Fans Celebrate Greenville, Merl Code
Annual Green Day celebration at Fluor Field concluded homestand
A little rain prior to gates opening wouldn't put a damper as the Drive concluded their nine-game homestand at Fluor Field, while also celebrating the City of Greenville's 179th birthday.
What began during the Drive's Inaugural Season in 2006, "Green Day" celebrates our great city while also saluting an individual who has helped make Greenville and the surrounding area into the dynamic and desirable community it has become. This year's honoree was Merl Code, a prominent Greenville attorney and civic leader.
More than 5,000 fans came out to take part in the celebration, which included a green t-shirt giveaway as fans entered the ballpark and post-game fireworks.
In addition to a pre-game video montage honoring Code that featured Minor Mickel Shaw, Lewis T. Smoak, and Jeff Weston, Code threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch. In between the top and bottom halves of the third inning, Drive Co-Owner/President Craig Brown and General Manager Mike deMaine presented Code with his very own green Drive jersey.
Brown commented on Code's selection, noting, "Since Merl received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina in 1979 he has distinguished himself as a lawyer, a municipal court judge in the City of Greenville, a businessman and a community leader whose commitment to public service is without peer," Brown added, "Merl has also been one of one of Greenville's most eloquent promoters and irresistible advocates ; a tremendous asset to this community in so many ways."
A former professional football player, Code never missed a beat once he was forced to hang up his cleats due to back problems. In addition to his work in the legal field and numerous business interests, he has served on an extensive list of prominent organizations' boards including Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, the Greater Greenville YMCA, the Phillis Wheatley Association, the Urban League of the Upstate, and the Palmetto Institute. In 1996 he received the distinguished Order of the Palmetto, the highest award given to a citizen by the State of South Carolina.
Along the way, Code has accomplished many "firsts." He is the first African American to chair the Greenville County United Way board of directors, the first African American Municipal Court judge, and the first African American to become chairman of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
Brown added, "Without question Merl Code is a community leader who embodies Greenville's entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed. His accomplishments have been all the more meaningful as he has been a unifier who has repeatedly brought people with wide ranging interests together to strive for a greater common good." Brown concluded, "We hope the Upstate community will put on their green and come down to Fluor Field to salute Merl on Green Day, August 10th."
Code joins an illustrious group of previous Green Day honorees. In 2006, the Drive honored former Greenville Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trudy. Green Day 2007 honorees were Greenville County Councilwomen Lillian Brock Flemming and Xanthene Norris. Former Greenville Technical College President Dr. Tom Barton was the honoree in 2008, and C. Dan Joyner was last season's Green Day honoree.
What began during the Drive's Inaugural Season in 2006, "Green Day" celebrates our great city while also saluting an individual who has helped make Greenville and the surrounding area into the dynamic and desirable community it has become. This year's honoree was Merl Code, a prominent Greenville attorney and civic leader.
More than 5,000 fans came out to take part in the celebration, which included a green t-shirt giveaway as fans entered the ballpark and post-game fireworks.
In addition to a pre-game video montage honoring Code that featured Minor Mickel Shaw, Lewis T. Smoak, and Jeff Weston, Code threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch. In between the top and bottom halves of the third inning, Drive Co-Owner/President Craig Brown and General Manager Mike deMaine presented Code with his very own green Drive jersey.
Brown commented on Code's selection, noting, "Since Merl received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina in 1979 he has distinguished himself as a lawyer, a municipal court judge in the City of Greenville, a businessman and a community leader whose commitment to public service is without peer," Brown added, "Merl has also been one of one of Greenville's most eloquent promoters and irresistible advocates ; a tremendous asset to this community in so many ways."
A former professional football player, Code never missed a beat once he was forced to hang up his cleats due to back problems. In addition to his work in the legal field and numerous business interests, he has served on an extensive list of prominent organizations' boards including Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, the Greater Greenville YMCA, the Phillis Wheatley Association, the Urban League of the Upstate, and the Palmetto Institute. In 1996 he received the distinguished Order of the Palmetto, the highest award given to a citizen by the State of South Carolina.
Along the way, Code has accomplished many "firsts." He is the first African American to chair the Greenville County United Way board of directors, the first African American Municipal Court judge, and the first African American to become chairman of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
Brown added, "Without question Merl Code is a community leader who embodies Greenville's entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed. His accomplishments have been all the more meaningful as he has been a unifier who has repeatedly brought people with wide ranging interests together to strive for a greater common good." Brown concluded, "We hope the Upstate community will put on their green and come down to Fluor Field to salute Merl on Green Day, August 10th."
Code joins an illustrious group of previous Green Day honorees. In 2006, the Drive honored former Greenville Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trudy. Green Day 2007 honorees were Greenville County Councilwomen Lillian Brock Flemming and Xanthene Norris. Former Greenville Technical College President Dr. Tom Barton was the honoree in 2008, and C. Dan Joyner was last season's Green Day honoree.