Jere Drummond ('57), outgoing chairman of Darlington's Board of Trustees, threw the first pitch at Wednesday's GHSA baseball state playoff, opening the first game of the second round. The Tigers won over Jeff Davis at home 7-4, followed by a 7-6 loss to the Yellow Jackets in the second game.
Thursday's 2 p.m. home game against Jeff Davis will determine which school moves on to Elite 8 status.
The games on Tuesday afternoon came almost 58 years to the day that Jere Drummond pitched for the last time as a high school senior.
The Rome native came to Darlington as a freshman, and later played as pitcher of the varsity baseball team during his sophomore, junior and senior years. As a tenth-grade student, Drummond helped lead his team to the Mid-South Championship.
Drummond also played varsity basketball as a junior and senior, and made the all-tournament team.
"Any team sport, whether it's baseball, soccer or whatever else you play is important because you learn to pull together as a team, you learn about sportsmanship, and you learn about how to take wins and losses," said Drummond. "Being able to roll with the punches and keep going is a great learning experience; it certainly was for me."
Drummond looks forward to connecting with Darlington pitchers Burton Dulaney ('15) and Jay Shadday ('16), who have both committed to play for the Georgia Institute of Technology, just like Drummond did as an undergraduate.
"When I talk to the kids here, to see what Darlington has done for them—that’s what makes it all worthwhile to me," added Drummond.
After graduating from Darlington, the alumnus earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. Drummond also holds master’s degrees from Georgia State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1962, he was hired by Bellsouth and after a successful career in communications, retired in 2001 as the corporation's vice chairman.
In addition to his service as outgoing chairman of Darlington's Board, Drummond served as co-chairman of the School’s Second Century Campaign, and holds membership in the J.J. Darlington Society.
“Initially I didn’t want to go to Darlington, but it changed my life, and I’m delighted I was here,” said Drummond.
He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Alumni Weekend in 2005, and was honored that same day by his family with the Jere A. Drummond Leadership Potential Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a day student who shows potential leadership ability but does not have the financial ability to take advantage of the Darlington experience.
Drummond will give the Commencement Address for the second time on May 16, having done the honors previously for the Class of 2005.
Drummond and his wife, the former Patsy Couch of Rome, have three children and eight grandchildren, and reside in Charlotte, N.C.
