Dean “Chico” Bolin was my great uncle.
But to the folks around Travelers Rest, South Carolina, Uncle Chico was a legend – on and off the football field.
He was a good man – a Christian man –a no-nonsense disciplinarian.
Uncle Chico was also a Marine. He fought in World War II and was severely wounded – shot in the leg at Iwo Jima.
When Chico returned home he enrolled at Furman University and eventually took a job at Travelers Rest High School.
Among his first assignments was to restart the dormant football program. So that’s exactly what he did – naming the squad in honor of his beloved Marines.
And since 1949, the football team at Travelers Rest High School has been known as the “Devildogs.”
Uncle Chico, who passed away in 2007, lived long enough to see the school name its new football stadium in his honor – a decorated war hero who loved America.
So you can understand why our family was disturbed to learn that students and fans were blocked from entering the stadium with American flags.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member