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.
Fred: 251-975-1500   fdickinson@gulftel.com      
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:


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:   Mal Moore--Athletic Director, University of Alabama

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

Click on Pictures to Enlarge
From Our
October 22nd, 2012 Meeting 
Guest Speaker
Mickey Andrews
Former Defensive Coordinator
Florida State Seminoles

Mickey Andrews
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

Click on Pictures to ENLARGE
President Fred Dickinson opens the meeting.
President Fred Dickinson opens the meeting.
Dr. Gaylon McCollough, introduces the Scholar/Athlete Nominees.
Dr. Gaylon McCollough, greets Scholar/Athlete Nominee, Daniel LaBorde.
Scholar/Athlete Nominee Daniel LaBorde.
Scholar/Athlete Nominee, Jessica Chavez.
Team Reports, led by Kevin Corcoran.
A collective sigh of relief comes over the members, as Kevin Corcoran lets it be known, there will not be a "Crying Towel" this meeting!
Past President, Dec McClelland....or is that Lou Holtz, gives the Notre Dame report.
Dec's, dead-on impression of Lou Holtz is always a crowd pleaser!
Washington States greatest fan, David DeMeyer, with a prized posession, a WSU jersey.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews.
Special Guest Speaker, Mickey Andrews receives a well deserved applause from the members.
Standing Ovation for Mickey Andrews.
Jessica Chavez and Daniel LaBorde
Mickey Andrews with Fred and Jean Dickinson.
From Our
November 5, 2012 Meeting 
Guest Speaker
Steve Savarese
Executive Director
Alabama High School
Athletic Association

Steve Savarese
Steve Savarese—GCAC Meeting Report---November 5, 2012

Steve Savarese became the fourth full time Executive Director of The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) when he joined the organization in 2007. Steve and his staff are responsible for the operation of the AHSAA and help promote the state high school athletics, including providing a championship program for each of its sports.

Coach Savarese set aside his prepared remarks and spoke passionately about the values and life lessons taught by coaches to young athletes throughout the State of Alabama. Steve recognized Coach Blackmon of Gulf Shores as exemplary example of the dedicated educators forming the lives of young high school athletes.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association, founded in 1921, is a private agency organized by its member schools to control and promote their athletic programs. The AHSAA sponsors state championships programs in 11 boys’ and 11 girls’ sports.

The purpose of the AHSAA is to regulate, coordinate and promote the interscholastic athletic programs among its member schools, which include public, private and parochial institutions. Currently, there are 401 senior high members and 287 junior high and middle school members with more than 140,000 students participating in the program.

Major aims of the AHSSA are to serve the needs of its member schools in conducting their interscholastic athletic programs and to assist member schools in reaching the educational objectives as established by their school systems. The AHSSA determines that schools are abiding by standards in such areas as student eligibility, contests and championship programs. 

Another basic function of the AHSAA is the registration, training and regulation of officials. Only officials registered with the Association are used for contests involving member schools.

Prior to joining AHSAA, Steve was a very successful high school football coach. He has won state championships in both Kansas and Alabama. Most recently, Steve was Head Football Coach at Daphne where he won a Class 6A state championship in 2001. As a head coach, he compiled a 281-98 record as a head football coach and is a member of the AHSAA Hall of Fame.

However, those titles aren’t the thing he’s most proud of as a former coach. He cherishes the relationships he’s developed with athletes, coaches and parents through his career more than those accolades. “I still keep in contact with many of my former players, former assistant coaches, teachers at schools I’ve worked at and parents of former students, ”Savarese said. “That’s been one of the most rewarding things of coaching football.”

Although it is important to win, Savarese said there’s much more to being a coach than winning. “It’s about teaching lifelong lessons to athletes,” Savarese said. “Athletics teaches you about commitment, showing up on time, keeping your work area clean, having a good work ethic – many of the simple things that make you successful in your career and your life.” 

Reported by: John McCormick
November 19th, 2012 Meeting

Guest Speaker
Mal Moore
Athletic Director
The University of
Alabama


Mal Moore
Mal Moore, The University of Alabama's Director of Athletics since 1999, has made an indelible mark on one of the nation's most storied athletic programs, leading a department that has enjoyed tremendous success athletically and academically and has undergone an unprecedented period of growth during his tenure.

As Director of Athletics, Moore has overseen more than $200 million of capital improvements to University of Alabama athletic facilities. Those projects have encompassed the entire scope of all Crimson Tide athletic programs and have benefitted every Alabama student-athlete, coach, and administrator.  He currently manages a varsity sport program that consists of 21 men's and women's varsity teams. He envisioned and oversaw the expansion of Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2006 and 2009, pushing the venue's capacity to 101,821, which ranks fifth nationally.

Under Moore's direction, Alabama's athletic teams have produced national championship teams in football, gymnastics, women’s golf and softball and Southeastern Conference championships in football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, golf, cross country and softball.

Moore's distinguished record of service to UA began more than 50 years ago when he joined the Crimson Tide football squad as a scholarship player for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1958-62. Moore has the distinction of being a part of nine national championship teams as a player, coach and athletic 
director (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, and 2011), 15 SEC championships, and 38 bowl trips. He is the only individual connected with the Tide program to be a part of nine national football championships.

Moore's dedication to and love of the University of Alabama was recognized 
on March 28, 2007, when, as a permanent tribute to his life-long contribution to The University of Alabama, the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama officially dedicated the facility formerly known as The Football Building as the "Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility."

In 2011, he was elected to the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a coach and an administrator.

Just recently, The National Football Foundation  named Mal as winner of the 2012 John L Toner Award presented annually to an athletic director whohas demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding 
dedication to college athletics and particularly college football.

Mal’s leadership of Alabama football has been impeccable,” said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Crimson Tide’s success on the gridiron is undeniable, but his leadership can be felt throughout the University of Alabama and the NCAA as a whole. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
Click on Pictures to Enlarge
Mickey Andrews—GCAC Meeting Report---October 22, 2012

Mickey Andrews spoke at the October 22, 2012 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club.  He was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Florida State University beginning his career in 1984. Andrews retired, along with Bobby Bowden, at the end of the 2009 season and coached his final game in Florida State's victory over West Virginia on January 1, 2010, in the Gator Bowl. 

Mickey’s remarks focused on the life lessons that are learned by participating in sports activities.  Of course, most of his comments related to competing in college football.  He inspired both the members and scholar athletes present at the meeting.  
Mickey started his coaching career at the high school level but quickly moved up to college level including time at E. Kentucky, Livingston, N. Alabama, Clemson, and Florida. He was defensive coordinator for the Arizona Wranglers (USFL) before settling in at Florida State.

Coach Andrews played college football at Alabama for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant where he earned second team All-America honors as a wide receiver and defensive back and was also on two Alabama national championship teams (1961 and 1964) and played in three New Year's Day bowl games.

As the defensive coordinator for Florida State's 1993 and 1999 National Championship teams and 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.

As the first ever winner of the Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach in 1996, he 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 nearly 80 players who have gone on to play in the NFL, including 18 first round NFL Draft picks in his first 25 years at Florida State, 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 winner of five National Championships as a player and coach, he was inducted into the State of Alabama Hall of Fame in 2006.

Mickey currently lives in Tallahassee where he enjoys spending time with his family.

Our Scholarship Nominees were, Jessica Chaveze and Daniel LaBorde, who along with their family, were in attendance.  Click Here for more on Jessica & Daniel.

Reported By: John McCormick
President, Fred Dickinson calls the meeting to order.
President, Fred Dickinson calls the meeting to order.
President, Fred Dickinson calls the meeting to order.
Kevin Corcoran introduces Gulf Shores Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon.
Kevin Corcoran introduces Gulf Shores Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon.
Gulf Shores Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon.
Gulf Shores Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon.
Gulf Shores Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon.
Richard Schwartz gives the Alabama team report.
Dec McClelland gives the Notre Dame team report.
Gary Klussman gives the LSU team report.
Bill Durmer sadly gives the Rutgers report.
Biff Johnson feels pretty good about his Texas A&M team.
Ken Ketzler updates us on the Spartans.
Bill McGinnes gives his Wolverine report.
John McCormick withstood massive ribbing of the Tennessee win last week.
John Boller gives the Auburn report.
Chris Roper fills us in on Bowling Green.
Tom Grabowski's Nitney Lions are doing well this year.
Bill Sabatino gives us a short Colorado report...."They lost, again."
David DeMeyer giving the Washington State report, unaware of what lies ahead!
Kevin Corcoran goes through the steps leading up to the selection of the "Crying Towel" recipient this meeting.
And the "winner" is.....David DeMeyer and the Washington State Cougars.
Great fun at the expense of David!
David receives his towel with grace.
Steve Savarese--Executive Director, Alabama High School    Athletic Association, is not opening with a song!
Steve Savarese gave an inspirational talk to our members.
Steve rivetted his audience with many success stories.
Steve rivetted his audience with many success stories.
Steve received a well deserved standing ovation.