Hall of Fame
Carl Edward Drakeford was recognized as one of Benedict College's most gifted athletes, competing in both baseball and football, where he received honorable mention All-Conference in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at cornerback.
He graduated from Hillside High School in Heath Springs, S.C. He was heralded as one of the school's greatest athletes. While attending Hillside High School, he excelled in football and basketball and served as captain of the football team during his senior year and graduated with honors and received a scholarship to attend Benedict College.
After graduating Benedict College, Drakeford taught and coached for many years in Newberry, S.C. at Gallman High School, and at Saunders High School in Laurens, S.C. He led his Hickory Tavern Middle School team to an undefeated season in 1972. As the first African-American coach at Laurens District High School, Drakeford coached junior varsity football, basketball, baseball and soccer. He served as an assistant defensive coach for the 1983 and 1984 State 4A football teams at Laurens High School. He also served as a South Carolina High School League official for more than 25 years.
He was actively engaged in a variety of civic and community activities, including: organizer of ladies and men's softball teams in Clinton, Johanna, and Cross Hill, S.C.; Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Hebron Baptist Church, Clinton, S.C.; mentor for the Hebron Brotherhood; a regular blood donor (more than 4 gallons of blood); member of Consolation Masonic Lodge #3 F&A for 35 years. On September 12, 2012, Drakeford was inducted into Laurens District 55 Hall of Fame (posthumously). In February 2014, he received the Black History Community Award from the Hebron Baptist Church (posthumously). Drakeford was a member of the Laurens County Benedict College Alumni Club.
He was born in Kershaw, South Carolina to Elias and Lula Wright Drakeford. He married Helen Fleming, a 1966 graduate of Benedict College. They had two children, Antonya Drakeford-Windham, and Carl Edward Drakeford Jr.; and five grandchildren, Danielle, Peyton, Karter, Mavric, and Jansen.
