Nancy looked spectacular after undergoing colorectal cancer surgery last spring and subsequent treatments. Her health has steadily improved and she appeared to be regaining her appetite while lunching on the Clock’s catered lunch.
Nelson was wearing a bandage on his left wrist as a result of a ganglion cyst that required minor surgery to remove last week. Nelson commented during the meeting that his mother was driving him around since he was prohibited at this time. “I feel incarcerated,” Nelson said. “I’m relying on my mom driving me around because I can’t at this time.”
Riverside Head Football Coach Steve Euote took advantage of the lead-in to tease Nelson. “Mrs. Welch it is great to see you here and we’re glad you’re doing well. I’m sorry to hear you must drive Nelson around. There are stories we could tell you about him in high school,” Euote quipped. “They’re prescription drugs,” Nelson quickly responded. The room laughed with Euote. Nelson, it’s widely known, was a model student, person and is one of the Greer’s most passionate ambassadors.
COACH SPEAK: Coaches from the Greer area high schools – Greer's Will Young, Riverside's Steve Euote, Blue Ridge's Wade Cooper, Eastside's Jeff Thomason and Byrnes' Chris Miller gave previews of their teams.
SPEAKERS BUREAU: Nelson Welch told the club he gets the guest speakers at bargain prices. “I call them and ask, ‘Do you believe in free speech.’ They say sure they do, it’s the American way. Then I tell them they will be scheduled for a free speech at the Greer Touchdown Club. It works every time.”
COACH WATERS: Greer principal Marion Waters attended the function today. Waters was a high school football coach that impacted many coaches now in the profession. Coaches still prefer to Waters affectionately as “Coach”.
FEE INCREASE: The previously published $25 fee was has been increased to $30 to help pay expenses. Meals continue to be $8 per member and $10 for each guest. The Clock caters each Thursday’s luncheon.
FULL HOUSE: If the first meeting is any indication the TD Club may be looking for a bigger room. A handful more people attending today would have meant a standing room crowd.
FOOTBALL FRENZY: Bill Utsey, the Greenville County High School Athletics Director, was describing his Friday night schedule: “I’ll start at Mauldin and then hit J.L. Mann since they are three miles apart. I will head to Eastside, about five miles away and maybe hit a fourth game. I will stop in and see the principals and maybe talk to some coaches.”
BIGGEST LOSER: Stephen Gay, President of the TD Club, gave a shout-out to Robert Lynn as the person who picked the fewest winners last year in the club’s pick ‘em contest.
SOCIAL MEDIA: David Holtzclaw has produced a facebook page for the Greer Touchdown Club.
HUMOR AT A PRICE: Fortunately the TD Club members can take it as well as dishing it out. Ronnie Bruce gave a tongue-in-cheek preview of state college teams. There were some words, good-naturedly, exchanged from the crowd to some of Bruce’s comments.
NAME GAME: Bruce was mocking a local newspaper that identified Travis Perry as Greer head football coach. Will Young, sat stoically, as Bruce held up the paper. Perry was red-faced but Bruce put a humorous spin on the miscue. “For $500 I can change your name to be anything you want it to be,” Bruce has a law practice in Greer.
JACKETS MAKE IMPACT: Tymeco Gregory, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman at Wofford College, is expected to play an active role for the Terriers this season. Gregory, 6-foot-2, 293 pounds, played in 11 games last year, mostly at tackle, and had 25 knockdown blocks. Gregory was a starter for Greer Head Coach Will Young and made all-state and played in the North-South All-Star game. He is majoring in accounting. Thomas Simmons, a 5-11, 180, sophomore wide receiver also played for Greer.
NEXT WEEK: Mark Hauser and Matt Smith, open mic hosts for ESPN 1400 AM will be next week’s guest speakers. Hauser is the play-by-play announcer for Wofford football and basketball. Smith, who began his career as a sports writer at the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, followed his passion to the airwaves. Call Steven Gay at 877-9279 or email [email protected] for more information.