South Carolina kicker Alex Herrera became the fourth Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship recipient.
Herrara graduated with a sport and entertainment management degree and is working towards a Master’s in that same program. He was recognized with the President’s Outstanding Student-Athlete Award at the 2024 Garnet & Black Spring Game.
The Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship in partnership with the University of South Carolina Football program and athletic department provides a walk-on football player who, through hard work and perseverance, earns an athletic scholarship and contributes toward the success of the University, the Gamecock football team, and the community at large. The student-athlete will share the leadership attributes of Jake, while demonstrating a motivated work ethic, fierce determination, team-first mentality, and grit on the football field.
The scholarship was created in memory of Jake Panus, a Connecticut teen who hoped to walk on with the Gamecocks but lost his life in a tragic accident in 2020.
Jake’s father, Stephen Panus, has written a book entitled “Walk On” that deals with the loss and continuing to honor his son.
“Our vulnerability is our strength. This book is a lot more inspiring and hopeful than it is sad” Stephen Panus told GamecockCentral. “It’s for anyone who’s dealing with adversity, a struggle in their life, a financial crisis, a failed marriage or relationship, a poor medical diagnosis. Grief is just one form of adversity and there’s a lot of lessons… The lessons are within us.”