2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Joey Batson is a 1979 graduate of Travelers Rest High School who became one of the nation’s most respected leaders in collegiate strength and conditioning. After playing football at The Citadel and Newberry College, Batson earned a degree in Physical Education from Newberry and a master’s degree in Education from Clemson University. His four-decade coaching career included stops at the University of South Carolina, Bowling Green State University and Furman University before he returned to Clemson in 1997 as Director of Strength Training.

During 29 years leading Clemson’s strength and conditioning program, Batson helped develop generations of student-athletes while contributing to one of the most successful periods in Clemson football history, including two national championships, seven College Football Playoff appearances and nine ACC Championships. His athletes included 79 All-Americans, 25 first-round NFL Draft selections and 15 Super Bowl champions. In 2009, Batson was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach, the highest honor awarded by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. His influence extends well beyond Clemson through the many coaches he has mentored who have gone on to lead collegiate and high school programs across the region. Batson was inducted into the Travelers Rest High School Hall of Fame in 2020 and the South Carolina High School Strength Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

Paula Khoe DeCesaris is the 1991 Salutatorian of Blue Ridge High School whose childhood dream of exploring space ultimately led to a leadership role at NASA. After graduating from Furman University with a degree in Physics, DeCesaris earned a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University and began her federal career as an aerospace engineer with the Naval Surface Warfare Center. She later spent more than a decade with the Missile Defense Agency, eventually serving as Technical Director for Test and overseeing the technical aspects of hundreds of complex flight, ground and cybersecurity tests. In 2021, she joined NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center as Deputy Director of the Spacecraft and Vehicle Systems Department and a member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service.

Today, DeCesaris serves as Director of the Space Systems Department at Marshall, leading more than 700 civil service and contractor employees and overseeing a $99 million annual budget. Her department supports some of NASA’s most significant human spaceflight and exploration programs, including the Space Launch System, Human Landing System and International Space Station, along with astrophysics and other technology development initiatives. A published aerospace professional whose honors include the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, DeCesaris credits her Greenville County upbringing and education with helping establish the foundation for her success.

Grier Mullins is a member of the Greenville High School Class of 1968 and a lifelong champion for public education. A Greenville native and graduate of Converse College, Mullins began her career as a Head Start teacher and later served as Special Projects Coordinator for Greenville County Schools. In 1989, she became the founding Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education, now Public Education Partners, where she spent nearly three decades strengthening connections between Greenville County Schools and the broader community.

Under Mullins’ leadership, Public Education Partners became a powerful advocate for students and educators, securing resources, researching innovative practices and mobilizing the community in support of public schools. Her work helped advance initiatives including school choice and magnet programs, Greenville Early College and Make Summer Count. Her commitment to education also extended to service as PTA president at Augusta Circle Elementary, Hughes Middle and Greenville High, along with numerous community leadership roles. Even after retiring in 2017, Mullins continued serving students as a mentor and volunteer, carrying forward a lifetime commitment to strengthening public education in Greenville County.

Steve Owings is a 1971 graduate of Wade Hampton High School whose entrepreneurial leadership helped build one of Greenville’s most successful technology companies. After earning a degree in Economics from Clemson University, Owings built a career in the computer distribution industry before co-founding ScanSource, Inc. in 1992. As Chairman and CEO, he led the company through its initial public offering and years of significant growth. By the time he retired in 2005, ScanSource was a Fortune 1000 company with $1.5 billion in annual revenue. Clemson University later awarded Owings an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.

Owings has paired his professional success with a longstanding commitment to education and the Greenville community. He established a charitable foundation at ScanSource that directed resources to Greenville County schools and helped bring DonorsChoose to South Carolina, expanding opportunities for teachers to secure funding for classroom needs. His support has also extended to educational leadership development, Clemson University and numerous community organizations, including Greenville Forward, the Urban League of the Upstate and YMCA of Greenville. Through philanthropy, mentorship and community service, Owings has worked to create opportunities for students, educators and future leaders throughout Greenville and South Carolina.

Shammond Williams is a 1993 graduate of Southside High School whose basketball career took him from Greenville to the highest levels. At Southside High, Williams helped lead the Tigers to the 1992 AA State Championship before continuing his career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a Tar Heel, he contributed to three NCAA Final Four appearances. Williams was selected in the 1998 NBA Draft and went on to play professionally for 13 seasons, including more than 300 NBA games with teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets.

Following his playing career, Williams turned his experience toward developing the next generation of student-athletes, serving as a collegiate assistant coach at Tulane University and Western Kentucky University. He has also returned to his roots at Southside High, working to strengthen alumni involvement and create opportunities for alumni to mentor and motivate current students. Williams currently serves as president of the school’s booster club and has helped organize efforts that bring hundreds of alumni, students and supporters together.

Patrick “Pat” Sudduth is a 1959 graduate of Greer High School whose remarkable career represents 57 years of service to Greenville County Schools. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College, Sudduth returned to his alma mater in 1965 as a social studies teacher and coach. He later became assistant principal and then principal of Greer High before continuing his leadership as principal of Sevier Middle, assistant principal at Hillcrest High and Director of the Greenville County Alternative Program. Following his retirement, Sudduth returned once again to Greer High, serving as an assistant principal at the school’s new campus.

Sudduth’s commitment to public education continued when he was elected to the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees in 2002. He represented District 18 for 20 years, completing his service in 2022. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Sudduth has also served his community as president of the Greer YMCA and Greer Golf & Country Club and through decades of leadership at Fairview Baptist Church. His many honors include the Greer Jaycees Outstanding Educator Award, recognition from the South Carolina School Boards Association and induction into the Greer High School Athletic Hall of Fame. A lifelong Greer resident, Sudduth has seen four generations of his family graduate from Greer High School, extending a legacy of service and commitment to the community he has called home throughout his life.