Family matters: McIlwain roots run deep in South Carolina

His birth certificate reads New Jersey. His University of South Carolina athletics bio says Pennsylvania.

Make no mistake. Brandon McIlwain has South Carolina in his blood.

McIlwain’s dad was born in Columbia, and his mom grew up in Charleston. From grandparents to aunts, uncles and cousins, there are plenty of familiar faces in Columbia and across the Palmetto State who will help the Gamecocks freshman as he settles into his new home.

“It’s amazing. South Carolina is definitely the best place for me between the amount of family we have here and the support I’ll have and the people that are rooting for me in the Columbia area,” McIlwain said. “It will be a great foundation for me.”

The 6-foot, 198-pound McIlwain, from Newtown, Pa., will play football and baseball for USC. He enrolled in classes this month and will be an outfielder for Chad Holbrook and quarterback for Will Muschamp.

His dad, Roddy, is a 1991 USC graduate. Long before Brandon committed to following in his father’s footsteps, he was a multi-sport standout in the Irmo backyard of grandmother Geraldine McIlwain.

“He knocked the ball and broke my window one time,” she recalled. “I said, ‘If they didn’t want it broken they should not have made it glass.’ I knew he didn’t do it intentionally.”

Brandon estimated that he’s been to Columbia 20 to 30 times in his life. Here, he said, there’s no need to reach for a packet of Splenda to sweeten his tea. And while he has a fondness for Bojangles’ and Lizard’s Thicket, he knows where the go-to place is for a home-cooked meal.

“Grandma can make anything,” he said. “We’ve had Thanksgiving here many times, and those are always amazing Thanksgiving dinners. I love Southern food. There’s nothing like it. Sweet tea is amazing.”

The McIlwain name is literally etched into Columbia history.

Brandon’s grandfather and Geraldine’s late husband, William, was the founder and original pastor at Cornerstone Baptist, built in 1985 in the Olympia and Granby Mill area. The names of William and Roddy McIlwain are engraved in the church’s cornerstone marker for their role in its beginning.

Geraldine was born in Edisto. Her 39 years as a schoolteacher included 30 at Swansea Elementary, and she still teaches Sunday school at Cornerstone Baptist.

A four-star football prospect, Brandon McIlwain had more than 20 scholarship offers and chose South Carolina over the chance to be a high-round pick in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft.

While he accounted for 85 touchdowns and almost 6,500 yards as a junior and senior at Council Rock High in Pennsylvania, Geraldine hasn’t seen him play in person since his youth football days. That will change soon.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Brandon said. “I’m so excited that my grandma will be able to come to the games.”

All four of Geraldine and William’s children were born in Columbia hospitals, two at Providence and two at Baptist. In addition to Roddy living in Pennsylvania, her son Adrian pastors a church in the Upstate, and son Anthony and daughter Selenda live in Atlanta.

Brandon’s maternal grandmother, Joyce Maybin, lives in Charleston, and he has other relatives scattered around the Midlands.

Geraldine is more than happy to have her grandson in town.

“I prayed for him, and I am glad to see this,” she said. “God is answering so many prayers. I am so glad to see him succeed. It makes me feel good. I’m very, very proud.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Family matters: McIlwain roots run deep in South Carolina."