The Limestone College Athletic Department mourns the loss of a great friend and longtime supporter, Tom Pettit, who passed away Sunday.

Every time a ball was in play on campus, Mr. Pettit could be found keeping a watchful eye. He was a tremendous fan, supporter, and friend to Limestone athletics. In the late 1980s, Limestone created a Sportsmanship Award in honor of Mr. Pettit. For nearly 20 years the Tom Pettit Sportsmanship Award has been given to the male and female athletes who best exemplified qualities of good sportsmanship on and off the field.

“I don’t know that Limestone College has ever had a more loyal supporter than Tom Pettit,” said Athletic Director Larry Epperly. “He was one of the few people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame based solely on his support of the college.”

Limestone College inducted Mr. Pettit into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

“It goes deeper than that,” Epperly continued. “He had a personal relationship with each of our coaches. He ate lunch with us every day and he attended nearly every event. He loved our kids and he loved athletics. He will be deeply missed.”

(Limestone College)