Brian Mance, a native of Alcolu, South Carolina, was a three-sport star for Manning High School as a standout player in football, baseball, and basketball. His senior year, Mance was ranked as the #2 overall football prospect and #1 defensive back in the state while picking up a #11 national ranking. He went on to be inducted into the Clarendon County Hall of Fame in 2013. After leaving his mark on Manning, Mance took his football talents to Clemson University where he continued to showcase remarkable skill on the field. He holds the distinction of being tied for third all-time at Clemson with 12 career interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Additionally, he amassed over 1,000 kickoff return yards throughout his collegiate career. Mance concluded his time at Clemson with well-deserved honors, including All-American and First Team All-ACC selections.

Following his graduation, Mance inked a free agent deal with the Washington Redskins in the NFL. He furthered his football career by playing in NFL Europe with the Amsterdam team and then spent two seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Philadelphia franchise, clinching a championship in 2008. Transitioning into coaching, he joined Clemson’s staff and worked into the role of defensive graduate assistant, went on to coach at North Greenville University, and three seasons later, he joined the Wofford College coaching staff in 2015 as the cornerbacks coach under Head Coach Mike Ayers.

In the summer of 2016, Mance suffered headaches from a debilitating condition of the central nervous system affecting his brain and spinal cord called neurosarcoidosis. Although Mance was rendered completely paralyzed, he refused to give up and battled through spots on his spine, lung issues, and allusion on his brain. He fought back and continues to fight to regain his strength and health. Although he was able to return to Wofford in coaching, he was called to start the Be Propelled Foundation, where he serves as executive director. The foundation has been providing backpacks for students and other support, including motivational speaking. Brian uses his story to motivate and inspire students, churches, businesses and teams with his stories, strategies and experiences, so that they can find their passions to elevate and conquer life’s challenges.