Thursday, July 27, 2006
PBC COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Marvin Vanover Announces Retirement
Peach Belt Commissioner to End 16-Year Term in June 2007
7.27.06
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Marvin Vanover, the only commissioner the Peach Belt Conference has ever had, announced his retirement at a press conference in Augusta on Thursday. Vanover, who coached basketball at Augusta State University for 25 years before helping found the Peach Belt, will retire on June 30, 2007, bringing an end to a prestigious career in collegiate athletics.
“This is the right time for me to step aside,” said Vanover. “I’ve had a good career, I’d just like to do some other things in my life, travel, spend time with my family. Do a lot of things that I haven’t had an opportunity to do. I’ve enjoyed my work so much through the years I’ll always attend a lot of the events. I guess I’ll just have to start buying a ticket to go.”
Beginning in 1989, Coach Vanover became involved with the initial planning of the Peach Belt Conference and was asked to serve as an interim commissioner in April of 1990 for one year. He was named the PBC’s first full-time commissioner in June of 1991.
“We are immensely grateful to have worked so closely with Commissioner Vanover,” said Dr. Thomas Jones, president of Armstrong Atlantic State University and PBC president for the 2006-07 season. “He has been the only commissioner the conference has had and through his leadership and guidance he has established one of the outstanding conferences in all of Division II. Speaking for the Board of Directors and my fellow presidents, we are sorry to see him go but wish him the best and thank him for leaving such a legacy behind.”
Under his tenure, the Peach Belt Conference has grown into one of the preeminent Division II Conferences in the nation with 24 National Championships in only 16 years. In 2006, the USC Aiken men’s golf team won their third straight national title, bringing the conference its 24th title. The PBC has also fielded 22 national finalists, including the 2006 Armstrong Atlantic State women’s tennis team and the Columbus State men’s golf team, who finished second to USCA. Peach Belt Conference teams have won national titles in men’s basketball, women’s tennis, men’s tennis, softball and baseball. Over 300 PBC student-athletes have been named All-Americans in the conference’s history.
“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work for a board of directors and an athletic directors council that have been so committed to the development of this conference,” said Vanover. “They made my work so much easier and much more fun and allowed us to reach the stature the conference has achieved.”
As a coach, Vanover led the Jaguars for 23 years including two straight NAIA District 25 championships in 1970 and ‘71. Aside from winning the regional and advancing to the NAIA national tournament, the 1969-70 team was ranked #5 in the nation with a 27-3 overall record, the best by a Vanover-led team. In 1978 he led the team to their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance, where the Jaguars faced current Division I power Central Florida.
It was also during this time that Vanover produced All-Americans Joe McBride (1970) and Chip Wilson (1971). Coach Vanover also received many accolades of his own including the NAIA District 25 Coach of the Year and the Georgia Collegiate Coach of the Year from the Atlanta Tipoff Club for the 1969-70 season. It was also during this time that “Marvin Vanover Day” was declared in Augusta on February 14, 1970, and he was named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of his home state. He received a certificate of commendation from the mayor of Augusta and the Georgia state senate, as well as a commendation presented personally by the Governor of Georgia.
He went on to be named Coach of the Year in 1975-76 and in 1980-81 from the South Atlantic Conference as he moved the Jaguar program to the NCAA Division II level. In 1980-81 he was also named Coach of the Year in the NCAA’s south district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The road leading to ASU’s Fieldhouse was named in his honor on Nov. 18, 2003, which was also declared Marvin Vanover day in Augusta.
Vanover served as the commissioner of the South Atlantic Conference in 1981-82 and was instrumental in moving the Augusta College program up to the NCAA Division I level as a part of the newly formed Big South Conference in 1983.
“This was a difficult decision, but it is my second retirement,” said Vanover with a smile. “You get to know people in athletics in ways you don’t in other aspects of life. And you come away with a lot of respect, the coach or player you battle the hardest against can become your lifelong friend, that’s just the nature of athletics. I am fortunate to have many people who I consider friends at every school I have either coached for or against or who have been a part of the Peach Belt Conference. I will take those friendships with me, its one of the greatest rewards of my career.”
A native of Harlan, Ky., Vanover graduated from Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Physical Education and has served on the GSU alumni board. He was awarded the Lettermen Club Award from his alma mater in 1980 and also holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from Peabody College. He is the proud father of two children, a daughter, Holly, and a son, Derek.
Dr. Jones stated that the Peach Belt board of directors, comprised of the presidents of the member schools, will convene soon to establish the search and screening process for a new PBC Commissioner. Applications and nominations for the position will not be accepted until an official public notification of the search is announced.
Source: Peach Belt Conference
UNC PEMBROKE SID NAMED
PEMBROKE, N.C. -- Todd Anderson was named Sports Information Director (SID) for the growing athletic programs at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Anderson comes to UNCP from Mississippi State University, where he served as assistant director for athletic media relations for seven seasons. While in Starkville, he served as the primary contact for women's soccer and softball while also assisting with men's and women's basketball.
A sports reporter and editor for the student newspaper at the University of Alabama, Anderson has considerable writing experience, including correspondent work for ESPN.com, Collegiate Sports Partners and The Birmingham News. At Alabama, he was a student assistant and intern for the athletic media relations department.
He reports to Braves' Athletic Director Dan Kenney.
"UNCP is excited to have Todd Anderson join our athletic family," Kenney said. "Our search was focused on hiring a young leader who possesses all the necessary skills that today's sports information director needs to have. Todd's experience will be a plus as we add new sports to UNCP.
UNCP will add women's golf in 2006 and football in 2007 as its programs and facilities grow. Anderson said he is happy to be on board.
"There are significant challenges ahead for Braves' athletics," he said. "We are building all our programs and starting new programs. This is a tremendous career opportunity, and this kind of challenge is very appealing to me personally. My assistant and I will be immersed in the job of putting out top quality sports information.
Anderson was a journalism major at Alabama and he will continue to work on a master's degree at UNCP. His media guides for softball and soccer have won five national awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including a "Best In The Nation" laurel for his 2005 soccer publication.
A native of Sarasota, Fla., Anderson has broad experience in writing, publications and Web management as well as press box management, maintaining statistics and game and tournament management.
Source: UNC Pembroke Athletic Department
Anderson comes to UNCP from Mississippi State University, where he served as assistant director for athletic media relations for seven seasons. While in Starkville, he served as the primary contact for women's soccer and softball while also assisting with men's and women's basketball.
A sports reporter and editor for the student newspaper at the University of Alabama, Anderson has considerable writing experience, including correspondent work for ESPN.com, Collegiate Sports Partners and The Birmingham News. At Alabama, he was a student assistant and intern for the athletic media relations department.
He reports to Braves' Athletic Director Dan Kenney.
"UNCP is excited to have Todd Anderson join our athletic family," Kenney said. "Our search was focused on hiring a young leader who possesses all the necessary skills that today's sports information director needs to have. Todd's experience will be a plus as we add new sports to UNCP.
UNCP will add women's golf in 2006 and football in 2007 as its programs and facilities grow. Anderson said he is happy to be on board.
"There are significant challenges ahead for Braves' athletics," he said. "We are building all our programs and starting new programs. This is a tremendous career opportunity, and this kind of challenge is very appealing to me personally. My assistant and I will be immersed in the job of putting out top quality sports information.
Anderson was a journalism major at Alabama and he will continue to work on a master's degree at UNCP. His media guides for softball and soccer have won five national awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including a "Best In The Nation" laurel for his 2005 soccer publication.
A native of Sarasota, Fla., Anderson has broad experience in writing, publications and Web management as well as press box management, maintaining statistics and game and tournament management.
Source: UNC Pembroke Athletic Department
PERSONNEL CHANGES ANNOUNCED AT COLUMBUS STATE
COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Columbus State University Athletic Director Herbert Greene is preparing for an active fall semester with some newly announced personnel changes.
Mike Peacock, formerly CSU’s sports information director, has been named assistant athletic director for communications and compliance. Brian Padgett, who was assisting in the sports information office, is now the director.
Peacock was CSU’s first full-time sports information director. Formerly a high school coach in Alabama, he was hired into the position as an experiment in 1995, but quickly became invaluable, producing stories and tracking statistics for all of CSU’s Division II sports.
In his new position, Peacock will oversee the athletic department’s communications efforts, will monitor CSU’s adherence to NCAA compliance policies and monitor the eligibility and progress of CSU’s student athletes.
Previously, this important function was housed outside the athletic department.
“We needed to get compliance and eligibility monitoring within the athletic department, but we didn’t want a coach to do it,” Greene said. “This move will streamline everything. The coaches will have a direct line to the compliance and eligibility official. Most schools are going to this kind of operation.”
Brian Padgett, who started in the athletic department as a graduate assistant in 2000, was assistant golf coach while also helping sports information duties. He will retain his role as assistant golf coach as he moves full time to sports information director.
Additionally Mike Greene, facility coordinator for the Lumpkin Center, will assist with marketing the athletic programs this year.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Mike Peacock, formerly CSU’s sports information director, has been named assistant athletic director for communications and compliance. Brian Padgett, who was assisting in the sports information office, is now the director.
Peacock was CSU’s first full-time sports information director. Formerly a high school coach in Alabama, he was hired into the position as an experiment in 1995, but quickly became invaluable, producing stories and tracking statistics for all of CSU’s Division II sports.
In his new position, Peacock will oversee the athletic department’s communications efforts, will monitor CSU’s adherence to NCAA compliance policies and monitor the eligibility and progress of CSU’s student athletes.
Previously, this important function was housed outside the athletic department.
“We needed to get compliance and eligibility monitoring within the athletic department, but we didn’t want a coach to do it,” Greene said. “This move will streamline everything. The coaches will have a direct line to the compliance and eligibility official. Most schools are going to this kind of operation.”
Brian Padgett, who started in the athletic department as a graduate assistant in 2000, was assistant golf coach while also helping sports information duties. He will retain his role as assistant golf coach as he moves full time to sports information director.
Additionally Mike Greene, facility coordinator for the Lumpkin Center, will assist with marketing the athletic programs this year.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Saturday, July 15, 2006
CSU BASEBALL OFFSEASON UPDATE
Columbus, GA - Several current and former Columbus State baseball players are playing well in various baseball leauges around the country. Four current players are in various collegiate leagues, while two former players are playing professionally in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' organization.
C.J. Bressoud, a catcher who sat out during the 2006 season at CSU, is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the Torrington Twisters. Teammate Bryan Kilgore, a pitcher, was also on the Twisters roster, but was forced to come home due to an injury problem. Bressoud is hitting .263 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI in 24 games. He leads the team with a .447 slugging percentage and his six doubles are also tops on the team. The team is based in Torrington, CT.
Two players, Jonnie Geiger and Drew Candlin, are playing in the Valley Collegiate League. Geiger playes for the New Market Rebels in New Market, VA, and is hitting a solid .338 so far in 22 games. He has four doubles, two triples, a home run, and is 15-17 in stolen bases. He is second on the team in hitting and has yet to make an error defensively.
Candlin plays for the Haymarket Senators in Alexandria, VA. He is hitting .356 on the season with a double, a homer, and 13 RBI. He is 2-3 in stolen bases and is second on his team in hitting.
Rising senior Kurt McKee is playing for the Petersburg (VA) Generals in the Coastal Plain League. Although he is struggling a bit offensively (.186 avg.) he is second on the team in RBI with 10 and is 2-3 in stolen bases in 27 games started. He leads the team defensively with only two errors on the year, good for a .986 fielding percentage.
Former players Garrett Groce and Brian Baker are playing in the Tampa Bay organization and both are at the A level. Groce has spent the entire season playing for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and is enjoying another solid year in his second season of professional ball. Groce is hitting .281 in 81 games with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 32 RBI. He has stolen 19 bases on the season. He leads the team in hits with 81 and also leads in walks with 30. He is second on the team in doubles, homers, and RBI.
Baker, a right-handed pitcher, left extended spring training and was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, a short-season team in the New York - Penn League. The all-time saves leader at CSU has appeared in seven games and has a 0-0 record with two saves in 10.2 innings pitched. He has allowed seven hits, fanned 11, and holds a 3.38 ERA. His save total is tied for tops on the pitching staff.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
C.J. Bressoud, a catcher who sat out during the 2006 season at CSU, is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the Torrington Twisters. Teammate Bryan Kilgore, a pitcher, was also on the Twisters roster, but was forced to come home due to an injury problem. Bressoud is hitting .263 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI in 24 games. He leads the team with a .447 slugging percentage and his six doubles are also tops on the team. The team is based in Torrington, CT.
Two players, Jonnie Geiger and Drew Candlin, are playing in the Valley Collegiate League. Geiger playes for the New Market Rebels in New Market, VA, and is hitting a solid .338 so far in 22 games. He has four doubles, two triples, a home run, and is 15-17 in stolen bases. He is second on the team in hitting and has yet to make an error defensively.
Candlin plays for the Haymarket Senators in Alexandria, VA. He is hitting .356 on the season with a double, a homer, and 13 RBI. He is 2-3 in stolen bases and is second on his team in hitting.
Rising senior Kurt McKee is playing for the Petersburg (VA) Generals in the Coastal Plain League. Although he is struggling a bit offensively (.186 avg.) he is second on the team in RBI with 10 and is 2-3 in stolen bases in 27 games started. He leads the team defensively with only two errors on the year, good for a .986 fielding percentage.
Former players Garrett Groce and Brian Baker are playing in the Tampa Bay organization and both are at the A level. Groce has spent the entire season playing for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and is enjoying another solid year in his second season of professional ball. Groce is hitting .281 in 81 games with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 32 RBI. He has stolen 19 bases on the season. He leads the team in hits with 81 and also leads in walks with 30. He is second on the team in doubles, homers, and RBI.
Baker, a right-handed pitcher, left extended spring training and was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, a short-season team in the New York - Penn League. The all-time saves leader at CSU has appeared in seven games and has a 0-0 record with two saves in 10.2 innings pitched. He has allowed seven hits, fanned 11, and holds a 3.38 ERA. His save total is tied for tops on the pitching staff.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Monday, July 10, 2006
VSU VOLLEYBALL INKS FIVE
The start of the fall sports season may be weeks off, but the Valdosta State University volleyball program and head coach Sia Poyer are building for the future, as the Lady Blazers signed five recruits for the upcoming 2006 season.
Press Release
Press Release
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