Former GHS star honored by IPTAY

By SCOTT POWELLLedger Sports Writer

Former Gaffney High football standout Trey Tate received the Steve Fuller Award Thursday at the Spring IPTAY banquet.

Tate was honored as the Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee County Athlete of the Year by area Clemson clubs based on his academic and athletic performance this year. He enters the fall as a starting defensive tackle on the Clemson football team.

Tate started all 11 games in 2004, including 27 snaps in Clemson’s 27-14 victory over Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. He has played nearly 500 plays in his career.

One of his career highlights came in 2003 when Tate sacked N.C. State quarterback Phillip Rivers.

Rivers, the San Diego Chargers top draft choice last year, was one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country to sack during his senior year.

Tate is majoring in human resource development and will graduate in December.

“Trey has a pretty good support system at home. He has done well at Clemson,” head football coach Tommy Bowden said. “We have a lot of players who will graduate in December. A lot of this is a credit to the academic support services provided at Vickery Hall. It’s a wonderful resource for our students.”