The illustrious career of Valdosta State University head baseball coach Tommy Thomas has been extended by at least two games, thanks to the University of West Florida Argonauts.
Thomas, who will retire after 40 years at the Blazer helm, defeated UWF 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Valdosta, Ga. to advance to the Gulf South Conference tournament at Millington, Tenn. Thomas is the winningest active head coach at the NCAA Division II level with 1,308 wins going into Thursday's GSC tournament opener against West Division top seed Ouachita Baptist.
Article courtesy of Valdosta State University Sports Information
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
GC&SU BASEBALL WINS PEACH BELT TITLE
The Georgia College & State University baseball team clinched the Peach Belt Conference regular season title with a doubleheader sweep over Augusta State University in convincing fashion Saturday. The Bobcats won the opener 16-4, and the nightcap 16-2.
Press release courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference
Press release courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference
Friday, April 27, 2007
CSU SOFTBALL #1 IN NATION
The Columbus State University softball team is riding a 35-game winning streak, and the Lady Cougars were rewarded with the nation's top ranking in the latest NFCA Division II poll.
Article courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference
Click here for the most recent NFCA poll.
Article courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference
Click here for the most recent NFCA poll.
COLUMBUS STATE CHEER SQUAD AMONG THE WORLD'S BEST
Thanks to the efforts of head coach Jimbo Davis, the cheerleading squad at Columbus State University has been ranked among the best not only on a national level, but internationally as well.
Article courtesy of Columbus State University Sports Information
Article courtesy of Columbus State University Sports Information
Sunday, April 22, 2007
FRANCIS MARION SWEEPS NORTH GEORGIA--INABINET WINS 300TH GAME!
Patriot sweep North Georgia , hand Inabinet his 300th win
DAHLONEGA, GA. – Junior outfielder Justin Greene drove in five runs to lead 26th-ranked Francis Marion University to a sweep of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at North Georgia College & State University, Saturday afternoon (April 21) and in the process gave head coach Art Inabinet his 300th career coaching win.
Greene hit a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly to account for all three runs in a 3-0 Patriot victory in game one, and then hit a two-run single in extra innings to hand FMU a 6-4 win in game two.
FMU improves to 32-15 overall and 15-11 in the PBC, while North Georgia drops to 27-19 and 12-11. The wins ups Inabinet’s 10-year coaching mark to 300-194-1. He picked up 84 wins at North Greenville College , before coming to Francis Marion where he has won 216 in seven seasons.
In game one, the Patriots got on the board in the third inning without the benefit of a run as Greene plated David Bounds with a sacrifice fly to deep center. Bounds had reached on a walk, moved to second on a fielder’s choice grounder, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt. In the fifth, Greene completed the scoring with a two-run homer that went half way up the hill behind the fence in left field.
Junior All-American right-hander Dylan Owen (8-1) picked up the win with eight shutout innings. He allowed just five hits while striking out 11 Saints. Junior Zach Farry tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his sixth save.
FMU sophomore Jared Barkdoll, who had hits in both games of the twinbill to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, had two of FMU’s five hits in game one.
North Georgia’s Brannon Sikes (3-4) got the loss in 5.2 innings of work, allowing just three hits, but five walks led to three earned runs.
In game two, Francis Marion trailed 4-2 entering the sixth inning of the seven-inning contest. The Patriots rallied to tie the game on two-out RBI singles by senior first baseman Andy Howes and junior shortstop Greg Phelps. In the eighth frame, Greene lined his two-run single to center field, scoring Phelps and Taylor Norfleet.
Phelps ended the game 3-for-4, while senior right fielder Nick Stewart was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Junior lefty Michael Williams (6-2) tossed two hitless innings to earn the win, while Farry earned his seventh save with a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth inning. He is now only one save shy of the Patriot single-season record.
The Saints’ Don Brice (4-2) got the loss in 1.2 innings, as he gave up a run on two hits.
The two teams conclude their three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 1 pm.
Source: Francis Marion University Sports Information
DAHLONEGA, GA. – Junior outfielder Justin Greene drove in five runs to lead 26th-ranked Francis Marion University to a sweep of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at North Georgia College & State University, Saturday afternoon (April 21) and in the process gave head coach Art Inabinet his 300th career coaching win.
Greene hit a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly to account for all three runs in a 3-0 Patriot victory in game one, and then hit a two-run single in extra innings to hand FMU a 6-4 win in game two.
FMU improves to 32-15 overall and 15-11 in the PBC, while North Georgia drops to 27-19 and 12-11. The wins ups Inabinet’s 10-year coaching mark to 300-194-1. He picked up 84 wins at North Greenville College , before coming to Francis Marion where he has won 216 in seven seasons.
In game one, the Patriots got on the board in the third inning without the benefit of a run as Greene plated David Bounds with a sacrifice fly to deep center. Bounds had reached on a walk, moved to second on a fielder’s choice grounder, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt. In the fifth, Greene completed the scoring with a two-run homer that went half way up the hill behind the fence in left field.
Junior All-American right-hander Dylan Owen (8-1) picked up the win with eight shutout innings. He allowed just five hits while striking out 11 Saints. Junior Zach Farry tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his sixth save.
FMU sophomore Jared Barkdoll, who had hits in both games of the twinbill to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, had two of FMU’s five hits in game one.
North Georgia’s Brannon Sikes (3-4) got the loss in 5.2 innings of work, allowing just three hits, but five walks led to three earned runs.
In game two, Francis Marion trailed 4-2 entering the sixth inning of the seven-inning contest. The Patriots rallied to tie the game on two-out RBI singles by senior first baseman Andy Howes and junior shortstop Greg Phelps. In the eighth frame, Greene lined his two-run single to center field, scoring Phelps and Taylor Norfleet.
Phelps ended the game 3-for-4, while senior right fielder Nick Stewart was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Junior lefty Michael Williams (6-2) tossed two hitless innings to earn the win, while Farry earned his seventh save with a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth inning. He is now only one save shy of the Patriot single-season record.
The Saints’ Don Brice (4-2) got the loss in 1.2 innings, as he gave up a run on two hits.
The two teams conclude their three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 1 pm.
Source: Francis Marion University Sports Information
Saturday, April 21, 2007
PEACH BELT CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT UPDATE
The Peach Belt Conference softball tournament continues through Sunday at Augusta, Ga. Click on the link below to follow all the action.
http://www.aug.edu/athletics/sports/softball/07pbc/
http://www.aug.edu/athletics/sports/softball/07pbc/
WEST FLORIDA KNOCKS OFF #6 COLUMBUS STATE
Columbus, GA - West Florida's Bo Williams broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning here Friday as he blasted a three-run home run to center field, giving the Argonauts a 5-2 win over #6 Columbus State. The clout came on an 0-2 count off reliever Blake Norrell (3-1) who suffered his first loss of the season.
UWF (33-14) got on the board first in the third inning as leadoff hitter Peter Antoske lofted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Clay Wallace. Wallace had singled to lead off the frame of CSU starter Korey Noles. Noles battled himself out of a jam in the inning, escaping with only one run allowed despited a bases-loaded situation with no outs.
CSU (38-11) battled back and took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Trent Bianco led off the inning with his fifth home run to tie it. After a walk to Jonnie Geiger, a balk, and a single by Kurt McKee, Billy Howard delivered the go-ahead run with a groundout to make it 2-1.
The Argos knotted the game at two in the fourth as Daniel Jones nubbed a sinking liner to shallow left that scored Justin Wood. Wood reached on a walk with one out and wound up at third after a single and a fielder's choice.
Norrell entered the game in the seventh and promptly got Kyle Andrews for the first out before issuing back-to-back walks to Antoske and Jason Kohl. He got Williams, the leading hitter and run producer for UWF in an 0-2 hole before leaving a pitch out over the plate. Williams maded Norrell and the Cougars pay for the mistake, delivering a long shot to the deepest part of the park.
UWF starter Brett McCullough (8-1) took over from there, pitching out of a jam in the seventh when he enticed a double play grounder from the speedy Jonnie Geiger. He then proceeded to fan the last four hitters he faced to nail down the complete-game gem. He allowed seven hits and fanned five with two walks.
Noles allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts in taking the no-decision. Johnny Floyd finished up for CSU, allowing two hits and fanning one in two and a third innings.
Wood and Jones led UWF at the plate with two hits each, while Bianco and Brad Bowen paced the CSU offense, also with two hits apiece.
The two teams will finish their three-game, non-conference series on Saturday with a 1 PM double header at Ragsdale Field.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
UWF (33-14) got on the board first in the third inning as leadoff hitter Peter Antoske lofted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Clay Wallace. Wallace had singled to lead off the frame of CSU starter Korey Noles. Noles battled himself out of a jam in the inning, escaping with only one run allowed despited a bases-loaded situation with no outs.
CSU (38-11) battled back and took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Trent Bianco led off the inning with his fifth home run to tie it. After a walk to Jonnie Geiger, a balk, and a single by Kurt McKee, Billy Howard delivered the go-ahead run with a groundout to make it 2-1.
The Argos knotted the game at two in the fourth as Daniel Jones nubbed a sinking liner to shallow left that scored Justin Wood. Wood reached on a walk with one out and wound up at third after a single and a fielder's choice.
Norrell entered the game in the seventh and promptly got Kyle Andrews for the first out before issuing back-to-back walks to Antoske and Jason Kohl. He got Williams, the leading hitter and run producer for UWF in an 0-2 hole before leaving a pitch out over the plate. Williams maded Norrell and the Cougars pay for the mistake, delivering a long shot to the deepest part of the park.
UWF starter Brett McCullough (8-1) took over from there, pitching out of a jam in the seventh when he enticed a double play grounder from the speedy Jonnie Geiger. He then proceeded to fan the last four hitters he faced to nail down the complete-game gem. He allowed seven hits and fanned five with two walks.
Noles allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts in taking the no-decision. Johnny Floyd finished up for CSU, allowing two hits and fanning one in two and a third innings.
Wood and Jones led UWF at the plate with two hits each, while Bianco and Brad Bowen paced the CSU offense, also with two hits apiece.
The two teams will finish their three-game, non-conference series on Saturday with a 1 PM double header at Ragsdale Field.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Friday, April 20, 2007
MUST SEE GAMES WEEKEND--BASEBALL
As hard as it is to imagine, the baseball regular season is starting to draw to a close. For the SIAC, however, the postseason has already arrived, sort of. Here's a quick look at some key games to watch for this weekend.
Click on the highlighted link (s) to listen to live audio, or to view live stats.
NOTE: National rankings courtesy of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
BASEBALL
#29 Armstrong Atlantic State (31-14, 11-10) at #24 USC Upstate (29-19, 12-12)
Friday 7 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
The Spartans play host to the Pirates in a three-game series with serious Peach Belt Conference tournament implications. With only the top six teams advancing to the tourney, the loser of this set could be reduced to playing the role of spoiler. AASU enters the series ranked fifth in the latest South Atlantic Region poll, while Upstate comes in seventh.
#11 Georgia College & State University (37-11, 18-6) at #27 USC Aiken (32-15, 14-10)
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 1 p.m. EDT
The Pacers entertain the Bobcats in another critical PBC series. GC&SU ranked second behind Columbus State in the South Atlantic Region poll, while USCA is ranked fourth.
West Florida (32-14) at #6 Columbus State (38-10)
Friday 6 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Speaking of the Cougars, it might be a rare non-conference series this late in the regular season, but it might be the one they need to get much-needed momentum heading into the Peach Belt Conference tournament. CSU must re-group after a 9-2 loss to Montevallo on Wednesday. As for UWF, the Argonauts come into this weekend's series having lost four of their last six contests.
#19 West Alabama (32-13, 9-3) at North Alabama (29-17-1, 5-7)
Saturday, 1 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday, 1 p.m. CDT
A lot will be on the line between these two Gulf South Conference East Division rivals this weekend, as the Lions battle the Tigers. UWA hopes to hang on to first place, while UNA must win at least two out of three games to stay in contention for a GSC tournament berth.
Valdosta State (25-22, 7-5) at #22 Montevallo (36-13, 10-5)
Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 2 p.m. CDT
They may have the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II baseball in the soon-to-be retiring Tommy Thomas. Still, the Blazers find themselves in a must-win situation against the Falcons to keep their postseason hopes from fading.
#26 Francis Marion (30-15, 13-11) at North Georgia (27-17, 12-9)
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 1 p.m. EDT
Since they're ineligible for the Peach Belt Conference tournament, as they're in their second year as a D-II member, all the Saints can do in this series is play spoiler against the Patriots.
#2 Ouachita Baptist (44-4, 14-1) at #20 Southern Arkansas (35-12, 13-2)
Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 2 p.m. CDT
Despite the gaudy record, as well as a spot in the upcoming GSC tourney already having been clinched, the Tigers still need a good showing against the Muleriders to win the Gulf South Conference West Division title.
SIAC Tournament at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Can Albany State repeat as champions, and return to the NCAA Division II tournament?
SIAC Tournament Bracket--Click here.
Click on the highlighted link (s) to listen to live audio, or to view live stats.
NOTE: National rankings courtesy of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
BASEBALL
#29 Armstrong Atlantic State (31-14, 11-10) at #24 USC Upstate (29-19, 12-12)
Friday 7 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
The Spartans play host to the Pirates in a three-game series with serious Peach Belt Conference tournament implications. With only the top six teams advancing to the tourney, the loser of this set could be reduced to playing the role of spoiler. AASU enters the series ranked fifth in the latest South Atlantic Region poll, while Upstate comes in seventh.
#11 Georgia College & State University (37-11, 18-6) at #27 USC Aiken (32-15, 14-10)
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 1 p.m. EDT
The Pacers entertain the Bobcats in another critical PBC series. GC&SU ranked second behind Columbus State in the South Atlantic Region poll, while USCA is ranked fourth.
West Florida (32-14) at #6 Columbus State (38-10)
Friday 6 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Speaking of the Cougars, it might be a rare non-conference series this late in the regular season, but it might be the one they need to get much-needed momentum heading into the Peach Belt Conference tournament. CSU must re-group after a 9-2 loss to Montevallo on Wednesday. As for UWF, the Argonauts come into this weekend's series having lost four of their last six contests.
#19 West Alabama (32-13, 9-3) at North Alabama (29-17-1, 5-7)
Saturday, 1 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday, 1 p.m. CDT
A lot will be on the line between these two Gulf South Conference East Division rivals this weekend, as the Lions battle the Tigers. UWA hopes to hang on to first place, while UNA must win at least two out of three games to stay in contention for a GSC tournament berth.
Valdosta State (25-22, 7-5) at #22 Montevallo (36-13, 10-5)
Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 2 p.m. CDT
They may have the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II baseball in the soon-to-be retiring Tommy Thomas. Still, the Blazers find themselves in a must-win situation against the Falcons to keep their postseason hopes from fading.
#26 Francis Marion (30-15, 13-11) at North Georgia (27-17, 12-9)
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 1 p.m. EDT
Since they're ineligible for the Peach Belt Conference tournament, as they're in their second year as a D-II member, all the Saints can do in this series is play spoiler against the Patriots.
#2 Ouachita Baptist (44-4, 14-1) at #20 Southern Arkansas (35-12, 13-2)
Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)
Sunday 2 p.m. CDT
Despite the gaudy record, as well as a spot in the upcoming GSC tourney already having been clinched, the Tigers still need a good showing against the Muleriders to win the Gulf South Conference West Division title.
SIAC Tournament at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Can Albany State repeat as champions, and return to the NCAA Division II tournament?
SIAC Tournament Bracket--Click here.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
BRUNK NAMED NEW PEACH BELT COMMISH
For Immediate Release, 4/17/07
For Further Information, Contact Ken Gerlinger (706) 860-8499
David Brunk Named Next Commissioner of Peach Belt Conference
AUGUSTA, GA -- The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors and president Dr. Thomas Jones announced the hiring of David Brunk as the next conference commissioner. Brunk will come to the PBC after serving as commissioner of the Northeast-10 Conference for the past nine years. He will become the second commissioner the Peach Belt has had since its founding in 1991. Brunk will replace Marvin Vanover, who will retire from the position on June 30 after 16 years of service.
"I'm very honored and excited by this opportunity," said Brunk from the Northeast-10 conference office in South Easton, Mass. "It is the chance for me to work with some exceptional institutions and people. The Peach Belt has always emphasized academics and highly competitive athletics and the opportunity to be a part of the conference and work with the Board of Directors is very exciting."
Brunk was the first full-time commissioner for the Northeast-10 beginning his tenure in 1998. Under his leadership, the NE10 has added five new institutions and expanded the number of championship sports offered to 23, currently the most offered by any NCAA Division II conference. The NE10 has also led the nation consistently in graduation rates and academic success rates and has been brought to the forefront in the region and the nation.
"We are delighted that David Brunk will be joining the Peach Belt Conference as only its second commissioner. Dave brings a wealth of experiences and proven leadership accomplishments to the Peach Belt, which will allow us to continue as one of the best NCAA Division II conferences in the country," said Dr. Jones.
Brunk began his career in intercollegiate athletics at Morehead State University where he served as Director of the Eagle Athletic Fund before being named Assistant Athletic Director. He also served as the school's head softball coach for two years. He moved from there to work for the NCAA for eight years, beginning work in compliance services which was later merged into membership services. He left the NCAA offices to join the Northeast-10 just prior to the NCAA's move to Indianapolis.
"One thing that I have noticed in my tenure as commissioner at the Northeast-10 is that the Peach Belt Conference is clearly one of the elite Division II conferences in the nation," said Brunk. "The reputation of the institutions and the constituents involved with the Peach Belt Conference are at the highest level and it will be a new challenge for me at this stage of my career to be a part of that."
Prior to his involvement in intercollegiate athletics, Brunk owned and operated several minor league baseball franchises for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He garnered numerous awards for overall business and marketing/promotional excellence.
"There are different areas in which I feel I can implement some of the strategies I employed here that will further enhance the standing of the Peach Belt," said Brunk. "I look forward to devising strategic plans and strategies that will give us ways to get the PBC message out around the country. I'm eager to work with the Board on a strategic plan for the future as a way of building upon what's already there."
Brunk will take over for Marvin Vanover, who helped found the conference in 1990. Since play began in the 1991 season, the PBC has won 24 national championships and had 22 national finalists along with over 300 All-Americans and 50 Academic All-Americans. In recent years, the conference has undergone many membership changes with Kennesaw State and North Florida having moved up to the Division I level with USC Upstate scheduled to make the move to Division I at the end of this year. In the past two years, the PBC has added North Georgia College & State University and Georgia Southwestern State University to its membership.
"I look forward to the challenge of continuing what Marvin Vanover has built," said Brunk. "My goal is to continue to build on the strengths of the Peach Belt and continue the evolution of the league and make it as strong as we possibly can."
Brunk continues to be highly involved with the NCAA. He currently serves as chairman of the Division II Management Council and also serves on the Division II Membership Committee, the Division II Convention Planning Project Team, the Division II Community Advisory Group, the Division II Media Advisory Group, and the Division II Identity Subcommittee.
Brunk is a 1972 graduate of Ball State University and holds a Master's degree in Sports Science and Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters Ashley, 27, and Alexis, 16.
"My wife and daughter are excited about the move," said Brunk, who will relocate to Augusta, Ga., where the PBC offices are located. "We loved it out here and can't wait to get started."
Brunk will begin his duties as Peach Belt Commissioner on July 1.
Source: Peach Belt Conference Media Relations
For Further Information, Contact Ken Gerlinger (706) 860-8499
David Brunk Named Next Commissioner of Peach Belt Conference
AUGUSTA, GA -- The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors and president Dr. Thomas Jones announced the hiring of David Brunk as the next conference commissioner. Brunk will come to the PBC after serving as commissioner of the Northeast-10 Conference for the past nine years. He will become the second commissioner the Peach Belt has had since its founding in 1991. Brunk will replace Marvin Vanover, who will retire from the position on June 30 after 16 years of service.
"I'm very honored and excited by this opportunity," said Brunk from the Northeast-10 conference office in South Easton, Mass. "It is the chance for me to work with some exceptional institutions and people. The Peach Belt has always emphasized academics and highly competitive athletics and the opportunity to be a part of the conference and work with the Board of Directors is very exciting."
Brunk was the first full-time commissioner for the Northeast-10 beginning his tenure in 1998. Under his leadership, the NE10 has added five new institutions and expanded the number of championship sports offered to 23, currently the most offered by any NCAA Division II conference. The NE10 has also led the nation consistently in graduation rates and academic success rates and has been brought to the forefront in the region and the nation.
"We are delighted that David Brunk will be joining the Peach Belt Conference as only its second commissioner. Dave brings a wealth of experiences and proven leadership accomplishments to the Peach Belt, which will allow us to continue as one of the best NCAA Division II conferences in the country," said Dr. Jones.
Brunk began his career in intercollegiate athletics at Morehead State University where he served as Director of the Eagle Athletic Fund before being named Assistant Athletic Director. He also served as the school's head softball coach for two years. He moved from there to work for the NCAA for eight years, beginning work in compliance services which was later merged into membership services. He left the NCAA offices to join the Northeast-10 just prior to the NCAA's move to Indianapolis.
"One thing that I have noticed in my tenure as commissioner at the Northeast-10 is that the Peach Belt Conference is clearly one of the elite Division II conferences in the nation," said Brunk. "The reputation of the institutions and the constituents involved with the Peach Belt Conference are at the highest level and it will be a new challenge for me at this stage of my career to be a part of that."
Prior to his involvement in intercollegiate athletics, Brunk owned and operated several minor league baseball franchises for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He garnered numerous awards for overall business and marketing/promotional excellence.
"There are different areas in which I feel I can implement some of the strategies I employed here that will further enhance the standing of the Peach Belt," said Brunk. "I look forward to devising strategic plans and strategies that will give us ways to get the PBC message out around the country. I'm eager to work with the Board on a strategic plan for the future as a way of building upon what's already there."
Brunk will take over for Marvin Vanover, who helped found the conference in 1990. Since play began in the 1991 season, the PBC has won 24 national championships and had 22 national finalists along with over 300 All-Americans and 50 Academic All-Americans. In recent years, the conference has undergone many membership changes with Kennesaw State and North Florida having moved up to the Division I level with USC Upstate scheduled to make the move to Division I at the end of this year. In the past two years, the PBC has added North Georgia College & State University and Georgia Southwestern State University to its membership.
"I look forward to the challenge of continuing what Marvin Vanover has built," said Brunk. "My goal is to continue to build on the strengths of the Peach Belt and continue the evolution of the league and make it as strong as we possibly can."
Brunk continues to be highly involved with the NCAA. He currently serves as chairman of the Division II Management Council and also serves on the Division II Membership Committee, the Division II Convention Planning Project Team, the Division II Community Advisory Group, the Division II Media Advisory Group, and the Division II Identity Subcommittee.
Brunk is a 1972 graduate of Ball State University and holds a Master's degree in Sports Science and Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters Ashley, 27, and Alexis, 16.
"My wife and daughter are excited about the move," said Brunk, who will relocate to Augusta, Ga., where the PBC offices are located. "We loved it out here and can't wait to get started."
Brunk will begin his duties as Peach Belt Commissioner on July 1.
Source: Peach Belt Conference Media Relations
BRANSON NAMED COLUMBUS STATE HOOPS COACH
Columbus, GA - Exactly one year ago, Doug Branson was named the interim head coach for the Columbus State University men’s basketball program, stepping in after the retirement of Herbert Greene. Today, Branson becomes the fifth head coach in CSU history as the interim tag is officially removed from his title. Branson was selected from a list of five finalists for the position after a grueling search process performed by the Mens’ Basketball Search Committee, Greene, and CSU President Dr. Frank Brown.
“I am truly honored to be named the head coach at Columbus State University,” said Branson. “I know there were some quality candidates who applied for this job and I am honored that the committee and coach Greene had the faith in me to give me this opportunity.”
The announcement of Branson culminates a process that began in mid February. Resumes were accepted until March 15 and the search committee went to work on the more than 50 applications received, narrowing the field to five finalists. Each of the five finalists came to the campus for interviews and the committee then made its recommendation to Greene and Dr. Brown.“
The search committee did a wonderful job, spending a lot of hours and doing a lot of leg work to come up with some excellent candidates. They were very thorough and paid a lot of attention to details in selecting five outstanding candidates. We would like to thank them for their time and effort in this,” said Greene.
“We looked everywhere and came back to the success that our program has had since Doug has been here. Then we factored in his loyalty, his love for CSU, and his devotion to this job. The choice became clear in the end. We are excited about the future of CSU men’s basketball under Doug Branson,” added Greene.
Branson returns a solid nucleus from the 17-12 team he guided in 2006-07. He and his team encountered its share of adversity in 2007 when three players - two of them starters - were dismissed from the team for violating team and school policy. Branson engineered a totally new scheme for the remainder of the season and salvaged a remarkable season in winning 17 games before losing to Lander in the PBC Tournament quarterfinal round.
“We (Branson and wife Toni) came here thinking it would be a stop along the way, but we fell in love with the university and the community and now Columbus is our home. I look forward to leading this program and continuing the success that Herbert Greene established and adding to that success by advancing the program even further,” said Branson.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Analysis: It comes as no surprise that Doug Branson was named the permanent men's basketball head coach at Columbus State, considering what the Cougars went through last season. Naming Branson the head coach will hopefully continue the winning tradition former head and predecessor Herbert Greene established at CSU, not to mention continue to build one of the premier NCAA Division II programs in the nation.
“I am truly honored to be named the head coach at Columbus State University,” said Branson. “I know there were some quality candidates who applied for this job and I am honored that the committee and coach Greene had the faith in me to give me this opportunity.”
The announcement of Branson culminates a process that began in mid February. Resumes were accepted until March 15 and the search committee went to work on the more than 50 applications received, narrowing the field to five finalists. Each of the five finalists came to the campus for interviews and the committee then made its recommendation to Greene and Dr. Brown.“
The search committee did a wonderful job, spending a lot of hours and doing a lot of leg work to come up with some excellent candidates. They were very thorough and paid a lot of attention to details in selecting five outstanding candidates. We would like to thank them for their time and effort in this,” said Greene.
“We looked everywhere and came back to the success that our program has had since Doug has been here. Then we factored in his loyalty, his love for CSU, and his devotion to this job. The choice became clear in the end. We are excited about the future of CSU men’s basketball under Doug Branson,” added Greene.
Branson returns a solid nucleus from the 17-12 team he guided in 2006-07. He and his team encountered its share of adversity in 2007 when three players - two of them starters - were dismissed from the team for violating team and school policy. Branson engineered a totally new scheme for the remainder of the season and salvaged a remarkable season in winning 17 games before losing to Lander in the PBC Tournament quarterfinal round.
“We (Branson and wife Toni) came here thinking it would be a stop along the way, but we fell in love with the university and the community and now Columbus is our home. I look forward to leading this program and continuing the success that Herbert Greene established and adding to that success by advancing the program even further,” said Branson.
Source: Columbus State University Sports Information
Analysis: It comes as no surprise that Doug Branson was named the permanent men's basketball head coach at Columbus State, considering what the Cougars went through last season. Naming Branson the head coach will hopefully continue the winning tradition former head and predecessor Herbert Greene established at CSU, not to mention continue to build one of the premier NCAA Division II programs in the nation.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE SETS GRAND SLAM RECORD
In Peach Belt Conference baseball action Sunday, the Armstrong Atlantic State University Pirates set an NCAA Division II record for grand slam home runs in a single game, hitting three of those en route to a doubleheader sweep over the Augusta State University Jaguars at Savannah, Ga.
Click here for a quick summary, courtesy of the Associated Press.
Other summaries:
Armstrong Atlantic State University Sports Information
Click here for a quick summary, courtesy of the Associated Press.
Other summaries:
Armstrong Atlantic State University Sports Information
COLUMBUS STATE SOFTBALL WINS PBC TITLE
The Columbus State University softball team clinched the Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship with a doubleheader sweep over Augusta State Saturday.
Article courtesy of Columbus State University Sports Information
Article courtesy of Columbus State University Sports Information
Saturday, April 07, 2007
WEST ALABAMA SWEEPS WEST FLORIDA IN DOUBLEHEADER
The 28th-ranked University of West Alabama baseball team swept a doubleheader from 18th-ranked University of West Florida in Gulf South Conference East Division action Friday. The Tigers won both games 12-2 and 10-2. Both the Argonauts and Tigers will wrap up their three-game series with a single game Saturday.
University of West Alabama Press Release
University of West Florida Press Release
University of West Alabama Press Release
University of West Florida Press Release
Thursday, April 05, 2007
MUST SEE GAMES--SOFTBALL
Columbus State (38-2, 14-2) at North Georgia (28-13, 10-2)--(Doubleheader)
Thursday 5 p.m. EDT
The Lady Cougars, who are ranked in the latest NFCA Division II softball poll, will put their 23-game winning streak on the line against the Lady Saints, who split a pair of games against USC Upstate on Tuesday. Unfortunately, for North Georgia, they can't participate in the Peach Belt Conference tournament because of their second-year status at the NCAA Division II level. Still, this appears to be a good twinbill to watch.
Thursday 5 p.m. EDT
The Lady Cougars, who are ranked in the latest NFCA Division II softball poll, will put their 23-game winning streak on the line against the Lady Saints, who split a pair of games against USC Upstate on Tuesday. Unfortunately, for North Georgia, they can't participate in the Peach Belt Conference tournament because of their second-year status at the NCAA Division II level. Still, this appears to be a good twinbill to watch.
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