Charlie Ward
The bi-weekly meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club was called to order at 7:00pm, November 7, 2016 by President David Lee. He noted a lot of Bama Red in the room this evening and it certainly looks like the SEC West Championship is coming down to the Iron Bowl in a few weeks. Alabama is a great football state!
Although Membership Chairman David DeMeyer was absent, President Lee announced a new season high of 106 members.
Since we were having a Heisman Trophy winner as our Guest Speaker, Lee led those assembled through a rousing Heisman Trophy Trivia Quiz that showed that some of our members know way too much about the award!
The Office Football Pool is getting tighter as the season progresses with the Cookie Lady leading all competitors, followed closely by Battleship Bill, BonRon, Chris Reynolds, and Fred Dickinson.
Coach Jamie Williams with Gulf Shores High School gave a Dolphins update, He noted half the football team were Freshmen and Sophomores and were great kids. They play hard. He invited all to come see some wrestling!
Dec McClelland did his usual excellent job with the team reports.
Charlie Ward was introduced as our Guest Speaker. The Thomasville, Georgia native graduated from Florida State University and led them to the 1993 National Championship. He had a passing percentage of 69.5% with only 4 interceptions. Charlie is the most decorated player in college football history and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He is only the second college player to ever get the prestigious Sullivan Award as Most Outstanding Amateur Athlete in America, presented by the AAU.
Basketball was his later claim to fame. A two sport player at FSU, he took the Basketball team almost to the Final Four. Not being drafted by the NFL, he chose to play in the NBA, being drafted in the NBA First Round, and played with the New York Knicks for almost team years, retiring from the NBA after 12 seasons.
He currently is the Head Football Coach at Washington High School in Pensacola. A great mentor to kids, he was coached by his Father. He also is a Community Representative for the Blue Wahoos Baseball team in Pensacola.
Ward said “Lots of pressure makes you successful.” He chose to play for Bobby Bowden at FSU, a good Christian man. Ward said Bowden gave the same halftime speech each game, “Protect the Quarterback and play defense – if they don’t score, we win!” Lots of sacrifice, great comradery, and a Hurry Up offense gave them the edge.
Ward said God blessed him with talent, and he worked hard. His mentality said he wanted to be the best he could be. He certainly attained that goal!!
After the 50-50 drawing, the meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
