December 1, 2000


FURMAN NAMES KEN PETTUS PALADIN CLUB DIRECTOR

GREENVILLE -- Furman University director of athletics Gary Clark announced today that Ken Pettus has been named director of the Paladin Club, the school's athletic scholarship fundraising organization.

Pettus, who will assume his new position Jan. 1, succeeds Clark, who was appointed as athletics director in September. Pettus comes to Furman following three years as director of development of the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University.

"Ken is an outstanding fit for us given his athletic background at Furman and fundraising experience," said Clark in making the announcement Friday afternoon. "We're excited about his return and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to our athletic fundraising mission."

Pettus' new position will mark his fourth stint at the university. He first came to Furman in 1973 as a graduate assistant football coach. He later served as linebackers coach and special teams' coordinator in the Paladin football program from 1978-80. Following a three-year tenure as head coach at Dunwoody (Ga.) High School from 1981-83, he returned to Furman in 1984 as linebackers coach under Dick Sheridan. When Sheridan assumed the head coaching reins at North Carolina State University in 1986, Pettus followed and served as linebackers coach for nine seasons before being elevated to the role of Wolfpack defensive coordinator from 1994-96.

A Greenville native who played football at Greenville High School under the late Slick Moore, Pettus was an All-American football player at Newberry College, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1973. He earned a master's degree in education from Furman in 1978.

Pettus is married to the fomer Jan Griffin of Gainesville, Fla.