Limestone University Athletics: A Legacy Forged in Competition and Tradition

Limestone University, formerly known as Limestone College, was a private Christian university located in Gaffney, South Carolina. Founded in 1845, it held the distinction of being the first women's college in South Carolina and one of the earliest in the United States. While the institution closed its doors in 2025, its athletic legacy remains a significant part of its history. The Limestone Saints, as the university's athletic teams were known, left their mark across various sports, contributing to the collegiate athletic landscape in the South and beyond.

A History of Athletic Affiliations

Limestone's athletic journey saw it transition through different affiliations, reflecting its growth and evolving athletic ambitions. Until 1997, Limestone competed for championships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The university gained membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division II in 1991 and began competing for NCAA championships when it joined the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference in 1998.

In July 2020, the Saints joined the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) for most sports after 22 years in Conference Carolinas (CC). However, Limestone maintained CC membership in men's wrestling and women's acrobatics & tumbling. Notably, the SAC and CC operated as a single league in men's wrestling and women's field hockey. The SAC operated the field hockey championship, while CC operated the wrestling championship. The men's volleyball team competed as an independent.

Before 2018, the swim team competed in the Bluegrass Mountain Conference before being dropped. The field hockey and wrestling teams were members of the ECAC-Division II. In 2015, the football team, previously independent, entered into a scheduling agreement with the SAC.

The Saints' Athletic Prowess

The Limestone Saints competed in a wide array of sports, showcasing their talent and dedication across various disciplines. Today, 21 of Limestone's athletic teams competed in the South Atlantic Conference, with women's acrobatics & tumbling and men's wrestling competing in Conference Carolinas, and men's volleyball and women's wrestling competing as independents. The most recently added sports were acrobatics & tumbling and women's wrestling, both added in the 2019-20 school year.

Over the years, the Saints baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, men's soccer, men's wrestling, and men's and women's tennis teams have all been ranked on the national level. Twelve student-athletes have gone on to play professionally in their sport, with seven of those signing professional baseball contracts.

Men's Lacrosse: A Dynasty on the Field

Limestone established itself as a powerhouse in men's lacrosse, securing five national championship titles in 2000, 2002, 2014, 2015, and 2017. The Saints also amassed nineteen Conference Championship titles in 1994, 1999-2007, and 2009-2017. With its 2000 national title, Limestone College became the smallest coeducational institution to ever win an NCAA national championship.

Women's Lacrosse: Consistent Excellence

The Limestone College women's lacrosse program consistently demonstrated excellence, making appearances in nine NCAA Division II National Tournaments (2004, 2006 and 2008-2014), reaching the NCAA DII National Championship in both 2011 and 2013. They were regular-season conference champions for thirteen consecutive seasons (2004-2016) and accumulated nine conference tournament championships (2006, 2008-2014, 2016). They hold the distinction of being the southernmost collegiate women's lacrosse program to appear in a national tournament. The Head Coach of the program was Scott Tucker (2002-present).

Football: A Relatively New Chapter

On October 26, 2012, Limestone announced the addition of football, with play beginning in 2014. Bobby James, previously the defensive coordinator at Wingate University, was named the inaugural head coach on December 14, 2012. After a "redshirt" season with players but only scrimmages, Limestone began NCAA Division II play in the fall of 2014 and recorded a record of 2-9, followed by a 2-8 season in 2015.

James left the program in early 2016, and on May 11, 2016, Limestone College announced the hiring of former National Football League wide receiver Mike Furrey as the second head coach for the Saints. Furrey was previously the wide receivers coach at Marshall University and a former head coach at Kentucky Christian University. Under Furrey, the Saints went 5-6 in his first season, followed by a 4-6 campaign in 2017.

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The Saints had competed in football as an independent, but during the 2015-2018 seasons arranged a scheduling agreement with the South Atlantic Conference to provide most of their contests. In April 2017, the Limestone Saints were announced as the first associate member of the South Atlantic Conference (in any sport), and began competition in the SAC beginning in the fall of 2017.

Traditions and Symbols of the Saints

Limestone University's athletic program was steeped in tradition, with various symbols and customs that fostered a strong sense of community and pride among students, alumni, and fans.

"The Rock"

Limestone University has been referred to as "The Rock" for countless decades. The South Carolina stone placed in the Washington Monument was mined from the quarry located on the University’s campus. Deposits from the quarry furnished lime used in the production of iron during the American Revolution and throughout the 19th century. Production at the quarry continued until the deposits were exhausted in 1953. The quarry, since filled with water, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and is known as “Lake Limestone.” In addition, a monument, known as “The Rock,” was placed at Saints Field in 1995 in memory of former men’s lacrosse player Paul Casey, who lost his life in a hiking accident in 1994. Each year, Limestone Athletics presented the "Paul Casey Award" that goes to the men's lacrosse player who "best exemplifies the values and ideas by which Paul led his life.”

The Fleur

Limestone University adopted “Saints” as its official nickname in the 1970s and the iconic fleur-de-lis logo has been a part of its history ever since. The symbol is an artistic representation of a flower. “Fleur” is the French word for flower and “lis” means lily. Limestone’s trademarked “Fast Fleur” logo was popular with Saints alumni, students, and fans.

Alma Mater

Limestone University’s Alma Mater, “Limestone, Cherished Limestone” was performed at the end of each football game by the Marching Saints band. The song was also performed by members of the Department of Music during major events on campus, such as graduation ceremonies, the Presidential Convocation, and others.

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Front Campus Fountain & Candelabrum

One of the most recognizable elements of the Limestone University front campus was its historic fountain that features a seven-branched candelabrum at the top. The candelabrum is part of Limestone’s official seal, along with its founding year of 1845 and the Greek letters meaning “Toward The Light.” A candelabrum is an ornamental branched holder for more than one candle. In the fountain’s case, the candelabrum holds seven candles. The fountain’s candelabrum represents the Seven Branches of Learning that make up a liberal arts education: grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The candelabrum symbolizes Limestone’s purpose to instill in its students to move forward in their search of “light” or, in other words, “truth.” The candelabrum part of the official seal was first used under Limestone President Dr. Lee Davis Lodge in 1904.

Fight Song

Prior to the first season of intercollegiate football in 2014, Limestone University was without a true fight song. That changed with the introduction of “The Blue and Gold,” a song that Limestone fans proudly sang to cheer on their team. In addition to its unique lyrics, the fight song also interweaves a distinctive portion of “When The Saints Go Marching In.”

Bernie

“Bernie” De Saint was Limestone University’s beloved mascot. The 6-foot tall Saint Bernard was found at most Limestone athletic events, and he also showed up around campus, at local elementary schools, and at special events across the area to promote Saints Athletics and Limestone University. True to his breed, Bernie was devoted to his team as a symbol of integrity, strength and loyalty.

Other Traditions

"Be Bold. Be Blue.": Each Friday during the academic year, students and staff members - along with Saints fans across town and across the nation - could be found decked out in blue as part of “Be Bold. Be Blue.” to show their school pride and their support of Limestone’s athletic teams.
"Give Me An “L”": A tradition at Limestone football games, and other athletics events, when the University’s Alma Mater was played.
Tailgating: Hours before each kickoff in the fall, Limestone University football fans, students, faculty staff, and alumni could be found outside Saints Field enjoying tailgating with family and friends in the Clary Family Tailgate Lot.
Victory Bell Tower: After every Limestone athletic victory, the Bell Tower rang out with the Limestone fight song.
Homecoming Weekend: Welcoming back students from days gone by, Limestone hosted its annual Homecoming Weekend each fall.
Christmas Luminaries: As part of Limestone’s annual “All Saints Christmas” event, the luminaries were beloved by the local community for over three decades. The tradition of celebrating All Saints Christmas dates back to 1984.

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