Past President Taylor Means opened the October 26, 2026, meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at 7:00pm. About 50 members and guests gathered at the Craft Farms Golf Resort and were greeted with a warm welcome. Taylor acknowledged our Scholar-Athletes present with their parents, and several guests and a new member were introduced.
Our annal fundraising golf tournament was Friday, October 23, 2026. Taylor thanked all our Golf Sponsors for a great year, Kitty’s Kafe, One Club, Fiber-Seal, Lee Charities, Inc., Papa-Rocco’s, Doc’s Seafood Shack, The Sloop, Brent Burns, and others for their support. Thanks to the Maidens of Mischief for the Silent Auction. Thanks to Tournament Director Fred Dickinson and the event team, Emily Simmons, David Lee, and George Autrey and others. We had 87 golfers and should net enough to fund our scholarships for a few years.
Zach Estes gave the Pick ‘Em Pool update. Colorado Buffalo Karen Sabatino is leading the pack, with Professor Lee and Greg Edmonds close behind. Lots of weird games to go.
The GSHS Dolphins Report was given by Coach Jason Watts. Football continues to win, with only Bayside Academy remaining for an undefeated season, and already 5A Region Champions and fun to watch! Cross Country is #2 in the County. Wrestling and Basketball teams are getting ready for season openers. GO, DOLPHINS!!
Dec McClelland once again led the Team Reports. After much pain and gnashing of teeth, several sighs were heard around the room as Matt and Iowa were crowned Champions this week and was presented with the coveted Crying Towel for their 13-10 loss to Minnesota.
Dr. McCollough introduced our second group of GSHS Scholar-Athletes. Our Female contender is Haven Spruill, a soccer player with 3 letters and Captain. She also qualified for State in Track. She is a Student Trainer with AP and Dual enrollment courses. She has a 3.88 GPA and 30 on the ACT. She wants to go to UAB or Auburn and study to become a Trauma Surgeon. She ended with a nice presentation and a Roll Tide.
Our Male Scholar-Athlete is Woods McElroy, a stalwart on the Baseball Team. He is in the Honors program, is part of the Hugh O’Brien Scholarship program, and was Ironman of the Week. He will major in Business Finance and wants to get a Teaching Certificate, also be a Baseball Coach. He’s looking at Huntington College in Montgomery.
Our All-Around Superstar, Doctor McCollough, introduced our Guest Speaker, A. P. Steadham, a longtime Football Writer for the Associated Press, and a voter for the Heisman, Maxwell, and Biletnikoff Awards. Having read Mr. Steadham’s work for many years, Your Editor knows this gentleman knows a thing or three about College Football.
Starting out, his predictions for the Playoffs this year are Miami, Georgia, Ohio State, Indiana, UCLA, Texas, Boise State, Kentucky, BYU, Alabama, Northwestern and Notre
Dame. He said most people don’t like players being paid, but they like the results. “Now, it’s legal!” NCAA and Coaches used to control players, now that’s reversed, they must manage players. There must be control and a CAP somewhere, but Congress is not the answer.
In Q&A, he said there is no loyalty and too often, coaches must recruit their own players to keep them out of the Portal. Enlarging the Playoffs looks more like Basketball. He’ll vote for Heisman on December 6th and OSU’s Smith is a great player. Excellent evening, Sir!!
After the 50-50 was awarded to Kentucky Fan Robert Monk, the meeting adjourned at 8:24pm
Respectfully presented,
Bill Tunnell, Secretary
