What are the Flying Fleet?

Erskine folks are often asked, “What is a Flying Fleet?” The story behind the answer reveals some of the history of our athletic program. The early Erskine teams in baseball, football, and tennis needed a team name and chose the name “Seceders.”  In 1929, football coach Jake Todd would employ a wide-open passing attack as head coach that led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in scoring. During that 1929 season, in a game at Furman, Todd’s passing attack so impressed Greenville News sportswriter Carter “Scoop” Latimer that he labeled Erskine teams “The Flying Fleet.” The name struck a cord with the Erskine student body, and that fall they voted to have the nickname replace “Seceders” as the team name.
Erskine enjoys the distinction of being the only college in the country known as “The Flying Fleet.”
 

What is The Fleet Way?

Who are we? The question came to the forefront last May on a beautiful night as John Dedman, the Associate AD for Media Relations, toured me around Butler University in Indianapolis. Ultimately, the tour finished at newly renovated and historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. My love of history and basketball produces chills anytime Hinkle Fieldhouse is mentioned. If you haven’t watched Hoosiers, shame on you. Anyhow, on this May night what captured my attention was a sign leading into the main arena floor, “The Butler Way.” The sign described in phrases the core concepts about Bulldog Athletics. I knew we had to hijack the concept, but I also knew our core values were not the same; so, we needed to develop what it is we really are or want to be. Over the next few months, with the help of many people, the core values of Erskine Athletics have been defined. With apologies and thanks to Butler University, we now have “The Fleet Way.” We want this to be our brand. We want people to know that this is what Flying Fleet Athletics is built upon. I truly believe what makes a small college like Erskine unique is the ability to develop leaders. With that in mind, “The Fleet Way” was developed with the ultimate goal of molding tomorrow’s leaders.
 
At the core of the “The Fleet Way” are three fundamental words followed with a phrase. The three C’s lay the foundation for what we strive for.
 
“Christ-Centered”- I don’t claim to be a theologian, so I realize many people define this term in different ways. Christ-Centered to us means that we believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior so that all we do is seek to serve and honor Him. That doesn’t mean we always act the right way or make the best decisions, but it should be clear that everything we are trying to do is honor our Lord. Hopefully, as we build and develop tomorrow’s leaders, they will be influenced by this core value. We want leaders who serve, who sacrifice, who makes mistakes but own up to them to make a better community. We also want to develop young people who love and accept other people for who they are. Even “church Christians” in our world today can be some of the most self-righteous, meanest, and hateful people toward others. We want to be guided everyday with the goal of putting our Lord at the top of the priority list.
 
“Competitive”- I haven’t met anyone in college athletics who isn’t dedicated to the pursuit of winning. We have won 23 conference championships in the past thirteen years and every single one has brought much joy to us. Yet, I am not sure that winning championships is the end all. I have seen many miserable players and coaches who were part of championship teams. The joy really is in the process. We want our teams to be highly competitive, to fight with every ounce and inch of strength they have. It is the quest to compete at the highest level of one’s or one’s team’s potential that is most important. Remember, win or lose, our job is building Flying Fleet leaders.
 
“Community-Focused”- In a social media world where people casually walk around conversing with their cell devices, community is becoming an obscure concept. The notion that our “friends” are just people who like our photos/stories keeps us from having to interact physically. But leaders are those who grasp the concept of relationships. One of the most valuable memories of the college experience will be in the relationships that are formed and nurtured. The concept of community is important to Erskine Athletics. We want student-athletes to build strong
relationships with their teammates, but we also want them to engage in the Erskine community as a whole. We want them to be servants for their communities because leadership starts with service to people.
 
The phrase following the three C’s might not be all-encompassing but hopefully it defines Erskine Athletics:
 
“A self-sacrificing, relentless pursuit of remarkable.”
 
We want young people committed to a cause greater than themselves. In today’s egocentric world that is unique. The concept of team demands that the members give up their personal interest for the good of the whole. It is what makes athletics great. It takes special people to work hard and persevere not for themselves but for their mates. We also want them to be relentless. The Flying Fleet will never stop, will never quit until the race (game/match) is over We will lose and get back up to fight another day. We will win and get back up to fight another day. Because ultimately we seek the REMARKABLE. I have always been drawn to that word. My favorite definition of remarkable is “conspicuously unusual and extraordinary.” We want to be different. We want people to take notice of the Flying Fleet and be struck by the uniqueness of what is going on here.
 
Welcome to “The Fleet Way.” I am sure in today’s negative world with all that goes in social media we will often get criticized for not living up to the “The Fleet Way.” That’s okay; we know what we stand for and what we are striving to become. “The Fleet Way” is our mantra in helping to guide and direct our student-athletes in the journey of becoming tomorrow’s leaders. Erskine is not just a place of higher learning, but a place of higher yearning. Whether you are a prospect, parent, alum, or fan, I hope you join us on “The Fleet Way.” It’s going to be a fun journey soaring with the Flying Fleet..

#TheFleetWay
Mark Peeler
 

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