James Island native Gettys Glaze first hit the national limelight as a key leader on the historic 1990 Citadel Bulldogs baseball team that overcame overwhelming odds to earn the school’s first and only visit to the College World Series. In a sport where the bulk of the pressure rests on the pitcher and the lion’s share of leadership responsibilities fall on the catcher, it’s no surprise to those who work with Gettys to learn that he shined at both positions – while also excelling as a clutch hitter. Upon graduating from the Citadel in 1992 (with a B.S. degree in Business, Marketing, and Finance), Gettys was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. Following three fruitful seasons as a professional pitcher in the Red Sox organization, Gettys returned to Charleston to focus on raising a family with his wife Cheryl and to make his mark as a business innovator. After several years of marketing success in the newspaper/publishing business, Gettys realized the unprecedented opportunities in the Real Estate industry, so he quickly earned his agent’s license and began testing his skills in the highly competitive Charleston Market. It took just three years for Gettys to prove himself as one of the area’s top new producers, so in 2004 he and partner Billy Shuman (USC class of ’96) launched the Sandlapper Real Estate Group. From its foundation Gettys asserted that Sandlapper would transform “old school” real estate methods by revolutionizing the broker-agent relationship and delivering information technologies, client services, and public relations strategies brand new to the national industry. After two years of remarkable growth and success, Sandlapper is already widely recognized as the region’s most innovative firm. For this, Gettys has pronounced a corporate ideal that has become Sandlapper’s highest mission; to enhance the overall value of South Carolina living while ultimately raising the national standing of our great state. A lofty goal indeed, but ask any native Charlestonian about the Glaze family and you will hear stories of faith, character, vision, and extraordinary pride in South Carolina and its people. Gettys’s brother Lee Glaze, also a Citadel alumnus, is still recognized as one of the top athletes the state has ever produced and today is a successful entrepreneur in Sumter, SC. Also true to form, brother Lane Glaze was an award winning student athlete at Wofford College before becoming a Methodist minister. Today Lane is the head of the Wesleyan Foundation and is the Campus Minister at Clemson University. At the head of this hard-working family you’ll find Coleman Glaze, a former banker, current Financial Services consultant, and one of the most admired self-made men in Charleston. Coleman played football at Clemson University for legendary coach Frank Howard, and after moving to Charleston in the early 1960’s, he and wife Brenda helped found the John Wesley United Methodist Church. While you certainly know a tree by its fruit, a lot can be learned by studying its roots, and Gettys has certainly been blessed in both regards. Today he and Cheryl still live on James Island where they raise two wonderful children, Garrett (16) and Sadie (14), both of whom attend James Island public schools and – not surprisingly – both excel at sports and academics. While Cheryl holds a nursing degree, she is an integral player on the Sandlapper team where she sets the highest standard for team play, equality, and excellence in community service. In 2007, Gettys received the tremendous honor of being named to the Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.