Celebrating Sports Fellowship,
Spirit, and Community Pride
GCAC 10th Annual
Golf Tournament Results
GCAC Members,
A big thanks to all that participated, sponsored and volunteered their time to make our GCAC golf tournament a great success! We had about 100 golfers and numerous sponsors commit to our tournament Friday, March 30th at Craft Farms and we could not have done it without you.
A big thanks to all of our sponsors and those that donated items for our silent auction and door prize giveaways. Our club raised nearly $10,000!!! This will certainly help our club in the coming year with expenses but more importantly, keep our committment to awarding scholarships to our Gulf Shores High School Scholar Athletes.
I want to thank the staff at Craft Farms for making this a great organized event...be sure to check out the pictures on our gcathleticclub.com website. GCAC Member and Golf Committee chairperson, John McCormick did an outstanding job on keeping the golf committee organized and on top of things all the way through and making sure this tournament was a success. Again...thanks to all of you that donated your time for this great event!
Football season is only 4 months away!!!
GCAC Pres Dec McClelland
A Big THANK YOU to all our 2011 Guest Speakers!
Aug 29--Coach Joey Jones, University of South Alabama Head FB Coach
Sep 12--Max Howell-Radio sports talk show legend and former football coach.
Sep 26--Coach Doug Barfield-Former Head Football Coach-Auburn University
Oct 10--Roger Shultz--former Univ of Alabama player and coach.
Oct 24--Jackie Sherrill--Former Alabama player & Head Football Coach at Miss. State
Nov 7-- Inky Johnson-former UT football player "An Amazing Story of Faith and Perseverance."
Nov 21-- Dr Gaylon McCollough: On Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant:
Jan 23, 2012-- Coach Larry Blakeney--Head Football Coach-Troy University.
Important Note: All those planning to attend the next meeting,
please RVSP to Fred prior to the meeting night.
This will insure proper food coverage for the meeting.
Congratulations to the Winners!
Tom Smith, Mike Cunningham, Jim Cunningham, Albert Thompson
Who shot a 56 to take the 4 Man Scramble!
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Shown L to R: Tom Smith, Mike Cunningham, Jim Cunningham, Albert Thompson
Click here
Click here
Congratulations to our 2012 Scholarship Winners!
Virginia Jones and Tyler Stargel
What a great year for the GCAC! We were privileged to have had some great speakers visit our club, a wonderful attendance for our annual golf tournament and of course, we were able to award $1500 scholarships to two, well deserving scholar-athletes from Gulf Shores High School.
This year our recipients were volleyball player Virginia Jones and football player Tyler Stargel, both acknowledged for their great sportsmanship and academic leadership. Virginia Jones will be attending Auburn University while fellow winner, Tyler Stargel, will be attending and playing football for the Georgia Tech. Congratulations to them and their families!!!
We had a great year and we look forward to next year as the planning has already begun. Membership is up and we are looking to increase our numbers again this coming year under incoming president, Fred Dickinson. Fred has been a valuable part of our GCAC and will continue on with his leadership role. I want to thank all of you that have supported me and our club in the past 2 years and I certainly look forward to another exciting GCAC season!
Dec McClelland
GCAC President
L to R: Virginia Jones, GCAC President: Dec McClelland, Tyler Stargel
GCAC
2012 Scholarship
Recipients
2012 Guest Speaker Line-up
The following is the current meeting schedule for the new season and speakers as currently available:
Aug. 28th: Mal Moore--Athletic Director, University of Alabama
To Be Re-Scheduled
Sept. 10: Randy Patrick--Sports Director-WKRG Channel 5
Sept. 24: Coach Phillip Lolley-Director of External Affairs-
Auburn University Football
Oct. 8: Phil Savage--Executive Director-Senior Bowl
Oct. 22: Mickey Andrews--Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator-Florida State University (Retired)
Nov. 5: Steve Savarese--Executive Director-Alabama High School Athletic Association
Nov. 19: TBA
Jan 21: TBA
IMPORTANT: RSVP TO FRED BEFORE EACH MEETING!
From Our
September 10th, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speaker
Randy Patrick
Sports Director
WKRG-Channel 5
Mobile
RANDYPATRICK, Sports Director, WKRG News 5, was the special guest speaker at the September 10, 2012 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at the Craft Farms Golf Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We could tell that Randy is a high energy guy, as he described the fast-paced nature of the TV news business. Friday nights are especially hectic because Randy and his team cover High School Football in Mobile County, the surrounding area, and Baldwin County, the largest county east of the Mississippi.
At the beginning of his 30-plus year career at Channel 5 news, the recording tapes of local sporting events had to be carried by planes and automobiles to get to the station to meet the news report deadlines. Now, all transmissions of sporting events are carried over the internet. While this expedites the timing of coverage, it imposes faster preparation of reports and tighter deadlines. But, Randy conveyed his enthusiasm for the task without reserve. He clearly likes his job and the WKRG News family.
Sporting events in the Mobile area have expanded considerably over the years of Randy’s coverage. This is highlighted by the success of the Senior Bowl, University of South Alabama and the Bay Bears sporting competitions. Many home-grown athletes have cut their teeth on Alabama sports teams and have gone on to success in the college and professional ranks.
So,if you have a question about Alabama sports, Randy Patrick is the walking encyclopedia to ask. The members of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club enjoyed learning more about sports broadcast business, sports in Alabama, and getting to know Randy a little better.
Following Randy’s presentation, Herb Malone ofthe Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors’ Bureau described the first-years success of the SEC BeachFest. Attendees had the opportunity to meet SEC football athletes and coaches and Olympic athletes.
Reported By: John McCormick
From Our
Monday, September 24th, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speaker
Phillip Lolley
Director Football External Relations
for the
Auburn Tigers
Coach Phillip Lolley speaks at GCAC Meeting, September 24, 2012.
Coach Phillip Lolley from Auburn University was the special guest speaker at the September 24, 2012 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club.
Coach Lolley is currently Director, Football External Relations, where he has liaison responsibility to numerous external groups connected with the Auburn football program and often stands in for Coach Chizik at various functions.
Coach Lolley joined the Auburn Tigers in 1999 as strength and conditioning coach. As the secondary coach from 2000-03, he coached Thorpe Award winners Carlos Rogers and Junior Rosegreen, both All-Americans in 2004. He was Auburn's Director of NFL Relations from 2004-08, and spent three seasons as cornerbacks coach under head coach Gene Chizik including the 2011 National Championship team.
A 22-year high school coach in the state of Alabama, Coach Lolley was head coach at South Choctaw Academy; Warrior Academy in Eutaw; Stevenson High School; and North Jackson (winning the 1993 4A state championship). He also served as defensive coordinator at Demopolis High School.
Coach Lolley provided the Club with basics on how college football has changed with the faster communications, but has maintained strong rivalries, game pageantry, and energy. “On any given day” the best teams will be tested! This year is no exception in the SEC. The strongest conference has many strong teams. A devotee of ALABAMA high school and college football, Coach Lolley sang the praises of this year’s teams. Everyone appreciated hearing about the grit and competitiveness of SEC football.
We also were proud to honor our first Scholarship Nominees of the season, Erin McKee and Brandon Davis. You can see more about these two outstanding scholar/athletes here: Erin & Brandon
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club is a South Baldwin organization whose members enjoy fun and fellowship related to all types of sports activities at their meetings. The club supports Gulf Shores High School athletic programs by providing much needed athletic equipment and funding for numerous scholarships for student athletes. Since its inception in 1999, the GCAC has provided in excess of $100,000 in benefits to local high school athletic programs.
From Our
October 8th, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speaker
Phil Savage
Executive Director
The Senior Bowl
Phil Savage has come home. The Mobile native and former general manager of the Cleveland Browns returns to the Port City to serve as the executive director of the Senior Bowl becoming the game’s fifth executive director in its 62-year history
Savage brings more than 25 years of experience to the Senior Bowl having most recently served as a player personnel executive with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is also currently the color analyst for the University of Alabama football broadcasts on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, a role that he will continue to hold.
In four seasons as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cleveland Browns (2005-2008), the Murphy High School graduate was responsible for acquiring five Pro Bowlers either through the draft or free agency. The Browns also won a franchise-best 10 games in 2007 under Savage’s watch.
Prior to his stop in Cleveland, Savage spent time in the Baltimore Ravens’ front office—first as the Director of College Scouting (1996-2002) and later as the Director of Player Personnel (2003-2004). During his nine seasons in Baltimore, Savage helped the Ravens assemble a roster that claimed the Super Bowl XXXV title and included 12 Pro Bowl selections.
Savage attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where he starred in both football and baseball. While obtaining his Master’s degree in physical education from the University of Alabama, Savage served as a graduate assistant under head coach Bill Curry during the 1987-1989 seasons. During his time in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide claimed the 1989 SEC Championship and also made trips to the Hall of Fame, Sun and Sugar Bowls.
Savage is a member of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2010) and a regular guest on several local, regional and national radio programs. For 18 years (1990-2008) he conducted a free high school football camp for Mobile and Baldwin County students. More than 2,000 athletes participated in the camp over the years, including future NFL quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell, Tee Martin and Pat White. Several other campers went on to play college football at more than 30 schools across the nation.
Phil and his wife Dorothy reside in Fairhope, Ala. The couple has a daughter, Honor Blue. The Savages support numerous charities including Big Oak Ranch, L’Arche, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Joe Savage Ministries, to name a few.
Click on Pictures to Enlarge
Phil Savage—GCAC Meeting Report---October 8, 2012
Phil Savage spoke at the Gulf Coast Athletic Club meeting on October 8, 2012. The Mobile native and former general manager of the Cleveland Browns has returned to the Port City to serve as the Executive Director of the Senior Bowl becoming the game’s fifth executive director in its 62-year history.
Prior to his stop in Cleveland, Savage spent 8 years in the Baltimore Ravens’ front office—first as the Director of College Scouting and later as the Director of Player Personnel. During his nine seasons in Baltimore, Savage helped the Ravens assemble a roster that claimed the Super Bowl XXXV title and included 12 Pro Bowl selections.
Savage brings more than 25 years of experience to the Senior Bowl having most recently served as a player personnel executive with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is also currently the color analyst for the University of Alabama football broadcasts on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, a role that he will continue to hold.
Phil provided a real primer on college and professional football with many in-depth and fascinating insights about the college and professional football game and players. He spends many days and nights on the road attending college football games and meeting with players around the country.
He spoke about the many program initiatives planned for The Senior Bowl, which are intended to best showcase players for potential play in the NFL and also, importantly, provide a satisfying fan experience.
Savage attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where he starred in both football and baseball. While obtaining his Master’s degree in physical education from the University of Alabama, Savage served as a graduate assistant under head coach Bill Curry.
Savage is a member of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2010) and a regular guest on several local, regional and national radio programs. For 18 years (1990-2008) he conducted a free high school football camp for Mobile and Baldwin County students. More than 2,000 athletes participated in the camp over the years, including future NFL quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell, Tee Martin and Pat White. Several other campers went on to play college football at more than 30 schools across the nation.
Phil and his wife Dorothy reside in Fairhope, Ala. The couple has a daughter, Honor Blue. The Savages support numerous charities including Big Oak Ranch, L’Arche, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Joe Savage Ministries, to name a few.
Reported by: John McCormick
Next Meeting
October 22nd, 2012
Guest Speaker
Mickey Andrews
Former Defensive Coordinator
Florida State Seminoles
Mickey Andrews
• The longest tenured and most successful assistant coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Mickey Andrews was named Florida State's Associate Head Coach in 2002. He has served as the Seminoles defensive coordinator since 1984 and is in his 26th season as a coach at Florida State.
• He was the defensive coordinator for Florida State's 1993 and 1999 National Championship teams.
• He was named the nation's top assistant coach in 2000 by the All-American Football Foundation, the national defensive coordinator of the year in 1998 by the American Football Coach's Magazine and the national assistant coach of the year by Athlon's Magazine in 1991.
• The first ever winner of the Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach in 1996.
• Was the architect of the nation's top ranked defense and directed the nation's top ranked passing defense in 1998 and the nation's best rushing defenses in both 1996 and 1997.
• He has coached 18 first round NFL Draft picks in his first 25 years at Florida State. Of those 18 draft selections, nine have been top 10 picks in the NFL Draft.
• He has coached nearly 80 players who have gone on to play in the NFL.
• He has coached two Jim Thorpe Award winners (Deion Sanders in 1988 and Terrell Buckley in 1991), two Butkus Award winners (Paul McGowen in 1987 and Marvin Jones in 1992) and two Lombardi Award winners (Marvin Jones in 1992 and Jamal Reynolds in 2000).
• A master of coaching defenses against the run, the Seminoles have been ranked in the nation's top five against the run in seven of the last 16 seasons with no other school in the nation producing more top 10 rushing defenses since the Seminoles' national championship season of 1999.
• Florida State's defense led the nation in tackles for minus yardage in 2008 - the second consecutive season the Seminoles' defense was ranked in the nation's top 10. The Seminoles were ranked seventh in the nation for tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2007.
• The Seminoles' defense was ranked in the nation's top 10 in three different categories in 2008 - first in tackles for minus yardage, fourth in sacks and sixth in pass defense.
• Has won five National Championships as a player and coach.
• Inducted into the Livingston (now University of West Alabama) Hall of Fame in 1994, the Wiregrass Hall of Fame (Dothan, AL) in 1996 and the State of Alabama Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Won an NAIA National Championship as the head coach at Livingston.
• Second team All-American as a wide receiver and defensive back at the University of Alabama.
• Won two National Championships as part of the 1961 and 1964 Alabama football teams.
• All-SEC selection as a member of the Crimson Tide baseball team.
• 1964 Hugo Friedman Award winner as Alabama's best all-around athlete.
