I’ve never coached football, but if I did I would want a tough, hard-nosed defense. I would want a linebacker like Junior Masingo. And my safety, my last line of defense, the guy that I have to depend on would be Steve Savage.

Steve could not be here today. He is the Head Football Coach at Commerce High School and they have a big game tonight. He will be here tomorrow.

Not many student-athletes have the opportunity to make a difference in multiple sports while in college. Steve Savage used his skills to excel in football and baseball, and he made major contributions for both programs.

The fall of 1974 saw a 6’0” defensive back from Maysville, Georgia invade the Maryville College campus. New Head Football coach Jim Jordan welcomed the speedy Savage. The young Scots won their first game of the season (18-7) over Centre. They beat Bridgewater (24-7) on a Homecoming Saturday. The two wins would be the only victories of the season.

Steve began to establish himself as an intimidator. As a strong safety, he loved to have an open shot at a running back or a pass that he could deflect or intercept. The 180 pounder could deliver a hit and his athleticism and football savy made him a great pass defender.

Steve’s sophomore season was as frustrating as his first year. Could it get worse?......yes. The Scots failed to win a game. Steve was mad, real mad. He had matured as a player and was tired of losing.

Coach Jordan is quoted in the Highland Echo as saying, “Other football teams of another character and at another place might have thrown in the towel after the disappointment and frustration of a winless season, but an indominable spirit drives the 1976 Maryville College squad”

The head coach continued, “Our players returning this year deserve a better fate than they were dealt in ’75, they’re a dedicated bunch of young men. They’re hungry for some victories. And they are enthusiastic about this season.”

Captains Tim Kelley and Ken Hannah and the rest of the squad were ready for a great year.

After losing a tough season opener to Knoxville College by the score of 21-20, MC rallied to win the next two games that included a defeat of Centre (17-9) and an upset victory over #3 nationally ranked Hampden-Sydney11-10. Maryville’s defense and the havoc created by the defensive backs led by Steve Savage was a big reason for the win. Desperately seeking a late comeback, Hampden-Sydney connected on several passes but was stopped in their tracks when Steve Savage made a game saving interception. The Scots ran out the clock and enjoyed a sweet victory celebration.

Following a 63-2 thrashing of St. Leo College, MC pulled off another thrilling upset. The Scots upended Millsaps College, the #8 team in the nation, 12-6. Once again Maryville used an inspired defense along with nature’s Homecoming gift of sloppy weather to stop the Majors.

Steve’s junior season finished with a 28-10 win over Guilford College and a 7-2 record for his Scots. From an 0-9 record in 1975 to a 7-2 record in 1976, the Scots established a national record in Division III for the greatest turnaround from one year to the next.

The speedy defensive back was recruited by Coach Baird to give baseball a try during the spring of that year. Steve took his talents to the diamond and he helped the Scots to a 19-15 record as a centerfielder and pinch-runner.

Steve Savage had one more year left to play football and he wanted to make the most of it.

Steve was elected a captain along with teammates Ken Dickens and Keith Goodwin.

Maryville began the season with a six game winning streak which included defensive shutouts over Bridgewater, Washington & Lee, and Bluefield along with victories over Emory & Henry, Centre, and Millsaps. He helped the Scots to a 6-0 start.

MC came from behind to beat an undefeated Millsaps squad for the sixth win. Steve stepped up in the fourth quarter, blocked a Majors punt, and ran it back 25 yards for a touchdown to secure the 17-10 win.

Maryville was ranked 9th in the country for their efforts.

With a pair of games remaining in his career, Steve was injured and did not get to finish his season on the field. His presence was severely missed as the Scots lost to Southwestern and Hampden-Sydney.

During the spring, Steve recovered from his injury to help Maryville in baseball. With a new coach, Bill Henry, Savage helped his Scots earn a NCAA National Tournament bid following a triple header sweep of Emory & Henry on the final day of the season. They finished the year 20-12 and played in the Southeast Regional in New Orleans.

Present Maryville College Football Coach Tony Ierulli and former baseball and football teammate of Steve had this to say about MC’s newest Wall of Fame inductee, “ Steve was a tough, sideline to sideline strong safety that was an outstanding tackler. He had a nose for the ball, and had a presence that made others step up their game.”

Steve and his wife Kim, their daughter, Katie and son, Jessie, live in Commerce, Georgia where he has made a name for himself.

He has coached football and wrestling at Commerce High School for 30 years. As the head football coach for the past 19 seasons, he has a 72% winning percentage. He won a Georgia State Championship in 2000 as a football coach and a second state title as a wrestling coach.

Please help me welcome one of the top defensive backs in the history of Maryville College to the 2007 Class of the MC Wall of Fame, Mr. Steve Savage.