Mark Hudspeth
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club opened its August 28, 2023 meeting in the Clubhouse at Craft Farms Golf Resort at 7:00pm. President George Autrey welcomed the crowd of about 60 members and guests.
George welcomed all members and guests and told all we’d try to stay on schedule with our start time. We do need a RSVP for the Craft Farms team to adequately prepare for the buffet meal (which was extremely good) so there are no delays in the meeting.
The annual Football Prolific Pigskin Prognosticators Contest will start with this week’s 12 or so games. A new wrinkle this year is you may pick a key game and, if your pick beats the point spread, you get 3 points credit rather than just one. Might make a difference in the final results in January!
Shug Jordan aka Mayor Steve Means reports his wife is tired of him winning the coveted PP trophy every year, so he urges all to play hard. Cynthia Tunnell aka HiYield has already stated “Momma needs new shoes”, and, as our first two-time Champion, she’s definitely a force to reckon with. Your Secretary knows that too well.
Our Gulf Shores High School Dolphin report was given by new Athletic Director Paul Wilson. Here since February, he loves the place and competitive spirit seen in all male and female sports. Volleyball has started off winning again this year, and of course, GSHS won the opening football game 41-20 over St. Michaels and Coach Philip Rivers. Go, Dolphins!!
Again this year, we will recognize 3-4 male and female scholar/athletes during the year as they compete for GCAC college scholarships worth a minimum of $2,500 each. Dr. Gaylon McCollough and the Board have had this program for many years and its success is notable. Of course, the Club’s purpose is support for GSHS and our athletes and the Club has contributed in excess of $200,000 over the years in support and scholarships. This year will continue that tradition. Dr. McCollough urged the members and guests to support our efforts and told the Club we contributed $10,000this year for the awesome new teal colored helmets for the Dolphins!
Our major fundraising event is our annual golf tournament to be held on Friday, October 28, 2023 at Craft Farms Golf Club. Get your team together and come out and have great fun for a wonderful cause.
Team Reports were given with 19 different teams chiming in on what may or may not happen to their favorites this year. No Crying Towel yet, but just wait until the next meeting!!
Our Speaker is GSHS Head Football Coach Mark Hudspeth, as charismatic a leader as ever found in the High School or College ranks. We’re fortunate to have him as our team runs as efficiently as a college program, acts great, practices great, and plays hard. Coach was 6-6 his first year, then in 2022, led the Dolphins to 11-2 and the third round of the AHSAA Football Playoffs, including the first ever Playoff game held in Gulf Shores.
Coach led the Club in a Snap Count drill and, sorry to say, some of our members were offsides! Coach talked about the transfer portal and its trickle-down effect, with college players now less accountable and the college game changing daily. He talked about great memories in his college coaching career and noted his record is still 3-0 in the Egg Bowl - you Ole Miss and State fans know all about that.
Some random observations during his talk – Coach Hud has 13 players on scholarship from the first two years and 85 players on the team. He has “Graduate Assistant” coaches and all team coaches work with players at lower/young Rec teams to insure the program thrives. The Administration is very supportive.
* “Look good, feel good, play good”
*”Every drive should end in a kick”
*”The way you do anything, it’s the way you do everything.”
*”Players need to be accountable and disciplined.”
*”Make it fun, but also make tough. Make our community better.”
Another great presentation, Coach. We’re delighted you’re here!
GS School System Head Kevin Corcoran talked about where we were in 1999 and where we are now. “Leave it better than you found it”. Dr. McCollough echoed the same sentiment as it’s “a different culture now”.
The 50-50 was awarded to original Club Member Chuck Norwood.
The 9/11/23 GCAC Speaker will be Coach Tony Franklin.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27pm.
