The USCA Pacers (formerly USC Aiken) are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Carolina Aiken, located in Aiken, South Carolina, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Pacers have primarily competed in the Peach Belt Conference since the 1990–91 academic year. The Pacers' primary rival is conference foe Augusta.
USCA competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Men's and women's tennis were discontinued at the end of the 2018–19 school year. The Pacers also sponsor a co-ed Spirit Squad.
History USCA's athletic programs were initially known as the Rebels. The mascot name was changed to Pacers in 1971.Pacer Times, Vol. 50 no. 1, p.1 (August 8, 2013).
Conference affiliations NCAA Peach Belt Conference (1990–present)
Varsity teams Men's sports Women's sports Baseball Basketball Basketball Cross country Cross country Soccer Golf Softball Soccer Volleyball
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 Association Division Sport Year Opponent/Runner-Up Score NCAA Division II Baseball 1993 Francis Marion 13–2 Men's Golf 2002 – 835– 2003 Francis Marion 865–878 2004 Kennesaw State 578–586 2005 Armstrong State 887–891 2006 Columbus State 875–912 Men's Basketball 2013 Barton 82–75 2014 Montevallo 84–73 Men's Tennis 2019 Wingate 4–2 Volleyball 2016 Queens 3–2
Individual Association Division Sport Year Individual(s) Event Score NCAA Division II Men's Golf 1997 Jamie Stanley Individual Title 220 (+4) 2003 Scott Usher 212 (–4)2005Scott Brown216 (0)2006Scott Brown211 (–5)2012Matt Atkins210 (–6)
National championships Team Association Division Sport Year Opponent/Runner-Up Score NCAA Division II Men's Golf 2004 Chico State 1,191–1,200 2005 Armstrong State 1,158–1,163 2006 Columbus State 1,148–1,160
Individual Association Division Sport Year Individual(s) Event Score NCAA Division II Men's Golf 2005 Dane Burkhart Individual Title 279 (–5) 2008 Jeff Goff 278 (–2)
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
External links