney football to five state championships during his coaching career. The dedication ceremony for the statue will be announced soon, marking a celebration of his lasting legacy in the community.
Gaffney, South Carolina – The statue of legendary coach Bob Prevatte is being relocated to The Reservation at Gaffney High School, a move that honors his substantial contributions to local athletics. Employees from Sossamon Construction Company are overseeing the installation of the statue, which was previously situated at Limestone University. An announcement regarding the dedication ceremony for the statue will be made soon.
Bob Prevatte, renowned for his role in shaping Gaffney High School football, passed away recently at the age of 98. His coaching career at Gaffney spanned from 1956 to 1969, during which his teams achieved incredible success, winning five AAA state championships in just six years from 1960 to 1965. Prevatte’s influence on the program was profound, as he also guided a team that competed for another championship in 1969. By the time he retired, he had amassed an impressive record of 119 wins, 29 losses, and 1 tie, an achievement that included never experiencing a losing season.
While his career wins record stood unchallenged for decades at Gaffney High School, it was surpassed last season by coach Dan Jones, marking a significant moment in the school’s athletic history. In addition to his tenure at Gaffney, Prevatte served as the head coach for the North-South All-Star Game in 1959 and the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas in 1965, further establishing his reputation in South Carolina high school football.
Prevatte was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his military service, he attended Wofford College, where he played as a running back. He garnered accolades such as winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and being named a Small College All-American. In 1949, he was part of the Wofford Terriers team that went undefeated during the regular season and competed in the Cigar Bowl, solidifying his legacy as an athlete.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport and his college, Prevatte was inducted into the Wofford College Hall of Fame in 1980, followed by his induction into the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019. His remarkable influence extended beyond his coaching years; groundbreaking for the Bob Prevatte Athletic Complex at Limestone University occurred on his 93rd birthday, an initiative funded by a substantial $4.1 million donation from the Jerry Richardson Foundation.
The late Jerry Richardson, a former player under Prevatte and owner of the Carolina Panthers, described Prevatte as an influential mentor who greatly impacted his life during his high school years. Throughout his coaching career, Prevatte received multiple accolades, including being named “Coach of the Year” in South Carolina on four separate occasions.
The relocation of Prevatte’s statue to Gaffney High School stands as a testament to his outstanding career and lasting legacy within the community and the sport. With the impending dedication ceremony, the Gaffney community will once again celebrate the life and achievements of one of its most beloved figures in local athletics.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Gaffney Ledger: Coach Prevatte’s New Home
- GoUpstate: Limestone’s Closing Prompts Moving Bob Prevatte’s Statue to Gaffney High
- Gaffney Ledger: On The Move
- Google Search: Bob Prevatte
- Fox Carolina: Legendary Upstate Coach Passes Away
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- WYFF4: Legendary South Carolina Coach Dies
- Google Scholar: Bob Prevatte
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
