Cremins speaks at Coaches for Character

October 14, 2009

Not too many people could get away with telling a room full of young students to pursue three D's. However, Bobby Cremins did so confidently on Tuesday night at the Coaches 4 Character ceremony presented by the Potential Youth Foundation and the Sid Wilson Foundation.

​Cremins, the men's basketball coach at the College of Charleston opened the third year of the Coaches 4 Character series, delivering an alternative lesson, although it had little to do with report cards. 

"Determination, discipline, and dedication," Cremins repeated to the students who packed the conference room at the Carolina First Center. He encouraged his listeners to internalize those three D's, whether seeking success in athletics, academics, and simply in the pursuit of their dreams.

"If you have a dream, go for it," he said. "If you're fearful, that's part of the process. Some doors will close, but when that happens, another opens.

"I wanted to share this message, because this is what we tell our players. These things are easy to say, but they are harder to live."

Travelers Rest High School principal Lou Laverly asserted that he knows someone who lives Cremins's message, as he introduced the recepient of The Greenville News Character Award to Hope Ellen Philpot. 

Philpot, a senior at Travelers Rest, participates on the student council, Beta Club, and varsity soccer and tennis team. 

​She was also voted Travelers Rest homecoming queen and was tabbed for Tuesday night's honor by her classmates.

"It's a great honor," said Philpot, who plans to begin her pursuit of a nursing degree next year.

"It was amazing to be chosen out of the whole school. These are my peers who I go to school with everyday who have decided to honor me for my character." 

"I guess people notice you when you're different. Sometimes you have to  be different if you want to do the right thing. I just want to continue to do what's right, so I feel honored to be recognized for that. 

By: Mandrallius Robinson -- Greenville News