Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame
Served as Georgia Southern University's Director of Athletics from 1981 to 1995. Instrumental in the resurrection of football at Georgia Southern and the subsequent successful recruitment of Erk Russell to become the new program's head coach. In 14 years of dedicated service, he helped orchestrate four NCAA Division I-AA National Championships (1985, 1986, 1989, 1990) and seven playoff appearances in football (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993), the construction and opening of 18,000-seat Allen E. Paulson Stadium, the creation of a strong fund-raising program and the admittance into the Southern Conference. In basketball, the men's team advanced to three NCAA Tournaments (1983, 1987 and 1992) and two National Invitation Tournaments (1988, 1989) while the women's program earned selection twice (1993, 1994). Under his guidance, the Eagle baseball squad qualified for the school's second-ever College World Series appearance in 1990. In addition, GSC made a NCAA Regional Tournament showing in 1987. The Eagle golf fortunes also shined during his administration with participation in three NCAA Tournaments and the capture of four Trans America Athletic Conference titles. In addition, the women's swimming program clinched seven straight Southern States Championships. In his last three years as athletics director, Georgia Southern won eight Southern Conference Championships. Under his leadership as a member of the TAAC, Eagle and Lady Eagle programs dominated the competition by capturing seven All-Sports Championships in 10 years. His unparalleled vision, work ethic and dedication to Georgia Southern Athletics enabled a dramatic increase in the departmental budget from $280,000 in 1981 to $4.1 million in 1995. Was instrumental in bringing the NCAA I-AA National Championship Football Game to Paulson Stadium, the City of Statesboro and the Coastal Empire in 1989, 1990 and 1991 – where the Eagles captured their third and fourth divisional titles. Was a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the College Association of Business Managers of Athletics and the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He also served as president of the NCAA Division I-AA Football Athletic Directors Association, an organization he helped create in January, 1993. Was selected as the "Co-Sports Executive-of-the-Year in 1991 by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. In the early 1980's, prior to joining the I-AA level in football, Georgia Southern's Athletic Department was cited as "the most ambitious college program in the country" by The Sporting News. Accepted a position as associate professor in GSU's Department of Sport Science and Physical Education in July, 1995 after ending an extremely successful tenure as the University's athletic director.
