Our List of Esteemed
Guest Speakers
Throughout the Year
Celebrating Sports Fellowship,
Spirit, and Community Pride
Ozzie Newsome
January 21st, 2014 Meeting
2013-14 GCAC Guest Speakers
September 23rd
Meeting
6:00pm Social---6:30 Supper
Guest Speaker
Eli Gold
Radio Voice
for Alabama Crimson Tide
Eli Gold, the play-by-play voice of the University Of Alabama Crimson Tide football and basketball teams, is scheduled to speak at the September 23, 2013 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The meeting takes place at the Craft Farms Clubhouse, starting at 6pm.
Eli Gold was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He started his sports broadcasting career in 1972 working as a weekend sports reporter with the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Starting with the 1988 season, Eli became the radio play-by-play voice of the University Of Alabama Crimson Tide football and basketball teams. His responsibilities with "The Tide" also included hosting "Hey Coach", the weekly football and basketball coach's radio call-in show. To this day, Eli continues as the football "voice" of the Tide.
Eli has handled various play-by-play assignments over the years. Included are 12 years as a professional announcer for professional hockey, first play-by-play announcer for the UAB Blazers basketball team, early 80’s voice of the Birmingham Barons baseball team, CBS sports regional telecasts for Georgia and South Carolina basketball, and college baseball broadcasts for SportsChannel America,
Since 1976, Eli has been a member of NASCAR's Motor Racing Network (MRN) which broadcasts NASCAR racing events over a 600 station radio network. Over. In addition, since 1982, Eli has hosted a weekly, nationally syndicated, radio call-in show about NASCAR racing. "NASCAR Live". is now heard on over 450 of MRN's radio affiliates each and every Tuesday night. Since the 1996 NASCAR racing season, Eli began He serves as the anchorman for The Nashville Network's (TNN) televised coverage of NASCAR racing and has worked in a play-by-play role with ESPN, CBS Sports and NBC Sports in their coverage of NASCAR racing.
Starting with the 2000 season, Eli became TNN's "voice" of the Arena Football League handling the play-by-play for the network's live coverage of the AFL. In 2003, NBC Sports hired Eli to join the network as a play-by-play announcer for their coverage of the Arena Football League. In addition to his work on NBC, Eli has also been an Arena Football League play-by-play announcer for both FOX Sports Net (FSN) and Comcast Sports.
Starting in the Fall of 2003, Eli became part of SportsUSA Radio Network's coverage of the National Football League. SportsUSA Radio is one of two national networks to offer live, syndicated coverage of the NFL. Eli handles the play-by-play of one NFL game each weekend. In addition, Eli continues to "call" post-season college football bowl and all-star games for SportsUSA Radio.
Outside of his play-by-play duties, Eli was the Sports Director for WERC Radio in Birmingham, Alabama and for six years hosted a nightly sports call-in show entitled "Calling All Sports". He resigned his position with WERC to accept a job as Sports Director with WBRC-TV Channel 6 which at that time was Birmingham's ABC affiliate. At WBRC, Eli anchored three sportscasts each evening and also hosted a weekly call-in show "Sports Talk With Eli". Eli elected to leave WBRC-TV at the expiration of his contract to further expand his play-by-play duties.
Eli is a 4-time Alabama Sportscaster Of The Year as voted by his peers in the National Sportscasters And Sportswriters Association. He was twice named Alabama Sportscaster Of The Year by the Associated Press and once earned the same honor from United Press International.
Born in December 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, Eli now resides in Birmingham, Alabama and Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina with his wife Claudette and their daughter Elise.
Danny Sheridan, Sports Analyst for USA Today from 1982-2012
University of Alabama, 1979 Graduate
Lifetime honorary member of the Mobile, Alabama Bar Association (1995)
Publishes the largest private sports newsletter in the country, and is considered to be the top sports analyst in the country.
Provides the daily odds for all sporting events for USA TODAY's Website, and for USA TODAY's Sports Section from 1982-2012.
During football season (August-February, Danny does 15-20 national radio, newspaper, and TV interviews weekly. From March-July, he does 2-4 interviews weekly.
Danny speaks to 15 Groups annually (Business Groups, TD/QB Clubs, etc.).
Has appeared on all 4 Networks ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX; also ESPN, CNN, WTBS, & CNBC, and his accuracy has been featured in every major newspaper in the country.
Danny's annual preseason College & Pro Football, NBA, Baseball Previews have been featured in PLAYBOY, PENTHOUSE, MAXIM, FHM and Cigar Aficioinado Magazines. Danny's 2013 NFL Preview will be in August Cigar Aficionado Magazine. His "10 Worst BCS College Football Teams” Article will be featured on Cigar Magazine's Website in August, 2013. "How to successfully wager on the Super Bowl” appeared in the February 2012 Issue of Cigar Magazine and appeared in the New Orleans Times Picayune Newspaper on Super Bowl Sunday, Februrary 3, 2013.
Danny has written the following books: NFL Fantasy Football (Simon & Schuster/MacMillan 1990-2000), NFL Office Pool Guide (Bantam-Doubleday) and Rotisserie Baseball Book (Contemporary Books)..
Danny's 2013 Oscar odds appeared in the "Page Six" Coumn in the New York Post and on ABC's Good Morning America Show.
Danny was again parodied on NBC's "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” in January, 1986, 2002 & 2003 (Super Bowl Weekend). His SNL paraody segment is shown on Comedy Channel reruns every Super Bowl weekend.
In 1993, "The Sporting News” ranked Danny number 52 on its list of the nation's "100 Most Powerful People in Sports”, ahead of such notables as Bob Costas, John Madden, and Jack Nicklaus.
April 2001, due to Danny's testimony to Senator John McCain's Committee against the NCAA bill to ban betting on College Sports in Nevada, the bill failed. For a copy of Danny's testimony to the U.S. Senate, go to his web site www.DannySheridan.com.
On November 1, 2012, Danny Sheridan was given the title of Lord Sheridan of Wansley Manor, which is governed by the laws of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Danny's new book on how to bet on college and pro football & never been told gambling stories will be on sale August, 2014
September 9th
Meeting
6:00pm Social---6:30 Supper
Guest Speaker
Kevin Steele
Alabama
Director of Player Personnel
Kevin Steele returned to Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s Director of Player Personnel in February of 2013. Steele, who spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons on head coach Nick Saban’s defensive staff at Alabama, is back following three years as Clemson’s defensive coordinator (2009-11).
At Alabama, Steele’s main charge is to direct the recruiting efforts for the Crimson Tide. He also will assist with camps, clinics and other football related events.
Steele directed Clemson’s defense from 2009-2011 and helped the Tigers win the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. His 2010 defense led the ACC and ranked 13th nationally
During a two-year stint as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator from 2007-08, Steele and Saban turned Alabama’s defense into one of the best in the nation. The 2008 defensive unit ranked second in rushing defense, while tying for third in total defense.
Steele worked at Florida State under head coach Bobby Bowden for four seasons (2003-06). He was named executive head coach for the Seminoles in 2005, as Steele earned a reputation as an outstanding recruiter.
Steele was the head coach at Baylor from 1999- 2002 before moving to Florida State. He coached the linebackers for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers from 1995-98 before taking the head coaching job at Baylor. He earlier had assistant coaching stints at Nebraska (1989-94), Tennessee (1987-88), Oklahoma State (1984-86) and New Mexico State (1983).
As a player at Tennessee, Steele was a member of Johnny Majors’ 1978 and 1979 squads. He an assistant coach in 1980 and 1981. Steele was promoted to outside linebackers coach in 1982.
He then moved to New Mexico State, where he served as recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach in 1983. From 1984-86, he coached linebackers and tight ends at Oklahoma State. He returned to his alma mater in 1987 and spent two years as the defensive backs coach for the Volunteers.
From 1989-94, Steele coached the linebackers under Nebraska legend Tom Osborne. During his six years in Lincoln, the Cornhuskers went 60-11, appeared in six bowl games, won four conference championships and captured the 1994 national championship with a 13-0 record.
In 1995, Steele made the jump to the NFL as the linebackers coach at Carolina. Under head coach Dom Capers, the Panthers reached the NFC Championship game in their second season (1996). After four years with Carolina, Steele was hired as head coach at Baylor in 1999.
The Dillon, S.C., native is a 1981 graduate of the University of Tennessee. Steele and his wife Linda have one son Gordon and one daughter Caroline
October 7th
Meeting
6:00pm Social---6:30 Supper
Guest Speaker
Scott Moore
Sports Talk Radio Host
Broadcasting from Craft Farms on Meeting Night
Scott Moore, nationally renowned sports talk radio personality, is scheduled to speak at the October 7, 2013 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The meeting takes place at the Craft Farms Clubhouse, starting at 6 pm.
Scott W. Moore is renowned for his college football acumen and uncanny ability to impersonate over 70 celebrities, sportscasters and college football coaches. He is sure to keep your audiences laughing with hilarious takes on Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Pete Carroll, Bob Stoops, Ron Zook, Nick Saban, Pat Dye, Lou Holtz, Keith Jackson, Bill Clinton, George Bush and more!
Over the past five years, Scott has had the privilege of speaking at the National Quarterback Club in Washington, D.C. with General Colin Powell, the NFL MVP Award Ceremony and the 2005 ESPN College Football Awards. In addition, Scott served as host of CSTV's "Coast to Coach" and has been a featured guest speaker at five BCS Bowls, including the Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Sugar Bowl.
Auburn, Alabama, Florida, California, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State have all hired Scott to entertain and motivate their players.
While at the meeting Scott Moore will broadcast his radio show.
October 21st
Meeting
6:00pm Social---6:30 Supper
Guest Speaker
Steve Shaw
Sports Talk Radio Host
Broadcasting from Craft Farms on Meeting Night
Steve Shaw, Coordinator of SEC Officials, is scheduled to speak at the October 23, 2013 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The meeting takes place at the Craft Farms Clubhouse, starting at 6 pm.
Steve is beginning his third season as Coordinator of Football Officials for the Southeastern Conference, this selection coming after completing 15 years as a Referee in the SEC.
Since becoming a member of the SEC Officiating staff, he was selected for fourteen Post-Season assignments, including two National Championship games, eight BCS Bowls and four SEC Championship Games. They include the 2000 Sugar Bowl, 2005 and 2010 Orange Bowl, the 2003, 2009 and 2011 Rose Bowl, the 2006 and 2008 Fiesta Bowl, 2001 Gator Bowl, 2003 Sun Bowl and the 1997, 1998, 2001 & 2006 SEC Championship Games.
Steve was the President of the SEC Football Officials Association (2009 – 2011), and had served his last three seasons as “Referee – In Chief. He previously worked NCAA games as a member of the Gulf South Conference for six seasons, and was elected as “Referee – In Chief” from 1994 through 1996.
Steve worked High School football for 14 seasons (1981 - 1994) with the Birmingham Football Officials Association – and worked the 1991 Class “6A” Alabama State Championship Game.
Steve has received various officiating awards including the "Rush Lester Silver Dollar Award”. Steve currently serves as Chairman on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). He also serves the NCAA as Chair of the CCA National Mechanics Committee.
A graduate of the University of Alabama, Steve is married to the former Jamelle Kabase and they are current residents of Shoal Creek. Steve retired after 30 years with ATT, holding several management positions including GM for AT&T - Connected Communities, with his organization covering a 9 state territory within the AT&T Southeast footprint.
Steve currently serves as Vice-Chairman for the Region’s Tradition, a Champions PGA Tour event that has donated over $10 Million to local Alabama charities. Steve has been presented the “Class of 2000 – Leadership Award” from the Alabama Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for his leadership in fundraising efforts. He also led the 2001 BellSouth United Way campaign, raising over $2M for the United Way of Central Alabama.
Wednesday, November 6th
Meeting
6:00pm Social---6:30 Supper
Guest Speaker
Ken Meyer
Collegiate & NFL Coach
University of Alabama
San Francisco 49ers--Seattle Seahawks
Ken Meyer (born July 14, 1926) is a former football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He may be best remembered as the head coach of the National Football League's San Francisco 49'rs in 1977.
Ken Meyer was a native of Ashtabula, Ohio. Meyer was a B-17 tail gunner with the 8th Air Force during WWII. He played quarterback at Denison University under legendary football coach Woody Hayes, before Hayes became head coach at the Ohio State University. Meyer set several single season and career school records, one of which still stands, and the team's record was 22-3-0 during his varsity career. He was elected to Denison's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
Meyer gained his first coaching experience as head coach at an Ohio high school. From 1952-1957, he was an assistant at his alma mater before accepting an assistant coaching position at Wake Forest University in 1958. After two years with the Demon Deacons, he moved on to take another assistant position, this time with the Florida State Seminoles. While with Florida State, he recruited and coached future NFL quarterback Steve Tensi and future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Fred Biletnikoff.
Following three years in that capacity, Meyer accepted an assistant's role in 1963 at the Universtiy of Alabama under another legendary coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant. During his five years with the Crimson Tide, he worked with the team's quarterbacks, a group which included future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Joe Namath, as well as Super Bowl winning signal caller Ken Stabler. Alabama's combined record during this time was 47-6-2, including five straight Top 10 seasons, an undefeated year finishing #3 in the country plus two National Championships.
When Dick Nolan was hired as head coach of the 49ers in 1968, he hired Meyer to tutor the team's offensive backs. After one year, Meyer departed to accept a similar role with the New York Jets, reuniting him with Namath. Despite coming off a win in Super Bowl III, the Jets were never able to recapture their magic during Meyer's four years with the team, with major injuries to Namath serving as a major culprit.
On February 6, 1973, Meyer left the Jets to accept the position of offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams, reuniting him with Chuck Knox, who had worked with him at Wake Forest. During four frustrating years, the team reached the NFC Championship game three times, but lost on each occasion.
Meyer became an NFL head coach when the 49ers fired Monte Clark and hired him on April 19, 1977. However, following a 5-9 record, Meyer was fired on January 10, 1978, and returned to coaching nine weeks later as the offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears under new head coach Neill Armstrong. The Bears reached the postseason once in Meyer's three seasons, with the veteran coach resigning on December 24, 1980.
Meyer returned to the college ranks for the next two years, serving as offensive coordinator for Tulane University. When former mentor Chuck Knox became head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, he hired Meyer as an assistant on February 24, 1983 where he was quarterbacks coach until his retirement after the 1991 season. He helped guide the Seahawks to the 1983 AFC Championship game and the 1988 AFC West Division Title.
The American Football Association of Finland, invited Meyer to run a quarterback clinic in 1992 and he returned to the country to coach Turku Trojans for 1993 and the National Team of Finland for 1993-1997. Finland won the European Championship under Meyer in 1993,1995 and 1997. He also was an assistant coach with Team Finland Juniors in the 1996 European Championship tournament held in Frankfurt where Team Finland won all its games.
Cole Cubelic is a former center for the Auburn Tigers. He was a 4-year letterman while on The Plains (1996-2000) and anchored the offensive line his senior year, helping the Tigers win the Western Division title in 2000.
In 2000, Cole was voted a permanent team captain and named to the SEC Good Works Team. From 2003-2008, he served as color commentator for the Auburn Tigers and their pay-per-view television broadcasts.
In 2009, he took a role with the Sun Belt Network and broadcasts as the color commentator for their game of the week. Cole started his transition into terrestrial radio in 2010 when he became host of The Cole Cubelic Show, a one-hour daily show airing on 97.7 The Zone in Huntsville, Alabama.
He has served as color analyst for ESPN, CSS, and Comcast for SEC & Sun Belt football. As host of “The Auburn Hour” Cole can be heard locally on ESPN 1450 AM & 101.1 FM Tuesdays 11-12 in Pensacola.
A native of Homewood, Cubelic currently resides in Huntsville with his wife, Katherine.
Ozzie Newsome played for the University of Alabama, where he started for all 4 years of his college career. Nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz," Newsome made the College Football All-America Team in 1977 and assisted the Crimson Tide to a 42 and 6 overall record during his four seasons. In total, Newsome amassed 102 receptions for 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. His 20.3 average yards per catch was a Southeast Conference record for over 20 years. Newsome was named the Alabama Player of the Decade for the 1970s. He was a two-time All-SEC player (in 1976 and 1977), and named named him SEC Lineman of the Year in 1977 by the Birmingham Quarterback Club and the Atlanta Touchdown Club. In 1994, Newsome was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant called him "the greatest end in Alabama history and that includes Don Hutson. A total team player, fine blocker, outstanding leader, great receiver with concentration, speed, hands."
Newsome was the 23rd pick in the 1978 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. He was named the Browns' Offensive Player of the Year his rookie year, the first time in 25 years that a rookie had received that honor. Newsome went to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, Newsome set a franchise record for receiving yards in a game (191) that stood for 29 years until it was broken in 2013 by Josh Gordon (who recorded 237 and 261 yards in back-to-back games). In 1986, Newsome won the Ed Block Courage Award for playing with injuries, and in 1990 won the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service.
Newsome did not miss a game in his 13-year NFL career, playing in 198 consecutive games as a Brown with 191 starts. He finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns, fourth all-time. In 1999 Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On November 22, 2002, Newsome was named general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, making him the first African-American to occupy that position in the NFL. He had previously been a Front Office Executive since 1991 with the Browns.
Newsome earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV, and earned a second ring after the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII 34-31.
In 2003, Newsome received the United States Sports Academy's highest honor, the Eagle Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to international sport.
Newsome is a member of the Cleveland Browns' "Ring of Honor", becoming a member of the first class inducted on September 19, 2010.
From our November 18th
Meeting
Guest Speaker
Cole Cubelic
Former 4 year Center
and Radio Host for
Auburn University
From Our January 21st
Meeting
Guest Speaker
Ozzie Newsome
4 year Starter with Alabama.
Tight end for the Cleveland Browns, an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.
