Stratford and the athletic department are proud of our current and former athletes. We have athletes living successful lives, and accomplishing great feats in their professional endeavors. We are proud to say that we have several athletes still involved in athletics through either coaching or playing at the high school, college, and professional levels.

If you are an alumni athlete please fill out the attached form and return it to the Stratford Athletic Department in person, or email it to beckmanb@bcsdschools.net

OUR ALUMNI:

Dr. Wayne Brunner

Class of 1996

Baseball / Football

First Choice Emergency Care

Houston Texas

Matt Wieters

Class of 2004

Baseball

Georgia Tech 

Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals

Justin Smoak

Class of 2005

Baseball

University of South Carolina

Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants

Alison Smith Thornley

Class of 1994

Volleyball/ Basketball

Francis Marion University

Masters from The Citadel

Katie Smith

Class of 2003

Volleyball/ Softball

Georgia Southern University

Masters from Georgia Southern University

Brandon McSwain,

Class of 2000

Football/Baseball

Winthrop University, BA, Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology, Class of 2004.

Norwich University, MA, Masters of Military History, Class of 2013.

Major Brandon McSwain proudly serves his country as a pilot in the United States Air

 Force.

Stacie Cooper Fandel  

Class of 1998

Volleyball, Softball and Basketball

Four Year Starter at Georgia Southern University – Softball

Major – Sports Management

Senior Communications Manager – Michael Waltrip Racing

Troy Bartges

Class of 1998

Football and Wrestling

1998 North South Meet

1998 SC State Champion

Went to The Citadel where he wrestled as a 4 year letterman and 2 time team captain

Dr. Lauren Shull

Class of 2005

Softball

University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina-School of Medicine

Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Palmetto Richland Children’s Hospital in Columbia, SC 

William Collins

Class of 1997

Football & Track

Operations Manager at A1 Heating and Cooling

Mr. Collins has a wife, Andrea, and son Braydon 

Amber White

Class of 2005

Track & Field/Basketball Cheerleader

Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Coastal Carolina University

Track & Field for Coastal Carolina University

2007 Outdoor: NCAA Regional competitor in the 400 meters during Outdoor… Big South Champion in the 400… Set meet records at Big South Outdoor Championships (54.57) and Battle of the Beach (57.03)… Her 54.57 at the Big South Championships is also a new Coastal record… Member of the Big South Championship 4×400-meter relay team that ran 3:45.23, a new Big South Outdoor Championship Meet record… Member of the sprint medley relay team that ran 4:03.42 at Penn Relays…
2007 Indoor: Big South Conference Champion in the 400, setting a new conference and Coastal 400-meter record during indoor with a time of 55.71… Earned All-Conference honors in the 200 and 400… Finished second in the 200 behind teammate Chasity Johnson to help Coastal to a 1-2 finish, running a season-best time of 24.86… Won the 400 meter dash at the Maryland Terrapin Invitational (56.17) and was second at UNC Fast Times (56.85)…

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at Georgia State University

Master in Business Administration at Queens University of Charlotte

Ms. White has three children, sons Reginald and Levi, and a daughter Paige. 

Matt Sims

Class of 1992

Football

Charleston Southern University – BS – Business Administration, concentration in Information Systems

Charleston Southern Football Player

Benefitfocus – Software Engineering Manager

Mr.Sims is married to Jenni Robertson (Class of 93′),  and they have two children; Cody and Kylie

Antonio Wade (Tony)
Class of 1997

Basketball, Baseball, Football and Stratford Athlete of the Year – 1997. Member of the 1996 Baseball State Championship Team.

B.A. in Sociology from Johnson C. Smith University; Master’s of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University; Initial Teaching Certification in Special Education From University of West Georgia; and Ed.S in Special Education from University of West Alabama

Played Basketball at Johnson C. Smith University 1997-2001. Was a 4 year Letterman and 3 year starter. Was the captain on the first every CIAA Championship team in 2001 and played in the Division II Elite 8. Won the second most games as a class in school history (84).

Special Education Teacher at McIntyre Park Middle School in Thomasville, GA. Head Girls Basketball Coach, Head Volleyball Coach, and Assistant Tennis Coach at Thomasville High School.

Married to Milan Johnson-Wade since November 5, 2011 and we have 2 kids (Riley Wade and Parker Wade) together. I also have 2 older daughters (Ja’la Wade and Toni Wade)

Nicholas Young

Class of 2013

Wrestled and played football for the Knights

Currently an assistant principal

Brian Fachko

Class of 1991

Wrestled and played Tennis for the Knights. Rookie of the Year and a 4x State Qualifier in Wrestling

Served in the U.S. Army, and currently is employed by GRSI- Government Contracting

Andy Velez Sr.

Class of 1989

Wrestled at Stratford

Attended Old Dominion University

Harold Robinson

Class of 1989

Wrestled and played Soccer for the Knights

Retired from the United States Coast Guard (20 years)

Tommy Grady

Class of 1995

Wrestled for the Knights, was a 3x State Qualifier, and a 4x Freestyle State Champion

Served in the United States Marine Corps

Married to Brie Grady, and the couple has two children,a daughter, Peyton, and a son, Austyn.

Ryan Adams

Class of 2015

Wrestled, ran Cross Country, and ran Track for the Knights

Brian R. Adams

Class of 1989

Wrestled for the Knights

South Carolina State Senator

Austin Koile

Class of 2012

Wrestled for the Knights

Also wrestled in College

Abraham Kuhn

Class of 2000

Wrestled and played Football for the Knights. Was a 4x State Runner-Up 

Owner of Kuhn Construction

Married to Caroline Kuhn

Jarrod Fritz

Class of 2000

Wrestled for the Knights

Owner/Operator of Defined; Therapeutic Massage

Crossfit Trainer, Professional Wrestler/Referee

Jason Lindner

Class of 2000

Wrestled for the Knights

Cpt. Christopher Johnson Sr. 

Class of 1993

Captain Christopher S. Johnson, Sr., a native of Goose Creek, SC, is now the new Commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Company, Richmond, Virginia. CPT Johnson took command on 21 April 2017, after recently returning from Vilseck, Germany where he commanded Bravo Maintenance troop under the Regimental Support Squadron 2nd Calvary and, then served as the Planning Officer in Charge (OIC) at 2nd Calvary Regimental S4, also in Germany. 

CPT Chris Johnson was educated through the Berkeley county school system and is a 1993 graduate of Stratford High School where he was the running back for the Stratford Knights football team. Also in 1993, CPT Johnson was the S.C. High School Track & Field State Champion, coming in 1st place at 48.74 seconds in the 400m. From 1994-1996 CPT Johnson was a nine times Track & Field All American in the 400m, 600m (indoor), 800m, 4x800m, and both sprint and distance relay medley relays while attending Florida Community College, Jacksonville, FL. He later transferred to Life University, Marietta, GA where he graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration in 1999.

Chris Johnson enlisted in the United States Army, went to basic training (boot camp) in Fort Benning, GA and became a Combat Medic in 2001. His first enlisted assignment was with the 2nd Battalion 7th Calvary Regiment 1st Calvary Division. From 2004 – 2009 he served three 12 months tours in Iraq supporting multiple military operations as a Combat Medic. Afterwards he returned to Fort Benning, GA. The now Staff Sergeant (E-6) Johnson was selected for Sergeant First Class (E-7) and also nominated for Officer Candidate School (OCS). He elected OCS.

After graduating OCS in 2010, the now 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Logistics Officer’s first assignment as a commissioned officer was under the 43rd Sustainment Brigade out of Fort Carson, CO. He later was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012-2013 in support of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE). Afterwards he attended Captain’s Career Course in Fort Lee, VA, then completed a successful tour in Command at Vilseck Germany.  Now CPT Johnson is in Command in Richmond, VA.

CPT Johnson’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster – OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLCs), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 campaign star), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 campaign star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award).  Additionally, CPT Johnson earned and is also authorized to wear the Combat Medical Badge.

CPT Chris Johnson, Sr. is the son of Elder Jacob Johnson and Rhonda (Gourdine) Johnson of Goose Creek, S.C. He and his wife, Misrah, share the responsibility and love of raising five children – Xania (SGT Brian) McKenzie, Chasity, Mya, Tamera and Christopher Jr. CPT Johnson is currently earning his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling.