A Letter from the Athletic Director Dear Bobcat Nation, Thank you for your continued support of Georgia College Athletics and each of our outstanding student-athletes. We hope you enjoy our inaugural annual report that focuses on our three primary areas of emphasis: achieving our best academically, socially and athletically. Our student-athletes had another outstanding year in all facets. Of special note, GC Golfer Matthew Yonz was recognized at the 2011 Commencement as the recipient of the Academic Recognition Day student. Based on scholastic achievement, this honor is awarded to a single student from each institution from the University System of Georgia. Once again, we placed amongst the leaders in having representation on the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll as over 55% of our student-athletes posted 3.0 or higher Grade Point Averages. Additionally, we started a new Faculty Associates program where a faculty member is assigned to each team, creating even greater interaction between the academic and athletic communities. Our student-athletes were outstanding socially as we place emphasis on community engagement. Of the many highlights, our women's soccer team led a Valentine's Day Clinic that teamed parents and children learning together. Our baseball program hosted a Halloween themed game, complete with a costume contest with the players and fans. Once again, we placed in the upper division of the Peach Belt Commissioner's Cup. Six programs competed in NCAA post season play, including women's basketball who were champions of the PBC Tournament. Women's tennis (17 consecutive years) and men's golf (13 consecutive years) added to their long-running streaks of post-season play. Our strong ties with our student body created some of the best events on campus. The Thunder Crew, GC's student leaders of Bobcat pride, provided gameday signage, tailgating opportunities at multiple contests and helped create an outstanding game environment. We saw increased attendance at contests and our fans enjoyed a fun and family-friendly atmosphere, complete with giveaways and contests. We also placed greater emphasis on social networking and media relations in an effort to better communicate and showcase our outstanding student-athletes and coaches. Postgame interviews and various features are placed on our YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. From an external funds standpoint, we had another successful Sodexo Bobcat Classic Golf Tournament and GC Athletic Auction and Reverse Raffle. Additionally, our Bobcat Club membership and funds raised both increased, thanks to your support and generosity. During some of the most stressful economic times we have known, your support is appreciated more than ever. We look forward to another outstanding year academically, socially and athletically. Thank you for your continued support of our programs. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Sincerely, Wendell Staton Director of Athletics
table of contents table of contents men’s cross country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
women’s cross country . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
women’s soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 women’s basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
men’s basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
baseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 softball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 men’s tennis
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
women’s tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
academic honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-14 pbc all-academic team . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
pbc all-conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
2011 graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 a true student athlete . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 community engagement . . . . . . . . .19-22 social media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 summer camps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 athletic auction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
golf tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 division II Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 peach belt conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
men’s Cross Country fourth in pbc, Ninth in southeast region
Bobcat menʼs cross country battled injuries and illnesses throughout the 2010 season, and still managed to pull together for solid finishes throughout the year. Georgia College took fourth-place at the PBC Championships and a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Junior Daniel Horseman led the team at six of the eight races for the season, including All-PBC Second Team honors for finishing eighth overall at 26:18 for the 8K race. Horseman is just the seventh Bobcat menʼs runner to earn All-PBC status. The junior had a breakthrough year, snapping both the 8K and 10K school records. Horsemanʼs individual title at the ASU TriMeet earned him the 8K mark at 26:11 and led the Bobcats to a team title. A 32:51 at the NCAA Southeast Regional snapped a three-year old 10K mark and earned him the 25th spot in the race.
Horseman, Nick Widener and Erik Ottoson earned spots on the PBC AllAcademic Team. Putting three on the conference academic team gave GC the most of any school.
2
woMen’s cross country Sixth in peach belt
Bobcat womenʼs cross country had a great start to the 2010 campaign, finishing in the top three in their first six races. Armed with some experienced runners led by an impact freshman in Allison Lones, the Bobcats took sixth at the PBC Championships, adding a top-10 finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional, at ninth.
Lones became the first freshman to earn All-PBC status in school history, taking a spot on the second team with a 12th place finish (25:30) at the PBC Championships. Lones led GC in the final six races of the season, including a third-place finish at the YHC Invitational in 21:14. Lones snapped both the 5K and 6K school records in her rookie season, her 19:13 at the ASU Tri-Meet breaking an eight-year old record by 31 seconds. Junior Karissa Ekstrom also broke the old record at the race, finishing behind Lones by 27 ticks.
The 6K mark fell at the NCAA Southeast Regional, as Lones and Ekstrom repeated the 5K feat, both breaking the old record of 24:13 set in 2008. Lones finished in 24 seconds flat, while Ekstrom was just three seconds back this time.
Senior Dani Destiche earned USTFCCCA National All-Academic status to go with her PBC All-Academic award. Destiche owned a 3.61 GPA in outdoor education. Destiche was joined by juniors Victoria Dobson and Sarah Balkcom on the PBCʼs academic list. 3
Women’s Soccer 7-7-3, 4-4-2 Peach Belt [Fifth]
Bobcat soccer fought to a 7-7-3 overall record, taking fifth in the PBC at 44-2 in league play. The season did end the three-year stretch of double digit wins for Georgia College, but continued a four-year run without a losing record.
Junior Karen Bonilla, was recognized for her efforts in the midfield, being chosen to the All-PBC Second Team. Bonilla joins an elite group, becoming the sixth Bobcat soccer player all-time to make the All-PBC Team more than once.
Jessica Binkowski, Mary Rob Plunkett and Ally Treat all earn slots on the PBC All-Academic Team. For all three, it was the second time receiving this academic honor. Binkowski and Treat also took spots on the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams as well.
The season was highlighted by a pair of wins over nationally-ranked squads, including the highest-ranked upset in program history. GCʼs first ranked victory came over No. 12 Florida Tech, as a second-half goal by senior Ally Treat made the difference in a 1-0 ballgame. The victory over No. 8 Armstrong was the biggest win of the season, and one of the biggest in program history. GC had never beaten the Pirates prior in womenʼs soccer, and with AASU coming in as No. 8, it was also the highest-ranked team Bobcat soccer had ever beaten. 4
women’s basketball 22-7, 11-6 Peach belt [SEcond in pbc west]
The Bobcat womenʼs basketball team capped an outstanding 2010-11 season with the Peach Beltʼs automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament via a magical run to the PBC Tournament Championship. The tournament title was the fifth in school history, but the first under first-year head coach Maurice Smith. Smith became the only first-year head coach in conference history to take the womenʼs basketball tournament title. The Bobcats earned the programs seventh berth in the NCAA Tournament, and the first since 2007.
GC finished 22-7, the eighth 20-win season in program history, as the Bobcat took second in the PBC West Division at 11-6.
The squad was led by Chimere Jordan at 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Jordan was chosen to the Daktronics All-America Third Team, just the second All-American in school history. Joining Jordan on the All-PBC Team was another senior guard in Dominique Huffin (12.3ppg, 4.6rpg). The pairing averaged over half of the teamʼs points per game. Huffin also earned a spot on the PBC All-Academic Team for the secondstraight season thanks to a 3.40 GPA in health education.
5
men’s basketball 16-10, 10-7 Peach belt [fourth in pbc west}
The 2010-11 season featured a pair of huge milestones for head coach Terry Sellers, as the Bobcat coaching legend won his 300th game on the Georgia College sideline Nov. 19 against Carson-Newman, then added his 500th career victory eight days later against North Alabama. The 300 milestone came with a near-perfect defensive effort, clubbing the Eagles 6030. The 500th career victory came at the University of Montevallo, a spot where Sellers spent five years as a young assistant coach in the late 70s.
The Bobcats finished 16-10 with a 10-7 conference mark, good for a tie for second in the PBC West. The Bobcats finished strong, winning seven of their last nine games. Both losses came at eventual NCAA Tournament participant Montevallo, the second defeat coming in the quarterfinal round of the PBC Tournament.
The biggest victory of that seven came in the inaugural “Battle of the Cats” rivalry game with Augusta State. Senior center Reece Wiedeman powered the team with a dominating 25-point performance, giving GC a 73-69 win over the No. 7 team in the country.
Wiedeman was rewarded for that contest and his season with All-PBC honors, earning a slot on the second team. Senior forward Josh Hurst took his regular spot on the PBC All-Academic Team, thanks to a 3.32 GPA in marketing. Hurst was a three-time recipient of the honor in his career. 6
baseball 35-17, 15-9 peach belt [SEcond in pbc west]
The Bobcat baseball team went 35-17 in 2011, a season that saw them hold down the No. 1 spot in the country for two weeks. The Bobcats found their identity quickly through seniors Shawn Ward and Richard Pirkle, as well as transfer Tanner Funk. Ward始s .398 average, seven home runs and whopping 61 RBI helped the senior rightfielder gain regional and national notoriety, sharing Co-PBC Player of the Year honors, All-America status and a spot as a Tino Martinez Award Division II Player of the Year Semifinalist.
Pirkle was an all-conference and All-Southeast Region honoree, hitting .301 with 12 home runs and 37 RBI. The senior catcher was picked up in the 35th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies.
Funk wowed Bobcat fans all year with his penchant for the extra-base hit, finishing with a .392 average and 54 RBI with 20 doubles. Funk was named an All-American in all three organizations that pick a Division II national team, the only Bobcat to do so.
Joining this trio with both All-PBC and All-Southeast Region honors was another newcomer in lefty starter Mike Guinane. The sophomore was a proven winner, going 9-1 with a 3.84 ERA and 64 strikeouts over 91 1/3 innings.
7
golf fourth in Peach belt
The Bobcat golf program had another outstanding season, dominating the regular season and earning All-America honors for seniors Joe Young and Billy Shida. Young was a second-team honoree, while Shida took a spot as an Honorable Mention. GC had three golfers in the top-10 in stroke average in the Peach Belt, and as a result put four of the five starters on the AllPBC Team. Young, Shida and Patrick Garrett all earned slots on the first team. Shida was named PBC Player of the Year, the fourth GC golfer to take the title. The talented senior nabbed seven top-10 finishes, including an individual title at the Matlock Collegiate Classic in Lakeland, Fla. Feb. 14-15. Head coach Jimmy Wilson won the PBC Coach of the Year trophy, the third in his career.
Bobcat golf took fourth in a tough PBC Championship field, and added a sixth-place finish at the NCAA South/Southeast SuperRegional, the school始s 14th straight appearance in that tournament. Senior Matthew Yonz raked in the academic honors, having the distinction as the first Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American in the golf program始s history. Yonz was also given the University始s highest academic honor, named the 2011 Academic Recognition Day student for Georgia College. This accolade is awarded to a single senior student from each of the University System of Georgia universities and colleges based on scholastic achievement. Yonz and Garrett also made the PBC All-Academic Team. 8
softball 15-35, 9-11 peach belt [SEventh in pbc]
The Bobcats had a strong finish to a sub-par season in 2011, winning three of their last four to get into the PBC playoffs, then upsetting No. 3-seed Columbus State University in the first round. Georgia College finished 1535, but won nine league games, good enough to tie for sixth in the PBC Standings.
In the opening round of the PBC Tournament, Sabrina Chandler tossed an absolute gem, holding No. 3-seed CSU to just a single run on four hits, while not walking a single batter in the complete game. All-PBC catcher Anna Parker drove in two runs thanks to a double to right center in the fifth, at the time giving GC a 2-1 lead. The Bobcats battled Armstrong Atlantic State University to a 4-2 loss and then ended their season with a loss to Augusta State University.
The 'Cats had three All-PBC honorees, as designated player Haley Burnett (.385, 9 HR, 37 RBI) was a first team selection, joined by Parker (.328, 7 HR, 31 RBI) and freshman centerfielder Whitney Okvist (.345, 38 R, 24 SB) on the second team. Burnett始s accolades didn始t end there, as she earned a spot on the Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team at DP. Parker, utility player Caitlin Duvall and infielder Bailey Thompson all took spots on the PBC All-Academic Team as well.
9
Mens tennis 14-9, 4-5 Peach belt [fifth in pbc]
The Bobcats advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011, making fivestraight appearances in that regional tourney. The GC men were 14-9, taking sixth in the PBC at 4-5 in conference play. Singles stars Jerome Leborgne and Johan Wadstein both earned spots on the All-PBC Second Team, with Leborgne going 12-10 and Wadstein 12-7 in singles action in the spring. Junior Leo Bernardes posted the team始s best singles mark at 13-7, while the top doubles entry for GC was Wadstein and Leborgne at 14-8. Leborgne also joined Bobby Angelucci on the PBC AllAcademic Team.
The Bobcats picked up wins over three top-25 schools, including a 6-3 victory over No. 12 Drury in non-conference action. Georgia College finished the season at No. 19 in the country and No. 7 in the Southeast Region, according to the ITA. Leborgne was the country始s No. 61 singles player, while Wadstein came in at No. 63. The doubles pairing was No. 14 in the nation.
10
women’s tennis 16-9, 8-4 peach belt [fifth pbc]
Bobcat womenʼs tennis rebounded from a .500 season a year ago to go 16-9, including an 8-4 mark in PBC play, good for fifth place in the league. The Bobcats earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to NCAA postseason play for the 17th straight season.
Senior Bertille Lion was twice honored by the Peach Belt, earning a spot on the All-PBC Second Team in singles and joining Kayla Barksdale for second-team doubles honors as well. Lion was 11-12 in singles action, all in the first slot, including an impressive 5-5 mark in conference play. As a pairing, Lion and Barksdale were 15-7, holding a 6-5 league record. Michelle Lingner and Kim Lochner were both honorable mentions to the PBC AllAcademic Team.
The Bobcats picked up a pair of wins over nationally-ranked schools, including a 5-4 victory over No. 10 Flagler in conference action. Georgia College finished the season at No. 17 in the country and No. 5 in the Southeast Region, according to the ITA. Lion and Barksdale were No. 24 in the country as a doubles pairing, taking sixth in the region poll.
11
Peach belt all-conference team First team player
year
sport
Tanner Funk
junior
baseball
shawn ward
senior
baseball
patrick garrett
sophomore
joe young
senior
richard pirkle chimere jordan
senior
baseball
senior
women’s basketball
senior
golf
haley burnett
junior
softball
player
year
sport
billy shida
second team mike guinane
sophomore
dominique huffin
senior
reece wiedeman
daniel horseman allison lones
senior
junior
jerome leborgne johan wadstein
men’s cross country
women’s soccer
junior
bertille lion/kayla barksdale
women’s basketball
junior
anna parker bertille lion
baseball
men’s basketball
women’s cross country
freshman
whitney okvist
golf
freshman
gavin harper
karen bonilla
golf
freshman senior
senior/sophomore junior
sophomore
16
golf
softball
softball
women’s tennis women’s tennis men’s tennis
men’s tennis
academic honors The honor roll is divided into four groups: Presidential Scholars, Bronze Scholars, Silver Scholars and Gold Scholars. All student-athletes with a GPA from 3.0 to 3.24 are Presidential Scholars while Bronze Scholars are 3.25 to 3.49; Silver 3.50 to 3.74 and Gold Scholars are those with a 3.75 to 4.00. A list of the student-athletes honored by the Peach Belt Conference:
Baseball (13): Gold Scholars: John Welborn; Silver Scholars: Taylor Hart; Bronze Scholars: Benton Yaun, Daniel Bick, Taylor Greene, Eric Pettepher, Heine Rivera; Presidential Scholars: Shawn Haley, Billy Henley , Michael Jeanes, Richard Pirkle, Matthew Robinson, Joe Scott
Women始s Basketball (6): Gold Scholars: Ashleigh Fox; Silver Scholars: Tammeshia Law; Bronze Scholars: Jessica Baker; Presidential Scholars: Dominique Huffin, Kaila Parham, Huguette Yanga Men始s Basketball (4): Presidential Scholar: Ryan Aquino, Mike Augustine, Jordan Grant, Josh Hurst
Women始s Cross Country (10): Gold Scholars: Victoria Dobson, Ashton Passino; Silver Scholars: Sarah Balkcom, Dani Destiche, Madeline McCane, Emily Stancil, Alex Taylor; Bronze Scholars: Andrea Byrnes, Allison Lones, Sarah Ortman
Men始s Cross Country (9): Gold Scholars: Daniel Horseman, Philip Laskey, Erik Ottoson; Silver Scholars: Tim Cary; Bronze Scholars: Tucker Forbes, Tyler Mattix, Nick Widener; Presidential Scholars: Michael Heuett , James Watters
12
academic honors Golf (9): Gold Scholars: Matthew Yonz; Silver Scholars: Victor Monte; Bronze Scholars: Patrick Garrett; Presidential Scholars: Bayley Craig , Brantley Patton, Billy Shida, Taylor Smith, Tyler Tucker, Joe Young
Soccer (18): Gold Scholars: Jessica Binkowski, Kayla Emerson, Alex Knight, Kelli McLane, Jessica Newland, Ally Treat; Silver Scholars: Mary Rob Plunkett, Anna Wierzbicki, Taylor Yee; Bronze Scholars: Stephanie Andino, Anna Barrow, Brittaney Borror, Tawny Moffat, Haley O始Hayer; Presidential Scholars: Karen Bonilla, Olivia Holden, Taylor Mulryan, Amanda Veillon
Softball (13): Gold Scholars: Bailey Thompson, Corby Holmes; Silver Scholars: Alex Duvall, Anna Parker, Lauren Potts; Bronze Scholars: Sabrina Chandler, Maggie Davis, Caitlin Duvall, Chelsea Huffman; Presidential Scholars: Kali Carswell, Brandie Monroe, Kati Pickowitz, Jessica Solomon Women始s Tennis (4): Gold Scholars: Kim Lochner, May Johnson; Silver Scholars: Michelle Lingner, Tracy Bain
Men始s Tennis (4): Gold Scholars: Jerome Leborgne; Silver Scholars: Bobby Angelucci; Bronze Scholars: Tobias Rausch; Presidential Scholars: Tyler Franks
13
academic honors GC had an impressive four teams compile GPAs over 3.0, with womenʼs cross country earning the highest among all teams women’s cross country 3.34 gpa
women’s tennis 3.10 gpa soccer
3.06 gpa softball 3.06 gpa
14
Peach belt all-academic team player
michelle lingner kim lochner
robert angelucci jerome leborgne
year
Sophomore
sophomore junior
junior
sport
gpa
w. tennis
3.55
w. tennis m. tennis
3.88
softball
3.42
senior
baseball
3.11
senior
golf
junior
softball
bailey thompson
senior
softball
ryan parson
junior
pat garrett
sophomore
dominique huffin
senior
matthew yonz
political science
4.0
athletic training
psychology psychology
3.40
health education
m. basketball
3.32
marketing
soccer
3.63
management
jessica binkowski
senior
soccer
ally treat
senior
senior
business admin
3.75
w. basketball
w. basketball
mary rob plunkett
mathematics
3.64
sophomore senior
Pre-nursing
management
golf
kaila parham josh hurst
3.65
m. tennis
caitlin duvall anna parker
3.61
major
soccer
3.96
3.62 3.96 3.91
biology
chemistry undecided biology
biology
daniel horseman
junior
m. cross country
3.72
outdoor education
nick widener
sophomore
m. cross country
3.45
mass comm
dani destiche
senior
w. cross country
3.63
erik ottoson
sarah balkcom victoria dobson
senior
junior
junior
m. cross country
w. cross country
w. cross country
15
3.37
3.37
3.64
management
health education
outdoor education english
2011 Graduates player
Richard Pirkle ryan parson billy henley josh hurst
mandi dudish
sport
major
baseball
management
baseball
psychology
baseball
men’s basketball
mathematics
management
women’s basketball
business administration
alex taylor
women’s cross country
mass communication
matthew yonz
golf
chemistry
erik ottoson billy shida
men’s cross country golf
mary rob plunkett
women’s soccer
kelli mclane
women’s soccer
jessica newland
management accounting
management
women’s soccer
mass communication
kayla emerson
women’s soccer
health education
jessica binkowski
women’s soccer
biology
brandie monroe
softball
ally treat
bailey thompson jerome leborgne
women’s soccer
psychology biology
softball
athletic training
men’s tennis
business administration
management
17
Matthew yonz: A true student-athlete Matthew Yonz has been a regular starter for the Bobcat golf team, but it was his efforts in the classroom over his four seasons that have earned him the highest academic honor a Georgia College senior can receive.
Yonz was announced as the 2011 Academic Recognition Day student for Georgia College, an honor awarded to a single student from each of the University System of Georgia universities and colleges based on scholastic achievement.
“Matthew represents everything that is good about college athletics,” said GC Athletic Director Wendell Staton. “Not only is he is an outstanding student and a starter on one of the best golf programs in the country, Matthew is an even better person. He has a tremendous work ethic in all areas and he truly represents the ʻlife in the balanceʼ theme that is at the cornerstone of NCAA Division II. He will have great success in his career and we are proud to have him in the Bobcat family.”
Nominees were required to be an undergraduate resident of Georgia and have completed 75 hours with a GPA of or near 4.0. Yonz completed his degree in chemistry with a minor in math.
18
community engagement e Softball Rings th Bell for The Salvation Army
: From left to right , Chelsie Huffman Kelly Miller, r, Mandy Chandle Anna Parker
Baseball holds th eir Annual Hallowee n on the Hill even t for the children of Milledgeville, Ga.
Men’s basketball player Josh Hurst reads to the children at Blandy Elementary 19
community engagement Director of Athletics Wendell Staton helps freshmen move in to their new dorms
Head baseball coach Tom Carty with a pair of youngsters for Miracle League Day at John Kurtz Field
- Georgia College athletics makes a valiant effort to give back to the Milledgeville and Central Georgia community
-Some examples include: -Men始s Basketball Reading at Creekside Elementary -Valetine始s Day Youth Soccer Clinic -Halloween on the Hill (Baseball) -Miracle League Day at the baseball field -Various Breast Cancer Awareness events -Ringing the Bell for the Salvation Army (Softball) -March of Dimes Night (Basketball) -PAWS for a Cause -Bake Sale at Creekside Elementary (Tennis) -Early Learning Center (Women始s Basketball) -Freshman Move-In Day Help (Soccer)
-These are just a few steps to help ensure that Georgia College athletics is doing their part to help make Milledgeville and Central Georgia a wonderful place to live! 20
community engagement Tennis helps with bake sale at entary Creekside Elem ic s Day Youth Clin Soccer Valentine’
Head women’s basketball coach Maurice Smith ha s some fun at the youth camp
Eggstavaganza Baseball Easter
Richard Pirkle helps out with Day Miracle League ld at John Kurtz Fie 21
Soccer moves so me new freshmen into th eir dorms
paws for a cause The Georgia College Athletics Department joined with the GIVE Center on the GC campus to hold the first annual “Paws For a Cause” event as part of Homecoming week at the Centennial Center parking lot.
Groups, clubs and organizations paid $36 apiece for five-foot paws that could be decorated in the Centennial Center parking lot. Approximately $1000 was generated with all proceeds going to the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy. “I canʼt thank everyone enough for the fantastic turnout at Paws for a Cause,” said Athletic Director Wendell Staton, “I had nothing but positive comments from the participants and the artwork is incredible! All credit goes to the outstanding students, faculty and staff of GC for this great community-engagement project.” Alpha Delta Pi were the winners of the decorating contest which included 28 separate paws.
“I want to thank everyone that contributed from the bottom of my heart. We just gave 28 children books for a year!” said Kendall Stiles.
The Ferst Foundation is an organization designed to provide books for local communities to prepare all Georgia preschool children for reading and learning success. 22
social media Georgia College remains one of the leaders in the social media world. In an effort to garner more notoriety when rebranding, GC launched a campaign to gain 2011 likes of the facebook page before 2011 which turned out to be very successful GC placed a new emphasis on video and grabbed nearly 6,000 views over the 2010-11 school year
Web traffic also continues to climb with 16.4 million hits last year, including an average of over 6,000 unique users per month Find your favorite GC sports on facebook at facebook.com/GCBobcats
Get up-to-the-minute news on all gc sports by following the bobcats on twitter @BobcatSports
Watch highlights, recaps and much more about bobcat athletics on youtube at www.youtube.com/gcsubobcatsid
23
facilities Georgia College is home to some of the best facilities and fields in the southeast In an effort to remain amongst the elite, GC has recently improved a number of facilities
Centennial Tennis Complex
Centennial Center
These advancements include: -Resurfacing of tennis courts -Regrading of baseball infield -Baseball halo around home -New stadium seating at softball and soccer -New signage and banners throughout Centennial
26,704 fans attended Bobcat home games during the 2010-11 year, up 7.3% from the previous year despite hosting less events
Soccer saw the biggest increase, up 18% from 2009-10
The Peeler Complex
John Kurtz Field 24
Baseball : John Kurtz Field Basketball : Centennial Center Cross Country : West Campus Soccer : Bobcat Field Softball : Peeler Complex Tennis : Centennial Complex
summer camps Georgia College offers a variety of camps that bring youth from Baldwin County, Middle Georgia and the entire state to the Milledgeville campus
The camps serve as an excellent opportunity for community involvement, providing youth with a fun-filled, learning experience GC Bobcat athletics has youth camps available in the following sports: -Baseball -Boy始s Basketball -Girl始s Basketball -Soccer -Tennis -Softball
For more information
visit www.GCSportsCamps.com
25
athletic auction
The Georgia College Athletic Auction brings together Bobcat supporters throughout Middle Georgia
The 13th Annual Athletic Auction was attended by over 300 supporters. Funds directly impact scholarships and capital projects Raffles, prizes and drawings lead to a fun-filled night with Bobcat family and friends
26
Sodexo golf tournament
The Annual Sodexo Bobcat Classic Golf Tournament is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for GC athletics Held at the beautiful Harbor Club in Greensboro, Ga., Bobcat Nation comes together for a day filled with fun, prizes and golf
Proceeds from the golf tournament directly benefit student-athlete scholarships and capital projects
27
ncaa division II athletics During the 2010-11 school year, GC put an impressive 60 percent of competing teams into NCAA postseason action
DII Positioning Statement
Higher education has lasting importance on an individualʼs future success. For this reason, the emphasis for the student-athlete experience in Division II is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletic competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning opportunity provide Division II student-athletes a path to graduation while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead.
men’s cross country
women’s cross country Men’s tennis
women’s tennis golf
women’s basketball
28
peach belt conference Georgia College is a charter memberof the Peach Belt Conference, which is entering its 22nd year of existence in 2011-12. It has become one of the elite Division II conferences in the nation. Since its inception in 1990-91, the Peach Belt has developed a consistent history of excellence which continues to this day with 30 national championships and 27 national finalists.
The conference currently holds championships in 13 sports, six for men and seven for women. They are menʼs and womenʼs cross country, menʼs and womenʼs soccer, volleyball, menʼs and womenʼs basketball, menʼs and womenʼs tennis, baseball, softball and menʼs and womenʼs golf.
georgia col lege commissioner cup finish es
georgia college peach belt championships Sport
Baseball
Men’s basketball
year
Women’s tennis men’s tennis
2010-11
4th
2009-10
‘92,’96
2007-08
5th
‘99,’03
2005-06
5th
2008-09
‘00, ‘10
2006-07
‘09
1st 1st
5th
2004-05
8th
2002-03
6th
2003-04
29
finish
‘06,‘07,‘10
‘97,‘99,‘00,‘06
Women’s basketball
golf
year
5th