Bill Clark
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club opened its November 7, 2022 meeting in the Clubhouse at Craft Farms Golf Resort at 7:00pm. President George Autrey welcomed the crowd of 52 members and guests. No GSHS Scholar-Athletes tonight as all had conflicts. They will be introduced at our 11/21/22 meeting.
The Football Poll again has Cynthia Tunnell ahead of all 25 prognosticators with about a month to go. Tough picking last week when the auto-pick wins!! Congratulations to HiYield!!
GSHS Coach Owen Corcoran gave the Dolphin Report. Girls Volleyball went to the Final Four in the State Tournament and finished with a great 39-18 season. Football is 10-1 and won the first round of the 5A State Playoff against Carroll of Ozark 42-0, the first playoff game here ever!!! Next is travel to Lineville to play a tough Clay Central squad. Live broadcast on Sunny 105.7. Boy’s Swimming qualified 14 for State. Cross Country has ended with Boys in 8th and Girls in 13th. Basketball starts tonight for both teams in Spanish Fort, and Bowling and Wrestling start shortly. GO, DOLPHINS!!!
Team Reports brought forward a newbie to the podium, our own Auburnite, Taylor Means!! After a warm reception, Taylor told us there were reports that our regular TRMC was last seen near a correctional center in South Bend. Handing the duties like a seasoned pro, Taylor rolled through the team reports with little fanfare until the coveted Crying Towel was awarded to Tennessee for their loss to Georgia. Amazing that there were no orange people present – surprise. Bulldog vs the Blue Tick Hound – “Smokey not ready to run with the Big Dogs 27-13”. Great fun!!
Our Speakers this year have been fantastic and this week was no exception. Former UAB Head Football Coach Bill Clark was as dynamic at the podium as he used to be on the field. Born in Anniston, he graduated from Jacksonville State University, coached 9 years at Prattville HS winning 2 State Championships – a record of 109-11! He then went to be Defensive Coordinator at South Alabama when they won 17 straight games. Hired at JSU, he was Head Coach for a season before joining UAB. After 2 successful seasons, UAB shut the football program down, only to revive it 2 years later. Clark went to 5 straight bowls with UAB going 48-26, and won the 1st Conference USA Championship. Unfortunately, UAB was too much politics for him. After retiring with back issues, he may coach again, just not at UAB.
As the son of a Coach, he preaches what he believes, eye contact shows you’re listening, and then you must believe in the program. 3 rules for success with Coach Clark: 1) Be ready, on time or early; 2) Protect the team – behave yourself outside or in class – you represent the school, play for the team, and: 3) Yes/No – no whining, complaining, no excuses. “Does that make sense”, he reiterated.
When UAB started again in 2017, he reestablished pride and positive culture. “What we are known for – Effort. Finish the game, play hard, do what it takes to win. No turnovers! The Ball is the game – hold on!” The team’s Mission Statement said it all – Do it better than it’s ever been done before. That creates 1) confidence, do it over and over, 2) Faith – believing in each other, 3) Trust, and 4) Family. Finally, always get guys who enjoy the game – football is hard. Good job, Coach.
Our annual fundraising golf tournament is November 18th and we need sponsors and players!!
The 50/50 pot was awarded. The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
