2023 Samford Football vs Shorter

game day

michael hiers graduate | quarterback

Editor: Joey Mullins

Senior Graphic Designer: Scott Camp

Rylee Jones and Corey Green

Parker

SOCIAL MEDIA

Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs 24/7 through the following social media outlets:

SamfordSports

samfordsports

samfordsportsnetwork

samfordsports

INTERNET

The official website of Samford University athletics is samfordsports com A partnership of Samford athletics and SideArm Sports, the internet home of the Bulldogs, is full of the most up-to-date information on football and Samford’s 16 other varsity sports With news stories, coaches’ and studentathletes’ biographies, plus team rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, results and video, the most comprehensive coverage of the Bulldogs can always be found online at samfordsports com

BROADCASTS

For the ESPN broadcasts, Blake Gardner will handle play-by-play duties Damian Mitchell will provide color commentary, while Lynden Blake will serve as the

sideline reporter Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ can be accessed via the ESPN App across most internet-connected media devices or on ESPN com ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN . It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films . It is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, and is also be available through ESPN .com .

Bulldogs Head Coach Chris Hatcher

Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec . 11, 2014 . Entering his ninth season at Samford in 2023, Hatcher boasts a career record of 172-95 in 23 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State . Hatcher is Samford’s all-time winningest coach, with a record of 51-38 with the Bulldogs In his time at Samford, his team’s have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories .

During the 2022 season, Hatcher led the Bulldogs to the program’s best season in over 30 years . Samford posted a final record of 11-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 mark in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright SoCon title . The team also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991 Samford’s 10 regular season wins were tied for the most in program history, and the eight conference wins were the most ever for the program . The 11 total wins were the second most in Samford football history

Following the 2022 season, Hatcher was named the SoCon Coach of the Year, and he also earned Region 2 Coach of the Year honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) . In addition to Hatcher’s awards, quarterback Michael Hiers was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, the fifth time in Hatcher’s first eight seasons that the Samford quarterback earned the award In the fall of 2021, Hatcher’s offense produced the FCS’ all-purpose yards leader in Montrell Washington (176 . 18 ypg .) . Quarterback Liam Welch also put up impressive numbers, ranking seventh in the nation in passing yards per game (306 0 ypg )

As a team last fall, the Bulldogs ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (448 .7 ypg .), ninth in passing offense (307 5 ypg ) and sixth in scoring offense (37.9 ppg .) .

Hatcher led his team in the first-ever spring season in the spring of 2021, after the 2020 fall season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . During the spring season, the Samford offense led the Southern Conference in scoring offense (40 .3 ppg .), total offense (513 .9 ypg .), passing offense (353 . 1 ypg .) and pass efficiency (148 1) On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog defense led the league in opponent third-down conversions (31 .0%) and turnovers caused (18)

Individually, Welch was named the SoCon’s Co-Offenive Player of the Year for the spring season Welch and safety Chris Edmonds were both named All-Americans following the season .

In 2019, the Bulldogs led all of FCS football in punt return average (19 .41 ypr .), and the team ranked second nationally in fewest penalties per game (3 .58) . Samford also led the SoCon in first downs (22 .6 pg .), and the team ranked second in the league in scoring offense (32 2 ppg ) and passing offense (239 .2 ypg .) .

Hatcher’s 2018 team posted the program’s eighth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history . Also during the season, quarterback Devlin Hodges became the FCS’ all-time leader in career passing yards . Hodges also earned the highest individual honor at the FCS level, the highest individual honor at the FCS level, winning the Walter Payton Award . Additionally, he was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year for a third-straight season .

Also in 2018, Hodges set school records for single-season completions (388), attempts (550), passing yards (4,283) . Hodges was named the SoCon’s Offensive Player of the Year and a third team All-American at the conclusion of the season .

In 2017, Hatcher led the team to an 8-4 record

with.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.

Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play, evaluated by a doctor, monitored and not left alone.

To make an appointment, please call 205-934-1041.

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A concussion is nothing to play

and a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for a second-straight season for the first time since 1992 .

As a unit, the 2016 Samford offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349 .4 passing yards per game . The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90 .2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155 .24), 12th in scoring offense (35 . 1 ppg .) and 14th in total offense (446 2 ypg )

In his first season at Samford in 2015, Hatcher put his stamp on the Bulldog program Samford finished the season third in the nation in passing offense (332 .9 ypg .), seventh in the nation in total offense (479 7 ypg ) and seventh in fourth down conversions (66 .7%) . Hatcher’s special teams also stood out, ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return average (24 34 ypr )

Hatcher led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record that first season, ending the season with a pair of impressive Southern Conference road wins at Wofford and Mercer . The 2015 team also produced a pair of All-Americans in cornerback James Bradberry and place-kicker Anthony Pistelli .

Hatcher came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Murray State University from

2010 to 2014 Hatcher is no stranger to the Southern Conference, as he served as the head coach at Georgia Southern from 2007 to 2009 .

Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into one of the most dominant teams in Division II

The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 at his alma mater . Hatcher led his alma mater to its first NCAA Division II national championship in 2004, and he coaches Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time Harlan Hill Award winner, an award Hatcher won as a quarterback at VSU in 1994 .

Hatcher carried his success on the playing field to help him develop into one of the nation’s winningest coaches . A two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994), Hatcher threw for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns during his stellar career . During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason berth, advancing to the quarterfinals, and when it was all said and done set 29 VSU passing and total offense records

Hatcher finished his senior year by winning several national honors including: the NCAA Top Eight Award, the CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year and a postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame .

The honors continued to add up even after his playing days . Hatcher was named to the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, in his first year of eligibility He was also elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame the same year

In 2005, Hatcher was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame . Hatcher was also inducted into the inaugural class of the GSC Hall of Fame in 2014 .

Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education .

He and his wife, Lori, also a graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and daughter, Talley .

Football Staff

Ricky Turner Assistant Head Coach—Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Chris Boone Defensive Coordinator

Darien Moody Defensive Line

Andrew Gray Cornerbacks

Kerry Webb Special Teams Coordinator

Kurt Kennedy Tackles/Tight Ends

Brandon Cooper Linebackers

Shawn Bostick Associate Head Coach/ Offensive Line

Chris St. John Outside Linebackers

K.D. Humphries Running Backs

Support Staff

Alexis Roberts Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services

James Carlson Assistant AD for Facilities, Game Ops and Equipment

Whitley Williams Head Football Athletic Trainer

Lewis Freeman Director of Football Operations

James Ruby Assistant Athletic Trainer

Tyler Brian Director of Strategic Communications

Collin Stafford Equipment Graduate Assistant

Peter Renkoski Offensive Assistant

Rae Martin Assistant Athletic Trainer

Tara Goolsby Director of Football Management

Rocky Sabbatini Football Video Coordinator

Zach Mathers Assistant AD for Sports Performance and Project SAMson

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All-Americans and National Honors

All-Americans

All-Americans/Freshman All-Americans

Austin Barnard 2017, Punter (3rd Team, AP, Phil Steele)

Fred Bishop 1999, Linebacker

Bobby Bowden 1952, Quarterback

James Bradberry 2015, Cornerback (3rd Team, STATS)

Wally Burnham 1963, Linebacker

Trimarcus Cheeks 2019, Linebacker (Freshman All-American)

Norman Cooper 1936, Center

Marcus Durgin 1991, Cornerback (2nd Team, Sports Network; 3rd Team, AP)

1992, Cornerback (3rd Team, AP)

Chris Edmonds 2021 Spring, (1st Team, Stats Perform, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, HERO Sports)

Surkano Edwards 1992, Running Back (HM, Sports Network)

Cortland Finnegan 2002, Safety 2003, Safety (3rd Team) 2005, Safety (AFCA)

Jimbo Fisher 1987, Quarterback

Sam Goldman 1940, End

Ahmad Gooden 2017, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AFCA, Phil Steele, Walter Camp; 2nd Team, AP, STATS)

2018, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AP, HERO Sports; 2nd Team, STATS)

Karel Hamilton 2016, Wide Receiver (1st Team)

Tim Hamrick 1987, Punter

Efrem Hill 2003, Wide Receiver 2004, Wide Receiver

Harold Hill 1937, End

Devlin Hodges 2016, Quarterback (3rd Team) 2017, Quarterback (2nd Team, AFCA) 2018, Quarterback (1st Team, Consensus)

Scott Holmes 1994, Punter

Harley Hopkins 1938, End

Bobby Jackson 1962, Quarterback

Anthony Jordan 1994, Running Back

Nelson Jordan 2018, Defensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)

Jim Lovette 1966, Running Back

Kelvin McKnight 2017, Wide Receiver (2nd Team, AFCA; 3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)

2018, Wide Receiver (1st Team, Walter Camp, HERO Sports, AFCA; 2nd Team, AP; 3rd Team, STATS)

Joe Milazzo 1960, Quarterback

Anthony Pistelli 2015, Kicker (1st Team, AP, Walter Camp)

David Primus 1989, Kick Returner

Shaheed Salmon 2017, Linebacker (3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)

Justin Shade 2013, Linebacker (1st Team)

Bryce Smith 2010, Linebacker

Bennie Story 1961, Defensive Tackle

James Tarrant 1940, End (Honorable Mention) 1941, End (3rd Team)

Jaquiski Tartt 2012, Safety (1st Team)

2013, Safety (2nd Team)

2014, Safety (1st Team)

Fabian Truss 2012, Kick Returner (2nd Team)

2013, All-Purpose (1st Team)

Michael Vice 2019, Tight End (Freshman All-American)

Montrell Washington 2019, Return Specialist (1st Team: STATS, 2nd Team: HERO and Phil Steele)

2021 Fall, All-Purpose (1st Team, Consensus)

Liam Welch 2021 Spring, (2nd Team, Stats Perform)

Mike Williams 2017, Offensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)

Other National Honors

Jefferson Adcock 2007, NFF National Honor Society

2007, FCS Academic All-Star

Joe Collins 2011, Capital One Academic All-District

Devlin Hodges

2018 Walter Payton Award

2018 FCSADA Offensive Player of the Year

2018 Columbus TD Club Offensive Player of the Year

Graham Lemmond 2006, NFF National Honor Society

2006, FCS Academic All-Star

Ty Levie 2009, FCS Academic All-Star

2009, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District

Michael O’Neal 1991, CoSIDA Academic All-American (2nd Team)

TODAY’S GAME

car accident on May 23, 2003 . Since the 2005 season, a different senior has worn the No . 5 jersey in Williams’ honor .

Samford In Season Openers

The Samford football team will open the 2023 season by playing host to the Shorter University Hawks Thursday, Aug . 31, at 6 p .m . at Seibert Stadium .

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ Samford returns six starters on offense and three starters on defense from a team that went 11-2 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play in 2022, winning the program’s first outright SoCon title and reaching the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991 Shorter posted a record of 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the Gulf South Conference last season

The Series

Samford and Shorter are meeting for just the second time ever in football The only previous meeting came on Aug 30, 2018, with Samford earning a 66-9 victory over the Hawks In the win for Samford, quarterback Devlin Hodges led the way, completing 25-of-36 passes for 330 yards and five touchdowns .

The Last Time Out

Samford wrapped up the 2022 season with a 27-9 loss at third-ranked North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs . The loss ended Samford’s historic season with a mark of 11-2 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play . The Bulldogs won the program’s first outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs for the first time since 1991 .

Smith Named Winner Of Charles Williams Memorial Jersey

Graduate wide receiver Chandler Smith is this season’s winner of the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey . The jersey honors former Samford player Charles Williams, who died in a

Samford has an all-time record of 49-54-4 in season opening games . Last season, Samford opened the season with a 27-17 win over eighth-ranked Kennesaw State . In season openers at home, Samford has a mark of 36-13-2 . The Bulldogs are 6-2 in season openers under head coach Chris Hatcher . The team has won all six of the season openers at home under Hatcher

Samford At Seibert Stadium

Samford has an all-time record of 181-84-4 in games played at Seibert Stadium This season, Samford has six home games on its schedule, with Thursday’s game marking the first of those contests

Last season, Samford posted a record of 6-0 in home games, including winning the first-ever NCAA Playoff game held in the facility In the last nine years, Samford has a combined record of 48-15 when playing in the friendly confines of Seibert Stadium

Chris Hatcher, Head Coach

Chandler Smith

Around the SoCon

CHATTANOOGA (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: at North Alabama

SAMFORD (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: vs. Shorter

The CITADEL (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: at Georgia Southern

VMI (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: vs. Davidson

ETSU (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: at Jacksonville State

WESTERN CAROLINA (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: at Arkansas

FURMAN (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: vs. Tennessee Tech (Thurs.)

WOFFORD (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: N/A

This week: at Pittsburgh

MERCER (1-0, 0-0 SoCon)

Last week: vs. North Alabama, W, 17-7

This week: at Ole Miss

For the latest in standings, log on to soconsports.com

FOOTBALL

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS

*SoCon Game

All times Central and subject to change

Football Player Feature: Michael Hiers

Samford graduate quarterback Michael Hiers always wanted to play at Samford, but he did not take the normal route to playing at the school .

Hiers grew up in Birmingham and attended Briarwood Christian School, serving as a threesport athlete in football, basketball and baseball . Being a local product, Hiers said he was familiar with Samford from an early age .

“I grew up going to a bunch of Samford games,” Hiers said . “We had a couple of people we knew on the team, so we’d come to some of the games . Especially in high school when I started to really love football, I kind of always wanted to come to Samford . I came to a bunch of camps and stuff like that at Samford as well . ”

He even has family ties to the school as his great-great-grandfather played football for what was then called Howard College in the 1930s He was a member of the 1935 team that tied defending national champion Alabama, 7-7

Hiers started playing football in the third grade When he first started playing, he spent time at cornerback, but moved to his current position of quarterback in the fifth grade Once he got into high school, Hiers did not start at quarterback until his senior season But he had

By Joey Mullins Samford Athletics

a stellar final year at Briarwood, helping the Lions to a 14-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A state championship . That season, he passed for 2,672 yards and 22 touchdowns, and he led all AHSAA 5A passers in yards, completion percentage (68 .8%) and total touchdowns .

Despite his outstanding numbers as a senior, Samford already had several quarterbacks on the roster, so the Bulldogs did not originally have a scholarship to offer Hiers .

“Samford offered me a preferred walk-on spot,” Hiers said . “I only started my senior year of high school, so I was kind of late in the recruiting game, but I always loved Samford . But they already had Devlin Hodges and Liam (Welch) at quarterback . Murray State offered me five days before Signing Day and then I called Coach Hatcher begging him to offer me, but he couldn’t because he had so many quarterbacks ”

Hiers went to Murray State in 2018, redshirting that first season and playing in two games in 2019 He then transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College He started all 18 games in two seasons at NWMCC, passing for 4,519 yards and 34 touchdowns In his second season alone, Hiers passed for 3,093 yards and 21

scores . He was rated as the No . 1 pro-style junior college quarterback in the nation by Rivals .

Following his time at NWMCC, Hiers started the recruiting process again, but he always had one school in mind .

“After my last year there, recruiting got pretty hot,” Hiers said “I started talking to a bunch of teams, but I always had it in the back of my mind I really wanted to go to Samford still It was my hometown, I had a bunch of friends on the team and obviously, what Coach Hatcher does with the offense is unbelievable So, when they offered me after my last game, I shut off all recruiting and I immediately committed to Samford I committed on the spot ”

Hiers came to Samford in 2022 for his junior season He said he was made to feel at home right away after returning to Birmingham

“I already knew so many people here, like J R Tran-Reno was one of my best friends in high school,” Hiers said “And over 2020 when you couldn’t really practice, I threw with Chandler (Smith), and I knew Pete (Renkoski) and (Michael) Vice before . So, I knew all these guys, but as soon as I got here, they all welcomed me, it was cool . When you’re going to a little bit of an unfamiliar place, you can kind of feel uncomfortable, but I never felt like that here . ”

When fall camp started prior to the 2022 season, Hiers and Kentucky transfer Nik Scalzo were competing for the starting job . Hiers said the competition helped make him better as a quarterback .

“Nik’s a great player and I think every day we kind of push each other to each individually get better,” Hiers said . “That should in turn make our team better and help us grow as players . ”

Scalzo, unfortunately, suffered a seasonending preseason injury, ending the competition . Hiers stepped in and immediately became one of the leaders of the team . The team opened the season at home against eighth-ranked Kennesaw State . Despite being decided underdogs, the Bulldogs pulled out an impressive 27-17 win, with Hiers throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns After a second-week loss to eventual College Football Playoff national champion Georgia, Samford won its last nine regular-season games to finish the regular season

with a mark of 10-1 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright SoCon championship and first outright title in any conference since 1936 .

Samford secured the outright SoCon title with a 50-44 double overtime win over Mercer On the final play of the first overtime, Hiers was injured and was unable to play in the second overtime period Backup Quincy Crittendon came in and scored a dramatic walk-off touchdown to give the Bulldogs the win

Following the regular season, Samford earned the No 6 national seed for the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs The Bulldogs earned a first-round bye and hosted Southeastern Louisiana in the second round, picking up a thrilling 48-42 overtime win The team’s season ended with a 27-9 loss at defending FCS national champion North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the playoffs The team ended its season with an 11-2 overall mark, the best season for Samford football since 1991 .

“It was really special,” Hiers said of the season . “I mean, it’s good when you get to see all your hard work pay off . You work every day, and you try to just win each day, have a good practice and win the game . You end up sweeping conference play, going 8-0 in the SoCon, which is hard to do . You get a ring and then Quincy had that long run (to beat Mercer in overtime) . That was one of the coolest plays I’ve ever been a part of, to see the whole team storm the field and to see how much it meant to the team and Coach Hatcher and all of the coaching staff because they do such an amazing job, so it was awesome to see that . ”

As Hiers enters his final season at Samford, he said he just wants to help the team win, and to make sure he enjoys every day he gets to spend with his teammates and coaches . He has earned his undergraduate degree from Samford and is currently working on his MBA . He said after finishing at Samford he would like to continue playing football at the next level .

Whatever the future holds for Hiers, he has already given Samford University and all Bulldog fans some memories that will last a lifetime

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER

2023 Shorter Football Roster

2023 FOOTBALL

OFFENSE

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART

Jr )

CB 23 DEVIN SMITH (5-10, 190, Gr )

11 Jai’Brian Bouye (5-10, 173, So )

ROVER 1 KOURTLAN MARSH (5-11, 190, Jr )

9 Midnight Steward (6-1, 202, Jr )

FREE 2 TYRESE ROSS (6-0, 200, Gr )

24 Jonathan Searcy (6-1, 193, Gr )

CB 36 DONTAE POLLARD (5-10, 185, Jr .)

16 Kamron Smith (6-0, 195, Jr )

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 80 WILSON BEAVERSTOCK (6-0, 210, GR )

LS 61 ALEX APPLEFIELD (5-10, 208, Sr ) 56 AIDAN BARR (6-0, 205, SO )

KR 7 D J RIAS (5-9, 190, Sr ) 12 TY KING (6-0, 175, GR )

H 48 NOUR TAYARA (6-0, 190, Jr )

KO 49 HENRY BISHOP (6-2, 187, SR )

2023 SAMFORD FOOTBALL STAFF

Chris Hatcher, Head Coach

Ricky Turner, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator

Shawn Bostick, Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line

Chris Boone, Defensive Coordinator

Brandon Cooper, Linebackers

Andrew Gray, Cornerbacks

K.D. Humphries, Running Backs

Kurt Kennedy, Tackles/Tight Ends

Darien Moody, Defensive Line

Chris St. John, Outside Linebackers

Kerry Webb, Special Teams Coordinator

Chris Hatcher Head Coach

OFFENSE

2023 SHORTER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

LB 11 MARC HARRIS (5-11, 210, R-SO )

10 Maddox Jackson (5-11, 210, R-Jr )

LB 9 JATHAN WILLIS (6-0, 235, SO )

28 Kobe Butts (6-0, 215, So )

SS 3 MILTON ADAMS (5-10, 180, SR .)

17 Hugh Barbee (5-11, 175, So )

or 15 15 Bryan Gilmore (6-3 210, Fr )

CB 1 TREY THOMAS (5-11, 180, JR .)

19 Tobias Lewis (5-10, 175, Fr )

S 14 NOAH WARREN (6-0, 180, R-SO )

13 Persean Taylor (6-1, 175, So )

S 2 ARTELLIOUS EDMOND (6-1 180, SO )

24 Hunter Hodson (6-0, 185, R-Jr )

CB 6 JON LOWE (5-11 170, SR )

7 Deidric Gibson (5-10, 175, So .)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 91 TYLER SIMPSON (6-1, 205, FR )

LS 43 JACKSON MOORE (6-0, 220, JR )

63 Colin Evon (5-11, 275, Sr )

P 98 WYATT WALTERS (6-1, 160, FR )

91 Tyler Simpson (6-1, 205, Fr )

K 91 TYLER SIMPSON (6-1, 205, FR )

285, Fr .)

2023 SHORTER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

Harlen Jacobs, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

Blake Robles, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Ryne Strickland, Wide Receivers/Offensive Recruiting Coordinator

Scott Curd, Offensive Line

Azar Wilson, Defensive Line

Tyray Devezin, Running Backs

Zach Morrison Head Coach

WHERE passion MEETS purpose

Since 1841, Samford University has remained steadfast in its mission of preparing students in a Christian environment through the development of intellect, creativity, faith and personhood. Across its 10 academic schools, students are equipped with this powerful preparation to pursue the calling God has on their lives.

samford.edu/go/discover

Seibert Stadium

Seibert Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since 1958, one year after the campus was moved from East Lake to its present site . Over the years, the stadium has seen some memorable football, including the Bobby Bowden era (1959–62), a one-loss season in 1971 and the Terry Bowden era, which ended with a 14-game Bulldog winning streak in the stadium . The 2022 season saw Samford go 6-0 at home, including hosting the stadium’s first NCAA Division I-FCS Playoff game, 48-42 win over Southeastern Louisiana

The field is named after legendary Coach Bobby Bowden, while the stadium is named for the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Florida, businessman who donated money for the completion of the stadium in 1961 with the addition of stands on the west side Originally, the stadium had the current gatehouse and seating on the east side .

The first game was played Friday, Sept 26, 1958, with Samford losing to Sewanee, 21-0 . Bobby Bowden brought Samford (then known as Howard College) its first win at Seibert on Oct . 3, 1959, as the Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0 . The first win against varsity competition came two weeks later when the Bulldogs defeated Millsaps, 26-0 .

Seibert Stadium has undergone numerous improvements during the past few years Before the 2009 season, the Cooney Family Field House was

opened in the South end zone of the stadium The field house was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House during the 2014 season .

The facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches offices for Samford’s football program A second-level terrace overlooks Seibert Stadium . A third level provides for future university expansion .

In fall 2005, the original grass surface was replaced with an LSR Blade Synthetic Surface . The turf was replaced with a similar surface prior to the 2014 season .

The four-level Bashinsky Press Tower was completed before the 1989 season This GeorgianColonial structure , which contains complete facilities for print and electronic media on the third level, reserved seating for guests on the second level, and a concession stand and restroom facilities on the ground floor, was renovated prior to the 2021 fall season

Also in 1989, more than 200 theatre-type reserved seats were added in front of the press tower, bringing the seating capacity to 6,700 . Aluminum seating replaced the original wooden seats . A scoreboard featuring an electronic matrix message board was added before the 1994 season .

Prior to this season, the existing video board was moved to the South End Zone of the stadium to make room for the upcoming exciting renovations to Seibert Hall .

Seibert Stadium Facts

BUILT: Gatehouse and East Stands, 1958; West Side Stands, 1961; Bashinsky Press Tower, 1989; Electronic Message Board, 1994; Video Board, 2005; SullivanCooney Family Field House, 2009 .

FIRST GAME: Friday, Sept 26, 1958 (Sewanee defeated Samford, 21-0)

FIRST WIN: Oct 3, 1959 (Samford defeated Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0)

FIRST VARSITY WIN: Oct 16, 1959 (Samford defeated Millsaps, 26-0)

SAMFORD OVERALL RECORD AT SEIBERT (249 GAMES): 168-77-4 ( 682)

SAMFORD DAY RECORD AT SEIBERT (176 GAMES): ): 112-60-4 ( 647)

SAMFORD NIGHT RECORD AT SEIBERT (73 GAMES): 56-17-0 ( 764)

MOST COMMON OPPONENTS AT SEIBERT: Chattanooga 15, Jacksonville State 11, UT Martin 10, Mississippi College 9, Tennessee Tech 9

MOST SAMFORD POINTS: 77 vs Mars Hill (7), 2016

LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: 70 points (Samford 77, Mars Hill 7), 2016

MOST OPPONENT’S POINTS: 82, by Salem (Samford 9), 1984

LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE: 81-yard run, Chris Evans, vs Austin Peay, 2007

LONGEST PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013

LONGEST SAMFORD PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013

LONGEST PUNT: 73 yards, Ray Collins, vs . Southwestern, 1961

LONGEST FIELD GOAL: 52 yards, Ray Early of Furman, 2010

LONGEST SAMFORD FIELD GOAL: 4 8 yards, Mark Prevost, vs Jacksonville State, 2007

LONGEST PUNT RETURN: 90-yard touchdown, Mick Edmonson of Jacksonville State, 1989

LONGEST SAMFORD PUNT RETURN: 76 yards, Anthony Jordan, vs Alcorn State, 1994

LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Karel Hamilon vs Chattanooga, 2015; 100-yard touchdown, Fabian Truss vs Western Carolina, 2013

LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Ricky Fields, vs Concord, 1990

MOST YARDS RUSHING:

249, Surkano Edwards, vs West Georgia, 1992

MOST CARRIES:

35, Derek Staley, vs . Tennessee Tech, 1995

MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING:

4, Michael Eubank, vs VMI, 2014; 4, Steve Hayden, vs Morgan State, 1995; 4, Brady Jones, vs . Austin Peay, 1990; 4, Brady Jones, vs East Tennessee State, 1989

MOST PASS ATTEMPTS: 60, Ray Nelson, vs Jacksonville State, 2003

MOST COMPLETIONS: 43, Michael Hiers, vs Mercer, 2022

MOST YARDS PASSING: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs Georgia Southern, 2013

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES:

6, Jimbo Fisher, vs . Ferrum, 1987; 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs Maryville, 1987

MOST RECEPTIONS: 16, Efrem Hill, vs Jacksonville State, 2003

MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: 3, Efrem Hill, vs Eastern Kentucky, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2003; 3, Kelvin McKnight, vs Western Carolina, 2018

ENJOY TWO GREAT SONESTA HOTELS, MINUTES FROM THE SAMFORD CAMPUS

Sonesta ES Suites Birmingham Homewood

Our all-suite hotel features separate sleeping and living areas with fully equipped kitchens.

• Complimentary hot buffet breakfast

• Onsite laundry facility

• 24-hr Fitness center

Sonesta Select Birmingham Colonnade

Our generously sized guest rooms offer plenty of room to work, relax and get comfortable.

• The Commons, for breakfast, dinner, and drinks

• 24-hr fitness center

• Indoor pool

Samford

Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House

Prior to the start of practice for the 2009 season, the Samford football program moved into the Cooney Family Field House During the 2014 season, the facility was renamed in honor of then head coach Pat Sullivan and is now known as the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House .

The field house houses a locker room, nutrition center, training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and a film room . The field house, which is 39,400 square feet, cost approximately $8 million dollars, with all money privately donated .

The Cooney Family Field House was made possible with a lead gift from Birmingham business executive and Samford graduate Gary Cooney, vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc , one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerage firms . Cooney

said he wanted to honor his parents, the late John and Patricia Cooney, and other family members with the naming

“Our family has a long history with Samford, andmy hope is that these gifts will encourage others to support this great university,” Cooney said at the time of the dedication . “We have great confidence in the leadership of Dr Westmoreland and our good friend, Coach Pat Sullivan, and we want to help have a positive influence on young student-athletes ”

Cooney graduated from Samford in 1974 . He was a member of the school’s 1971 team that won the NCAA Division II West Region Championship

CHARLES WILLIAMS MEMORIAL JERSEY

On May 23, 2003, Samford junior cornerback Charles Williams died in a car accident . In only two seasons on the team, Williams emerged as a starter in the secondary in 2002 In addition to his success on the field, Williams also maintained one of the highest grade point averages on the team . For the 2003 and 2004 seasons (what would have been Williams’ junior and senior seasons) no one wore jersey No . 5, the number that Williams wore Every year since then, a senior has been selected to wear the No 5, the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey .

Ossie Buchannon

Jon Weber

Justin Shade

T.C . Myers

Bryce Smith

Brinson Porter

Jay McCurty

Sean Thompson

Carson Barnett

Devon Schmitt

Shaheed Salmon

Tyler Queen Nick Barton

Montrell Washington Liam Welch

Nathan East Chandler Smith

Rodney Shepherd

Ryan Dudchock

Academic Enhancement Program

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has strongly enforced academic reform this decade as it pertains to student-athletes’ continuing eligibility and ultimate college graduation Because of the tightening of new legislation, academic support services throughout the country have been highlighted to spearhead the additional success that is needed for student-athletes to earn a degree

The academic success for Samford University student-athletes begins with the Academic Enhancement Program [AEP] The AEP was developed in the early 1990s and is based on individual instruction with student-athletes who are integrated within a caring environment that is conducive to academic success

The AEP system is designed to provide Samford’s student-athletes with the necessary guidance, personal attention and academic skills— enhancement activities to help them have the most positive educational and personal experience possible . Student-athletes are integrated within a foundation of the university’s general education core curriculum that emphasizes basic skills for academic achievement .

Tutors and academic mentors assist athletes in writing courses, foreign languages, math, science and business, to name a few . With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques, the AEP puts student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners .

The AEP environment includes a computer lab/classroom, private tutor rooms and quiet study space .

In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life .

The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all student-athletes Each May, the academic enhancement office honors studentathletes who have achieved a 3 0 GPA or better over the last two full terms

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM

The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including

some NCAA Student Affairs programming This student development program exists to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting There are five focus areas that address student-athlete development

Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation

Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of student-athletes

Commitment to Personal Development: To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills .

Commitment to Career Development: To encourage student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals .

Commitment to Service: To engage studentathletes in service to their campus and surrounding community .

Throughout the year, student-athletes attend the programs in the five commitment areas that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development . This is done through workshops and seminars, campus partnerships and other programming throughout the year . Topics include financial management, time management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing, and sportsmanship . Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators, business leaders and former student-athletes .

All AEP programming is designed to enhance and support the academic and athletic endeavors of student-athletes Student-athletes gain preparation for success in life, develop enhanced interpersonal skills, build positive self-esteem, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their communities

Beck A. Taylor President

Dr. Beck A. Taylor began his tenure as the 19th president of Samford University in July 2021

Taylor, who served as dean and professor of economics for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, returned to Samford after serving as the 18th president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, from 2010-2021

After earning his undergraduate degree from Baylor with majors in economics and finance, Taylor was employed as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Houston, Texas He went on to earn his M S and Ph D in economics from Purdue University Shortly thereafter, he returned to Baylor as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business, and was named the first holder of the W.H . Smith Professorship in Economics . In 2002, he was appointed as a visiting scholar by Harvard University where he spent one year in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education .

As dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business, Taylor led the rapid transformation of the business school, including its renaming to honor Harry B . Brock, Jr ., founder of Compass Bank . Taylor led the Brock School of Business to establish eight new academic programs, as well as the school’s new honors program . The school’s

entrepreneurship program was recognized in 2010 as the nation’s top emerging program by the U S Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship In an effort to build bridges between students and the Birmingham business community, Taylor established the Samford Business Network, as well as a 45-member advisory board of the region’s top business leaders

As a scholar, Taylor has published dozens of studies in economics journals such as Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Human Resources and Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking Illustrating his diverse research interests and his connections to the social sciences, Taylor has also published groundbreaking research in public health and child developmental psychology . His research has been cited in testimony given before the U .S . Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Assembly, and also has been referenced in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Christian Science Monitor . Taylor is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, and he has served as a strategic business consultant for dozens of organizations . He and his wife, Julie, have three children .

Martin Newton, Director of Athletics

Samford University

alumnus and director of athletics Martin Newton has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference’s most successful programs since taking the helm of the department on March 9, 2011 .

Last year, Newton recently signed a five-year contract extension that began on July 1, 2022 .

Newton has made an impact nationally in his time at Samford as he will begin a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee on Sept 1 Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC)

On the fields and courts, the Bulldogs have captured 69 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships during his tenure, including a school record 11 championships in 2022-23

Additionally, in the most recent Southern Conference All-Sports standings Samford won both the Germann Cup (top women’s program) and the Commissioner’s Cup (top men’s program), marking the first time any school has swept the awards since Appalachian State in the 2012-13 academic year . Academically, the school’s student-athletes have also posted outstanding results in the classroom, with 2,175 Bulldogs being named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll . Samford’s student-athletes posted an impressive 97 percent in the most recent NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, the highest mark in the SoCon and in the state of Alabama .

Over the last 12 years, the Athletics Department has seen significant growth in corporate partnerships and annual giving, more than doubling philanthropic gifts and sponsorship revenues .

Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton’s tenure with the Bulldogs . Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice

facility for men’s and women’s golf . A new academic center was recently built in Bashinsky Field House . Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men’s and women’s basketball/volleyball), Seibert Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field) .

The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded . Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House

In the spring of 2017, a goal of Newton’s was realized when the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted

He has also negotiated an exclusive universitywide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, helped lead the way on a university-wide licensing agreement with the Licensing Resource Group and successfully transformed the antiquated radio network into an industry leader in campus-led broadcast production with all Samford home athletic events airing on ESPN3 or ESPN+

Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014 The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership . Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford’s student-athletes .

Following his 1983 graduation from Samford, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years . Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike .

Prior to his return to Samford, Newton was hired at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he managed the budget, fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program .

Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles . They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer .

Head Coaches

Kimball Cassady VOLLEYBALL

Keylor Chan

W. GOLF Joe Davidson

M. GOLF Al DelGreco

W. TENNIS David Vest SOCCER Todd Yelton

TRACK & FIELD Rod Tiffin

BASEBALL

Tony David

W. BASKETBALL Carley Kuhns

M. TENNIS Oliver Reynolds

M. BASKETBALL Bucky McMillan FOOTBALL Chris Hatcher

Ask Before You Act

Compliance with NCAA rules is of utmost importance to Samford University . As a member of the NCAA, Samford is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes, employees, alumni, donors, boosters and friends As such, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important items concerning NCAA rules and always remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: 205-726-4244 | compliance@samford.edu

Twitter: @Samford_Rules

FIVE IMPORTANT RULES

1 . Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process . Alumni, friends and “other representatives of athletic interest” who are not employed by the university are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting participation in the athletics program Samford faculty members are permitted to have contact with prospects on campus only

2 A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university . The prospect does not lose prospect status until the start of classes at Samford or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes .

3 The prohibition of contact with a prospect is intended to relate to unavoidable incidental contacts with a prospect by representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest It is understood that such a contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an athletics department staff member; is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect; and involves only normal civility For example, if you meet a high school student or junior college student-athlete, you can talk with him or her about anything except Samford athletics . If you are attending a public function and find yourself talking to the parents of a prospect, you can talk about anything that doesn’t relate to the athletics department

4 If a student-athlete accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation

Do not do anything for prospective or enrolled studentathletes without specific authorization from the Samford Athletics Compliance Office

5 . Representatives of athletics interest (boosters) are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled studentathletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks . When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/ or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid

FAQ

Who is a “prospective student-athlete?”

A “prospective student-athlete,” also known as a recruit or prospect, is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade, seventh for men’s basketball and softball In addition, any younger student who receives any benefits from the institution not available to prospective students generally would be considered a prospective student-athlete

Who is a “representative of athletic interest” or booster?

A representative or booster is an individual or business that is or has ever done any of the following:

• been a contributor to the Samford Bulldog Club or has purchased tickets to a Samford athletics event

• been an employee of Samford University or is the spouse of an employee

• has ever made a donation of any kind to the Samford athletics department

• helped to arrange or to provide employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a National Letter of Intent

• assisted or have been requested (by the athletics department) to assist in the recruitment of students to participate in any of Samford’s athletics programs

• assisted in providing any benefit to Samford enrolled student-athletes or their families

• been involved in promoting Samford athletics programs

ONCE YOU BECOME A BOOSTER, YOU NEVER LOSE THE IDENTITY OF A BOOSTER.

Samford University

Samford is one of the country’s leading Christian universities and offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional programs through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health . Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States . It enrolls 5,758 students from 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 22 countries .

Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings published by The Wall Street Journal . Additionally, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranks

Samford 1st in the nation for student engagement .

Samford is ranked 66th nationally for best undergraduate teaching and 104th for best value by U .S . News & World Report .

According to The Wall Street Journal /Times Higher Education, Samford students are more likely to recommend their university than students at any other college or university in the country

Among Samford’s 55,923 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U S Congress, eight state governors, two U .S . Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes .

The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference . Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions .

Samford Distinctions

• Samford is ranked 1st in the nation for student engagement by The Wall Street Journal (2022) Student engagement assesses how challenged and inspired students feel inside and outside the classroom, as well as the breadth of courses their schools offer .

• Samford is ranked 34th in the nation among private universities and 115th among all public, private and liberal arts colleges and universities analyzed for Kiplinger’sPersonal Finance’s Best College Values list (2019) .

• Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings by The Wall Street Journal (2022) .

• 97% of undergraduate alumni are working or in further study within six months of graduation (2022) .

• Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions .

• Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 32nd nationally by LendEdu in its list of best colleges for financial aid (2020)

SAMFORD ATHLETICS HALL

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Gifts received by our Bulldog Club Excelence Fund donors position Samford Athletics to recruit, retain and develop the very best student-athletes. Thanks to this support, Samford is producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.

2023-24 Bulldog Club Excellence Fund Donors

All-Conference level and above

CHAMPION’S CIRCLE

Daryl Byrd and Kara Van de Carr

Bill and Kimeran Stevens

Beth Thorne and Rick Stukes

HERITAGE CIRCLE

Anthony and Robbin Allen

Roy Anderson

Todd and Karen Carlisle

Keith and Kelly Herron

Bobby and Andrea Killingsworth

Mark and Gwen Matthews

Andrea and Jeremy Ryan

Ronnie and Lynn Watkins

The James I . Harrison Family Foundation

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

Bennie and Sonja Bumpers

Brian and Nancy Coleman

Tom and Teri D’Armond

Tommy and Charolette Hamby

David and Julie Jenkins

Ron and Cindy Mims

Rickie and MaryAnn Moon

Michael Robinson

John and Delita Wyatt

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Bob and Gerri Austin

Lynn and Kendall Boggs

Wes and Jordan Caudell

Drew and Julie Cundiff

Steve and Suzanne Davidson

Tim Francis

Tim and Anita Haywood

Betsy and Jimmy Holloway

Bruce and Mary Virginia Hoven

Jim and Alison Karrh

Brett and Kristie Taylor

Charlie and Lisa Venable

Drew and Pam Yantis

ALL-AMERICAN

Scott and Kim Andersen

Chuck and Lydia Andrews

Steve and Janet Ball

Taylor and Amy Beattie

John and Susan Carroll

Beau and Rachel Green

Martin and Cindy Newton

Stephen and Kathy Peeples

Greg and Peggy Powell

Josh and Andrea Rhodes

Jim and Doris Ridgeway

Peter and Margaret Ann Selman

Joy and Don Thomas

Howard Walthall & Rosemary Fisk

Stanley Woodall

ALL-CONFERENCE

Ryan and Jennifer Aday

Jim and Cindy Anderson

Scott and Laurie Applefield

Tim and Cindy Bembry

Whit and Alison Bishop

Chris and Barbara Blackerby

Ken Bluestein

Quentin and Julie Brown

Janet and Scott Brown

Frank and Marti Buck

Mike and Ginger Burkett

Hilary and James Case

David and Valerie Clark

Michael and Kathy Clay

Mike and Jan Cobb

Tom and Debbie Collins

Nathan and Kristen Collums

Steve and Krista Dillard

Kent and Margaret Ellington

Gary and Alta Faye Fenton

John and Marsha Floyd

Laura and Patrick Foshee

Jim and Sherri Foyt

Randy and Tammi Frazier

Dick and Donna Gardner

Joe Goode

Corey and Rohaun Green

Adam and Debbee Hancock

Pearlie and LaShawnda Harris

Clayton and Teresa Hemphill

Lee and Leigh Henderson

Nate and Tonya Henry

Brad and Natalie Hiers

Jerry and Harriette Hyche

Jimmy and Donna Jackson

John and Peggy Jones

Craig and Amy Kirby

Bill and Laura Kugelberg

Hal and Cindy Langston

David and Edith Lyon

Lyn Marcum

Malcolm and Betty Miller

Jon and Greer Mills

Charles Neese and Eve Annunziato

Vic and Janis Nichol

Eddie and Betty Oliver

Dixie and David Owens

Randy and Daina Pittman

Jeff and Stephanie Prior

Allison and Austin Pugmire

Karen and Alan Register

Al and Stella Ringer

Jean and Darin Roberson

Lew and Mandy Sample

Rick and Barbara Schultz

Gil and Leigh Simmons

Todd and Jodi Skaggs

Lynn and Bennett Smith

Jimmy and Patsy Smithey

Bob and Pat Terry

Andy and Jan Thrower

Ryan and Kandi Waddles

Andrea and Tom Weathington

Vicki and John Wilcox

Doug and Anita Wilson

David and Tabby Winchester

Athletics Facilities

The Samford University athletics program has risen to regional and national recognition through its commitment to athletic and academic excellence . Samford student-athletes have achieved much on the playing fields and in the classroom .

Paralleling the competitive success of the program, Samford’s athletics facilities also continue to develop .

The newest addition to Samford’s athletics facilities is the new video board installed at Joe Lee Griffin Field early in the 2022 season

The first two phases of a Seibert Stadium upgrade project were also recently completed . Phase I was a new state-of-the-art video board installed in 2019 Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House

At the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, a new video board was added prior to the start of the 2021 soccer season .

Also, the Samford Softball Field opened in spring 2013 The J T Haywood Field House, which houses an indoor hitting facility, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms for both baseball and softball, was officially opened in fall 2013

The Samford Track and Soccer Stadium opened in spring 2011 The 1,200-seat facility opened by hosting the 2011 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships . The facility includes locker rooms, a ticket office, a high-tech press box, a nine-lane track and a regulation soccer field

The Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House for football opened in August 2009 . It includes coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, a locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and players’ lounge . The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in the fall of 2014 to honor former Head Coach Pat Sullivan and his family .

The convocation/arena/fitness complex, Pete Hanna Center, was completed in fall 2007. The center

provides outstanding playing facilities for volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball in a 5,000-seat center, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-of-the-art training facilities for Samford’s varsity sports . Also included in the facility are offices, meeting space and support facilities for coaches and athletics administration .

The facility is adjacent to Bashinsky Field House and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major nonathletics events .

The Pat M Courington Tennis Pavilion was completed in 2006 with three indoor courts, a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms Samford’s Tennis Center also includes the Darwin C . Hardison Courts, featuring six outdoor NCAA courts

All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of 2005 .

Facilities in Seibert Hall have been renovated to accommodate academic programs and student recreation activities

Joe Lee Griffin Field, home of the Samford Bulldogs baseball team, was remodeled in 2000 to include offices, locker rooms and other support services in a facility that complements the Georgian-Colonial architecture found throughout the Samford campus The Carl E Miller Press Box was added in 2009 .

Bulldog Spirit Plaza, dedicated during 2005 Homecoming weekend, is the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Field House and Pete Hanna Center

Organized by the Class of 2003, the landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, students, parents, employees, former athletes and friends of the university as a celebration of Samford’s more than 125 years of intercollegiate athletics competition .

The athletics department is building its capital campaign efforts to raise funds to further assure Samford athletes of the finest playing facilities possible

BULLDOGS IN THE NFL

Samford currently has five former players on either the active roster or practice squad of NFL teams.

JAMES BRADBERRY

James Bradberry was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers Bradberry played four seasons with the Panthers and two with the New York Giants He was named All-Pro following the 2020 season He is currently in his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles

MICHAEL PIERCE

Michael Pierce had success as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens He spent four seasons with the Ravens and two as a member of the Minnesota Vikings He returned to the Ravens for the 2022 season and is entering the second season of his second stint with the team

MONTRELL WASHINGTON

Montrell Washington was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos He was the first offensive player in Samford history to be selected in the NFL Draft This year, he enters his second season in Denver

NICK WILLIAMS

Nick Williams was taken in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers During his career, Williams has seen time with the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and New York Giants . He is now in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers .

Committed to playing with a purpose.

We’re all about that gameday energy. At Alabama Power, we share your passion for the team—and your pride for where we live We love big wins on game days, but truly value all victories across the state that score real smiles and push us forward together For over 100 years, we’ve been committed to proving that what we accomplish as one, on and off the field, is what makes us stronger It’s Power for a Better Alabama.

We proudly support the Samford Bulldogs.