Sherman Williams
President Linda Martin opened up the third 2019 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club meeting at 7:00pm on Monday, September 23rd. She threw fear into the hearts of all gathered with the words, “I should bring a cowbell.” Now you know who she supports! New members and guests were introduced.
George Autrey took over the mike and told all of the Office Football Pool after the first four weeks. George just happened to mention that he thought he was on top, which he is! Cary Bathrick and Team Bathrick got 9 of 10 last week. Your Editor can’t remember a better week in the history of the Club’s Football Pool since its beginning in 2016. However, the season is still young!
Coach Matt Blake was introduced and thanked the Club for continuing to honor Student Athletes. GSHS Football is off this week and the team is 1-4 after a bone-crushing schedule this year so far and it doesn’t get any easier. Volleyball is doing great and is 14-5 coming off a tournament victory in Mobile last week. Spirits at school are high and lots of great sports to go this year. GO DOLPHINS!!
In the absence of Dr. Gaylon McCollough, our bi-weekly Student Athlete Scholarship qualifiers Introducer, the job was very ably handled by one of Doc’s Associates at the McCollough Institute, Dr. Yula Indeveya. Doc, gotta tell you she’s a lot prettier than you! Dr. Indeveya proceeded to introduce our Female Student Athlete, Marti McLaurin and her parents. She has a 4.2 GPA and is an outstanding Volleyball player, in fact, she is the #1 Beach Volleyball Player in Alabama. She’s also on the Bowling Team and coaches kids in her spare time. She is going to UAB and pursue an Athletic Training career.Our Male Student Athlete is Thor Tobiasson, who attended with his parents. Thor is #1 in the Senior Class of 207, with a 4.6 GPA and 32 on the ACT. He’s played Varsity Football for 4 years and caught a 72 yard-long touchdown pass last week. He is a Class Officer and member of the National Honor Society. He wants to go to either Auburn or Alabama. He thanked his parents for pushing him.
In the never-ending saga of the missing Dec McClelland, the best ever, Kevin Corcoran gave the Team Reports with a Top 25 rundown, plus some local favorites. The legendary Crying Towel almost predictably went to the deserving recipient, Mr. Poppa Rocco himself, for Michigan’s sound defeat by Wisconsin. Bill would have taken the Crying Towel, except he must have been in Mexico with Dec!
Andrew Hart gave a fine introduction of Sherman Williams, author and former star running back with the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Dallas Cowboys. He was the first player in Alabama to gain more than 3,000 yards in a season at Class 5A Blount High School in Mobile. He played at Bama 1991-94 under Coach Gene Stallings, was drafted #1 by the Cowboys, and was on the Super Bowl 30 winning team.
Sherman and former Tide and Vikings standout David Palmer operate the Palmer Williams Group which offers assistance, encouragement, and life skills training to youngsters all over. Starting his presentation with a prayer, he teaches kids to have the “Heart of A Champion,” when you’re faced with adversity. Sherman, the author of Crimson Cowboy, faced a 15 stint in Federal Prison which motivated him to be better than he was and help others. He said “Help others and have a forgiving heart.”
Graduating from college after that time, Williams is a true example of someone picking themselves up and becoming a success. He had a taste of success early, winning a PeeWee football championship, a Class 5A High School championship, a National Championship at Alabama in 1992, and a Super Bowl with Dallas in 1995. He left us with G.O.A.L.S., Gratitude/be grateful, Take advantage of Opportunities, Accomplisments, Life Lessons, and Success. He said “I leave you with the peace and love of Jesus.”
In a Q&A session, he said he still wears his UA Championship ring, but one of his daughters goes to Clemson. He noted that his former teammate, Dabo Swinney, was quite the recruiter.
The 50/50 was drawn and awarded to Bob Higgins who immediately gave it back to the Club. Adjournment was at 8:30pm.