The Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson Memorial Scholarship 5K Run

🏃‍♂️ The Event

The University of South Carolina Aiken is proud to announce its 3rd Annual Homecoming 5K Run to benefit The Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson Memorial Scholarship on campus on Saturday, February 21. The 5K starts at 8AM.

🎗️ Purpose of the Run

• Proceeds: The proceeds from this 3.1-mile run will benefit The Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson Memorial Scholarship.
• Honoring Heroes: The scholarship honors two Aiken police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty over a period of two months in 2011 and 2012.
• Eligibility: Awarded by the sociology program at USC Aiken, preference is given to students pursuing a career in criminal justice with demonstrated financial need.

👩‍🏫 Tribute from Faculty

Dr. Christine Wernet, professor of sociology at USC Aiken, taught Scotty Richardson ‘05 when he was a student in the sociology program. “This scholarship is very important to me,” Wernet says, “It’s a fitting tribute to the fallen officers who meant so much to Aiken County. Criminology and Criminal Justice is a leading interest for students who major in sociology at USC Aiken. This is a meaningful scholarship for our students that makes a difference in their lives.

🎉 Family-Friendly Event

• Participation: The Homecoming 5K Run is open to all ages and abilities.
• Registration: Each 5K participant receives a t-shirt if registered by February 4, 2026.
• Finalists: Finalists receive ribbons.
• Timing: This will be a chipped-time race.

🕒 Event Schedule

• February 21 7:50AM: Opening Ceremony
• February 21 8:00AM: Race Start

📍 Race Location

The race starts at the Convocation Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Dan Elwell at Daniel.Elwell@usca.edu.

📦 Packet Pickup Info

• Day Before: You are welcome to pick up your race packet the day before the race at the Starbucks inside the Student Activity Center on the campus of USC Aiken. Volunteers will be on-site from 3-6:30PM.
• Location: USC Aiken Starbucks, 471 University Pkwy, Aiken, SC 29803
• Race Day: The morning of the race, you will pick up your packet near the starting line at the USCA Convocation Center. Volunteers will be on site from 6:30AM-7:50AM.
• Address: USCA Convocation Center, 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, SC 29829

🅿️ Race Day Parking

Enter from University Parkway onto Proud Pacer Drive and park next to the Baseball Field.

🔗 More Information

For more details, visit the race page: Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson Memorial 5K.