CONWAY, S.C. – The 2021 Chanticleer Gala presented by King Construction Services Inc. hosted by the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF) on May 22 at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes was a huge success.
 
Thanks to the over 30 premium and corporate sponsors, the one-night event, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, returned in a big way, as the event was sold out and over 150 silent auctions were sold.
 
"The Chanticleer Gala is one of the highlights of the year for the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation and all of Teal Nation because it is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the many accomplishments of CCU athletics," stated CAF Executive Director Kelly Moore. "Our staff and committee worked extremely hard to put on an event that could exemplify what it means to be a Chanticleer. We could not be prouder of our Chants and are so appreciative of all of the support everyone showed for Coastal Carolina University."
 
CAF members and Chant fans Stacy and D. Wyatt Henderson were honored as the 2020-21 Chanticleers of the Year, joining an elite list of great Chanticleer supporters in Dick Singleton, John Vrooman, Dustin Johnson, Brooke Weisbrod, Alan Connie, Tami Brooks Scott, Josh Norman, Heather and Christopher St. John, and Stan and Denise Parker.
 
Also recognized at the Gala was Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Matt Hogue who was a recipient of the 2020-21 Athletics Director of the Year Award, presented by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics, head football coach Jamey Chadwell who was named the 2020 National Coach of the Year by multiple organizations and media outlets for the Chanticleers' 2020 Sun Belt Championship season, and head baseball coach Gary Gilmore who picked up his 1,000-career win at Coastal earlier in the day.
 
Not only did the event feature great food, fun, and fellowship, but it also included several live auction items including a 2016 College World Series National Championship pendant and ring, a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV, tickets to the 2022 Kentucky Derby, an Executive Chief Experience, a custom Coastal Carolina-themed golf cart, a custom-made Chanticleer pendant, tickets to a Lee Brice concert, a one-year boat membership at the Freedom Boat Club, and a Football Fan Experience package for the upcoming 2021 season.
 
Plans for the 2022 Chanticleer Gala are already underway, as the annual event will once again be held at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes on May 21, 2022.
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Michael T. Benson – Coastal Carolina University President
"The 2021 Chanticleer Gala exceeded all my expectations thanks to the incredible support of the Coastal family. It was so good to have everybody together again and while this was my first experience in my new role, I can see why people talk about this event all year long! What a great time to be a Chanticleer."
 
Matt Hogue - Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation
"We enjoyed a phenomenal night celebrating CCU Athletics and recognizing Stacy and Wyatt Henderson as our Chanticleers of the Year. We were fortunate to have a fantastic athletic year under the most difficult of circumstances. That success had a major impact on the outpouring of support at the 2021 Chanticleer Gala."
 
Jamey Chadwell – CCU Head Football Coach
"I thought it was well-organized, and I thought it was a great night to showcase what Coastal Carolina athletics is about. The organization of [the gala] was first-class, [there was] great food, and it was a great night to celebrate Coastal Carolina athletics."
 
Marla Sage – Head Dance Team Coach
"It's a lot of fun having Chauncey and some of the dance team members helping out at the event. The guest at the event always let me know they enjoy seeing them there, getting to talk to the girls on the dance team, dancing with Chauncey out on the dance floor, and honestly just getting to know the team. Even more important to me is having the team there so they can see how much our CAF members and community support our athletic programs. Until they have helped with the Gala, they really have no idea how invested our community is in our Coastal athletes. The team always leaves the Gala with a new appreciation for our supporters, fans, and community."

"Yes, this was my first year on the committee. I wanted to be on the committee because I personally see how great these kids are, not just mine but from all of the teams, and I want to do what I can to help them succeed here at Coastal and moving forward into their futures. I see how much time they put in daily on their sport, academics, and other commitments. I see them when things get tough and when things are great. I see them reaching out to the youth in our community. I see a lot of great kids doing great things. So why wouldn't I want to do my part to help where I can. If we all do a little bit to encourage our athletes, there's no limit on what they can achieve, I'm sure of that."
 
Jim Garren – Head Men's Golf Coach
"Personally, I thought it was the best Gala I had been to since I have been here. I thought that the overall donor experience was fantastic and I think they were more involved. I just felt like we put on a better show, which in return got better results. Obviously, we had some nice items but I don't think that's what drove it over the top, I think it was the fact that we put on the show to get people involved and they responded."
 
Katie Quinney – Head Women's Golf Coach
"Coming out of COVID, it was a great experience to have everyone back together. Everyone seemed so excited and enthusiastic about Coastal athletics. Those are the experiences that you wish the whole team could come be a part of; to feel the enthusiasm and how much support they actually have behind the scenes that make them feel special after they win conference championships. It was great to see everybody and to physically feel how much support we have. There were a lot of really new faces which I thought was super encouraging for the CAF and how much of a new base of supporters we might have."
 
Shaun Docking – Head Men's Soccer Coach
"There were a lot of people at the Gala that shared their congratulations with me on the overall success of the program over the past two decades, especially having gone to 17 NCAA D1 tournament appearances and five Sweet Sixteen appearances now.  Knowing that any financial help will go a long way to maybe pushing us over the edge in terms of reaching the Elite Eight or College Cup for the first time EVER!"
 
"I think the coaches here at Coastal would love to see more and more people in our community support THEIR LOCAL "hometown" University here in the Grand Strand!  There is so much that they can be proud of here at Coastal, without having to drive down I-20 to Columbia or Clemson!  We need everyone's support in this area, whether it's coming to our games or giving financially!"

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