CHARLESTON, S.C. - A lot has changed since College of Charleston Athletic Hall of Famer Ken (Gus) Gustafson set foot on campus in 1971.
The College had 1,800 students and there was no Carolina First Arena. The men's basketball team, competing as an NAIA school, played in what is now the Silcox Gym.
"The College of Charleston has progressed dramatically since I first came to school," said Gustafson, the all-time scoring leader in CofC men's basketball history. "From the reputation to the amount of students that are currently enrolled - its presence has changed dramatically - including the basketball program."
Gustafson, who played for the Cougars from 1971-75, holds the all-time scoring record with 2,135 career points, but the 35-year-old mark is about to be broken.
Senior Andrew Goudelock, who is currently one of the nation's top 10 leading scorers and was tabbed preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year, has totaled 1,955 career points, needing 181 points to become the new record holder. Goudelock is averaging a career-best 23.7 points per game this season.
While Gustafson said he will be a little sad to see his record go, he added he has enjoyed the recent interest in his historical basketball career.
"I've had a resurgence of attention about my basketball career which has been kind of fun," he said. "I've had people come up to me and say 'I didn't know you played basketball?'"
After a successful career at CofC, in which he scored a season-high 38 points versus Limestone and 21 rebounds against Baptist as a senior, Gustafson played professionally overseas in Grenoble, France, the home of the 1968 Winter Olympics.
A former four-year starter, Gustafson has stayed involved with the school he has grown to love. He is currently the Chairman of the College of Charleston Foundation Board and has served as past president of both the CofC Alumni Association and Cougar Club. Gustafson also is the CEO and owner of Great Underwriting Solutions, LLC, located in Charleston.
Gustafson married a Cougar graduate, Trisha, and has a son, Kenny, who played baseball at Bishop England Catholic High School and later earned a degree from Clemson and married a fellow grad, Ann Kimball. On Wednesday night, Ken Sr., said he would allow his son and daughter-in-law to support the Tigers.
"We will let them root for Clemson for this one game, otherwise they pull for the College of Charleston exclusively," Gustafson said with a laugh.
Gustafson said he never was conscious of the scoring record as a player and although it will eventually be surpassed, he knows it is going to a deserving young man.
"There is part of me that would like to have the record, but that's not going to happen," said Gustafson, who broke former teammate Sam Meade's record of 1,812 during his senior campaign in 1974-75 under former head coach Alan LeForce. "Andrew has become such a phenomenal player and his progress from one year to the next has been amazing."
Gustafson says the record will have a positive impact not only for Goudelock, but for the program as a whole. The Cougars have posted 23 20-win seasons, four NCAA Tournament and three NIT appearances under John Kresse, Tom Herrion and Bobby Cremins, since his days on the hardwood.
"I'll be happy for Andrew and for the College of Charleston," Gustafson said. "The College of Charleston has moved on dramatically since its NAIA days. It's important for the program's Division I growth to have Andrew Goudelock as the all-time scorer."
And while there are many things that have changed since the native Long Island, New Yorker, set foot on campus in the early 70s, one thing has not wavered, his love for his alma mater and the city of Charleston.
"I got off the airplane and I absolutely fell in love with Charleston," Gustafson said of his first visit. "When I came here, it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen, and I still feel that way today after almost 40 years."
COFC ALL-TIME TOP 10 CAREER SCORING LIST
1. Ken Gustafson (1971-75) - 2,135
2. Andrew Goudelock (2007-Present) - 1,955
3. Greg Mack (1981-85) - 1,901
4. Sam Meade (1970-74) - 1,812
5. Thaddeous Delaney (1994-97) - 1,564
6. Dontaye Draper (2003-07) - 1,541
7. Jeff Bolton (1999-02) - 1,527
8. Marion Busby (1992-95) - 1,504
9. Tony White, Jr. (2006-10) - 1,499
10. Steven Johnson (1984-88) - 1,456
