New book 'Walk On' to benefit Jake Panus, South Carolina football walk-on scholarship
Nearly four years since the passing of his son Jake, South Carolina alum Stephen Panus continues to keep his memory alive.
This past week, Stephen released his new book called Walk On. The story shares the journey of a father battling an unimaginable loss while finding a way to honor his late son. In recent weeks, the book has gained national attention with Panus appearing on Good Morning America and Jim Rome’s podcast, The Reinvention Project.
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“Our vulnerability is our strength. This book is a lot more inspiring and hopeful than it is sad” Stephen Panus told GamecockCentral. “It’s for anyone who’s dealing with adversity, a struggle in their life, a financial crisis, a failed marriage or relationship, a poor medical diagnosis. Grief is just one form of adversity and there’s a lot of lessons… The lessons are within us.”
Proceeds from Walk On, which is prefaced by South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, will benefit the Jake Panus Walk-on Football Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship has been awarded annually to a Gamecock football player since 2021.
“I appreciate all the support for the Jake Panus Scholarship. The support of Gamecock Nation, it’s been amazing over the last three-and-a-half years. It’s really lifted me up and my family at a time when we were certainly were knocked down and needed to be lifted up.”
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According to the University, it “provides a walk-on football player who, through hard work and perseverance, earns an athletic scholarship and contributes toward the success of the Gamecock football team, the University and the community at large. The student-athlete will share Jake’s leadership attributes while demonstrating a motivated work ethic, fierce determination, team-first mentality, and grit on the football field.”
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Last year’s recipient was junior defensive back King-Demenian Ford. Ford became the third Gamecock to receive the honor joining wide receiver Payton Mangrum (2022) and long snapper Matthew Bailey (2021).
Jake was a 16-year-old resident of Southport, Ct. He grew up sporting a South Carolina jersey at a young age and dreamed of one day playing for the Gamecocks. That dream was tragically taken away when he lost in life in a senseless DUI accident on Aug. 9, 2020.
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“I want you to imagine a boy who had a dream,” Stephen said in 2021 when he addressed the South Carolina football team. “That dream was to attend the University of South Carolina and to be a Gamecock. He was committed, determined, had passion and love. (Jake) was a boy who had a heart, a selfless heart. He had a lot of courage and he had the will of a champion. A boy that would’ve done anything to be in this room here today with you guys. A boy who bleed garnet and black.”
Walk On can be purchased locally at All Good Books locations or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Books-a-Million. To donate directly to the Jake Panus Walk-on Football Endowed Scholarship in an effort to help future Gamecock walk-ons and keep Jake’s memory alive, click HERE.
