Sysco Named Recipient of Charleston RiverDogs’ T. Ashton Phillips Award 

Sysco Named Recipient of Charleston RiverDogs’ T. Ashton Phillips Award

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston RiverDogs honored longtime partner Sysco as the recipient of the T. Ashton Phillips Award before Tuesday’s game at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, recognizing the major steps Sysco and the RiverDogs took together this year to make a positive impact on the community.

Named in honor of longtime RiverDogs owner T. Ashton Phillips, father of current RiverDogs partner Al Phillips, the award recognizes a community partner that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service and helped the RiverDogs extend its impact beyond the ballpark.

This year, that commitment is reflected through Sysco’s brand new Behind the Plate partnership with the RiverDogs, which spotlights and supports the Charleston hospitality industry.

“Sysco has been such a tremendous partner to the RiverDogs and to the Charleston community, and the T. Ashton Phillips Award is a fitting way to recognize the impact they have made,” said Dave Echols, RiverDogs President and General Manager. “From supporting the people who make Charleston’s hospitality industry so special to helping put food on the tables of local families, Sysco has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a great community partner.”

The Behind the Plate initiative, launched by the RiverDogs and Sysco this season, was created to celebrate and support the people who power Charleston’s food, beverage and hospitality industries. The program includes the Behind the Plate Club, industry-focused events at the ballpark, Chef Spotlights and opportunities for hospitality employees to gather and enjoy a night at the ballpark together.

The partnership also extends into the community through Sysco’s sponsorship of the RiverDogs catcher. For every hit recorded by a RiverDogs catcher, who plays behind the plate, during every home game, Sysco pledged to donate 10 meals to the Lowcountry Food Bank, helping provide food to local families in need.

Throughout the season, RiverDogs catchers recorded 67 hits, resulting in a donation representing 670 meals to the Lowcountry Food Bank. Sysco presented the cumulative donation during Tuesday’s game.

The donation is one of several ways Sysco and the RiverDogs have worked together to make an impact in the community. Through the partnership, Sysco has also supported Camp Happy Days, which provides programs and services to children with cancer and their families, including helping serve lunch to campers. Sysco and the RiverDogs have also joined forces through the RiverDogs Food Truck to help feed members of the community at local events.

Beyond its charitable efforts, the Behind the Plate initiative has created opportunities for members of Charleston’s food and beverage industry to connect and build camaraderie with one another, recognizing the people who work behind the scenes and behind the plate to make the city’s hospitality industry thrive.

For the RiverDogs, the award represents more than a recognition of a successful partnership. It celebrates a shared belief that the ballpark can be a place where the community comes together – not only to enjoy a game, but also to support one another.

Past Winners:

2025 - The Citadel Athletic Department

2024 - The Marino Family

2023 - REV Federal Credit Union

2022 - Joint Base Charleston

2021 - MUSC

2019 - The Boeing Company

2018 - Southern Eagle Distributing

2017 - Bill Lamson-Scribner

2016 - Agustus Holt

2015 - Mickey Bakst

2014 - Larry Lipov

2013 - Piggly Wiggly

2012 - Tommy McQueeney State Farm

2011 - Al and Barbara Bradham

2010 - Pat Reddick

2009 - Ken and Allyson Carrington

2008 - The Citadel

2007 - Charleston Fire Department

2006 - Phillips Family

Let Freedom Bark

After clinching the Carolina League South first half title, the RiverDogs have secured a spot in the 2026 postseason, presented by Nucor Steel Berkeley. The best-of-three Division Series begins on Tuesday, September 8 in Hickory. Thanks to their first-half division title, the RiverDogs are guaranteed to host Game 2, and, if necessary, Game 3, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on September 10 and 11.

Single-game postseason tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit RiverDogs.com.

About the RiverDogs

The Charleston RiverDogs are the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and three-time Carolina League Champions. The RiverDogs play their home games at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, a Charleston staple since 1997. 2026 single game tickets are on sale now at RiverDogs.com. Beyond baseball, the RiverDogs host year-round events in the climate-controlled Segra Club.

Active members of the Lowcountry community, the RiverDogs were named the winner of the 2025 'MiLB Together Award,' which recognizes a team for outstanding commitment to charitable service in their community.

Team merchandise is always available at the RiverDogs Team Store. Store hours are Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Contact the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS) for more information.