Jake Panus wanted to play football for South Carolina. He loved the Gamecocks, everything about the school, and its tradition.
The 16-year-old resident of Southport, Ct, lost his life in a senseless DUI accident while on Block Island, RI, last year.
Through his father, Stephen, a connection was made with Shane Beamer and a Jake Panus Walk-On Football Scholarship was created and endowed for a deserving Gamecock player.
The first one was awarded by Stephen Panus, who made a moving and passionate speech about his late son and what the scholarship means, Wednesday in Columbia..
The Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship went to Matthew Bailey, a redshirt sophomore from Deland, Fl.
The video is moving and poignant. Well done by Shane Beamer, South Carolina, and most of all Stephen and the Panus family.
A legacy carried on through the beauty of giving. A horrible tragedy turned into a wonderful opportunity.
In memory of Jake Panus. pic.twitter.com/cwN0g9yYGg
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) September 22, 2021
Jake Panus wore No. 5 and died on Aug. 9. As Stephen Panus eloquently said, “So, it’s only fitting that I say to No. 59 Matthew Bailey, welcome home you’re on scholarship.”
