Charlie Hussey
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club opened its September 12, 2022 meeting in the Clubhouse at Craft Farms Golf Resort. President George Autrey welcomed the crowd of 65 members and guests at 6:52pm.
With so many “new” faces over the past several years, Co-Founding Member Chuck Norwood gave the crowd an amazing history of a “pretty special club” that has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Gulf Shores High School Athletics and GSHS Student-Athletes. He mentioned Board Members like the late Joe Gilchrist, Dr. Gaylon McCollough for starting the Student-Athlete Scholarship program, David Lee for starting the GCAC Foundation, and others. He finished his remarks with an astonishing list of speakers over the past 20-plus years that included almost every notable sports figure ever except Bear Bryant and Shug Jordan. He stated the original (and still) motto was to have fun and make money for GSHS.
Guests and new members were introduced around the room after opening comments. President George announced the golf tournament will be held on November 18th and it’s our major fundraiser for scholarship money and GSHS athletic donations. He said that, even in our past three ‘Covid’ years, we have contributed more than $40,000 in donations and male and female student-athlete scholarships.
The Prolific Pigskin Prognosticator contest, commonly known as the Office Football Poll, is back and currently Mayor Steve Means is on top. 29 are participating to win the coveted trophy.
The Dolphin Report, delivered by Coach Owen Corcoran, has Football starting the year at 3-0 for the first time ever in history, although UMS, with some homer Mobile officials, defeated the Dolphins 35-28 last Friday night. Coach Hudspeth has them playing great ball in 5A. Volleyball is 22-11, cross country has started, and swimming is around the corner.
Dec McClelland broke up the crowd as usual with the Team Reports. Dec missed calling on Fred Dickinson for the Alabama report which led your Editor’s table thinking the Tide would get the illustrious Crying Towel for its lackluster, but winning, performance against the Longhorns. The CT Committee, chaired by Dec, gave the award to Wisconsin for its loss to the late David DeMeyer’s beloved Washington State Cougars, failing to give the Crying Towel to Dec’s own 0-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This “oversight” brought former 15-year Team Report Veteran, Kevin Corcoran, up to the podium for some casual personal reflections about the controversial decision, but Dec pointed out he was the committee!! Good fun.
New member Doug King brought us a phenomenal program with his son-in law, Charlie Hussey. Charlie has one of the coolest jobs ever – Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the Southeastern Conference. Yup, Commissioner Greg Sankey’s right-hand man. Charlie, an Ole Miss grad, started out of college as an unpaid intern, but has worked himself into a prime position after 22 years. He is the liaison with the SEC AD's and oversees all TV & ESPN.
He gave a slide presentation with bullets and explanations on almost every aspect of the SEC, NCAA, CFP, and other noteworthy tidbits that occupy his life on a daily basis. It’d take your Editor another day to write it all down, but here are some highlights:
*He’s working on an upcoming SEC Basketball documentary similar to the recent College Football 150.
*He helped launch the SEC Network on ESPN, the most successful cable channel launch in history.
*He said NIL needs Congressional action and oversight to insure enforceable standards.
*Commissioner Sankey saved the COVID year with his decision to play a 10-game all-SEC schedule.
*Lots of talk about the 12 team CFP, Texas and Oklahoma joining the League, and TV contracts.
*Pirate’s Cove was included in this year’s SEC Football hype video., plus comments on the new ESPN+.
*Coaches & Ads want a “clean rotation” of who plays who in an 8 year football scheduling cycle.
*Other topics hit on mental health, NCAA transformation, Transfer Portal, TV rights that go to Disney.
Your Editor’s opinion, but one of the most informative and entertaining programs in recent history.
The 50/50 pot was awarded to Chuck Norwood and President George said our Speaker donated his speaker’s fee to the Crippled Children’s Foundation.
Next meeting on September 26th will feature Scott Myers, CEO/Executive Director of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
The meeting adjourned at 8:33pm.
