USC Aiken Pacers

History

USCA's athletic programs were initially known as the Rebels. The mascot name was changed to Pacers in 1971.

Conference affiliations

NCAA

• Peach Belt Conference (1990–present)

Varsity teams

Baseball

Ahead of the 2026 season, former Barton College head baseball coach joins the Pacers, succeeding Michael Holder. Holder followed his former boss, Kenny Thomas, who led the Pacers to nine NCAA Southeast Regional appearances across 22 seasons as head coach.

Longtime Coastal Carolina head coach Gary Gilmore served as an assistant from 1986–1989 and subsequently as head coach at USCA from 1990–1995.

It was at the end of Gilmore's first season on staff in 1986 that pitcher Roberto Hernández was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft. Hernández later made substantial donations to his alma mater, which led to a new baseball stadium being constructed and named in his honor on the university's campus.

Men's basketball

The men's basketball program has been led by Mark Vanderslice since the 2015–16 season.

Women's basketball

The women's basketball program was led by head coach Mark Miller from the 2016–17 season through the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.

In April 2025, Gannon assistant coach Brittany Batts was named the Pacers' new head coach. At Gannon, Batts was named the 2024 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant of the Year

Cross country

The Pacers' cross country program was led by head coach Marshall Leonard through 2024. Longtime Lynchburg coach Jim Sprecher is set to lead the program beginning in fall 2025.

Golf

The Pacers' golf program has been led by coach Michael Carlisle since the 1991–92 season. During his tenure, the program has experienced unprecedented success, including a run of three consecutive national championships (2004, 2005, and 2006).

Men's soccer

The men's soccer program is led by head coach Nick Sakiewicz. He takes over for longtime coach Ike Ofoje, who was also the Pacers' inaugural women's soccer head coach.

Women's soccer

The women's soccer program is led by head coach Adam Kleman. Kleman succeeds Tina Murphy, who in her two year tenure before departing for Gardner-Webb led the Pacers to their first Peach Belt tournament appearance since the 2017–18 season.

Softball

The Pacers' softball program is led by head coach Jaclin Poole. Under Poole's leadership, the Pacers made the 2022 Peach Belt Conference tournament, the program's first since 2016.

Volleyball

The Pacers' volleyball program is led by head coach Glenn Cox, who has guided the program since 2008.

Conference championships

As members of the Peach Belt Conference the Pacers have won 55 conference championships (46 team, nine individual) across five programs.

Men's Sports

Baseball

• PBC Regular Season - 3 (1994, 2009, 2013)
• PBC Tournament - 2 (1992, 1993)

Basketball

• PBC Regular Season - 7 (1992-93, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2022-23, 2023-24)
• PBC Tournament - 5 (1993, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2025)

Golf

• PBC Championships - 12 (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
• PBC Individual Champions - 9 (Brian Kassel '93, Jamie Stanley '95, '97, Brooks Blackburn '96, Scott Brown '02, '06, Dane Burkhart '05, Brandon Robinson-Thompson '14, Johnson Holliday '18)

Women's Sports

Basketball

• PBC Regular Season - 3 (1990-91, 2001-02, 2007-08)
• PBC Tournament - 1 (2012)

Volleyball

• PBC Regular Season - 10 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
• PBC Tournament - 5 (1991, 1992, 1996, 2006, 2007)

Regional championships

The Pacers have had consistent success in regional competition, claiming 15 (10 team, five individual) NCAA Division II Region Titles across five sports.

Team

Individual

National championships

Team

Individual

Notable alumni

Baseball

• Rich Batchelor, (1986–89)
• Scott Cassidy, (1994–95)
• Paul Fletcher, (1986–87)
• Roberto Hernández, (1986)
• Adam Riggs, (1993–94)
• Bryan Ward, (1993)
• Reggie Williams, (1987–88)

Men's basketball

• Chris Commons, (2007–09)
• Josh Dollard, (2008–09)

Men's golf

• Matt Atkins, (2010–13)
• Scott Brown, (2001–05)
• Roberto Díaz, (2005–08)

Men's soccer

• Ranaldo Bailey, (2018–19)
• John Lesko, (2006–08)

Women's soccer

• Akeyla Furbert, (2012–15)

References

References

1. "USC Aiken Announces Todd Wilkinson As Director Of Athletics".
2. "Colors".
3. "2022-23 PBC CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE".
4. ''Pacer Times'', [https://issuu.com/pacertimes/docs/orientation_pdf/1 Vol. 50 no. 1, p.1] (August 8, 2013).
5. "Conference History".
6. "USC-Aiken baseball names Keith Gorman as new head coach".
7. "Kenny Thomas To Retire After 2021 Season".
8. "Roberto Hernández".
9. "College Basketball: Division II head basketball job for Vanderslice".
10. "USC Aiken announces Mark Miller will be new women’s basketball head coach".
11. "Brittany Batts named new USC Aiken women’s basketball coach".
12. "MARSHALL LEONARD NAMED USCA HEAD CROSS COUNTRY COACH".
13. "Sprecher To Depart Lynchburg Following Outdoor Track Season, Jake Reed To Take The Helm".
14. "Michael Carlisle - Head Men's Golf Coach".
15. (2023-12-21). "USC Aiken Hires Nick Sakiewicz To Lead Men’s Soccer Program".
16. "Ike Ofoje - Men's Soccer Coach".
17. (2023-07-28). "USC Aiken Hires Adam Kleman As Head Women’s Soccer Coach".
18. "Tina Murphy - Women's Soccer Coach".
19. "USC Aiken Is Sixth Seed For PBC Championship".
20. "Glenn Cox - Volleyball Coach".
21. "NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship Results". NCAA.org.
22. "Richard Batchelor - Baseball".
23. "Scott Cassidy - Baseball".
24. "Paul Fletcher - Baseball".
25. "Roberto Hernandez - Baseball".
26. "Adam Riggs - Baseball".
27. "Bryan Ward - Baseball".
28. "Reggie Williams - Baseball".
29. "Chris Commons - Men's Basketball".
30. "Josh Dollard - Men's Basketball".
31. "Matt Atkins - Men's Golf".
32. "Scott Brown - Men's Golf".
33. "Roberto Diaz - Men's Golf".
34. "Ranaldo Bailey - Men's Soccer".
35. "John Lesko - Men's Soccer".
36. "Akeyla Furbert - Women's Soccer".