Charlie Hussey
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club opened its September 8, 2025 meeting in the Clubhouse at Craft Farms Golf Resort at 6:55pm. President George Autrey welcomed the crowd of 70 attendees and thanked all for the RSVPs. It’s important we have a good count so Craft Farms can be properly prepared for us. Guests and new and old returning members were introduced.
George reminded all gathered that our annual Fundraiser Golf Tournament would be on Friday, October 24th at Craft Farms. Details are on the GCAC website. We need players and sponsors. We will have our first GSHS Student-Athletes next meeting. GCAC annually gives a $2,500 scholarship to an outstanding Male and Female Student-Athlete at Gulf Shores High School.
Zach Estes gave an update on Week 2 in the Football Pick ‘Em Pool. MagicPicks is currently leading with a slim lead over these hard-charging players, such as JBodie, Zestes, Mildawg, and El Presidente. 41 players in the game at this point.
Coach Watts gave the GSHS Report. It’s been a disappointing year so far. It was tough last week in Saraland and this week, we have a good McGill team coming in town. Volleyball is rolling with a 14-3 record, rated #11 in all classifications. Cross Country has started. GO, DOLPHINS!!
Team Reports and Crying Towel Head Honcho, Dec McClelland, returned in splendor or something like that. After listening to all team reports, both good and bad, the always All-Star Selection panel reviewing the first two weeks’ results declared that Tom and Kansas State earned the Laundry with their 24-21 loss to Army. Several sighs of relief came from the Alabama table.
Speaking of Alabama, Tide Fan Doug King provided the introduction for a familiar face, Deputy Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference Charlie Hussey, who happens to be not only a returning speaker, but Doug and Becky King’s Son-in-Law. Charlie wanted to work for the SEC and, after graduating from Ole Miss in 1999, went to work for them for free! Must have worked as Former SEC Commish Roy Kramer hired him.
Charlie is the COO, handling day-to-day operations, overseeing both ESPN and sponsorships. He touched on about 7 major points before taking questions from the crowd. Going completely to ESPN means greater exposure, plus having highlight games at each timeslot, 11am, 2:30pm, and 6:30pm. It also means we lose Gary Danielson. Viewership increased dramatically in 2024. A new series is on Netflix and is drawing a huge International audience.
Future changes include 9 League games next year, with three annual (not necessarily permanent) opponents, plus 6 other SEC teams that alternate every year, so a team will see every SEC opponent every two years. Playoff expansion was discussed with the SEC having a higher potential for more teams with a larger playoff system. Clear to see as this year, 14 of the 16 SEC teams are ranked in the top 50.
Topics covered in Q&A included Transfer Portal, Payouts, Clearing House and Revenue sharing. SEC Basketball tournament will stay in Nashville, and former Coach David Cutcliffe is the new Assistant Director for Football Relations. Even a mention of your Editor’s Alma Mater, the Sewanee Purple Tigers, a defeated original SEC member.Yep, never won a game at 0-40 in the early 30’s.
The 50-50 was drawn and the $110 was awarded to Dr. Akin and the meeting adjourned at 8:18pm.
Submitted by Bill Tunnell, GCAC Secretary
