73 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com but accepted after a third time, with the stipulation that they allow her to work around her full college basketball commentating schedule, and only if Patrick agreed to it. Patrick approved. Debbie split the players into two separate teams, coached them both and ran it like she would a college basketball practice. “We won everything,” she recalled. Patrick went on to have a decorated career at Bishop England before playing in college. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Emory & Henry; a master’s in sports administration at Louisville; and will get his MBA from Francis Marion. “I’m really proud of him for that,” said Debbie. Watching Patrick’s games hasn’t always been easy. “It is a challenge, there’s no question,” acknowledged Debbie. “I’m on the road non-stop.” However, because Debbie works in the ACC on the men’s side, she called six of Louisville’s games last season. Although Patrick didn’t typically see any playing time at Louisville, one game delivered an unforgettable shared moment. They were in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament and Debbie and her longtime broadcast partner of 30 years and family friend Beth Mowins were calling Louisville’s game against Indiana. Louisville built a 35-point lead late in the second half and with about 2:30 left in the game, Debbie glanced at the bench and saw Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey, the former College of Charleston head coach, motion to Patrick to enter the game. He put Patrick in before the other walk-ons. “And I know he did that for me,” mused Debbie. “He knew that would give us a chance to talk about him.” Debbie looked over at Kelsey, who had the biggest smile on his face. She locked eyes with Kelsey, patted her chest above her heart and mouthed, ‘thank you.’ After Patrick went in, Indiana committed a technical foul and Kelsey and Patrick’s teammates pushed him toward the free throw line. “I remember saying on the air, ‘I just hope he hits the rim,’” joked Debbie. He sank them both and later hit another free throw, finishing with three points – his first points of the season. “I get to talk about everybody else’s kids for 38 years and now I finally get to talk about my own kid on the air. And it just made me so proud for Patrick, so happy for him, that he was doing what he dreamed about doing,” Debbie reflected. “It’s definitely a memory for us forever.” our sports MEDICAL GRADE SKINCARE CLINICALLY FORMULATED SUPPLEMENTS starts here Healthy living Mount Pleasant’s Most Trusted Pharmacy WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HORMONE REPLACEMENT FREE Prescription Delivery 843-375-6310 421 Johnnie Dodds Blvd
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