Celebrating Sports Fellowship,
Spirit, and Community Pride
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.
GCAC
2012 Scholarship
Recipients
Thank You 2012-13 Guest Speakers!
Meeting notes from each guest speaker is shown below.
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
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
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
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
From Our
January 21, 2013, Meeting
Guest Speaker
Les Snead
General Manager
The St. Louis Rams
From Our
November 19th, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speaker
Mal Moore
Athletic Director
The University of
Alabama
GCAC Meeting Report---November 19, 2012
Mal Moore spoke at the November 19, 2012 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. Coach 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.
Coach Moore emphasized the importance and the success of academics in the Alabama athletics programs. He takes great pride in the UA scholar-athletes succeeding in all parts of the University’s programs. It goes without saying that he has a treasure trove of stories about Coach Bear Bryant and Alabama football.
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.
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. He is the only individual connected with the Tide program to be a part of nine national football championships.
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 who has 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.”
Our Scholarship Nominees were, Lauren Tait and Brooks Mason, who along with their families, were in attendance. Click Here for more on Lauren & Brooks.
By: John McCormick
Les Snead spoke at the January 21, 2013 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. In his remarks, Mr. Snead described some of the planning entailed in finding and selecting the draft choices which best fulfill the needs of the St. Louis Rams. This also includes the strategy development for making trades of players and future draft choices.
Les Snead was named General Manager of the St. Louis Rams on Feb. 14, 2012 after spending nearly two decades playing a key role in helping two different franchises become perennial playoff contenders.
In his role as General Manager, Snead oversees the Club’s personnel department and scouting efforts while partnering with Head Coach Jeff Fisher to direct all personnel decisions for the club. In addition, Snead coordinates all aspects of the club’s football operations with the head coach.
Prior to joining the Rams, Snead spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the last 13 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He served as the Falcons’ director of player personnel from 2009-2011 and also held posts as pro scout and as the Falcons’ director of pro player personnel. During his time in Atlanta, Snead was part of a personnel staff that signed, traded for or drafted 16 players that went on to earn Pro Bowl honors and helped construct a rooster that has been one of the NFL’s best over the last few years. From 2008-2011, the Falcons’ had four consecutive winning seasons, earned playoff berths in the last two seasons and three out of the last four seasons, including a 2010 NFC South Championship. The Falcons participated in one Super Bowl and two NFC Championship games during Snead’s tenure with the club.
Snead brings his draft and trade expertise and knowledge of player personnel to the Rams. Just three weeks after taking his new job, he executed a trade that helped jumpstart the Rams’ rebuilding effort. After wheeling and dealing in the 2012 draft, the Rams made four of the first fifty selections and Snead and the Rams selected ten players who they believe will help the team return to the top of the NFC West. His efforts continued into free agency where his first free agency class included ten veterans whom the Rams will count on heavily.
Originally from Eufaula, Alabama, Les played tight end for Auburn from 1992-1993 and was part of the Tigers’ perfect 11-0 team in 1993. He also earned Southeast Region Academic All-American honors during his college career.
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club also honored Gulf Shores High School senior Scholar Athletes Nicole Wallace and Richard Guyer at the Club’s Jan. 21, 2013, meeting. With this recognition, both Nicole and Richard now qualify for the scholarships presented by GCAC to deserving Gulf Shores High School Scholar Athletes at the end of the school year.
Click On Pictures To Enlarge
GCAC 11th Annual
Golf Tournament Results
Congratulations to the Winners!
Brad Patty, Craig Mathews, Hunter Mathews, Johnny Neumeier
Who shot a 49.3 Net to take the 4 Man Scramble!
Visit Our 11th Annual GCAC Tournament Page
containing results and pictures of all the fun!
From President: Fred Dickinson
The 11th Annual Gulf Coast Athletic Club Golf Tournament was held on March 15th at Craft Farms. The tournament was a great success with over 80 golfers enjoying a fun day of golf and festivities. The net proceeds from the tournament of over $9000 fully funded the scholarships to be presented later this year to deserving Gulf Shores High School senior scholar athletes and helps assure GCAC‘s continued support for Gulf Shores High School Athletics.
Thanks to all who participated as golfers and those who volunteered their time to make this tournament a success. A special thanks to John McCormick, Tournament Chairman, and his committee for all their hard work.
Congratulations to all winners including:
#1 Gross: Jeff Goodman #1 Net: Brad Patty
Jim Lafoy Craig Matthews
Don Williams Hunter Matthews
Johnny Neumeier
#2 Net: Ed Cluck #3 Net: Tom Bailey
Bud Patty Rusty Strain
Gene Lewellyn Dean Hudson
Ron Sumter George Waller
Charlie Sinopoli
#4 Net: Fred Dickinson, Dr. Gaylon McCollough, Rod Erdman, Tom Bruce.
Longest Drive: Jeff Goodman
Closest-to-Hole: Mark Acker
Thanks to everyone for helping to make this a great year for GCAC. I know everyone is looking forward to our new season which starts with our kick-off meeting on August 26, 2013.
See you then.
Fred Dickinson
President
GCAC Donates $5,250
To Gulf Shores Middle School
The Gulf Shores Athletic Club presented the Gulf Shores Middle School football program with a check for $5,250.00 on Thursday, May 23rd.
Earlier Discussions with Head Football Coach Mel Stringfellow, revealed that the Gulf Shores Middle School football program was in dire need of
updated equipment, especially from a safety standpoint. As an example, Coach Stringfellow pointed out that all of their shoulder pads were in disrepair,
and were literally held together with string and tape.
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club made a decision to help. The donation from GCAC allows the school to purchase new shoulder pads for the entire team and help with the purchase of new uniforms.
This donation only helps Coach Stringfellow in his quest to update their equipment and the Gulf Coast Athletic Club would encourage other individuals or organizations to consider doing the same.
A strong Middle School program can do nothing but help the Gulf Shores High School Dolphins football program.
