October 21, 2026: Leadership Day

October 21, 1986: The Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy, '67, is published. Conroy went on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for the film version of the book.

October 20, 2026

October 20, 1990: The Citadel beat the University of South Carolina on a touchdown with 22 seconds left to win 38-35.

Today we are remembering LTC T. Nugent Courvoisie, USA, Ret., The Citadel Class of 1938, aka The Boo, on the 110th anniversary of his birth!

October 18, 1984: MAJ Samuel R. Bird, USA, ’61, passed away. Bird is remembered as the leader of the casket detail at President John F. Kennedy’s funeral. Then stationed at Fort Myer (now Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall) near Arlington National Cemetery, he was called to receive the president’s body upon its arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. With only short breaks, he remained by the slain president’s side for three days until the funeral. When the casket detail faltered while exiting Saint Matthew’s Cathedral, Bird calmly steadied the casket and led an unplanned final salute as the detail completed its solemn duty. For his leadership, he received the Army Commendation Medal. Known as the “Perfect Soldier,” Bird had completed Ranger and Airborne training and was considered on track for general officer rank. He volunteered for service in Vietnam, where on his 27th birthday—his last day in the field—he was struck by an enemy sniper. The wound left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but he continued forward with resilience and dignity. His service earned him two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart, and he was later promoted to major. His remarkable life, lived fully despite great adversity, was told in So Proudly He Served, written by his wife Annette Bird with Tim Prouty. Bird is honored on Panel 14E, Line 90 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Today would have been the 78th birthday of James O. Rigney, Jr., '74. You may know Rigney as Robert Jordan, author of the best selling series, The Wheel of Time. Rigney attended The Citadel as a Veteran Student. us.macmillan.com/author/robertjordan

October 16, 1948: Johnson Hagood Stadium opened with a game against Davidson. The stadium was formally dedicated later on December 4, 1948, when The Citadel hosted Clemson in a game that drew a then-record crowd of about 16,000 people.

October 15, 2026