Organized by the Drew Sharks Steering Committee, Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters, and the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, the Drew Park Sharks Reunion drew an extraordinary crowd on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center. Legendary swimmers—many now in their seventies and eighties— walked into a building near the grounds where their story began. They arrived with children, grandchildren, and relatives representing swimmers unable to attend, as well as those who have passed on. For a moment, time folded back, and Drew Park came alive again.
The reunion honored the Drew Park Sharks, the awardwinning African American swim team that began in 1950 and flourished for decades at what was then known as Drew Pool near Saxon Homes. More than a recreational site, the pool was a neighborhood institution—a place where discipline, camaraderie, mentorship, and pride were forged in the water.
“It was remarkable to see them walk in—laughing, embracing, and reminiscing as if no time had passed,” one attendee reflected. “Drew Park shaped us into who we became.”
Former Sharks went on to become educators, military officers, community leaders,
entrepreneurs, pastors, and lifelong mentors. Again and again, they spoke of the survival skills and life lessons learned at Drew: “You learned to swim,” one said, “but you also learned how to move through the world.”
A Program Rooted in Memory, Faith, and Celebration
The welcome and occasion was delivered by Mrs. Doris M. Ruff, whose family has deep ties to Drew Park. Rev. Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness—a former Shark— offered an opening prayer, grounding the gathering in gratitude and reflection. Representing the City of Columbia, Councilman Edward H. McDowell Jr. acknowledged the long and meaningful civic imprint of Drew Park.
A highlight of the afternoon was the Sharks Roll Call, led by former Sharks
Ms. LaNelle Kohn and Ms. Tommye Martin McMillian. They reminded the audience that more than 200 Sharks are still living across the country. As numbers were called, hands rose, laughter filled the room, and voices answered— reviving a tradition that once echoed across the waters of Drew Pool.
Benjamin L. Jeffcoat, also a former Shark, delivered the blessing of the food and offered a memorial tribute to deceased Shark members. A touching video tribute by Columbia SC 63 followed, weaving images, stories, music, and archival footage into a powerful look back.
Adding to the day’s celebration, Shark members received commemorative towels, specially designed to mark the occasion. Columbia
SC 63 curated an exhibit of photographs, documents, and memorabilia, giving attendees a visual journey through decades of swimming and competitions.
Honoring the Pillars of the Drew Park Legacy
Special awards were presented by Dr. Bobby Donaldson, representing Columbia SC 63 and the USC Center for Civil Rights History & Research. His tributes honored the individuals whose influence shaped generations of swimmers:
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The late Thomas Sinkler Martin, legendary educator and father figure of Drew Park, was represented by his daughter, Ms. Tommye Martin McMillian.
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The late James R. “Jimmie” Ruff, Jr. (1940–2024), champion swimmer and coach, was represented by his wife, Mrs. Doris M. Ruff.
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Mr. Nathaniel Stevenson, former Shark, longtime man-
ager, instructor, and influential mentor, was on hand to receive his award, celebrated warmly by his former teammates and students, many of whom credit him for shaping their lives in and out of the pool.
- Coach Stanley McIntosh, former Shark and legendary coach of the Greenview Dolphins, was recognized for sustaining the region’s competitive swimming tradition and carrying the Drew spirit
into new generations of swimmers.
These recognitions honored not only their work at the pool, but the lives they uplifted far beyond it.
A Moment of Reflection: Donaldson’s Words
Dr. Donaldson captured the meaning of the day with these words: “Drew Park was more than a swimming pool— it was a training ground for life. The men and women shaped
by Drew carried the lessons of discipline, resilience, and community forward. Today we honor not just the victories in the water, but the spirit of Drew Park that continues to ripple across Columbia and far beyond.”
A Reunion That Points Forward
For many, the reunion was more than a celebration—it was a renewal of memory and community. Families proudly recalled the swimmers who shaped their lives. Former Sharks traded stories of synchronized water shows, diving through rings of fire, early Red Cross training, lifeguard work, sunrise practices, and competitions that took them across South Carolina.
To underscore the significance of the day, Dr. Donaldson offered a final reflection: “One shared sentiment defined the day: the story of the Drew Park Sharks deserves to be celebrated, remembered, and
passed forward.”
The gathering closed with a renewed commitment to preserving this powerful legacy. Plans are already underway
to continue documenting and memorializing the Sharks so that their story will inform and inspire future generations.
