Coker Hall of Fame Inductee- February 6, 2016
Dr. Steve Terry has been a staple at Coker College and Coker athletics since he joined the staff as a professor in the Physical Education Department and the second head men’s basketball coach in school history in 1975. Since then he has held various titles and positions including head baseball coach (1975-76), Director of Athletics (1977-1990), Assistant Dean (1988-1990), Associate Professor (1988-2015), Vice President for Enrollment Management (1990-99), and Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services (1999-2014) and Vice President of Enrollment and Contract Services (2014-2015).
For more than 40 years, Terry has been a driving force behind the success of Coker whether as a coach, teacher, or administrator. He helped guide Coker athletics into the NAIA and eventually into the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. During his time as Director of Athletics and then as Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Cobra athletic teams grew from nine to 12, and eventually to the 22 intercollegiate athletic programs we have today.
In addition the growth in athletics during Terry’s time at Coker, there was unprecedented growth in all areas of the college including enrollment, where the College saw increases and record numbers in both the day and evening school enrollment. During this time, the College added six additional residential facilities to accommodate the student growth.
In addition to his service to Coker, Terry has been a very active member of the community serving on the South Carolina College Personnel Association Board of External Relations, the Byerly Hospital Board of Trustees, the Hartsville YMCA Board of Directors, the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee, the Special Olympics Area III Board of Directors, and the Black Creek Wildlife District Committee. He also served as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, President and Vice President of the Hartsville Outdoor Club, and as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville.
In 2012, Terry received The South Carolina College Personnel Association’s Joe B. Nixon Award as the Chief Student Affairs Professional of the Year.
Terry holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from East Carolina University and a Master of Arts in Physical Education also from East Carolina. He received his Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Administration/Student Personnel Services. He also graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Executive Institute.