COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina fans may not know the name Eddie Dunning, but they have seen his work many times.
Since 1983, Dunning has been a part of the Gamecock athletics grounds crew and part of his duties have included painting the athletic fields. Every year since 1984, Eddie was in charge of painting the Gamecock at midfield at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Sadly, the Gamecock athletics department announced on Wednesday that Dunning had passed away at 69. His obituary said he died on July 13 at a Columbia area hospital. No cause of death was provided.
A native of Elloree, Eddie was a fixture at Sarge Frye Field, where he painted the Gamecock behind home plate. He continued his duties with the grounds crew at Founders Park, where he was in charge of putting the playing surface in the best possible light. He also was a presence at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
When you consider the numerous broadcasts of South Carolina football games, some on network television, Eddie Dunning's artwork was on full display, and no doubt added to the pageantry of Gamecock football in the fall.