2015
Anita Condon van de Erve, Class of '70 (Honorary)
A former College of Charleston women’s basketball player from 1966-70, Anita Condon van de Erve made a lasting impact on her alma mater through her tireless work as Executive Director of The Cougar Club from 1987-2007. Her love of sports, her passion for student-athletes and their dreams, and her desire for crowds to attend games and share in the excitement of Cougar Athletics still continue today. During her time with The Cougar Club, the fundraising-arm of the athletics department raised more than $8,000 in 1986 and assets later grew to over $1 million a year. Pre-game chalk talks, bus trips, team travel with basketball, baseball and soccer, and tailgate parties prior to NCAA Tournament and NCAA Regional games were staples of The Cougar Club under the leadership of van de Erve. She created a family atmosphere around the program and reached out to native Charlestonians to adopt CofC as their own school. Legendary head coach John Kresse and his teams’ success on the basketball court brought both attendance and enthusiasm to an all-time high at CofC. But, it was van de Erve’s behind-the-scenes work which brought the home-court experience to a different level as she welcomed fans with her Charleston grace and charm. She made everyone feel welcomed at games and knew fans and supporters by name. Coming to home basketball games was a Charleston event. Games were sold out and the game-day atmosphere led to the F. Mitchell Johnson Center being listed as one of the Top 10 toughest home courts in the country. While the on-court product was a success, people could not get enough of the in-game Cougar ambience van de Erve helped create, adding that special touch. Memorable trips to Alaska, Hawai'i and Puerto Rico were also well-attended by Cougar Club supporters. Great programs have had many people who helped lay a strong foundation for future success, and van de Erve devoted countless hours to help make CofC Athletics successful.
