F ounded in 1841 as Howard College,

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2 SAMFORD UNIVERSITY SAMFORD UNIVERSITY F ounded in 1841 as Howard College, Samford is the largest independently supported university in the state of Alabama. More than 4,400 students from 44 states and 32 nations study in Samford s eight schools Howard College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Beeson School of Divinity (the only divinity school in the state), Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies, Cumberland School of Law, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing, School of Performing Arts, and McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Samford s Metro College offers adult education and degree completion programs spanning the undergraduate academic units. COMMUNITY Samford s campus in Birmingham, Alabama s scenic Shades Valley is among the nation s loveliest. Architecturally and environmentally, it is a gem, with its stately Georgian-Colonial buildings, copper domes and spires, and rolling green hills. Samford students enjoy the best of both worlds on this serene and secure campus only a few miles from one of the largest cities in the Southeastern U.S. Beyond Samford s remarkable physical beauty, students discover an environment of energy and inspiration that encourages growth in mind, body and spirit. RESOURCES Teaching: Samford offers small classes taught by 419 talented and dedicated faculty members (264 full-time) who hold degrees from more than 160 colleges and universities in the United States and abroad; almost 80 percent of them have earned the highest degrees in their fields of study. International Study: In any term, including January and summer terms, Samford students can be found living, studying or working in England, Morocco, Spain, Brazil, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, France and China. Samford s premiere international program is housed in a renovated Victorian home in the heart of London s famous West End, within easy walking distance of some of the city s most famous cultural attractions. Samford also has acquired land and is planning an additional living/learning center on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. Athletics: Samford competes in 17 NCAA Division I sports, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track (including indoor track) and volleyball. Technology: Every residence hall room has Internet and phone connections for each resident. Students also have access to laptop computers, Internet connections in library study areas and hundreds of PCs in 22 labs around the campus. 106

3 SAMFORD UNIVERSITY Performing Arts: Samford s Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center features a theatre, recital hall, practice rooms and a 2,700-seat concert hall. Construction began in June 2005 on a new 32,000-square-foot music building that will house a 300-seat, state-of-the-art recital hall, as well as studios, practice rooms, faculty offices, rehearsal halls and storage for the University s burgeoning instrumental music program. Science: Samford s Sciencenter is one of the finest academic science facilities in the region. The state-of-the-art complex features a 100- seat planetarium, a 2,000-square-foot botanical conservatory for medicinal plants and numerous laboratories for hands-on scientific experience. Research: University Library, a Government Documents Repository since 1884, houses a collection of more than one million volumes and is a nationally acclaimed resource for genealogical research. THE SAMFORD SIGNIFICANCE Samford is the largest private university in Alabama and the only university in the state ranked among the top five in its peer group by U.S. News & World Report. Samford is one of the top four institutions recognized nationally for effective teacher education preparation by the U.S. Department of Education. Samford s first-year and civic education programs are recognized for excellence in the The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character. Three of Alabama s most recent Carnegie Professors of the Year teach at Samford. Samford is home to the Alabama Governor s School, a summer enrichment program for outstanding high-school seniors. Cumberland School of Law is one of only two accredited law schools in the state and the only law school affiliated with a private university. McWhorter School of Pharmacy is one of only two accredited pharmacy schools in the state and the only pharmacy school affiliated with a private university. Samford is the home of Beeson Divinity School, the only graduate theological school based in Alabama. Samford annually sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, where students present papers to their academic peers. Samford receives about $5 million annually from the Alabama Baptist State Convention, all of which is returned to students in various forms of financial aid. Betsy Rogers, four-time Samford graduate, was honored as the 2003 National Teacher of the Year by President George W. Bush and the U.S. Department of Education. 107

4 ALUMNI OUTSTANDING SAMFORD ALUMNI SERVE AROUND THE WORLD S amford University graduates now numbering more than 50,000 in 164 years have served around the world as missionaries, ministers, teachers, business leaders, politicians, pharmacists, lawyers, physicians and community leaders. Today, the Samford University Alumni Association counts more than 27,000 graduates among its membership and works to nurture lifelong relationships with Samford alumni. As they have for 164 years, Samford graduates continue to distinguish themselves in a variety of ways. Bobby Bowden 53 Head Football Coach, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida Bobby Bowden, Howard College s Little All-American Quarterback, returned to his alma mater to serve as head football coach from 1959 to After a successful coaching career at then-howard College, he went on to national prominence as head coach at West Virginia University and Florida State University. Francois Coutu 81 Pharmaceutical Corporation Executive Francois Coutu, a 1981 graduate of Samford s McWhorter School of Pharmacy, is President and CEO of the Quebec-based Jean Coutu Group, the fourth-largest drugstore chain in North America with a combined network of 2,196 stores. In 2001, Samford recognized Coutu as its first International Alumnus of the Year. He has served on the McWhorter School of Pharmacy advisory board for more than a decade. Deidre Downs 02 Miss America 2005 When Deidre Downs was crowned Miss America 2005, she immediately achieved a national platform for her advocacy in helping pediatric cancer victims, a program she already had started in Alabama. Downs earned an undergraduate degree in history in 2002 and plans to pursue a medical degree when she completes her term as Miss America in late Downs was instrumental in the Curing Childhood Cancer car tags in Alabama that raise funds for pediatric cancer research at Children s Hospital in Birmingham. Dr. J. Wayne Flynt 61 Distinguished University Professor, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama Wayne Flynt, who is both a Samford alumnus and former faculty member, is the award-winning author of 10 books on Southern political history, poverty and religion. His 1990 book, Poor But Proud, won the Lillian Smith Award for nonfiction, presented by the Southern Regional Council, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. In 2000, Samford conferred upon Flynt an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Susan Pace Hamill 02 Professor, University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Susan Pace Hamill used a year-long academic sabbatical to earn a master of theological studies degree from Samford s Beeson Divinity School. Her master s thesis, an exhaustive study of Alabama s tax system from a theological perspective, drew international attention and acclaim. In 2003, Samford published and distributed more than 35,000 copies of a condensed version of Hamill s challenging thesis. A. Gerow Hodges 42 War Hero, Retired Insurance Executive and Former Chairman, Samford University Board of Trustees, Birmingham, Alabama Gerow Hodges was a promising Howard College football player before a shoulder injury permanently sidelined him and prevented him from serving in combat during World War II. Hodges was determined to serve his country, however, and as a Red Cross liaison to the 94th Infantry Division in Europe, he negotiated the release of 149 allied prisoners of war. For his courage and contribution, he was awarded two Bronze Stars, the highest military honor available to civilians at the time. Hodges returned to Alabama after the war and began a decades-long career with Liberty National Life Insurance Company, retiring as executive vice president in

5 ALUMNI Wanda Lee 69 Executive Director, Southern Baptist Woman s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama Wanda Lee first felt a missionary calling while earning her degree at Samford s Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. After almost a decade of nursing and active involvement in local WMU, she and her husband departed for the mission field in the Windward Islands. Returning to the U.S., Lee rose to key positions of leadership within WMU, including national president. She has served as WMU s executive director since Betsy Rogers 74, 98, 00, National Teacher of the Year, Leeds, Alabama Betsy Rogers is a thirdgeneration Samford alumna who holds four degrees from Samford s Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies. She began her teaching career in 1974 and built a reputation as an outstanding educator. A year after being honored as Alabama s Teacher of the Year, Rogers found herself in the national spotlight when she was honored as the National Teacher of the Year by President and Mrs. George W. Bush in a White House Rose Garden ceremony. In this year-long role, the first- and second-grade teacher at Leeds Elementary School in suburban Birmingham will take her personal message on an international speaking tour. 109

6 PRESIDENT DR. THOMAS E. CORTS PRESIDENT B orn in Terre Haute, Ind., and reared in Ashtabula, Ohio, Samford President Thomas E. Corts is one of seven siblings and the oldest brother to answer a calling other than full-time ministry. Although in his youth he was so involved in church activities that high school classmates jokingly called him Reverend, he did not dream of a career in the pulpit. In fact, he was more excited by the prospect of a career in journalism. Working for the local newspaper as a teenager, Corts reported on Friday night football games, mixing with players and coaches on the sidelines but never guessing that someday he would have ultimate responsibility of an entire university s athletics programs. It was not until he was attending Georgetown (Ky.) College that Corts began to glimpse how he might combine his faith, his love for education and his family s tradition of service. With the guidance and interest of Georgetown President Robert L. Mills, Corts found an aptitude for and interest in the behind-the-scenes work of higher education. After graduating from Georgetown, Corts earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Indiana University and served as executive vice president at Georgetown College before becoming president of Wingate College in Since becoming president of Samford University in 1983, Corts has led the most dramatic period of growth in the University s history. Samford now ranks among the South s top five regional universities, posts record enrollments, offers extensive international study experience and enjoys a growing reputation for innovative teaching. Corts led over halfa-dozen major building projects and nurtured an endowment among the top five percent of all the nation s universities and colleges. He also established a thriving women s athletics program, helped revive and expand Samford s tradition of intercollegiate football, led Samford to a challenging new level of competition in the Ohio Valley Conference and generally renewed Samford s commitment to athletics as a complement to academic integrity rather than a replacement for it. In addition to his presidency of Samford, Corts has served as chairman of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [SACS], president of SACS, president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, and president of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform. He and wife, Marla Haas Corts, have two daughters, Jennifer and Rachel, a son, Christian, and six grandchildren. President Corts has announced his plans to retire by the end of the academic year, and a national search is underway to select his successor. 110

7 ATHLETICS STAFF BOB ROLLER Director of Athletics B ob Roller was named Samford s third full-time athletics director in May 1999 and has overseen one of the most exciting periods in the history of Samford athletics. In his six years at the helm of the athletics department, Roller has seen a major upgrade in facilities and a move to a new conference, which includes all Samford s 17 men s and women s intercollegiate sports. In the spring of 2005, the university announced a plan for a new 5,000-seat, stateof-the-art arena/fitness center. Along with the new arena, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007, the tennis team will have new courts, and Seibert Stadium will have field turf to replace its original natural grass playing surface. The new courts and the new playing surface are scheduled to be in place for fall The athletics facility upgrades have been swift during his tenure. More than $2 million have been raised for projects ranging from new strength and conditioning equipment to an eight-lane outdoor track and construction of Joe Lee Griffin Field for Samford baseball. Roller presents the women s soccer team with the 2004 OVC Regular Season Championship trophy. The 2004 season saw upgrades to Samford s softball complex and a complete renovation of the soccer field, with permanent seating for the record crowds at Samford soccer. In 2003, Samford moved to the Ohio Valley Conference, the nation s eighth-oldest conference, and made an immediate impact. In its first year in the league, Samford won the Women s All-Sports trophy, becoming the first institution in the history of the conference to win the award in its first year in the league. The women s soccer team won the league s regular-season title, while the women s tennis team captured the conference tournament championship and the league s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Samford men had success as well, finishing fourth from 11 participating schools in the All-Sports standings. The football team, in its first year in a conference since moving to Division I-AA, finished third in the conference, and the baseball team posted a thirdplace finish at the OVC Tournament. All these accomplishments have taken place while Samford has maintained high academic standards. The school recently recognized 98 student-athletes for academic achievement, and Samford inducted 27 student-athletes into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society. Roller came to the Homewood campus in 1997 to direct the Samford Athletic Foundation. During his first two years, the foundation saw record growth in individual and corporate donations to the University s athletics programs. Roller held that position until May 1999, when Samford President Thomas E. Corts named him to the top position within the athletics department. In the summer of 2003, Roller was elected to the prestigious executive committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics [NACDA] to serve a four-year term. He joined athletics directors from Kansas State, Stanford, Army and Clemson on the governing committed that oversees the activities of the 6,000- plus member organization. Before his arrival at Samford, Roller was vice president of AdCraft Sports Marketing in Louisville, Ky., for seven years. During that time, he helped create the Sears Collegiate Champions Roller speaks to the media at Samford s annual Basketball Media Day. program, which honors all champions of men s and women s sports throughout the nation at every level of college athletics. While with AdCraft, a division of Host Communications, Inc., Roller created and managed a publishing division and helped launch NCAA Football USA, which involved promotion, licensing and merchandising for college football programs at all levels of intercollegiate athletics. Roller was director of communications for the Orange Bowl Committee in Miami, Fla., from 1988 to He was with the Orange Bowl when Federal Express became its first title sponsor in The Pearisburg, Va., native began his career in sports information. He earned his degree from Virginia Tech in 1983 and worked as a student assistant in the sports information office for four years. He was the sports information director at UNC Wilmington and East Carolina University from 1983 to While at UNC Wilmington, Roller, 44, was also executive director of the university s athletics fund-raising program. Roller holds a master s degree in education administration from Samford. His wife, Julie, has been a minister to children at two Birmingham-area churches for the past five years. They have one son, Brad, 20, who recently completed his first year at Samford. 111

8 ATHLETIC STAFF Peter Neuberger Senior Associate Director of Athletics ith one of the longest W tenures in the Samford Athletics Department spanning three decades Peter Neuberger commences his 19th year at Samford and his 14th as senior associate director of athletics. His responsibilities involve the coordination of all internal operations, including NCAA compliance operations, the Academic Enhancement Program (AEP, the athletics department s academic support system), acting as liaison between the athletics department and the University s academic community. Under Neuberger s leadership, Samford earned the Trans America Athletic Conference [TAAC] All-Academic trophy. Samford won the trophy three of the last four years it belonged to TAAC. In claiming its second consecutive award, Samford had 54.1 percent (112 of 207) of its student-athletes achieve a 3.0 or higher grade point average during their season of competition over the past academic school year. Over the last 10 years, an average of 50 percent of Samford s student-athletes have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Over the past five years, an average of 55 percent have earned a GPA of at least 3.0. Neuberger is well known and respected throughout the Samford academic community. In addition to teaching one of Samford s Horizons courses for entering freshmen, he assists in the Samford Advising, Learning and Tutoring [SALT] Center, advising and mentoring freshmen with undeclared majors. Additionally, he is a part-time adjunct instructor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine [ESSM], teaching Concepts in Fitness and Health. In his present capacity, he has created a healthy environment conducive to academic success by implementing a personal tutorial, advising and monitoring network within the Samford community to take advantage of all educational services available at the University for student-athletes. The Milwaukee, Wisc., native played professional basketball and taught in Europe for eight years before coming to Samford. During that time, he was assistant athletics director and varsity basketball coach, and taught foreign languages at the American International School in Vienna, Austria. Neuberger has lived, studied and played basketball in Austria, Mexico, Italy and Spain, and he speaks five languages. Before moving into administration, Neuberger spent five seasons as assistant coach with the Bulldog basketball program. He earned his B.S. in Spanish/education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in He played collegiate basketball there and was an Academic All-America selection. He was a National Fulbright Scholar finalist in 1978 and the school s outstanding scholar student-athlete. An avid runner, Neuberger earned his M.A. in international and human resources from Webster University (Vienna) in He and his wife, Becky, are the parents of two sons: Andrew, 18, and Scott, 15. Jay Roberson Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations ay Roberson begins his J first year as Samford s associate director of athletics for external operations. Roberson will be in charge of all external operations, including marketing, sports information and broadcasting. He will work mainly with corporate sponsorships and fund-raising. Jay is extremely well respected in this market, Samford Director of Athletics Bob Roller said. He is ready to dig in and assist us in fund-raising and corporate marketing. It s an opportunity for me to be on campus and to get exposure for a great institution in Birmingham, Roberson said. Bob Roller has done a tremendous job of leadership in the administration here. Roberson comes to Samford after serving as an assistant commissioner for the Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] since While with the SWAC, he served as the director for the conference s football championship game and basketball tournament. Roberson managed and developed sponsorship packages, marketing and advertising campaigns for the SWAC. He also served as the liaison for all television partnerships with the SWAC, and he served as the host of the SWAC Magazine Show. Before working at the SWAC, Roberson was the event director for the Bruno Event Team/Alabama Sports Foundation from 1999 until He served as the event coordinator for several championships and other events for the Bruno Event Team. He also managed and developed sponsorship packages, marketing and advertising campaigns, operations and logistics for those events. From 1997 to 1999, Roberson was the director of media for Ramsay/Classic Sports Marketing. In his role with Ramsay, he served as the producer/talent for the college football magazine show It s Showtime! on Fox Sports South. He was also the host/color analyst for the Ramsay Game Day College Football Broadcast on Fox Sports South and the Sunshine Network. Roberson served as a teacher and coach at his alma mater, Homewood High School, from 1996 to In , he was an intern with Alabama Power, assisting in various areas of corporate communications. Roberson and his wife, Niva, reside in the Birmingham area with their two children, Lia (5) and Tré (2). Chris Scott Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services hris Scott was named Cassistant director of athletics for academic services in April Scott joined Samford as director of academic enhancement in June He oversees Samford s Academic Enhancement Program [AEP], which provides guidance, personal attention and academic skills enhancement to student-athletes through proper academic advising, counseling and tutorial assistance. Additionally, he assists Samford administrators in the areas of NCAA compliance. Scott serves as Samford s chapter adviser of the Chi Alpha Sigma National Student- Athlete Honor Society. He is also a Samford S.U.ccess program staff mentor, academic adviser for students with undeclared majors and a member of the University s CHAMPS/ Life Skills Athletics Advisory Board. Before joining the athletics department full-time, Scott served as a graduate assistant for Senior Associate Director of Athletics Peter Neuberger for three years. During that time, he assisted in the areas of academic advising, student-staff mentoring, compliance and gameday operations. He also served one semester as an intern in the Samford Department of Counseling Services. Before coming to Samford, Scott worked as the lead high school sports writer for The Pensacola News Journal in Pensacola, Fla., for three years. During that time, he was responsible for 19 high school athletics teams in the 112

9 ATHLETIC STAFF Florida panhandle area and covered four high school state championship teams. Scott completed a master of education degree from the University of Montevallo in Spring 2001 and is a 1994 graduate of the University of Alabama with a B.A. in communication. He is a native of Fairfield, Ala. He recently married the former Regina Ruffin of Athens, Ala. Courtney McCrory Senior Woman Administrator ourtney McCrory Centers her second year as Senior Woman Administrator, though she has been on the Samford athletics staff since December She works closely with Samford coaches and student-athletes on budgets, scholarships and other internal issues. She also serves as a liaison between Samford and the Ohio Valley Conference. Before taking over her current duties in July 2004, McCrory served as the development assistant. In her previous position, she was heavily involved in Samford s marketing efforts and fund-raising events. Before coming to Samford, McCrory worked at College Sports Southeast as an associate producer from September 2000 to August She worked as a sports administration assistant at the Southeastern Conference from December 1998 to September McCrory worked as an intern at two Birmingham-area television stations, NBC 13 (Summer of 1997) and Fox 6 (Spring of 1998). While a student at Samford, McCrory worked as a student assistant in the sports information department from 1995 until McCrory, 29, is a 1998 graduate of Samford with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is married to fellow Samford graduate Scott McCrory, a CPA with Dent, Baker & Co. The couple, along with their cat, Macey, and dog, Pete, resides in Homewood. Wayne Kendrick Head Athletics Trainer ayne Kendrick W enters his seventh year as head athletics trainer at Samford. A 1970 graduate of Samford, he returned to his alma mater in 1996 after serving as one of the few athletics trainers in Alabama high schools for 26 years in the Jefferson County and Hoover City School systems. Kendrick has earned many honors, including induction into the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in A member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1971, he has received the NATA Service Award and was the first recipient of the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association s High School Athletic Trainer of the Year. Kendrick currently serves as secretary to the Alabama Board of Athletic Training. He has served as a board member since Nationally, Kendrick serves on the Ethics Committee of the NATA. He also served as an athletics trainer for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. Kendrick earned a master of arts from the University of Alabama. He is married to the former Donna Merrill of Mobile, Alabama. They have two adult sons, Dale and Kent. Carrie Parker Director of Marketing arrie Parker begins her Cfirst year as Samford s director of marketing. Parker has worked as the assistant director of ticket operations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham since July She oversaw game-day ticket sales and operations, and coordinated the distribution of tickets for road games. She also served as the game-day administrator for men s soccer and softball, and she assisted the marketing department with the development of new promotional ideas. Before working in the UAB ticket office, Parker worked as a sports marketing graduate assistant for the Blazers from July 2002 to July She served as the marketing manager for men s and women s soccer, and assisted in the marketing of the men s basketball team. Parker is a 2002 graduate of UAB. Grant Lyons Director of Promotions and Campus Relations rant Lyons begins his G first year as Samford s director of promotions and campus relations. Before coming to Samford, Lyons worked as an authorized dealer/field manager for W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. He served as a police officer with the Homewood Police Department from August 2004 to January Lyons worked as a game-day marketing assistant at Samford during the 2004 football season. In his role as marketing assistant, he managed the Samford online store and its student employees, and he managed the sponsorship tents during football games. While a student at Samford, Lyons served as a supervisor and referee for the intramural athletics program. Lyons is a 2004 Samford graduate. He married fellow Samford graduate, Vaughan Boyd of Elba, Ala., on Aug

10 ATHLETIC STAFF Joey Mullins Sports Information Director oey Mullins begins his J third year in the Samford sports information department, and his second as the sports information director. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the office and is the primary contact for football, women s basketball and baseball. Mullins, a native of Headland, Ala., and a 1999 graduate of Troy State University, spent two years as assistant sports information director at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. prior to coming to Samford in August At Liberty, Mullins served as the primary contact for the women s basketball, baseball, men s and women s soccer and golf teams. He worked with the women s basketball team that won the Big South Conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Before working at Liberty, Mullins served as an intern in the sports information offices at Wake Forest University ( ) and the University of Florida ( ). At Wake Forest, he was the contact for the baseball, men s soccer, field hockey and men s and women s tennis teams. Mullins also served as the media director for several ACC and NCAA events at Wake Forest. While at Florida, he was the contact for the women s golf and men s swimming and diving teams. His swimming and diving media guide was judged second in the nation by the College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA], while his women s golf guide placed fifth in the nation. Mullins is a member of CoSIDA and the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Zac Schrieber Assistant Sports Information Director ac Schrieber, a 2002 Zgraduate of Louisiana State University, is in his second year as the assistant sports information director at Samford University, where he serves as the primary contact for men s basketball, soccer and softball. Along with the dayto-day duties related to the aforementioned sports, Schrieber s responsibilities include overseeing the media relations aspects of the volleyball program and acting as the primary assistant with the football team. Before joining the Samford athletics department in August 2004, Schrieber worked as the media relations assistant at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for one year. While at UAB, he served as the primary contact for the women s soccer and softball teams, and acted as the media relations assistant during the men s basketball program s Sweet 16 appearance and upset victory over No. 1-seeded Kentucky. A native of New Orleans, La., Schrieber began his career in collegiate athletics by working for five years in the LSU sports information office as both a student assistant and graduate assistant. While earning his bachelor s degree in business management, Schrieber spent a predominant portion of his time training in the field of media relations under the tutelage of LSU sports information directors Herb Vincent and Michael Bonnette. During his five-year term at LSU, Schrieber served as the primary contact for soccer, men s and women s tennis, and swimming and diving. The men s and women s tennis programs were perennially ranked in the Top 20, and the swimming and diving squad produced two national champions. Schrieber also assisted and traveled with the Top 10- ranked football, women s basketball, gymnastics and track and field teams. His 2001 Women s Tennis Media Guide was judged sixth in the nation by the College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA], while his 2002 Men s Tennis Media Guide placed eighth in the Southeast Region. Justin Firesheets Director of Broadcasting ustin Firesheets begins J his third season as director of broadcasting and the full-time Voice of the Bulldogs. He oversees all aspects of athletics broadcasts, handling equipment management, broadcast production and broadcast personnel supervision. He also handles play-by-play duties for all Samford athletics broadcasts and hosts the Samford Sports Weekly radio talk show. He previously spent two years as as parttime member of the Samford broadcast team. In 2003, he wrote and produced a commercial for Samford s online store that won third place from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators. The Louisville, Ky., native was recognized for his work by the National Broadcasting Society and the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation. His video feature stories on Samford men s and women s basketball appeared on College Sports South s The Atlantic Sun Show. He was the public address announcer for two U.S. women s national soccer team exhibitions at Birmingham s Legion Field in 2003 and He also was the public address announcer for the Birmingham regional of the men s college basketball Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. In the spring of 2005, Firesheets was hired as the full-time public address announcer for the Birmingham Barons baseball team, the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Additionally, he has done voiceover work for radio and television commercials. Firesheets was an honorary member of the Alabama Media Professionals. He is a member of the National Broadcasting Society and the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers. Wanda Lucas Business Manager Vaughan Lyons Office Coordinator 114

11 ATHLETICS STAFF MEN S TENNIS KEMPER BAKER University of Mississippi 3 Years Kemper Baker begins his third year as men s tennis coach at Samford after one year as the top assistant. A 1999 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Baker played for the Rebels, who were ranked fifth nationally. In 2005, Baker was named the OVC Coach of the Year. CROSS-COUNTRY AND TRACK GLENN McWATERS Auburn 9 Years Glenn McWaters begins his tenth season as head coach. He has enjoyed a successful run that includes four conference championships and the establishment of more than 160 school records. He has been the Conference Coach of the Year four times. VOLLEYBALL MICHELLE DURBAN Indiana 1 Year Michelle Durban was hired as Samford s sixth volleyball coach Jan. 21, She spent four years at the University of Alabama, serving the last year as associate head coach. Before that, she spent three seasons as the top assistant at Butler University. She graduated from Indiana in 1996 with a degree in recreation and sports management. WOMEN S BASKETBALL MIKE MORRIS Belhaven 11 Years After eight seasons as the top assistant coach for the Samford men s team, Mike Morris became Samford s second women s basketball coach April 3, In his first year, the Bulldogs had four more wins than in , including winning the regular season finale at Jacksonville State. In , he led the program to its second-best record ever. BASEBALL CASEY DUNN Auburn 1 Year Casey Dunn was named head baseball coach at Samford Aug. 9, He spent the previous month working as an assistant coach at Auburn. Before that, Dunn worked three years as the head coach at Spain Park High School in Hoover. At Spain Park, he posted a record of W. TENNIS TERRI SISK Jacksonville State 3 Years Terri Sisk begins her fourth season as head women s tennis coach. She led the team to its first-ever conference championship and NCAA berth in Sisk was the tennis pro at SportsFirst Greystone for two years before coming to Samford. She was an assistant coach at Samford during the season. MEN S GOLF WOODIE EUBANKS Samford 2 Years Woodie Eubanks begins his second season as head men s golf coach. He played golf professionally on minitours and moved into the business side of golf. Eubanks led the Bulldogs to their first-ever OVC Championship and NCAA appearance in WOMEN S GOLF IAN THOMPSON Samford 6 Years Ian Thompson begins his seventh year as head women s golf coach. He spent one season as an assistant for both the men s and women s teams. A native of Wimborne, England, Thompson is also the editor of GolfSouth Magazine and writes a biweekly golf column for The Birmingham News. BILL GRAY Mississippi College 11 Years Bill Gray became Samford s 34th head football coach Oct. 16, Gray led the team in its first season in the OVC in The team posted its first winning season since He was named 2003 OVC Head Coach of the Year. MEN S BASKETBALL JIMMY TILLETTE Our Lady of Holy Cross 14 Years Jimmy Tillette was hired as the 27th men s basketball coach March 2, He became the first Samford basketball coach to earn 100 wins Feb. 15, 2003, at Georgia State. He coached the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA appearances in 1999 and SOFTBALL BEANIE KETCHAM Oklahoma State 6 Years Lee Anne Beanie Ketcham became the seventh head softball coach July 22, 2002, and led the Bulldogs to their first winning season in the program s history. She was a member of the Colorado Silver Bullets, and she struck out 14 batters in the team s first-ever victory over a men s minor league team in She also played high school baseball at Vestavia Hills. SOCCER TODD YELTON King College 3 Years Todd Yelton became the second soccer coach at Samford Jan. 11, He led the Bulldogs to consecutive OVC regular-season championships and was named the 2003 OVC Coach of the Year. In 2004, his team won its second straight OVC regular season title. 115

12 ASSISTANT COACHES AND STAFF Brendt Bedsole TRAINER Kevin Brighton Assistant Trainer BASKETBALL Lee Burgess SOFTBALL Chris Bushby Adam Caine James Carlson Equip. Manager ATHLETICS Joe Collins Turf Manager W. BASKETBALL Shanna Cook SOCCER Brian Copham BASEBALL Tony David Rob Drake BASEBALL Mick Fieldbinder VOLLEYBALL CROSS-COUNTRY and TRACK TRAINER Shawn Gregory Erin Heffner Rick Herzog Aryvia Holmes Chad James Michelle Johnson Assistant Trainer BASEBALL Shayne Kelley M. BASKETBALL Paul Kelly TRAINER Matt Knowles Assistant Trainer SOFTBALL Chris Kuhlmeyer ASMOC Dr. Larry Lemak Orthopedic Surgeon Vicki Maddox Secretary M. BASKETBALL Derrick Jones W. BASKETBALL Latrice McLin ATHLETICS Chris Metress Faculty Athletics Rep. Mike O Toole ASMOC Dr. Tracy Ray Team Physician STRENGTH Tommy Rohling Head Coach VOLLEYBALL Lynze Roos Allen Rudolph M. BASKETBALL Dianna Sanders Secretary Rory Segrest W. BASKETBALL Clarissa Tomlinson SOCCER Jay Yelton 116

13 SEIBERT HALL SEIBERT HALL The Seibert Hall main floor gym has been home to the Samford University basketball team since its completion in The building is named for the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Fla., businessman, who donated the money for the completion of the upper floors. It was the largest donation at that time to then-howard College. The basketball team first played in a temporary facility downstairs from the current gym floor above what is now the swimming pool. This arrangement lasted two seasons ( and ) until the upper floors were completed for the season. The first game in the present facility was played on Dec. 2, 1961, with Samford taking a blowout victory over Belhaven. In the 43 years since that game, Seibert Hall has hosted 42 seasons of men s basketball (all season home games were played at the then-new Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center), 18 years of volleyball and eight years of women s basketball. Additionally, Seibert Hall also hosted at least two Auburn University home basketball games in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Samford has won more than 67 percent of its Seibert Hall home games an impressive home record demonstrating a true home-court advantage for the Bulldogs. During the season, Tillette s first as head coach, the Bulldogs rolled to a 11-1 home record and had a near-miss perfect mark at home except for a last-second opponent victory. It was the best home season since the season, when the Bulldogs finished 14-1 at home under Mike Hanks. Only twice in the 33 years of Samford being NCAA Division I have the Bulldogs gone through a home schedule with only one loss. Several notable basketball teams and individuals have played against Samford at Seibert Hall. Samford upset the SEC s Mississippi State in its only Seibert Hall appearance, 66-63, in Alabama was the first major college foe at Seibert Hall, and Oklahoma (with All-America center and future NBA star Alvan Adams) was Samford s first home-game opponent in its first season of NCAA Division I basketball in Western Kentucky (1986) and Marshall (1972) have brought nationally ranked teams to Seibert. Austin Peay s Fly Williams (the NCAA s leading scorer at the time) delivered a thrilling overtime game to a huge crowd in The basketball court in Seibert Hall recently received an upgrade, including a new floor that has a more natural look and incorporates the Samford athletics logo. Seibert Hall also received an interior facelift before the season. The center-hanging scoreboard was removed and replaced with state-ofthe-art scoreboards behind both baskets. The downstairs bleachers also were covered. During the basketball season, Seibert held its largest crowd in program history, 4,240, as the Bulldogs fell to Georgia State, 73-62, on Feb. 1, In , Seibert Hall held several top crowds. Against Jacksonville State on Jan. 29, Samford s seventh-largest crowd of 3,812 packed Seibert for a win. That followed the 10th-largest audience just a few days earlier on Jan. 25, when Georgia State topped the Bulldogs, In recent years, the basketball program has generated record-setting excitement. Seibert Hall has averaged over 2,000 fans per game. SEIBERT HALL FACTS Built Lower floors, 1959 Upper floors and main gym (current facility), 1961 First Basketball Game Dec. 2, 1961, vs. Belhaven ( Samford win) All-Time Record (main floor) (.671) All-Time Record (temporary facility) 20-7 (.740) All-Time On-campus Record (.676) Tillette s Home Record (.779) Largest Basketball Crowd 4,240, vs. Georgia State (Feb. 1, 2001) 117

14 FACILITIES I n the last decade, 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. Construction begins during the academic year on a new convocation/arena/fitness complex that will provide outstanding playing facilities for volleyball and men s and women s basketball in a 5,000-seat arena, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-ofthe-art training facilities for Samford s varsity sports. Also included in the facility will be offices, meeting space and support facilities for coaches and athletics administration. The new facility will be adjacent to Bashinsky Fieldhouse and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major nonathletics events. A new tennis complex will be constructed on Samford s west campus to replace the existing Hardison Tennis Center. Tentative plans are for construction to begin in fall Designs being considered include three indoor courts and six outdoor courts, with a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms. All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of The football program will remain in its current facilities in Bashinsky Fieldhouse adjacent to Seibert Stadium, with tentative plans to expand into space vacated by other programs when the new arena/convocation center is completed. Following completion of the new arena/fitness/convocation center, facilities in Seibert Hall will be renovated to accommodate Joe Lee Griffin Field, completed in 2000, is one of the most scenic baseball parks in the Ohio Valley Conference. academic programs and student recreation activities. Samford s soccer stadium, located across Lakeshore Drive from the main campus, has become one of the premier soccer venues in the Ohio Valley Conference. Nestled among the trees along beautiful Shades Creek, the 1,000-seat stadium is home to the Samford women s soccer team and was the site of the 2003 and 2004 Ohio Valley Conference championship tournament. 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 Samford softball field was named the Sports Turf Managers Association Softball Field of the Year for Future plans call for expanded seating and support facilities at the 300-seat stadium. The Bulldog Spirit Plaza, scheduled for dedication during 2005 Homecoming weekend, will be the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Fieldhouse and the new arena. Organized by the class of 2003, the beautifully landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, current 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 and premier facilities in the Ohio Valley Conference. Seibert Hall provides an outstanding old-school feel and electric atmosphere for men s and women s basketball, and women s volleyball. 118

15 FACILITIES The Samford Softball Field was named the 2001 Sports Turf Softball Field of the Year based on its playability and appearance of playing surface. The Samford Tennis Center added a state-of-the-art scoreboard in Seibert Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since The 6,700-seat stadium has hosted a crowd as large as 11,

16 STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING T he year 2000 was a memorable one for Samford s strength and conditioning program, as expansion of its facility moved the Bulldogs into a new era of strength training. Using a portion of a $500,000 gift from Birmingham businessman Gene Blumely, the Bulldogs varsity strength and conditioning facility expanded to nearly three times its original size. Construction began in the summer of 2000, converting handball courts to office suites, classrooms, meeting rooms and a new wing of the weight room. Along the way, there were a few growing pains, such as finding space for all Samford s intercollegiate teams to train. The answer came in the form of muscle beach, the temporary relocation to the deck of the indoor swimming pool. Bulldog athletes and coaches struggled through the hot and humid temperatures for seven months, until construction was completed in late December and the new 3,000-square-foot facility officially opened in January To fill the newly expanded facility, Samford Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Tommy Rohling made use of an anonymous $50,000 gift to purchase 18 Hammer Strength stations, eight Samson power stations, and eight Texas bars and to increase the weight total to 10,500 pounds. Rohling, a 1990 Samford graduate and three-year football letterman during , returned to his alma mater in He is responsible for coordinating the offseason and in-season training for Samford s 17 sports to help nearly 300 athletes fulfill their athletic potential. By allocating a portion of the resources donated by Mr. Blumely specifically for strength and conditioning, our administration raised the bar for our program, said Rohling. This renovation of our facility takes our weight facilities from the horse-andbuggy age to the space age and will enable us to continue to attract top quality athletes. After the Bulldogs revived football in 1983, they competed at the NCAA s nonscholarship level for the next five seasons. Samford began its first off-season workout program in 1985 in the cage, the current student weight room on the lower level of Seibert Hall. The Bulldogs utilized the cage until the summer of 1987, when Terry Bowden ushered in a new era of Samford football. In the summer of 1987, Samford s younger Bowden secured a donation to buy new weight room equipment before he coached his first game. That acquisition prompted the move of the varsity weight room to the basement of Seibert Gymnasium, which is still part of the current facility. Dimensions: Approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Equipment: 2 Hammer Strength Leg Presses 4 Hammer Strength Neck Machines 4 Hammer Strength Leg Extensions 4 Hammer Strength Leg Curls 4 Hammer Strength Ground Based Romanian Dead lift Platforms 8 Samson Power Stations 8 Texas Bars 5,500 pounds of weight 120

17 BIRMINGHAM ith wonderful restaurants, interesting W nightlife, the glorious outdoors, thrilling sports and recreation, and fun attractions, Birmingham brings visitors back time and again. Blessed with a great climate, you can golf practically year-round and enjoy the outdoors through all four magnificent seasons. The sunny climate dovetails beautifully with the sunny Southern hospitality of the people. The city is a warm and cheerful place to visit, filled with people who will go out of their way to make your time here memorable. BIRMINGHAM AND HOMEWOOD HOMEWOOD radled in Shades Valley in the foothills of Cthe Appalachians, the city of Homewood lies just south of Birmingham, Alabama, between Red Mountain and Shades Mountain. Homewood is the home of Samford University. It is also home to the Lakeshore Foundation, which serves as a training center for 17 Paralympic sports. BIRMINGHAM ATTRACTIONS Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Alabama Men s Hall of Fame at Samford University Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Alabama Theatre Birmingham Zoo Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham Museum of Art DeSoto Caverns Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Five Points South McWane Center/IMAX Oak Mountain Amphitheater Rickwood Field Sloss Furnaces Southern Museum of Flight Sixteenth St. Baptist Church Visionland: Splash Beach Water Park and Magic Adventure Theme Park Vulcan Downtown Homewood is reminiscent of a traditional main street, but the abundance of specialty and eclectic shops provides everything but a common shopping experience. HOMEWOOD AT A GLANCE Population: 25,043 Area: 9.5 square miles Altitude: 637 feet above sea level Average age: 36 years Average household income: $60,000 Information provided by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce 121

18 ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT T he 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] that is supervised by Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services Chris Scott. The AEP was developed in the early 1990s by Senior Associate Director of Athletics Peter Neuberger and has been directed by Scott for the past three years. The AEP 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 where the basic skills for academic achievement are emphasized. Junior- and senior-level peer tutors assist athletes in English, foreign languages, math, OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE SAMFORD S OVC COMMISSIONER S HONOR ROLL Football Women s Track and Field Soccer Women s Cross-Country Volleyball Men s Track and Field Women s Tennis Men s Basketball Men s Tennis Women s Basketball Baseball Men s Cross-Country Men s Golf Women s Golf Softball Selection is based on student-athletes with a 3.25 GPA or higher during the academic year. science and business. With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques, the AEP has been able to put student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners. The AEP environment includes a study room that seats 45 students and three adjacent tutoring rooms. Several laptop computers are available for use in the study room. In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, Math Lab and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life. According to the 2001 NCAA graduation report, of the studentathletes exhausting eligibility between and , Samford had a graduation rate of 94 percent. The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all studentathletes. Each May, student-athletes who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better over the last two full terms are recognized at an ice cream social to honor their academic achievements and to strengthen the link between athletics and the academic community at Samford. This past spring, 98 student-athletes were recognized at the social, including four who earned perfect 4.0 GPAs. Under the AEP s direction, Samford inducted its first class into the national student-athlete honor society, Chi Alpha Sigma, in May Student-athletes are selected each academic year based on being at least a junior academically and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher. Twentyseven Bulldog athletes became members of the society this year. ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SAMFORD STUDENT-ATHLETES IN RECENT YEARS In the fall of 2003, the Samford women s cross-country team earned Academic All- American status by the Women s Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association. The team finished the fall semester with a cumulative GPA. In the past decade, Samford student-athletes have been recognized nationally for the following academic achievements: a GTE Academic All-America selection in football a recipient of the Burger King annual $10,000 Senior Scholar-Athlete Award two NCAA postgraduate scholarships 14 NCAA Degree Completion Awards SAMFORD RANKS IN TOP 10 OF NATIONAL APR hen the NCAA released its first-ever W Academic Progress Rating [APR] list in March, Samford was tied for seventh from the 328 active and provisional Division I institutions. Samford was tied with Harvard University, the United States Naval Academy and Bradley University. The APR is a plan that will be instituted in the academic year and evaluates the graduation rates on NCAA athletic teams. Schools are allotted points from 1 to 1,000. Samford had an overall score of 990, placing it in the top 10 nationally, and as the top-rated school in the Ohio Valley Conference and Alabama. Yale University was at the top of the list with a score of 999. Below is a list of the top 10 schools in the APR. Top 10 APR Scores 1. Yale University Princeton University University of Pennsylvania College of William & Mary Loyola Marymount University 991 Villanova University Samford University 990 Harvard University 990 United States Naval Academy 990 Bradley University

19 ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT NCAA CHAMPS/LIFE SKILLS The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. 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 studentathletes 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. An advisory board made up of administrators, faculty, coaches and student-athletes plans and organizes seminars with topics based on the five commitment areas. Student-athletes attend the programs that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development. Topics include financial management, time management, nutrition, stress management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing and sportsmanship. Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators and community experts. An annual continuing education conference is held for campus organizers, and each year, participating institutions send a student-athlete to the annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program 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. CHI ALPHA SIGMA HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES Jessica Brewer, cross-country/track and field Michelle Brewer, cross-country/track and field Sarah Clement, basketball John Griffee, tennis Erin Hall, softball Connie Heiskell, cross-country/track and field Courtney Keen, volleyball Laura Malnati, track and field Emily Morris, soccer Lindsay Shanks, soccer Derek Simmons, track and field Patrick Weaver, track and field Induction is based on junior and senior student-athletes who have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher. 123

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