Biography
Hello, my name is Dr. Keith Scruggs. My path to Greer High School has been a long, yet rewarding journey, and I look forward to sharing my lived experiences with the students and families in the Greer Community. Most recently I served in the Gamecock Sport Science - Sport Performance Department (Jan 2014 - Aug 2021) and was an adjunct professor in the Exercise Science and Physical Education departments. During my time at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) I also successfully earned my PhD in Motor Development.
I grew up in Rutherford County, NC where I graduated from Chase High School (CHS). While at CHS I was member of baseball team, football team, student government, Health Occupational Students of America (HOSA), and the National Beta Club. During my senior year I suffered an ACL tear which ended my high school athletic career short. In retrospect, the experiences that accompanied the surgery and physical therapy helped prepare me for obstacles that I would eventually face in college, and in life.
My freshman year of college I attended Methodist University where I was a member of the baseball team coached by the legendary NCAA D3 coach, Tom Austin. After my freshman year I transferred to UNC - Asheville where I initially played baseball, but due to some reoccurring issues resulting from my ACL I eventually had to hang up the cleats and glove. Without baseball I was on the verge of dropping out of college; however, I was convinced by a classmate to attend Track & Field practice one afternoon. That transition allowed me to coached and mentored by Dr. Brad DeWeese. That experience and relationship would prove to be invaluable.
After UNC - Asheville I attended East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to attain my master's degree in Sport Science and Coach Education, while also serving as a Graduate Assistant in the Bucs Athletics department. While at ETSU I had the privilege to learn from the internationally recognized sport scientist, Dr. Mike Stone, as well as his 2-time Olympian and NCAA record holder wife, Meg Ritchie Stone. Additionally, I was blessed to cross paths and build a relationship with Greer High School's Director of Speed & Strength, Matt Landreth.
After ETSU I reconnected with Dr. Brad DeWeese at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. I assisted in the athletic development and monitoring programs for the Olympic sports of Bobsled, Skeleton, Luge, Biathlon, Freestyle Ski, Karate, and Canoe & Kayak. Lake Placid will also be a special place to me because it was there I met my future wife, Emily.
While in Lake Placid I had the privilege of connecting with MLB World Series Champion, Darren Holmes. I left the cold Northeast and began working with Darren Holmes in Greenville, SC. We specialized in training MLB, MiLB, college, and high school baseball players, in addition to serving as the training hub for several members of the US Paralympic Cycling, US Bobsled, and US Karate teams. Eventually, Darren Holmes received an offer he could not refuse -- returning to MLB as a pitching coach -- and I made the move to UofSC.
My wife and I are happy to be back in the Upstate where we are closer to both of our families. We have a 1 year old son that we adopted last year and 2 rescue pups. The whole family is thankful for the opportunity provided to us by Principal Ludley and Greer High School.