GCAC
2018 Scholarship
Recipients!​
Celebrating Sports Fellowship, 
Spirit, and Community Pride
GCAC 
16th Annual Golf Tournament
2018 Special Edition
From President, Linda Martin.

The 16th Annual Gulf Coast Athletic Club Golf Tournament was held  at Craft Farms. The tournament was a great success with nearly 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: Carolyn Boudreaux                         #2 Place Ladies: Linda Spangrud
                               Kathleen Forbes                                                          Joy Majors   
​                                Leslie Anderson                                                          Susan Hirsch         
                                Mary Ann Terrell                                                          Linda Runtz

Mens

#1 Gross:   Jeff Kimbro                                                       #1 Net:  Ken Hall
​                    Steve Long                                                                     Forrest Forbes
                    Randy Hilsman                                                              Terry Peeples     
                    Mike Pyer                                                                        Rod Erdman

#2 Gross:    Ballard Sweat                                                  #2 Net:  Dec McClelland
                     Cole Baas                                                                      Joe Macaleer
                     Blake Rowell                                                                 Richard Lamar
                     Randy Davis                                                                  Michael Heroman

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!
Linda Martin
President
Shown below are more scenes from our tournament. 
Click on the link below to view the album
2018 GCAC 16th 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 16th Annual Golf Tournament!

GCAC funds scholarships for local athletes, as well as helping local athletic departments. The membership is made up of more than 80 men and women who are graduates and supporters of college athletic programs across the country, including the SEC and other conferences.

To raise money to support scholarships and athletic programs, an annual golf tournament, several trivia nights and other activities help to accomplish the club’s mission.

Each of the eight Fall meetings includes dinner and a well-known guest speaker as well as team reports and a “crying towel” award. The meetings are held at the Craft Farms Golf Clubhouse on Monday evenings.

Those interested in joining GCAC may contact Andrew Harte, 
membership chairman, at 251-223-3622 or email at Andrew@remaxgs.com , or go to the website at
 http://www.gcathleticclub.com/GCAC-JoinGCAC.html

If you have identified anyone you would like to invite to join the club this year. please send me their name and email address. I will work with Andrew Hart to solicit these potential members next week. 

Thanks you for your continued support of GCAC!!!
President: Linda Martin
From Our First GCAC Meeting
of the 2018-2019 Season

Monday
August 27, 2018

Greg Byrne
Athletic Director
University of
Alabama


The Gulf Coast Athletic Club started its 2018-2019 season at 7:00pm on Monday, August 27, 2018. New President Linda Martin opened the meeting and thanked all attendees for their interest and attendance. “I’m proud to serve as the Chair of such a great organization.”

Proving that this year will be different than others, President Martin turned the podium over to Dr. Gaylon McCullough to introduce our Guest Speaker who needs to catch a plane earlier than expected.
Our Speaker was University of Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne, who took the job in January 2017. He was previously at Arizona, Mississippi State (he hired Dan Mullen there), Oregon State, and Kentucky. His Dad was also an AD at Oregon, Nebraska, and Texas A&M.

He was very much at ease with the GCAC crowd and commented on the excellent state of UA athletics in all sports. His job is “trying to make our student-athletes the best they can be and also make them great citizens for our communities after graduation.”
What’s the next step for Bama? “Making sure we don’t get complacent”, and then he talked about the Crimson Stadium Initiative, making it a first class experience for all over the next 10 years and prepare for the future.

He said Head Football Coach Nick Saban is “66 going on 50” years old and just born to coach. Byrne said, “If you want to keep score, you need to try to win. Do it the right way.” He said all student athletes at UA have an average 3.7 GPA. When asked about Saban staying forever, he said he hoped so!
His annual budget at UA is $148 million and he’s trying to do what’s right for the school, adding U Texas in 2020-21. The school currently spends more than $100 million on travel, food, etc., and he doesn’t see paying athletes in the future.
When asked the inevitable question of who’s the starting Quarterback, Byrne replied, “Tua Hurts.”

President Martin thanked AD Byrne and then introduced the present and past Board Members. She also noted Dr. McCullough was presented the Paul W. Bryant Achievement Award and Doc has written a new book about his UA experiences with proceeds benefitting GCAC!! He’s always been a tremendous GCAC supporter!

Membership Chair Andrew Hart reported 71 members prior to the meeting, but we picked up 15 new members tonight!

David Lee reported on the kickoff of the Office Football Pool for this year noting last year’s Top Prognosticator was Fred Dickinson.

Gulf Shores Head Football Coach Matt Blake gave an excellent update on all GSHS sports, noting we have a State Champion in Wrestling’s 132 lb. Class. 2 cross Country runners set new school records and the Volleyball kicked off their year live streaming at all games. He noted seeing some brotherhood developing and said “We teach life.”

The 50/50 drawing was held and money donated back to the Club, with meeting adjournment at 8:33pm.

By: Bill Tunnell​
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club
Is Proud To Announce Our 
2017-2018--Scholar Athlete 
$3,500 Scholarship Award Winners!

Erin Corcoran and Jyon Corbett

Erin and Jyon will both receive a $3,500 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.

Erin & Jyon 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 and all the Nominees.

G U L F   C O A S T   A T H L E T I C   C L U B
Erin Corcoran and Jyon Corbett with Linda Martin & Dec McClelland
Jamarcus Russell was born in Mobile, Alabama and attended Williamson High School. Russell started for all 4 years and never missed a game. By his sophomore season, Russell had grown to 6’3” and 185 pounds and started receiving his first recruiting letters. Russell's best season was his senior year where he threw for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for another 400 yards and five touchdowns. This earned Russell Parade magazine All-American honors. His 10,774 career passing yards broke the Alabama High School Athletic Association record and still stands today.

In February 2003 on National Signing Day, Russell committed to LSU over many of the nation’s top programs. As a redshirted freshman, in 2004, Russell played in 11 games passing for 1053 yards with 9 TD’s and led LSU to a 9-3 record. His coaching staff for the 2004 season consisted of Nick Saban (HC), Will Muschamp (DC), Jimbo Fisher (OC), and Kirby Smart (DB’s). By the fall of the 2005 season, Russell was the starting quarterback under new HC, Les Miles. He led the Tigers to a 10–1 regular season record and the SEC Western Division title. As a sophomore, he threw for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns, with LSU ending the season ranked #6.

As a junior, Russell beat out Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux to hold on to the starting job. He led the Tigers to a 10–2 record and a BCS Sugar Bowl berth. In the Sugar Bowl, Russell accumulated over 350 yards of passing and rushing combined and scored three touchdowns, leading LSU to a 41–14 win over Notre Dame. For his performance, he was named Sugar Bowl MVP. For the season, he threw for 3,129 yards and 28 touchdowns with LSU finishing the season ranked #3. 

Russell passed on his senior year to declare for the NFL Draft. For his collegiate career, he threw for 6625 yards, with 52 TD’s over 36 games and was named to the All-SEC first team, a Sports Illustrated All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and Manning Award winner. Jamarcus was the #1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and played in the league for 3 years. 
From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
September 24, 2018

Jamarcus Russell

​Former LSU 
Quarterback
and NFL Player

Erin Corcoran and Jyon Corbett
President Linda Martin opened the September 10, 2018 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. She welcomed all attendees, especially the new members. She also complimented Craft Farms and the staff for their food and cooperation in staging our meetings.

Membership Chairman Andrew Hart announced that we now have 97 members, up from 72 just two weeks ago!! Great!! Guests were introduced as well as new members.
David Lee said the Office Football Pool has started off the way he planned, since, after two weeks of picking, he is on top. Yes, that’s very suspicious, but there are several shooting for first place, so hang on there, David! This year, the top three pickers at the end of the year will receive a payout with the top being named Prognosticator of the Year. Yours truly won the first year and Fearless Fred Dickinson currently holds the POTY Cup. 21 club members are competing this year. President Martin noted she had picked Kentucky to beat the Florida Gators, which they did!

Coach Owen Corcoran from Gulf Shores High School gave a rundown on school athletics. Cross Country Boys and Girls are already winners. He noted that GCAC donated the money to buy the camera that will be used to stream Basketball and Wrestling around the world. Football is not proceeding as well, but the season is still young. Homecoming is this week and our opponent is Satellite Beach, FL.
Dec McClelland took over the podium for Team Reports, telling our Guest Speaker that this wasn’t LA as we all know it, but UCLA – Upper Class Lower Alabama! He also noted that Geritol was detected in the random Club Drug Test. The first Crying Towel of the year was awarded to Michigan State for their terrible loss to Arizona State 45-13. No one could be found who said they actually were a Michigan State fan to accept the Crying Towel.

On to introduction of our great Guest Speaker by Miss SaltyAirDawg herself, Cheryl Cochrell, one of the best UGA supporters ever! Cheryl did a marvelous job introducing fellow Georgia Alum Tony Barnhart, Mr. College Football himself! Barnhart’s career stretches from early days at the Atlanta Journal Constitution to his present position at ESPN. He is a Past President of the American Football Writers Association, has written several books, and won many awards.

Tony said we all love college football, but those of us in the SEC and the South love it more than anywhere else. Going through the East and West Divisions of the SEC, we sees the following: East – 1) Georgia; 2) Kentucky; 3) Florida; 4) South Carolina; 5) Tennessee; 6) Missouri; and 7) Vanderbilt (currently undefeated). The West rankings are: 1) Alabama; 2) Auburn; 3) Mississippi State; 4) Texas A&M; 5) LSU; 6) Ole Miss; and 7) Arkansas. It’s Georgia vs. Alabama in the SEC Championship.
He noted Alabama is as good as he’s ever seen and this is the best offense Coach Saban has ever had. He also noted the highly touted Big 10 East Division is nowhere as good as the SEC West.

Looking at the Power 5 Conferences, Alabama wins the SEC, Clemson, also loaded, wins the ACC, Ohio State and Wisconsin are the class of the Big 10, but O State wins, the Big 12 sees Oklahoma vs. TCU with OU winning both games they will play against each other in successive weeks, and the PAC 12 sees Washington vs. Stanford, Washington coming out on top.

As far as the Playoffs are concerned, and he said he doesn’t see them expanding, due to the high expense involved by teams and supporters. Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State are in, and in a surprise choice that will again be highly debated, a one loss Georgia team, beaten only by the Crimson Tide, might possibly be selected as the fourth team over Oklahoma and Washington or Washington might prevail.
Semi-final games will pit Alabama, playing in the closest bowl site to their home in Tuscaloosa, against Washington or Georgia in the Cotton Bowl on December 29th, and Clemson and Ohio State tangling in the Orange Bowl the same day. The Finals sees another rematch of Bama against Clemson with Dabo taking another loss on the chin. Tony noted, until two weeks ago, his #1 choice was Clemson, but that has now changed.

Taking Q&A, he said Dabo is the logical choice to succeed Nick Saban, a job that no one should want to follow Saban. Texas and Oklahoma are the only two teams that would benefit the SEC if they chose to expand, and Auburn shouldn’t be moved to the SEC East to maintain competitive balance in the league. FSU had been previously been offered to come into the SEC, but Coach Bowden turned it down.

The 50/50 drawing was held with a pot of $120. Adjournment was at 8:29pm.

Jamarcus Russell
Former
LSU Quarterback
From Our
 GCAC Meeting

Monday
September 10, 2018

Tony Barnhart
"Mr. College Football"
Radio and TV
Personality


By: Bill Tunnell
From Our
 GCAC Meeting

Monday
October 8, 2018

Sam Jankovich
Former Washington State & University of Miami
Athletic Director


Our own David DeMeyer friend
Sam Jankovich!
From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
October 22nd, 2018

Joe Gottfried
Former University of
South Alabama
Athletic Director


President Linda Martin opened the October 22, 2018 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. She started the meeting with introduction of new members and guests.

David Lee updated the Club with the Office Football Pool season standings and noted Debbie Bower, our “Pink Cadillac Diva”, is leading the pack with Dixie Dave surging on the backs of his beloved Washington State Cougars. Should be a lively finish over the next four weeks!

Dr. Gaylon McCullough introduced our Students Athletes of the Month from GSHS. Kaily Werthen has a 4.06 GPA and a 25 on the ACT. She will graduate with a College Preparation with Distinction Diploma next Spring and is undecided as to college choice, but will major in Sports Medicine. She runs track, holds 2 school records in cross country, and has started on the Soccer Team for three years. She said she was honored to be here and thanked her family and the Lord. Our Male Student Athlete is Conrad Reetz who would like to attend the Air Force Academy. A Cross Country runner, he is an Eagle Scout and says he’s had great mentors in his life. He says he “loves Scouts, helping others, and making a difference”.

Coach Owen Corcoran gave a great Gulf Shores High School Sports Report. Football has been disappointing, but two Home games remain. Cross Country just had the County Meet with both of our Student Athletes participating. Volleyball is playing for the County Championship. Basketball, Wrestling, and Bowling (Owen’s team) start shortly. Go Dolphins!!

Dec McClelland finally has returned from Ireland, claiming he had to go for some Irish Flu Shots. Team Reports went from top to the bottom of the teams represented. Crying Towel candidates were Ohio State and Tennessee, but the CT went to John Ward’s San Jose State in the Mountain West Conference.

Dr. McCullough introduced our Guest Speaker, Joe Gottfried, President of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. Joe spent three decades as the Athletic Director of the University of South Alabama, and brought Division One Football to South, plus almost 20 different Sunbelt Conference Championships to USA.

Joe, a cancer-free survivor for the past 14 years, graduated from Crestline, Ohio High School, an area known for famous athletes, high school coaches, and college coaches. Joe was the Head Coach at the University of Southern Illinois before coming to South. Joe’s brother. Mike, was the Head Football Coach at Pittsburgh and a successful ESPN commentator, his son, Mark, coached at UCLA under John Wooden, later was the Head Basketball Coach at Alabama and North Carolina State, and he also has two nephews with the recognizable last name of Harbaugh, Jim at Michigan and John with the Baltimore Ravens.

He related the story of the trials to get Football at USA over the years starting in 2007, finally starting as Club Football in 2009. A new stadium with 25,000 seats will be available in 2 years.

Joe talked of the five Mobile natives who are in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame as well as those in the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
He talked about attending 35 years of NCAA meetings and noted infractions and other great information, especially a nice description of the transfer situation, also the redshirt rule.

Joe and his brother, Mike, started Team Focus, an organization dedicated to helping fatherless young men. Their father died at 41 and Mike was determined to give something back to those young men in similar situations. Hundreds all over America have and are being helped by Team Focus.

The 50/50 with $120 was drawn and awarded. Adjournment was at 8:07pm.        By: Bill Tunnell

By: Jim Walker
By: Jim Walker
By: Jim Walker
By: Jim Walker
By: Jim Walker
President Linda Martin opened the October 8, 2018 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. She thanked her “Auburn Friends” for her Mississippi State victory over the Tigers. Guests were introduced and then Membership Chairman Andrew Hart announced we have 100 members!

David Lee said he went into hiding after such a poor week of prognosticating in the weekly Football Pool since he had been bragging about leading the Stats. Debbie Bower, the “Pink Cadillac Diva”, is currently winning the season-long race. President Martin noted that she was second last week.

Coach Matt Blake gave another sterling accounting of Gulf Shores High School athletics. Football will be at home 3 of the last 4 games and that will help. The Swim Team qualified for the State Meet and all other sports are doing really good. Bowling and Basketball will start soon.

With Team Reports and Crying Towel Guru Dec McClelland back in his home country of Ireland, Andrew Hart jumped in and did Dec’s duty for Team Reports. In a surprise move applauded by all, former Crying Towel Master Kevin Corcoran took the stage, thanked all for the “lukewarm reception”, and gave another wonderful performance like he’s been giving for the past 15 years. Honorable Mention went to John Boller and his Auburn Tigers, but the Crying Towel went to LSU for the loss to Florida. Mimicing Coach O’s gruff voice, he declared “Tight End Tops Tigers” and “with their schedule, he might get a whole set.” Always great to have Kevin with us!

David DeMeyer then introduced an amazing guest speaker, former Athletic Director at Washington State and the University of Miami and former CEO/General Manager of the New England Patriots, Sam Jankovich. Hailing from Montana, Sam gave the Club an amazing view of his career with wonderful insights into his experiences at each stop. The crowd was impressed with his recall of such detail at age 84! He note with pride that Miami won three National Championships (83-87-91) under his leadership.
“God’s been good to me”, he said after remarking how much he appreciated former SEC Commissioners Roy Kramer and Mile Slive. He also said Kramer tried to get Miami to join the SEC. Sam said he said ‘no’ since Vanderbilt was the only private school in the SEC and “we can’t win in the SEC”.

He remarked he had been blessed to work with and for some wonderful people, starting in the small mining community of Butte, Montana where he was born to two God serving parents who immigrated from Yugoslavia. He was rather uncomplimentary about the NFL, full of cronies, sorry reputations, and always being a money war. He said college coaches don’t last in the NFL since they can’t have total control.

The 50/50 drawing was held with the pot donated back to the Club. Adjournment was at 8:14pm.
By: Bill Tunnell
By: Linda Martin
By: Linda Martin
By: Linda Martin
 From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
November 19th, 2018

Cole Cubelic
Former University of Auburn Great!
SEC Network & ESPN
 Reporter and Analyst


From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
November 5th, 2018

Sylvester Croom
Former University of Alabama Great!
Former Miss. State 
Head Coach


President Linda Martin opened the November 5, 2018 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at 7:05pm. She started the meeting with introduction of new members and guests, one who was named “Jim from Tuscaloosa!” LSU Ted was decked out in Bama gear, we suspect he was on the losing end last week for something. Linda Martin thanked Craft Farms for another outstanding meal – gumbo!!

David Lee announced that the ever popular Trivia Night would be returning on Monday, December 3rd at Craft Farms. 20 teams of 6 players each will fill the room at $20 per player. Craft Farms will have the bar open and are allowing the teams to bring their own food and snacks. 8 rounds of 10 questions each in 4 sports and 4 non-sports categories. Somebody said the Mississippi State team are Defending Champs.

David also gave an update on the Football Pool. Seems our “PinkCaddyDiva”, Debbie Bower, is kicking butt right now, with Dixie Dave and DecTheHalls close behind. Only 3 weeks to go!

Coach Matt Blake came to the podium amongst a chorus of “Go Dolphins” and announced GSHS had won their last game of the season on Senior Night. He was proud of the effort put forth this year in a very trying season. He declared that GSHS is on a winning streak going into next year. It’s that “lemons into lemonade” thing! Girls Volleyball won their first match at State and Boys Cross Country also qualified for State. Basketball, Wrestling, and Bowling start shortly. Go Dolphins!!

Dec McClelland handled the Team Reports and Crying Towel duties expertly as usual. Noting 6 SEC teams in the Top 25, he ran down the slate of other teams represented. “We’re all friends, at least we pretend we’re all friends, but if you lose, many don’t show up”. This week’s Crying Towel recipient did show up. Tom Grabowski’s Penn State Nittany Lions took it on the chin 42-7 to Michigan. Of course, Tom pointed out Penn State won 42-13 last year. 

MSU Fan, Bill Broyles, introduced our Guest Speaker, Sylvester Croom, former Head Football Coach at Mississippi State. Croom was the first African-American Head Football Coach in SEC history.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sylvester’s father was a Reverend and an All-American at Alabama A&M. Sylvester played for the Bear at Alabama, then went to the New Orleans Saints where his career was cut short after one year. He returned to Alabama at age 22 as an Assistant Coach and stayed there several years coaching in a variety of positions, as well as coaching in the NFL. In 2004, he was named Head Football Coach at MSU, and in 2007, was named Coach of the Year.

Croom is now in Mobile, near his daughter, and he now serves as the Senior Vice-President for Operations at the famed Senior Bowl. At age 64, he noted this is his first season since he was 13 that he’s not been on a team. He says he loves the game, and told of many incidents with coaches, players, and “fans”. He said he always put his players first and has great respect for coaches who try to do it right. “Always tell them the truth”.

Talking about Coach Bryant, he said there were just a few rules, because some would try to break any rule. Bear also said the first thing you’ve got to do to win is to keep from losing! Croom, saying he was blessed to have played there where he was learned how to be a man, coached Defense, even though he had played offense. He coached two of Bama’s greatest – Derrick Thomas and Cornelius Bennett, but he said the best running back he ever saw was Auburn’s Bo Jackson.
Bama this year is “the perfect football storm”, even with 6 new Assistant Coaches! Finishing his great talk, he noted MSU fans are great and he loved the great family atmosphere at Mississippi State.

The 50/50 was drawn and awarded to Jim Walker of Nebraska fame, who promptly gave it back to the Club. Adjournment was at 8:29pm.                

By: Bill Tunnell
To say we, as a club, have been blessed to have 
Dr. Gaylon McCollough as not only a 
"founding father" of GCAC, he also continues to amaze us with stories, commentary, 
and a strong resolve to  
"pay it forward" to our young Scholar Athletes.

From providing access to big name Athletes to sharing personal stories of Alabama's most beloved football coach, to one of his passions, mentoring young, aspiring athletes, students, and future professionals.  His dedication never ends.

We've devoted Dr. McCollough his own page, 
to allow new and future GCAC members, a glimpse into a man who played for, and evolved into a personal confidant to Coach Bear Bryant. 

 Beyond that,we have a prolific author, philanthropist, mentor, and he can make you look awesome too! 

Click Here to view 








"The McCollough Page"

Welcome Home David DeMeyer!
20 Minute Team Reports & All!
President Linda Martin opened the November 5, 2018 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at 7:05pm. She started the meeting with introduction of new members and guests, and a big “Welcome Back” to Dixie David DeMeyer!!

David Lee gave an update on the Office Football Pool which is entering the downstretch of the season. Seems that HiYield (Cynthia Tunnell) is now leading the pack with one week to go. Dec McClelland is second and Dixie Dave is third.

Plans are shaping up for Trivia Night on Monday, December 3rd. 20 tables are available at $120 and a few are still open. You can bring in food and snacks and the Craft Farms beverage service will be available. Doors open at 5:30pm with the game starting about 6:15pm. Watch out for Doctor Gaylon McCollough as your Editor heard he’s studying up for a big win! Kevin Corcoran will again be our Master of Ceremonies.

Kevin also gave the Gulf Shores High School report. Winter sports re beginning, with Wrestling, Bowling, and Basketball doing great. The annual Dolphin Athletic Club Draw-down Fundraiser will be on January 19th. Music will be provided by the Velcro Pygmies.

Dr. McCollough introduced this month’s Student Athletes. Hayes Graf is our female Student-Athlete. Hayes has a 4.41 GPA and a 29 on the ACT, ranking 3rd in the Senior Class. She is in the Cheer Program and Gulf Shores Tumbling. She wants to go to the University of Alabama with a career in Child Psychology. She thanked her parents and the GCAC for making a difference.

Our male Student-Athlete is Dominick Monteleone. He ranks 14th of 250 Seniors. He has a 4.31 GPA and a 32 ACT score! He plans to go to UAH and major in Engineering. He is in Soccer and Bowling.

Dr. McCollough gave a Shout Out to Dec McClelland for doing all the research and effort for this program.

Dec then took over and went through the Team Reports. After a grand introduction, he comes strolling in wearing Notre Dame Green and some weird hat. This week’s Crying Towel went to Tennessee who went down to Missouri, who has former Tennessee Coach Derek Dooley as Offensive Coordinator.

Auburn Fan Taylor Means introduced former Auburn Football Captain and current ESPN personality and Radio Host Cole Cubelic. He has a a daily talk show on WJOX in Birmingham and does much work weekly with ESPN. He was a Center at Auburn in 1996-2001 under Coach Tommy Tuberville. He covered the SunBelt until 2013 when he joined ESPN.

Cole showed the Club how amazingly detailed he knows College Football with his great preparation and attention to all aspects of the game. He then went through the SEC and all the major players in the Nation with a concentration on those with a solid chance to make the Final Four. He did note for the Tide fans that Alabama has the most difficult offense to prepare for, with 20 offenses in one, with the two Quarterbacks, several Run-Pass Options, and a stable of great backs and receivers. He noted that Oklahoma may be the best team to beat Alabama, but it would be a track meet!

In Q&A, when asked about Coach of the Year, Cole mentioned Coach O, Mark Stoops, and Dan Mullen, but said Nick Saban should be as he changed both major Coordinators plus several more new coaches. He also said UAB Coach Bill Clark has done a great job and should be there another 2-3 years.

Although he spoke here in 2013 and again tonight, he could come back every year. Even Dr. McCollough said his breakdown and team analysis was the best he’d ever heard. Your Editor agrees!

The 50/50 was drawn and awarded to Mayor Steve Means. Adjournment was at 8:26pm.

By: Bill Tunnell
 From Our 
GCAC Meeting

Monday
January 21st, 2019

Robert Brazile
"Dr. Doom"

10 years with Houston Oilers
7 time All-Pro Linebacker
NFL Hall of Fame

President Linda Martin opened the January 21, 2019 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at 6:55pm. She started the meeting with introduction of new members and guests. She said we have had a great year of speakers and meetings. She also thanked Craft Farms for their food and performance.

David Lee gave a final update on the Office Football Pool with the year-end Office Football Pool results. We had 20 players this year and a $400 payout. In third place and winning $75 was “Dixie Dave” DeMeyer. Coming in second with a check of $125 is the “PinkCaddyDiva” herself, Debbie Bower. Winning the 2018 GCAC Office Football Pool with a $200 check and the famed Pigskin Prognosticator of the Year trophy is “HiYield” Cynthia Tunnell!!! She was correct on almost 54% of her 210 picks against the point spread over a fourteen week season. CONGRATULATIONS!!

Dr. Gaylon McCollough presented our Student Athletes for this month, saying it’s always a pleasure to introduce these quality students. Our female honoree is Ally Stevens. She has a 4.4 GPA and a 31 on the ACT. She ranks 6th in her class of 212 students. She has played soccer since the 5th grade and is the President of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Nursing at UAB. She thanked her parents and her coaches.

Our male Student-Athlete is Jake Lartique. He also has a 4.4 plus a 32 on his ACT. He’s been playing tennis since age 9 and has made all A’s since the first grade. He’s been responsible for the GSHS Tennis Team making the State Championships three years in a row. He is going to Auburn to major in Business & Finance with a career goal of becoming an Investment Banker. He said he’s worked hard and thanked his parents.

Coach Owen Cocoran gave the Gulf Shores High School report. He noted winter sports are winding down and spring sports are gearing up. Wrestling is good and the Girls Bowling Team won the Regional and will vie as one of 16 teams in the State Championship. Basketball is having a good year also.

Subbing for the missing Dec McClelland, David Lee presented the Team Reports, highlighting the Top 25, Bowl results, and other teams with GCAC fans. The SEC had 7 of the Top 16 teams at year’s end.

The Crying Towel was awarded to Barb Patty and her University of Alabama Crimson Tide for their colossal defeat at the hands of the BCS National Champions, the Clemson Tigers. Barb took it all in stride and finished with her traditional “Roll Tide, Baby.”

Taylor Means has done a great job acquiring speakers this year and introduced a great finale with former Houston Oiler Linebacker Robert Brazile, a 7 time NFL Pro Bowler and a member of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, along with 7 other Halls of Fame, including a 2018 induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, the 312th inductee from more than 25,000 NFL players in its history. A proud graduate of Vigor High School in Mobile, he was overlooked by the major colleges when he broke his arm kicking off at Vigor. He went to Jackson State in Jackson, MS where he roomed with “Sweetness” Walter Payton.

Robert’s nickname of Doctor Doom was actually given to him by Howard Cosell who named him “Death On Offensive Men”. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft at #6 by the Oilers, while Payton went at #4. He played 147 straight games without missing one. He roomed with Earl Campbell on the road. Coach Bum Phillips was like “my second Dad”.

Wearing his gold Hall of Fame jacket, he said he came back to Mobile and said, ”What can I do?” He taught middle school for 27 years and made quite a contribution to his home town over that time.

The 50/50 was drawn and awarded. Adjournment was at 7:55pm.    By: Bill Tunnell
By: Benny Bliss
By: Benny Bliss
By: Benny Bliss
Friday
June 7th
17th
Annual!