Fred W. "Doc" Hoover

Fred W. “Doc” Hoover, 92, of Clemson, husband of the late Elva Mae Cook Hoover, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

Born in Baldwin, FL, he was the son of the late Guy and Alma Houston Hoover. Fred graduated from Florida State University in 1953 and served two stints as Athletic Trainer at his alma matter from 1952-1953 and 1957-1958. In 1959, Clemson Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Frank Howard hired Doc to serve as Athletic Trainer, a position he held for 40 years. Fred was regarded as the Father of Sports Medicine in South Carolina and was enshrined into the Citizens Savings-Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame, Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, Distinguished Service to Sports Medicine given by the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, South Carolina Hall of Fame Distinguished Service to Sports Award, Honorary Member of the Clemson Alumni Physicians Society and most recently the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. 

He was a proud member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association.  In 1994, the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association created the Fred Hoover Award for Excellence in Athletic Training. During Fred’s career, he worked an estimated 4,500 football practices, 446 consecutive football games, and worked for seven Clemson Head Football Coaches.

Fred and his wife Elva were proud to be a part of the Clemson community and were thankful for the lifelong friendships created over the years. 

Surviving are his son, Bryan Hoover and wife, Melissa of Seneca; daughter, Catherine Hoover Cole of Midland, GA; grandson, Andrew Cole and wife, Allison and Great-Granddaughter Julia of Columbus, GA; and his beloved dog, Lady.

He is predeceased by his wife, parents, and brothers, Tyrus Hoover and Lemual Hoover.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, SC.

Funeral service will be held Monday, September 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Clemson United Methodist Church, 300 Frontage Road, Clemson, SC. A reception will follow the service at Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Fred will be laid to rest beside his wife in Woodland Cemetery on the campus of Clemson University in a private committal service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association, Licensure Action Fund, scata.wildapricot.org/licensure-donation-form.