Al Del Greco
Acting President Andrew Hart welcomed all to the November 20, 2017 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. He received great applause when he said he’d tell no bad jokes. He also thanked all the speakers associated with the University of Alabama as there’s lots of orange in the crowd tonight for former Auburn standout, Al Del Greco.
After introductions of our guests, including the parents of our Scholar/Athletes, Andrew proclaimed only one more week of the Office Football Pool. Fred Dickinson has a slim lead over Battleship60, Bill Tunnell.
GSHS Athletic Director Coach Blake said the Swim Team has had 5 qualify for the State Meet, with two Individual winners. GSHS is hosting a basketball tourney and the Wrestling Team starts next week. The Bowling Team is doing great and it’s a positive attitude at school!!
Linda Martin reported on the December 4th Trivia Night. All 20 tables have been sold, but she needs all to pay up. Craft Farms is allowing food in, but will have beverages available. All funds received go directly to the GCAC Foundation. Awards are for winners of best table decorations as well.
Dr. Gaylon McCullough introduced our Scholar/Athletes for this month. Caitlyn Wyers has a 3.7 GPA and is inspired by her mother, who doesn’t let her settle for average. She is a Basketball player and wants to study Physical Therapy at UAB. Devon Swainston is on the Football, Basketball, and Track teams. He is a proud representative of GSHS at Boys’ State and his father is currently on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. Devon hasn’t chosen a college yet, but wants to study Physical Therapy and always puts forth his best effort that he got from his father.
Dec McClelland handled the Team Reports a bit differently since UA Cheerleader Barb Patty was absent, due to a new shoulder replacement. Dec announced the Crying Towel was not given for a single week’s performance (or lack of), but for a season of mediocrity. He then called on Vol Fan John McCormick to receive the Towel for Tennessee’s lackluster season, which included the dismissal of their Coach. “We need a new Coach. Any Volunteers?”
Andrew Hart introduced Al Del Greco, former star placekicker for the Auburn Tigers, where he made 110 of 111 extra points! He also scored 1,592 points in the NFL. He is the Golf Coach at Sanford in Birmingham, holds a +1 handicap (Editor’s Note: That’s awesome!), holds the Celebrity Lowest Score Record, and is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
He co-hosts a sports radio show daily on WJOX in B’ham and very proud his son was an Academic All American of the Golf Team at Vanderbilt. He noted all student-athletes have a tough time balancing everything. Al walked on at Auburn after a high school career in Miami, Florida, but became the first kicker to receive a scholarship.
He had lots of great breaks along the way, was chosen by Green Bay, but former St. Louis Cardinals Coach Gene Stallings (who later coached at Alabama) made him work hard after a trade, and made him develop discipline, the reason he was able to play 10 more years.
He has hosted the radio show with Jay Barker for 12 years, still loves golf, and is recognized as Chi Chi Rodriquez. He’s just become a grandfather and credits his own father for great advice, that your behavior is something to be proud of. He says he loves the mental aspect of golf, its discipline especially.
He ended with telling Auburn fans to lay off Coach Gus Malzahn. Calm down and trust the coach. Bama’s wins are not the norm and Coach Saban won’t be there forever. Great presentation!
The 50-50 drawing was awarded to Chuck Norwood. Hart adjourned the meeting at 8:22pm.
