Governor Nikki Haley will visit Wofford College on Monday to mark the Carolina Panthers' upcoming 20th anniversary.
During the governor's visit, she will recognize Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and proclaim Carolina Panthers Day across South Carolina.
"For two decades, South Carolina has wrapped its arms around the Carolina Panthers," said Gov. Haley. "We're proud of what owner Jerry Richardson and the Panthers have achieved and what they have meant to Wofford College, the Spartanburg community and our entire state."
On October 26, 1993, Jerry Richardson announced that the Carolinas would be home to a National Football League expansion team – the Carolina Panthers – and the team played its inaugural season at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.
Wofford College has hosted Panthers training camp since the team's inception. Panthers training camp brings football fans and media from across the world to the Upstate.
Last year, 34,000 people attended Panthers training camp, and those attendees spent an average of $168 a day, which generated millions of dollars for South Carolina's economy.
A graduate of Wofford College and former NFL player, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson resided in Spartanburg for over 40 years and is a member of the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame and South Carolina Business Hall of Fame.
After retiring from the NFL, Richardson opened the first Hardee's franchise in 1961 and grew the company to 2,500 stores and over 100,000 employees.
Monday's event will be held at 6:00 PM at the Richardson Physical Activities Building at Wofford College, 429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, S.C., and is open to the public.
