Celebrating Sports Fellowship, 
Spirit, and Community Pride
Important Note:  All those planning to attend the next meeting, 
please RVSP to David Lee prior to the meeting night.  
This will insure proper food coverage for the meeting.
David Lee: davidtlee107@gmail.com
Gulf Coast Athletic Club
2017 Scholarship Recipients
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.
GCAC Donates $5,000
To Gulf Shores High School
Gulf Coast Athletic Club President, John McCormick, was pleased to surprise Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Ben Blackmon, with a check for $5,000 at Monday nights meeting.  The funds will be used to purchase a much needed endzone camera for filming each game and practices.  

The portable unit is needed to replace the previous method of borrowing a bucket truck, that was able to pull up to the endzone and raise a volunteer high enough to record the games.  New renovations at the football stadium do not allow for a truck to be used in the this same manner.  

Coach Blackmon seemed genuinely surprised by the donation  and thanked the club for the very generous contribution to the needs of the football team.

Coach Kevin Steele, later added that this is how communities can make a difference in not only how the teams can prosper, but how individuals can be benifited by these types of technologies as well, to further their goals and ambitions. 
Welcome, Members & Guests! 
Guest Speaker lineup for the 2017-2018 Season!


Date                    Speaker                                          Comments

Aug. 28:                  Ron Baynes                                        SEC and NFL Official

Sept. 11:                Chris Childers                                     Sirius XM Radio Sports

Sept. 25:                 Jeff Bower                              Southern Mississippi Player and Coach 

Oct. 9:                      Bill Battle                         Former Alabama Crimson Tide Athletic Director

Oct. 23:                       TBD                                                          Stay Tuned!

Nov. 6:                   Tommy Ford                                 Alabama Assistant Athletic Director 

Nov. 20:                 Al Del Greco                                      Auburn Tiger and NFL Kicker

Jan. 22, 2018:             TBD                                                            Stay Tuned!

The Gulf Coast Athletic Club
Is Proud To Announce Our 
2015 Scholar Athlete 
$5,000 Scholarship Award Winners!

Brittany Leserra & Ryan C. McIntosh

Brittany and Ryan will both receive a $5,000 Scholarship Award.
The GCAC, through the hard work of their members and partnered sponsors, were able to increase the scholarship award 
to the highest in the clubs history.

Brittany and Ryan were chosen from a distinguished list of Scholar Athletes from the Gulf Shores High School.  We wish nothing but continued success in the futures of both our winners.
G U L F   C O A S T   A T H L E T I C   C L U B
GCAC Donates $9,260
To Gulf Shores High School
& Middle School
The money donated will be used throughout Gulf Shores Athletics, including new track uniforms, state of the art sideline communication equipment, and much more.
From Our
November 23rd, 2015
Meeting

"Rivals Week"
with
"College Game Day"

Special Guests were 
Lou "Dec" Holtz & Chris "Kevin" Fowler
From College Game Day!
This was NOT the meeting to miss!
​GCAC was treated TWICE on this special meeting night!  First up, was GSHS Head Football Coach, Jamie Williams, with some X's & O's that many of us hadn't understood....until last night.  Now I know what an A-gap is!  Coach showed us how our donations are put to work and how they free up other funds for additional, much needed equipment to help better the GSHS squad.  Great job Coach Williams!

Our second treat of the evening was surely a classic and, hopefully, something we will be enjoying each season.  College Game Day was brought to you by the GCAC Sports Network....who knew we had a network?!?  The brain child of Kevin Corcoran with an incredible, star studded group of additional talent, especially Dec McClelland with his dead-on Lou Holtz impersonation.  Kevin's son Owen was a huge part of the background crew, and special guests included Barb Patty, David DeMeyer, 
Dr. McCollough, & Bob Grant.  

As with any TV show, commercials are just the price you have to pay, but when a commercial is sponsored by the McCollough Institute who's motto was "If You Can't Keep Your Chin Up....We'll Do It For You"!......well, that's creative juices flowing!  
This was one of several....surely non-approved....commercials that graced the airwaves of Game Day!

It was hilarious to see unsuspecting interviewees, nervously taking questions from Chris "Kevin" Fowler, unsure of what to expect from a known comedian.

We now know that Dr. McCollough answers to many names....David DeMeyer is the Washington State flag bearer at each Game Day broadcast, we also know that Bob Grant is a man of few words, and Barb Patty, is a woman of many words.  After a lengthy interview with Barb, eventually the Game Day segment ended returning to Barb's interview that apparently went late into the night.

As was appropriate, the evening ended with a standing ovation with whoops & hollers for the Game Day crew.  Here's hoping they don't retire this year and will make a return trip to Gulf Shores, AL again in the near future!

Here is a picture from the Game Day "Set".  





































Here You Go!   Rivals Week--College Game Day--Video
Brought to you by the GCAC Sports Network!

For a high resolution video experience, click here.











College Game Day!  Rivals Week!
Chris Fowler & Lou Holtz....sorta
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club
Is Proud To Announce Our 
2016 Scholar Athlete 
$3,500 Scholarship Award Winners!

Taylor Brown and Ishan Patel

Taylor and Ishan will both receive a $3,500 Scholarship Award.
The GCAC, through the hard work of their members and sponsors.

Taylor and Ishan were chosen from a distinguished list of 
Scholar Athletes from the Gulf Shores High School.  
We wish nothing but continued success in the futures of both our winners.
G U L F   C O A S T   A T H L E T I C   C L U B
From The Archives!
Classic GCAC Meeting
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club
Is Proud To Announce Our 
2017 Scholar Athlete 
$3,000 Scholarship Award Winners!

Tristen Fitts and Conner Reese

Tristen and Conner will both receive a $3,000 Scholarship Award.
The GCAC, through the hard work of their members and sponsors.

Tristen and Conner were chosen from a distinguished list of 
Scholar Athletes from the Gulf Shores High School.  
We wish nothing but continued success in the futures of both our winners.
G U L F   C O A S T   A T H L E T I C   C L U B
From President, David Lee.

The 14th Annual Gulf Coast Athletic Club Golf Tournament was held  at Craft Farms. The tournament was a great success with over 100 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 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 & Fred Dickinson and their committee members for all their hard work.

Congratulations to all winners including:
Womens

1st Place Ladies: Susan Hirsch                         #2 Place Ladies: Elaine Durmer
                           Joy Majors                                                       Leslie Anderson       
​                           Linda Spangrud                                               Charlene Brown               
                           Linda Runtz                                                     Judy Moore             

Mens

#1 Gross:   Jeff Kimbro                                                       #1 Net:  Pat Quinn
​                  Chris Wilkinson                                                            Elaine Quinn
                  Mark Watts                                                                    Stephanie Quinn
                  Mike Pyer                                                                      Colin Quinn



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 in August.

See you then!

David Lee
President
Shown below are more scenes from our tournament. 
Click on the link below to view the album
2017 GCAC 15th Annual
Golf Tournament Results
Congratulations to our Winners!

A special thanks to our Tournament Co-Chairmen, 
John McCormick and Fred Dickinson, who year after year, put on a great tournament.  Also we want to thank Craft Farms and their staff for exceptional support to our tournament, to 
all the volunteers who provided additional help, and 
especially our tournament sponsors for supporting 
the GCAC 15th Annual Golf Tournament!

Conner Reese and Tristen Fitts
Next Meeting: Monday, August 28th
PLEASE RSVP TO: gulfcoastathleticclub@gmail.com
From Our
GCAC Meeting
Monday
August 28th, 2017

Ronnie Baynes
SEC/NFL
Official

​Supervisor of NFL Officials since 2001. 

Full Bio - Click Here
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club started its 2017-2018 season on August 28, 2017. President David Lee opened the meeting and thanked all attendees for their interest and attendance. He noted it had been 215 days since the Alabama – Clemson National Championship game.

 
David reminded the attendees of the fun fund-raiser for the club. The On-line Football Pool is a weekly opportunity for all amateur prognosticators to show their stuff by picking winners from a 15 game weekly lineup selected by Professor Lee. Entry is $25 for the year and the year-end leader will split the annual pot and take home a beautiful trophy. This year’s reigning Prognosticator of the Year is Battleship60, Bill Tunnell. All members will be sent an email with the link to join the GCAC contest.

President Lee told the audience of GCAC’s mission to celebrate college football and raise money for the Gulf Shores High School Athletic Department and for student athlete scholarships. The main sources of fundraising are an annual golf tournament and donations to the Gulf Coast Athletic Club Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. He thanked Fred Dickinson and John McCormick and all the volunteers who put on this year’s successful golf tournament.

Prior to calling GSHS Assistant Principal Mark Glassford to the podium, David announced that the Club had approved presenting a check for $2,520 to cover uniform expenses for two GSMS basketball teams. This made a total of more than $40,000 donated by GCAC in the last three years and more than $150,000 since the club’s beginning in 1998.

Assistant Principal Glassford remarked that, due to the Club’s unwavering support over the years since the creation of GSHS Athletics, GCAC will be included as part of the first class being inducted into the Gulf Shores Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be at the Dolphins’ first game on Friday, September 1st. Congratulations to all members past and present. President David Lee will accept for the club. All members are invited to attend.

President Lee introduced Ron Baynes, an Auburn graduate who played football, after turning down a pro baseball offer, for four years against our own Dr. Gaylon McCullough. He played in the 1965 Blue-Gray Game, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, but had his career cut short by injury.
A high school coach and administrator, Ronnie then went into college officiating for 13 years, then served 14 years as a Line Judge in the NFL, officiating in two Super Bowls. He showed a great video that depicted an average day at an NFL game as an official. 
“I’ve been very blessed,” said the member of the Alabama Baseball Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He went on to tell of how officials were chosen to be in the NFL and talked about his later career of training officials for the SEC.

He said his main concerns for the sport are twofold: 1) kids spending too much time on just one sport, and; 2) it’s too expensive to play these sports, although he believes all should play tough team sports.

After thanking the club for what it does, Mr. Baynes received a well-deserved standing ovation.
After the 50/50 drawing was held, the meeting adjourned at 8:33pm.

By: Bill Tunnell

From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
September 11th, 2017


Chris Childers
Sirius XM
On-Air Personality


Chris Childers
Our Next
GCAC Meeting

Monday
September 25th, 2017


Jeff Bower
Long Time 
Southern Mississippi
Player & Coach


Subbing for absent President David Lee, Linda Martin welcomed all to the September 11, 2017 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. She got huge applause when she said she wouldn’t be telling any of David’s jokes.

She also displayed the plaque awarded the GCAC for its induction into the Gulf Shores High School Hall of Fame before the first GSHS home game this year. President Lee and several other Club members attended the game, with President Lee accepting on behalf of all the past and present GCAC members, honored for their longtime commitment to Dolphins athletics.
Ms. Martin also acknowledged our own Dr. Gaylon McCullough for his receipt of the Paul W. Bryant Alumni Award given at halftime this past Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Congratulations, Doc, for years of dedicated service to the University of Alabama and to GCAC!!!
Visitors were introduced and Membership Chairman David DeMeyer announced we had 15 new members so far this year.

Linda announced the Office Football Pool was off to a rousing start. Leading the pack after the first two weeks is none other than Fred Dickinson, closely followed by the rest of the field.
New Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Matt Blake was introduced. He said he was glad to be back and looked forward to “making a difference in these young men and women” at GSHS. He noted lots of turmoil over the summer and his first day on the job was only on August 3rd, barely six weeks ago.

Stating he was happy to be working with new GSHS Principal Veasey, he said she gets it and is fully supportive. Coach Blake said he is proud of the way his team has fought in the first two games. They gave all and should be proud. “You’ve got to believe that you’re really as good as you are’” He continued, “We can play with anybody. We’ve just got to believe.”  Cross Country and Girls Volleyball are doing great with strong performances in several tournaments.

Andrew Hart handled the Team Reports in the absence of the wandering Dec McClelland. No real surprises in this young season unless you support Auburn, Notre Dame, or Ohio State.

With Dec’s absence, Linda said she turned to the only person who could do the Crying Towel the best. Coming out of retirement for one appearance, longtime Crying Towel Guru Kevin Corcoran was at his absolute best with his quips. Noting the young blood in the club, he said that brought the average age to “Deceased.” His performance was spectacular and the Crying Towel was awarded to Texas A & M, whose logo was magically transformed. You had to be there, and unfortunately, no A & M fans were.

Past President Taylor Means introduced Chris Childers with Sirius/XM Radio. Being one of the pioneers in satellite radio, his current show “Full Ride” airs 9am to 1pm daily. Nicknamed “the Show Pony”, he is the most popular host on the station. Wanting to be in college football (“the greatest sport in the world”) at an early age, he worked his way up the ladder until he took over for Tim Brando.

He gave a running summary of current teams –Alabama – great, Clemson – maybe, Auburn – too many sacks, Georgia – encouraging. He stated Dabo had “Sabanized” the Clemson defense and Auburn’s defense was very good. Oklahoma shocked him against Ohio State.

He then fielded question from the crowd about Coaches Kevin Sumlin, Chip Kelly, Butch Jones, Bob Stoops, Jim Harbaugh, and others. He ended by telling about making Coach Saban smile.

Afterwards, Taylor Means won the 50-50, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.

By: Bill Tunnell
Unfortunately, no pictures taken during this meeting.
The names that get bandied about when the talk turns to Southern Miss football generally include the likes of quarterbacks Brett Favre or Reggie Collier, or maybe running backs Sammy Winder and Derrick Nix, or even look to the great names of the "Nasty Bunch" defense that have included Michael Boley, Rod Davis and Adalius Thomas. They might even mention Ray Gay, arguably the best punter to ever lace up the spikes. Those names are some of the best to ever be a part of the Black and Gold.

There is one man, though, who has spent most of his collegiate playing and coaching career in Hattiesburg, and been a part of this program for almost a third of its 90-year history. During this season, he will have coached more games than any other Golden Eagle football coach, and his stability on the sidelines have enabled the Southern Miss program to reach new heights.

His name is Jeff Bower, and he is truly "the face" of this Golden Eagle program.

Full......Very Interesting Bio.....Available Here!
Our Very Own Dr. McCollough Wins Prestigious Award!
A big THANK YOU to Linda Martin for filling in for President David Lee!