Benjamin Claude Inabinet Collection
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0272
This collection contains football contracts, correspondence, articles, photographs, certificates, artifacts/memorabilia, and posters. There are contracts from both the Baltimore Colts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats along with related correspondence, a Clemson World article from 1981 highlighting Inabinet’s business successes, and a scrapbook with news clippings and some photographs that follow Inabinet’s football career from high school through the pros (1951-1973). Among the 14 oversized items are Inabinet’s Clemson Textile Manufacturing degree (1956), a signed photograph of Richard Nixon, a photo of the Holiday Inn in Clemson with a sign that reads: “Sympathy for Inabinet Family”, a photograph depicting Jerry Butler’s winning touchdown catch vs. South Carolina - November 19, 1977 that is signed by both Jerry Butler and Charlie Pell, and posters depicting Inabinet in football action scenes. Among the artifacts/memorabilia can be found plaques and recognitions, as well as Inabinet’s # 44 jersey from the North vs. South High School All-Star Game and his # 55 North vs. South College All-Star Game jersey. Also included is a football signed by the 1976 Clemson football team.
Benjamin Claude Inabinet was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1934. He was the son of Benjamin Claude Inabinet, Sr. and Sarah Abrams Inabinet. He attended Dreher high school in Columbia, South Carolina.
Inabinet excelled in high school athletics, especially football, where he achieved All-State status as an offensive lineman. During his senior season in 1951, Inabinet led his team to an undefeated season and State AA Championship and was selected to play in both the high school Shrine Bowl and North vs. South All-Star Game. He was offered scholarships to play for all of the major football schools in South Carolina as well as several out of state schools such as Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, and the Naval Academy. Inabinet chose Clemson, playing for Frank Howard from 1953-1955. Standing nearly 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing over 260 pounds, Inabinet was believed to be the largest football player ever to attend Clemson
at that time. As a senior Inabinet earned honorable mention All-American recognition as an offensive lineman. He was selected to play in the North vs. South College football All-Star Game that was held at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on December 26, 1955. Inabinet received a degree in Textile Management from Clemson in 1956. Inabinet was a fourth round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts, but opted to sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian League. Inabinet’s career was cut short by chronic shoulder injuries.
Following his abbreviated professional football career, Inabinet turned to the world of business. In 1958, he founded Defender Industries, which by 1981 had become one of the largest, full service industrial maintenance firms in the U.S., employing over 7,000 people in 23 states with annual sales of 30 million dollars. Some of Defender Industries clients at the time included Du Pont, J.P. Stevens, DOW Chemical, Milliken & Co., Kelly Springfield, and General Tire. In addition, Inabinet was the head of Resort Data Streams, Links Golf & Racquet Club, and the Beach House & Racquet Club – all in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Inabinet also owned the
Bounty Restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina.
Benjamin Claude Inabinet was an active community leader. He was a member of the Clemson Alumni Association, Chairman of the Richland County IPTAY Club, President of the Greater Columbia Clemson Club (which he founded in 1958), member of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Columbia YMCA, United Community Service, and Touchdown Club. In addition, Inabinet was involved politically. He served on Strom Thurmond’s campaign staff as finance chairman, and assisted the campaigns of Governor James B. Edwards and Congressman Albert Watson.
Inabinet married the former Kathryn Caughman. They had three children: Kathy, Dixie, and Benjamin Claude Inabinet III. Benjamin Claude Inabinet died on August 7, 1983.
1.5 Cubic Feet
English
This material collected by Benjamin Claude Inabinet, Clemson Football All-American, founder of Defender Industries, and notable Clemson Football Booster, gives insight into Clemson student athletics, business success, and alumni fundraising.
Received from Kitty Inabinet on November 11, 1983. The original accession number for this collection was 83-66.
This collection was processed by Carl Redd in 2004. Kristi Roberts entered the data into Archivists' Toolkit in July 2010.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository