For Immediate Media Release: SCFHOF Announces Partnership with Ellison Kibler Merrill Lynch

For Immediate Release

Nationally Ranked Financial Wealth Management Team, Ellison Kibler Merrill Lynch, named Presenting Partner of the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy, or South Carolina’s Heisman

September 18, 2024

Greenville, SC: The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF) announces an exciting new annual partnership with Ellison Kibler Merrill Lynch, a distinguished Merrill Private Wealth Management firm. Ellison Kibler will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy (BRTrophy), often referred to as "South Carolina’s Heisman." The BRTrophy honors the state’s top collegiate football player, whether hailing from South Carolina or playing for an in-state collegiate program. Named after Heisman Trophy winners Doc Blanchard (McColl, SC) and George Rogers (USC), the trophy has been awarded annually since 2016. Previous recipients include several NFL first-round draft picks, such as Trevor Lawrence (Clemson/BRTrophy19), the 2021 first overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and most recently, Xavier Legette (Mullins/USC/BRTrophy23), selected 32nd overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2024.

Ellison Kibler, a national leader in private wealth management, serves clients across 48 states from their offices in Columbia, SC; Charlotte, NC; and New Jersey. Established in 1983, the firm has built a reputation for providing exceptional wealth management strategies tailored to the needs of affluent families, corporations, endowments, and foundations. With a commitment to teamwork and trust, Ellison Kibler & Associates leverages the extensive resources of Merrill and Bank of America to deliver personalized financial solutions. Their dedication to client service has earned them top rankings, including #1 Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams (2024) and #6 in America’s Top Wealth Management Teams: High Net Worth (2023) by Forbes, as well as recognition in Barron’s national Top 250 Private Wealth Management Team list and Gordon Whittaker is listed in the Top 1200 Financial Advisors list in 2024.

Gordon Whittaker, Managing Director at Ellison Kibler, along with his team members Austin Wertz and Cathy Greenwood, expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership with the SCFHOF and their role in supporting the prestigious Blanchard-Rogers Trophy. “We are excited to join forces with the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame to support the Blanchard-Rogers Trophy and the outstanding collegiate football players of our state,” said Whittaker. "This partnership reflects our commitment to excellence and our dedication to empowering individuals and communities through financial education and wealth management.”

SCFHOF Chairman David S. Wyatt shared his thoughts on the collaboration: “The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame and Ellison Kibler share the same high standard of excellence and the success mindset common to the football leaders we honor through the Blanchard-Rogers trophy and our Hall of Fame. In today’s evolving football landscape, access to top-tier financial education and wealth management guidance is invaluable. We are excited to work with Gordon Whittaker, Austin Wertz, Cathy Greenwood, and the entire Ellison team because they are rated among the best in providing financial resources for our students, athletes, and community leaders.”

The 2024 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy Presented by Ellison Kibler Merrill Lynch will be awarded on April 17, 2025, at the Hotel Hartness in Greenville, SC, during the SCFHOF’s 12th Annual Enshrinement Ceremony. The trophy will be presented to the most outstanding collegiate player with South Carolina ties from the 2024 season. Finalists will be announced later this fall, with public voting beginning soon after, and the official winner will be publicly revealed in February 2025.

About:

The SCFHOF is a 501(c)(3) “For Impact” organization whose mission is to honor South Carolina football leaders and help lead South Carolina students to the Top 10 states in the country for college and career readiness by December 31, 2030. The SCFHOF is on a mission, celebrating excellence and educating, encouraging, and empowering ourselves and others to live in purpose to bring out the best for ourselves and our South Carolina Community. We are recognizing, celebrating, and encouraging excellence! Together, we can lead SC students to be Top 10 nationally in college and career readiness by December 31, 2030. (Ranked 43^rd nationally in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report). The SCFHOF invites you to play your role in this worthwhile legacy. Give today to support the Bridge Builder Excellence Award Program, #SCTop10N2030 Movement, and scholarships at scfootballhof.org. You can meet the team at Ellison Kibler here: Ellison Kibler, Financial Advisors in Columbia, SC 29201 | Merrill (ml.com) #SCTop10N2030

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