Eddie Moe’s spirit forever echoes across Bulldog Nation
On the 11th anniversary of his passing, the memory of SC State's most enthusiastic supporter still inspires.
For decades, Moore was a fixture wherever Bulldog pride gathered, dancing at football games, basketball contests, parades and campus celebrations. With infectious energy and unmistakable joy, he transformed moments into memories, lifting crowds and embodying the spirit of SC State in motion and rhythm.
“Eddie Moe embodied the way our community embraces South Carolina State University,” said South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers. “He carried the joy, pride and togetherness of Bulldog Nation wherever he went.
“His spirit reminds us that SC State is more than a place or a program; it is a family, strengthened by the love and connection he shared so freely,” said Conyers, who met Moore in 1986 during the president’s time as an SC State student.
Known across campus and throughout Orangeburg simply as “Eddie Moe,” Moore became an unofficial mascot of the Marching 101, leading cheers and high-stepping with the band he loved. His dedication never wavered, whether the stands were packed or sparse, the weather forgiving or unforgiving. Garnet and blue were not just colors to him. They were a calling.
Today (Dec. 18) marks the 11th anniversary of Moore’s death in a traffic accident in 2014, just days before his birthday. In death, as in life, he brought people together. His funeral became an outpouring of a community’s love, drawing scores from across the region to honor a man whose joy, loyalty and humanity transcended titles and traditions.
SC State photographer/videographer Crawford Peterson Jr. was a drum major for the Marching 101 in 2013 and 2015 during his undergraduate experience at SC State. He has vivid memories of Moore’s infectious effect on the band and the fans.
“Eddie Moe was the life of the party,” Peterson said. “The crowd loved him. We loved him as a student body. Eddie Moe loved to lead the band. He loved the band -- loved to be around the band.
“Eddie Moe was like family, especially to anybody who lived in or around Orangeburg. He was a living legend,” he said.
Because Moore marched in front of the band, Peterson said the drum majors had to keep up with his energy to draw attention to their routines.
“He was always the first person people saw,” Peterson said. “You always had to put your best effort forward,” Peterson said. “He didn't say much, but he was always full of energy, full of enthusiasm. You could always tell that he loved to be out there.”
Moore’s impact reached far beyond campus. He was a familiar and welcoming presence throughout the community, greeting passersby with a wave and a smile and offering encouragement without expectation. His kindness and consistency made him instantly recognizable and deeply beloved, especially to generations of SC State students who came to see him as part of the Bulldog experience itself.
Eddie Moe’s spirit lives on in the cadence of the Marching 101, in the cheers that echo across campus, and in the heart of Bulldog Nation — where South Carolina State University’s No. 1 fan will always have a front-row seat.
“Eddie Moe will always be held in the highest regard at South Carolina State University,” Conyers said. “His love for this institution and the way he brought people together left a lasting imprint on our campus and our community. That affection endures, and so does the gratitude we feel for the joy he gave us.”