Former Limestone College defensive linemen Shon Brown and Jackson Chavis didn’t must go far to seek out their new properties in school soccer for the 2025 season. With Limestone lately closing its doorways amid the college’s monetary struggles, South Carolina State College, an HBCU in the identical state as Limestone, is reaping the advantages, signing each Brown and Chavis to bolster the Bulldogs’ protection beneath second-year soccer coach Chennis Berry.
Brown dedicated to the HBCU after placing collectively a stable 2024 season with the Saints, registering 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 7 quarterback hurries.
“Dedicated! Bringing the Holy Spirit to SC State. Reward Jesus! Acts 20:24,” Brown tweeted on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
Chavis enters his freshman season at South Carolina State College after serving as a two-sport athlete — soccer and wrestling — at Hartsville Excessive Faculty in Gaffney, South Carolina. At Hartsville, Gaffney earned all-conference recognition as an offensive deal with and defensive finish, obtained the Pee Dee Offensive Lineman of the 12 months, and captured two state championships in wrestling.
“I’m blessed to make my dedication to SC STATE!!!!! Go Dawgs!!!” Chavis tweeted on X.
Limestone College Closes Its Doorways
Limestone, a non-public Christian college almost 140 miles from Orangeburg, South Carolina, was “burdened by debt” and confronted a “declining enrollment”, in keeping with The Chronicle of Greater Training. The college’s board of trustees met lately and voted to stop operations after Limestone’s 2025 spring graduation ceremonies.
Two weeks earlier than the board’s choice, Limestone made a public request for $6 million in donations to permit the college to maneuver its lessons on-line. In response to The Chronicle, if the college didn’t obtain monetary assist, it risked closing its doorways.
College leaders remained “cautiously optimistic” about Limestone remaining open for enterprise after the college launched the “Collectively for Limestone” marketing campaign on April 24 to maintain the 180-year-old establishment open. The Fullerton Basis dedicated $1 million to the fundraising marketing campaign. Limestone earned $2.143 million from almost 200 donors over two weeks.
Nathan Copeland, president of Limestone College, wrote in a press release that the college “can’t absolutely specific the sorrow” of the college’s closure.
“Our college students, alumni, school, workers, and supporters fought tirelessly to save lots of this historic establishment,” Copeland stated. “Whereas the end result just isn’t what we hoped for, we’re endlessly grateful for the eagerness, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints household.
After enduring eight seasons with out a profitable document from 2014 to 2021, Limestone turned its program right into a winner, attaining back-to-back profitable seasons for the primary time in program historical past.
Program on the Rise
In 2022, Limestone posted an 8-4 general document and a 7-2 mark within the South Atlantic Convention (SAC), incomes the Saints their first-ever berth within the NCAA Division II playoffs. Constructing on that success, the 2023 season noticed the Saints notch one other 8-4 marketing campaign and a powerful 8-1 mark in SAC play. The Saints secured their second consecutive playoff look. Nevertheless, Valdosta State defeated Limestone within the opening spherical.
Limestone concluded the 2024 season with a 7–4 general document and a 6–3 mark within the SAC. Whereas Limestone didn’t safe a playoff berth, the Saints maintained a profitable document for the third consecutive 12 months, underscoring this system’s continued progress beneath head coach Mike Furrey.
Brown and Chavis will be a part of a South Carolina State crew that is likely one of the finest in HBCU soccer. The Bulldogs completed 9-3 general and 5-0 in MEAC play, received a MEAC title and earned a Celebration Bowl berth within the 2024 season.
