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Today's Blue & White
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation's Official Electronic Newsletter
Friday, September 25, 2009
Opening Kickoff!
 The football team's home opener, long-awaited by all, is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. and Johnson Hagood Stadium - as well as the Bulldogs - both stand ready (wait until you see the beautiful landscaping in from of the stadium!). Long-time state adversary Presbyterian College returns to the friendly confines for the first time in 18 years, and the rivalry dates all the way back to 1915 when the Bulldogs won a 14-0 contest that was played in Columbia.
The Burke High School "High-Stepping" Marching Band continues a long-standing tradition of serving as the featured halftime entertainment for the opener. And what a show they put on!!
"Voice of the Bulldogs" Darren Goldwater continues his weekly column, and there's plenty of news and notes in today's issue, so let's get to it and Go Bulldogs!!!
Sansom Field Dedication Set for Saturday
Between the first and second quarters of Saturday night's game, we will dedicate officially Sansom Field at Johnson Hagood Stadium during a brief ceremony in which Bill Sansom '64 and his wife, Elisabeth, will participate. Please keep an eye (and ear) open for the dedication.
Citadel Athletics Begin to Twitter
Bear with us as The Citadel Department of Athletics begins to tweet as we've recently joined the twitter rage.
To start receiving our regular tweets, visit www.twitter.com and click on the green "sign up" box. Once registered, click on "find people" (at the top) and type in CitadelAthletic (singular), and then click on "follow." You'll soon be receiving tweets from us and will be informed with results and can't-wait-news.
Bulldog Business Partners
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation has inaugurated the "Bulldog Business Partners" and the first to sign up include:
- Andolini's Pizza;
- Lloyd's Soccer Sports;
- Moe's Southwest Grill;
- Nash Oil Company, Inc.; and
• New York Life Insurance
We encourage you to please stop by and thank these supporters. If you want more information on how your business can partner with The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, please call us at 843/953-5277.
Need Tickets?
Please consider this a friendly reminder that if you need tickets to any Citadel football game - home or away - please contact our Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). And be sure to ask about our aggressive group rates for all home contests.
Bulldogs Claim First Win of the Season; Top Princeton, 38-7
The Citadel scored 38 unanswered points to defeat Princeton, 38-7, and claimed their first win of the 2009 season on Saturday at Princeton Stadium.
Wide receiver Scott Harward led the offensive effort with a career-performance of seven catches for 99 yards, while the running back duo of Terrell Dallas and Van Dyke Jones, who both made season debuts, totaled 22 carries for 99 yards. The defensive effort was highlighted by interceptions by Jonathan Glaspie and Jeremy Buncum for a total of 90 return yards.
The Citadel led at the half, 10-7, and finished with 381 balanced yards of total offense (173 on the ground and 208 passing). Quarterback Bart Blanchard completed 16-of-26 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. Jones led the running effort with 15 carries for 59 yards, while Miguel Starks rushed for 40 and Dallas for 36 yards. Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Jordon Gilmore with 12 tackles and one pass breakup as the Cadets held the Tigers scoreless in the second half.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Football Hosts Presbyterian for the First Time in 18 Years
Saturday's matchup will be the first time that The Citadel has played Presbyterian in 18 years. The last time they met was Sept. 7, 1991 in a 33-10 Bulldog victory at Johnson Hagood Stadium. The Blue Hose was still a member of the NAIA at that time and the win capped a10-game winning streak against PC that dated back to 1980. The last time the Blue Hose claimed a win over The Citadel was on Sept. 8, 1979.
Long-Awaited Home Opener Finally Arrives
After waiting four weeks into the season, Citadel fans will finally get an opportunity to see their Bulldogs in action at home. The Citadel, the last Southern Conference team to host a game, opens the home season at Johnson Hagood Stadium on Saturday. The Sept. 26 game is the latest home-opener for the Bulldogs since a 31-0 Citadel victory on Sept. 26, 1970, against East Carolina (except in 2004 when the home-opener was cancelled due to the threat of a hurricane.)
Soccer Falls Twice at North Florida Tournament
The Citadel fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 2-1, on Friday in the first day of the University of North Florida Hampton Inn Ponte Vedra Showcase in Jacksonville, Fla. Nikki Mares assisted Nikkita Persaud's shot for the Bulldogs' only tally.
On Sunday, the Bulldogs suffered a 4-2 loss to host North Florida. About nine minutes into the game, Miranda Johnson assisted a goal by Mares to mark the first Citadel's first goal and to knot the score. After a 3-1 halftime deficit and an early UNF tally to make the score 4-1, the Bulldogs scored when Mares got one into the net off a rebound.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Volleyball Wins Two of Four Matches at Spikefest
 The volleyball team swept Alabama State, 3-0, on Saturday morning and fell to Charleston Southern, 3-1, in the afternoon match at the South Carolina State Spikefest, having split both of their matches each day of the tournament.
In Saturday's morning match, the Cadets earned their first sweep of the season and third win of the year in defeating Alabama State, 25-22, 25-14 and 29-27. Freshman Kaona Mercer had a career-high 10 kills while Rachael Farrell added eight kills and 10 digs along with two service aces to pace the Bulldogs.
In the tournament finale, the Bulldogs could not get past Charleston Southern, falling in four sets by 14-25, 25-23, 23-25 and 14-25 scores. Jessica Maas led the Bulldogs with 12 kills, two digs and two service aces while Tatum Jestila added 10 kills and five digs.
On Friday, the team earned their second victory of the season. The Bulldogs fell to host South Carolina State in five sets, 3-2 (26-24, 20-25, 17-25, 25-17 and 15-9), in the morning match and in the afternoon, the Cadets downed North Carolina Central, 3-1.
Against SCSU, Farrell recorded a double-double, recording 11 kills and 11 digs to go along with a service ace. Sophomore Alyssa Holum added 33 assists, nine digs and a team-high four service aces while junior Amanda Beal contributed 11 kills.
In the afternoon match, the Bulldogs defeated North Carolina Central, 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-16 and 25-16), to earn their second victory of the season. Jestila recorded a double-double, tallying 11 kills and 10 digs while Farrell added 14 kills and two service aces.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Cross Country Men Finish Second at Coastal Carolina Invitational
 The men's cross country team had nine that participated in the Coastal Carolina Invitational on Friday in Conway, with the team finishing second overall with an average time of 21:08.22 and 58 points.
All nine Bulldogs finished in the top 25 with freshman Austin Waldrop leading the way finishing ninth with a time of 20:45.00. Kevin Flood followed placing 10th (21:00.07) and freshman Joshua Taylor (21:05.95) finished in 11th place. P.J. Wasilchak completed the race 12th (21:10.42) while Clayton Thornton was 16th (21:39.61) and Zach Yereb (21:41.60) was 17th. Senior Zach Johnson (21:52.87) was 18th and Alex Anderson (21.56.60) was 22nd as Chad Lange followed at 23rd (21:57.30).
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Golf Participates in Great Smokies Intercollegiate
The golf team finished 21st after just one day of action at the Great Smokies Intercollegiate Tournament hosted by Western Carolina. The tournament ended after one round of competition as the second round was cancelled due to heavy rains.
The Bulldogs concluded the modified tournament with a 326 (+38) on a par-72 course. Sophomore Alanna-Jean Keith led The Citadel, shooting a 78 and finishing tied at 56th place, while Bree Baumgartner, tied 70th overall, shot a 79. Juniors Christine Clark and Sheri Rockefeller carded an 82 and 87, respectively.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Tennis Hampered by Rain at Southern Intercollegiate
The tennis team competed in the 42nd Southern Intercollegiate Championships
on Sept. 18-21, at the University of Georgia. Due to inclement weather, most doubles matches and all consolation matches were canceled.
However, Alberto Diaz had a good performance as he had a bye in the first round on Friday. On Saturday, he defeated Houssan Yassine of Alabama, 7-5, 6-2 and then on Sunday, Diaz fell to Henry Mangin of Georgia State, 7-6, 1-6, (9).
Yufo Sutantio also earned a bye for Friday's events, and on Saturday, he fell, 6-2, 6-1, to Georgia's Drake Bernstein.
In round of 64 in doubles, Sutantio and freshman David Orces defeated Samford's Kelwin Dewet and Carson Kadi, 8-6. However, their match scheduled for Sunday against Tennessee was also canceled.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
From the Press Box with Darren Goldwater
Thanks to all who made the trip to New Jersey with us last week. Not only did I enjoy getting to know a handful of some of the most loyal Bulldogs supports, but your presence at the game was outstanding! There must have been close to 1,000 people in Citadel blue and I'm sure all of you had an impact on the game.
As we get set to finally open our home schedule, let me implore all fans make the trip to Johnson Hagood Stadium early and often this season. We've got one of, if not the, finest facilities at the FCS level. The administration has done their part in renovating Johnson Hagood Stadium and now it's up to you -- the fans -- to make it one of the toughest places to play.
The schedule shapes up well for the Bulldogs this year with some of our toughest SoCon games right here in our backyard. Appalachian State comes to town next week, plus the 'Dogs get rematches with Furman, Samford and Wofford all at Johnson Hagood Stadium in 2009. Your support will be invaluable ... plus it'll make our broadcasts sound better!
In terms of Saturday's game with Presbyterian, it's the last non-conference game of the season and the latest home opener since The Citadel opened with a win over ECU on September 26, 1970. The Blue Hose have had a tough go of things early in the season, dropping their first three games, all to Southern Conference teams. As an interesting side note, first-year PC Head Coach Harold Nichols was PC's quarterback in the mid-to-late 80's, finishing his playing career 0-4 against the Bulldogs. Saturday, he'll not only be in search of his first win over The Citadel, he'll also be vying for his first career coaching victory.
Lastly, another reminder about our new venture, www.thecitadelsportsnetwork.com. There you'll find daily audio clips, from player and coach interviews to game highlights and recaps. We'll preview upcoming games, give some insight into games around the league and give you the chance to vote on our weekly poll. We'll have everything archived including the weekly Kevin Higgins Radio Show, so you can always go back and listen to what you've missed.
Plus by going to the website you can email your questions to the broadcast booth, into the radio shows or if you simply have a question for me. I'm also wide-open to suggestions as to how to improve the site, all in an effort to try and quench a growing thirst for Bulldogs coverage.
See ya'll Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium! On your way to the game tune into our pregame show on ESPN Radio 910 The Team which begins at 5:30 for the 7pm kickoff.
(Darren Goldwater is in his second year as "Voice of the Bulldogs" and will be a regular columnist for Today's Blue & White.)
Next Bulldog Fan Club Breakfast Set for Nov. 13
The next meeting of the Bulldog Fan Club will be held on Friday, November 13, at 8 am at the Holliday Alumni Center. A buffet breakfast will be served at a cost of $10 per person, and please feel free to invite a guest or two who would not otherwise attend.
Our speakers will be coaches Ed Conroy (basketball), Rob Hjerling (wrestling) and Bill Smith (rifle). You will be given the opportunity to learn from these coaches their vision for their respective teams in terms of past achievements and future challenges and opportunities. They will also encourage questions from the audience.
Future meetings will be held in February with the coaches of baseball, golf, tennis and track and again in September with coaches of football, volleyball, and soccer.
Please respond by e-mail (forsbergg@citadel.edu) or phone (843-953-5277) by November 6.
USTA Selects Brenda Carter for Alice Marble Cup Team
The United States Tennis Association has selected Citadel campus resident Brenda Carter to join the 2009 United States Women's Alice Marble Cup Team.
More than 700 of the best tennis players in the world, ages 60-75, will participate in the International Tennis Federation Super Seniors World Team Championships in Perth, Australia November 2-7,2009.
A veteran of US Cup teams, 2009 marks the eighth time Carter has played for the US on International Senior Women's teams. She is the No. 1 ranked singles and doubles player in the United States in the women's 60s age division and is the reigning National Clay Court Champion, a title that she has held for the last four years.
She is married to former provost Gen. Harry Carter, who now teaches in the School of Business Administration.
They Said It:
"The last eight non-conference games gave us an opportunity to experience our strengths and weaknesses under pressure. These experiences have prepared us for the Southern Conference fights."
- Soccer coach Bob Winch, after the North Florida Tournament in Jacksonville.
"We feel bad for Mel because of what he means to our program and because of what football means to him. This is a special, special guy. Recruiting him, we knew he was special just walking down the hallways at Fort Dorchester with him. ... I told him he had 48 hours to mourn this, and then we have to go full-speed ahead. ... I told him, you have to look at this as a blessing. Perhaps something catastrophic could have happened down the road, and now you are spared that. Now, you have to look at your future."
- Coach Kevin Higgins, about Mel Capers' playing career ending after medical diagnoses confirmed that he had "congenital spinal stenosis" that makes it too risky for him to play football or other contact sports. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.
"He was one of our leaders, a guy people respected and looked up to a great deal. He did the right thing in the Corps of Cadets and in academics. He is what you look for when you are recruiting kids to The Citadel, the entire package."
"It was like my whole body went numb. I had stingers all over my body, all the way down to my arms and feet. I was like, this is pretty bad. ... The doctors said I could be a paraplegic or a quadriplegic if I was to get hit or anything like that. That was the big determining factor on whether to continue playing or not."
- Capers, on recalling the August hit and resulting decision to stop playing football.
"At first, I thought, I can do this. Why does it matter what the doctor says? It should be about what I want. But after sitting down with the coaches and my parents and family and giving it some time, I realized this is the best thing, to listen to the doctors and not take the chance of being paralyzed. ... I'll just try to get the younger guys better, the freshmen who are on the scout team right now. (I'll) Try to build them up so they can help the team next year."
- Capers, reflecting on the decision and on his new position as a student-assistant coach.
Upcoming Birthdays
Sept. 26 Matt Smith Sports Medicine
Sept. 28 Lt Gen John Rosa President
Upcoming Special Events
Oct. 30 Hall of Fame Banquet Holliday Alumni Center
Nov. 6 Baseball Team's Golf Outing Legend Oaks Golf Club
Nov. 6-7 Alumni & Friends Tennis Fundraiser Earle Tennis Center
Nov. 13 Fan Club Breakfast Holliday Alumni Center
Have a Friend Who Might Be Interested?
Today's Blue & White is the sister publication of the The Blue & White, the official publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation that is printed monthly. In order to receive the printed version, one has to be a member of TCBF. However, we've opened Today's Blue & White to anyone and everyone who has a computer and who is interested in activities of TCBF and, of course, The Citadel's Department of Athletics. Today's Blue & White is free. All one has to do is sign up and register under the Free E-news section at CitadelSports.com.
Today's Blue & White is the official electronic publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, Inc. with its office located at The Citadel, McAlister Field House, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 (office 843/953-5277).
Publishers..................Jerry Baker & Larry Leckonby
Editor.....................Andy Solomon
Photographer.............Russ Pace
Layout/Design............Noelle Orr Blaney
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