Bernie's Forever Home : The Limestone Connection

When Limestone University closed earlier this year, it left a void in the lives of many of those who attended, graduated, and worked for the college in Gaffney, South Carolina.  

“Devastated,” said Hub City Gym owner Justin Rollins on explaining how he felt when he heard Limestone University would be closing. “It broke my heart and it felt like a death. It was a death, not only to me but to all the alumni, current students, and faculty. I couldn’t even ride by there; it hurt.”

When Rollins, a Limestone University graduate, heard that mascot Bernie’s costume was being sold in an online auction, he knew he had to give Bernie a forever home at HCG.

Rollins graduated from Limestone Elementary School in 1997 and later graduated from Limestone University in 2007. Limestone University used the former elementary school as a field house.

Bernie was a 6-foot-tall Saint Bernard mascot that was used to promote Saints athletics and Limestone University. “It was important to adopt Bernie because for me it feels like I’m keeping the tradition of Limestone going in a small way,” he said. “Bernie brought a smile to my kids’ faces at  games and events, and I want to keep that going for others. Bernie represented tradition, and I don’t want to see that tradition die,” he said. “If this is all we have left, then at least we have something.”

On Dec. 9, Rollins learned that he successfully bid to give Bernie a forever home at Hub City Gym.  

Not only did Rollins give Bernie a new home at Hub City Gym, but he also successfully bid on several items of Limestone gym equipment, which will now find a home at HCG. Gym equipment purchased from Limestone:

•  Five cable station

•  Jacob’s Ladder

•  Multiple cardio machines

•  Leg machines

•  Heavy boxing bags

•  Wood platform for deadlifts with an engraved Limestone emblem

•  VO2 Machine (the first of its kind for public use in Spartanburg)

  
  

Now, along with all the new equipment, Rollins wants Bernie to feel at home at Hub City Gym.

“Bernie is going to be an integral part in marketing and events at HCG,” Rollins said. “Bernie will be on the floor and around HCG weekly in some capacity to encourage clients and members. Bernie will be at every event, such as kickball, dodgeball, and all the special remotes we do. Bernie will be there. Bernie will be right at home in the Spartanburg community, giving the same joy he did at Limestone.”

Bernie makes his Hub City Gym debut on Saturday, January 3, 2026!