Ralph Richard Sargent II, better known as Rick, arrived at Newberry College from his hometown of Rome, Ga., after playing at East Rome High School and earning all-region and all-state honors at offensive tackle. Rick continued to excel at Newberry College and lettered in football in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
He was named an Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1971 and named to the all-District Six team as a defensive lineman in 1972. Rick moved on to professional football after his career at Newberry, playing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973 and the Los Angeles Rams in 1974 and 1975.
After his pro career, Sargent returned to Newberry and was an assistant football coach for the 1976 team. He then returned to Rome, Ga., and coached high school football and wrestling at Pepperell High School. Over the next three seasons, he coached six state wrestling champions. Rick’s education at Newberry College helped him become one of the most successful businessmen in the state of Georgia.
Peach State Labs, Inc., was founded in 1987 with an invention that was soon known as “Scotchgard Stain and Soil Release” technology. Today, the company has 31 active United States and foreign patents, producing products that are sold to Home Depot, Walmart and other companies worldwide. In 2000, Rick founded Soymet Energy, which provides Biodiesel fuel to the United States military, Southern Company and the state governments of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
