RiverDogs Retire T. Ashton Phillips’ Riley Park Seat; Establish Service Award in His Memory
Prior to Saturday, August 19th's game with the Savannah Sand Gnats, the Charleston RiverDogs retired the reserved seat at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park that was occupied by former co-owner T. Ashton Phillips.
In pregame, on-field ceremonies, the Phillips Family, led by Ashton’s widow, LaVonne, was present and co-owner Mike Veeck proclaimed that the seat at Sec. 108, Row 2, Seat 1 would never be sold again and is never to be occupied.
Phillips, a native South Carolinian who was a successful business leader and philanthropist, passed away on Tuesday, May 23.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley was on hand to provide a message and called Phillips “one of Charleston’s most treasured citizens (who) made Charleston a better place to live.”
In his remarks, Veeck referred to Phillips as “a man of wonderful personality and a great joy who stepped ahead of the pack with his character.”
After the mayor and Veeck spoke, a video presentation honoring Phillips was played on the park’s videoboard.
The original seat was removed and presented as a gift to the family while a new orange seat – the lead color of his beloved Clemson Tigers – replaced the seat where Phillips held his season tickets since the opening of Riley Park in April 1996.
Additionally, the RiverDogs announced the creation of the T. Ashton Phillips Service Award, to be presented annually to a local resident or group that best exemplifies the team spirit embodied by Phillips throughout his life.
The Phillips Family was recognized as the award’s first recipient.