Orangeburg County School District proudly congratulates Coach Fred Styles, SFC (Ret.), Director of Athletics at Bethune-Bowman Middle/High School, on being named the 2026 Class 1A Region 7 Athletic Director of the Year, recognizing his leadership and commitment to excellence in interscholastic athletics.
Styles has been a member of the Bethune-Bowman school community since 2012, serving in multiple athletic leadership roles, including Director of Athletics, Associate Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator, and Head Girls Basketball Coach. Throughout his tenure, he has worked to build an athletic program centered on high expectations, sportsmanship, and opportunities for student-athletes to succeed.
“Coach Styles has been an incredible advocate for our student-athletes and coaches,” said Dr. Shawn Foster, Superintendent of Orangeburg County School District. “He understands that a strong athletic program is built through leadership and a commitment to doing what is best for students. This recognition speaks to the respect he has earned among his colleagues and to the standard of excellence he continues to bring to Bethune-Bowman athletics, shared Dr. Foster.”
Styles’ accomplishments in athletics began long before his career as an athletic administrator. A native of McRae, Georgia, he graduated with honors from Telfair County High School before attending Savannah State University, where he was a standout member of the baseball program. In 1989, Styles was named Conference Freshman of the Year and Savannah State University Freshman Athlete of the Year, early recognition of the competitive drive and commitment to excellence that would later define his career as a coach and athletic administrator.
His commitment to professional excellence in athletics has continued throughout his career. Styles has earned the prestigious Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) designation, one of the highest professional certifications available to interscholastic athletic administrators.
Being selected as the Class 1A Region 7 Athletic Director of the Year adds another significant honor to Styles’ athletic career and recognizes the impact of his leadership at Bethune-Bowman.
“This recognition is especially meaningful to me because it comes from my peers, other athletic directors who understand the work, the challenges, and the responsibility that come with leading an athletic program,” Styles said. “This recognition belongs to our coaches, student-athletes, administrators, families, and everyone who supports Bethune-Bowman athletics. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and even more excited about what is ahead, he continued.”
In addition to his athletic responsibilities, Styles serves as a JROTC Instructor at Bethune-Bowman and brings the leadership principles developed during his 22-year career in the United States Army into his work with students and student-athletes.
Contact: Dr. Erica S. Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Communications and Business and Community Partnerships erica.taylor@ocsdsc.org