By Sarah Ostergaard
The socials were abuzz with news of Irmo High School alumnus Nick Emmanwori, ‘22, who showcased his talent on football’s biggest stage and helped the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks win the most recent Super Bowl. He was a standout at the University of South Carolina, earning First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors before being selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Congratulations to Nick.
Irmo High School (IHS) has a long and proud tradition of famous alumni— and the following are just the tip of the iceberg:
- Bobby Weed, ’73, is a nationally recognized golf course architect who has designed and renovated championship courses across the country and internationally. His passion for the sport began at IHS, where, anecdotally, as a junior he persuaded his father to transform their family’s bean fields into the Weed Hill Driving Range—an early vision that helped launch his remarkable career.
- Leeza Gibbons, ‘75, is an Emmy*Award-winning television host and journalist best known for co-hosting Entertainment Tonight, hosting her own syndicated talk show, and authoring a New York Times bestseller. Close to home, she founded Leeza’s Care Connection, a nonprofit resource and support center offering no-cost support, education, and community services for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other chronic illnesses.
- Major General Van McCarty, ‘78, recently retired with 42 years of dedicated military service. Most recently, he served as the Adjutant General of SC, leading the SC National Guard. Over his distinguished military career, he oversaw statewide emergency response efforts and the readiness of thousands of Army and Air National Guard service members.
- Lilian Garcia, ’84, is a singer, announcer, and media personality best known for her longtime role as a WWE ring announcer. She debuted with WWE in 1999 and became one of the most recognizable voices in professional wrestling. Beyond wrestling, she has been an accomplished bilingual recording artist and the host of Insight with Lilian Garcia, a podcast featuring interviews with athletes and entertainers.
- We remember Marine Capt. Daniel G. McCollum, ‘92, who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. McCollum had logged over 500 flight hours and was the first South Carolinian killed in action in the operation. His family, along with the IHS JROTC unit, has honored his legacy by establishing a scholarship for graduating seniors to help support their college education and carry forward his spirit of service and leadership.
- Teresa Wilson, ‘92, is the City of Columbia’s City Manager, where she leads the city’s executive team and drives strategic initiatives in public safety, economic development, and community revitalization. In her role as civic leader, she oversees city operations, budgeting, and public services, influencing growth and infrastructure development.
- B.J. McKie, ’95, remains the University of South Carolina’s all-time leading men’s basketball scorer with 2,119 career points, cementing his legacy as one of the Gamecocks’ greatest players. A 1996 SEC Freshman of the Year and later honored as an SEC Basketball Legend in 2011, he went on to play professionally and now continues to give back to the game and inspire future players as a collegiate coach.
- Courtney Shealy Hart, ‘96, won two Olympic gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Games as part of the U.S. women’s relay teams in the 4×100-meter freestyle and medley relays. During her 15-year tenure as head coach for both men’s and women’s swimming at Georgia Tech, she built a nationally competitive collegiate program and developed numerous NCAA qualifiers and All-Americans.
- Kelvin Davis, ‘05, was a middle school art teacher who also founded Notoriously Dapper, a men’s fashion and lifestyle approach that promotes body positivity and size inclusivity. He is a published author, a nationally recognized speaker, a model, and an advocate encouraging confidence and representation in the fashion industry.
- Savannah McCaskill, ‘14, is a professional soccer player who has competed at the highest level in the National Women’s Soccer League and earned widespread recognition for her dynamic play. Her success has also led to involvement with U.S. Women’s National Team camps, highlighting her impact on the national stage.
From public service and military leadership to media, business, and professional athletics, so many Irmo High School graduates continue to make a meaningful impact locally, nationally, and internationally. Their achievements reflect the strength of the IHS community and serve as an inspiration to current students who are preparing to write the next chapter of the school’s proud legacy.
