Antonio Langham
Gulf Coast Athletic Club Meeting November 4, 2025
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club held its November 4, 2025 meeting at the Craft Farms Golf Resort. In the absence of GCAC President George Autrey, former President David Lee welcomed the crowd of 45 football fans at 6:56pm. Introductions of guests ensued.
Zach Estes gave a brief rundown of the current standings of the Prolific Pigskin Prognosticator contest. Still with several weeks to go, the lead is currently held by Matt Akin with Greg Edmonds and former two-time Champion Cynthia Tunnell in hot pursuit. Our picking season will run through the NCAA College Football playoffs.
Treasurer David Harper gave an update on our highly successful fundraising golf tournament on October 24, 2025 at Craft Farms. 108 players competed on the course and at the Silent Auction, coordinated by the Maidens of Mischief which added approximately $2,100. Total income was approximately $37,000 with expenses in the $15,000 range, resulting in about $22,000 available for future scholarships for our Gulf Shores High School Scholar-Athletes. Great job to Fred Dickinson, Taylor Means, and their hard-working committee. Thank you to all our incredible sponsors – couldn’t do it without you!!
Coach Watts gave the GSHS Dolphin Report. Starting with thanking GCAC for all we do, he said the past two weeks yielded two great Football victories, thus putting the Dolphins in the State 6A Playoffs. Sadly, we must travel to Russell County in far eastern Alabama to compete on Friday, November 7th. Basketball has started with the Girls playing this Thursday and the Boys kicking off next Monday night. The Cross Country State Meet is upcoming with 3 qualifiers and Swimming is still ongoing with 7 already qualified for State. Volleyball ended with an elimination in the State Semifinals. Go, Dolphins!!
Dec McClelland did his usual masterful job of twisting the Team Reports into another meeting highlight. After hearing the occasional moans and groans, the coveted Crying Towel, adorned in a brilliant Orange, was awarded to Mason and his Tennessee Volunteers for their loss to the Oklahoma Spooners as they were “Rocky Stopped’. A huge sigh of relief came from the Auburn crowd who lost game and Coach.
Standing in for our incredible Dr. Gaylon McCollough, longtime Alabama fan and graduate Fred Dickinson introduced probably one of the finest players ever to grace GCAC with his presence. Former Alabama Defensive Back Antonio Langham is arguably one of the absolute few best Defensive Backs to ever play the game and was recognized last year with his popular selection to the NCAA Football Hall of Fame.
Playing for Coach Gene Stallings at Bama from 1990-93, T.O., as he’s known in his hometown of Town Creek, Alabama, had a 49-1 college career and was then drafted 9th overall by the Cleveland Browns, where his two Defensive Coordinators were two guys named Belicheck and Saban (your Editor thinks these guys may have known a thing or two about football). Twice All American, Antonio also won the Jim Thorpe Award and Jack Tatum Trophy as Nation’s Best Defensive Back. He lives in the Birmingham area now.
In one of the most enjoyable meetings of the year, he talked about growing up with Bama legends, the Goode family, who were his First Cousins. Talking about his football journey, he said it was fun and something special. He told a story of a particularly bad Alabama practice and his motivation to play better than becoming a ditch digger back home. Some really great stories centered around his recruitment by both State powerhouses.
Saying he played with great guys and the greats of the game at all levels, Coach Bill “Brother” Oliver was a main contributor to his achievements as was Coach Stallings. He is coaching youth players now and is trying to groom these kids for life. He is sad to see NIL and its impact as the almighty dollar runs the game. It’s out of hand, but only one Transfer Portal per year and more NCAA interaction may help. He hates to see that it’s “pay for play”, but understands that’s today’s game.
Finishing up with some more great stories about former Auburn Coach Pat Dye, former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, and Coach Saban, it was clearly a night where Speaker and Audience had a great time together. Come back any time, T.O.
The 50-50 was drawn and donated back, thank you! The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Tunnell, GCAC Secretary
