Former Clemson pitcher Randy Quintrell, 65, passed away on July 23 after a fight against cancer. Quintrell was a starting pitcher for Bill Wilhem’s Tigers between 1974-77 and posted a 20-10 career record, helping the Tigers to three NCAA Tournaments, including two College World Series (1976,77).
Quintrell’s top season was 1975, when he led the team in ERA (1.50), one of the top numbers for a Tiger starter in the 1970s. An eighth-round MLB draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1973 out of high school, he pitched two shutouts as a sophomore in 1975, leading to a streak of 24 consecutive innings pitched without allowing a run, a Clemson record that lasted until 2000.
Quintrell was one of the top student-athletes Wilhelm had in his 36 years as head coach. The native of Georgia was the first four-time selection to the ACC Academic Honor Roll among Tiger baseball players. In fact, he was the only baseball player to do it in Clemson’s first 43 years in the ACC.
Quintrell graduated magna cum laude from Clemson in 1977 with a B.S. degree. He received his M.S. degree in wildlife ecology from the UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. He then earned his J.D., magna cum laude, in 1985 from UGA School of Law and was a member of the Order of the Coif.
Quintrell built a 35-year career as an environmental lawyer and spent 30 years at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, now Eversheds Sutherland, assisting clients in complex matters before the EPA, Georgia EPD and Georgia Public Service Commission. He was privileged to serve as chief counsel for Georgia Industrial Group, Georgia Construction Aggregates Association, Georgia Paper & Forest Products Association, China Clay Producers Association and Georgia Mining Association, which honored him with a lifetime achievement award. Quintrell’s peers selected him as a member of the Best Lawyers in America in the environmental area.
Quintrell is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy Murphy Quintrell; his son, Bailey Quintrell (Mary Ann); two daughters, Elisabeth Sweeney (Wyck) and Claire Quintrell; and one granddaughter. One sister, Susie Pressley (Kenneth), survives him. A private memorial service is planned and a celebration of life will be held in 2021.
