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Today's Blue & White
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation's Official Electronic Newsletter
Friday, October 2, 2009
Opening Kickoff!
A nice win by the football-playing Bulldogs over state-rival Presbyterian College in our home opener last Saturday is now sealed in the record book (and on "film") and all attention is now directed at Appalachian State in our Southern Conference opener.
The game is our Military Appreciation Day and we'll have a skydiver bring in the game ball, a flyby after the National Anthem and the US Marine Band from Parris Island perform at halftime, plus we'll have more than 500 JROTC members from across the region in attendance. Members from the 57th Bomb Wing Association will serve as honorary captains.
We're happy to see the list of Bulldog Business Partners increase and hope you will support those who support us and possibly encourage others to join. And, of course, we're thrilled with the news that The Citadel placed an all-time high 148 cadet-student-athletes on the SoCon Honor Roll.
In today's packed issue, "Voice of the Bulldogs" Darren Goldwater continues his weekly column and there's plenty of news and notes, so let's get to it and Go Bulldogs!!!
Bulldogs Place an All-Time High on SoCon Honor Roll
 The Citadel placed an all-time high of 148 student-athletes on the 2008-09 Southern
Conference Academic Honor Roll.
The league announced this week that an all-time high of 1,809 student-athletes from 12 member institutions were named to the Academic Honor Roll for the 2008-09 academic year. Seven of the 11 schools increased their numbers from the previous year and eight institutions increased their numbers to an all-time high, including The Citadel.
The Citadel placed 148 student-athletes on the list, including eight who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA. Amanda Beal (volleyball), Jonathan Brick (basketball), Kait Burns (rifle), Shanna Couch (soccer), Ryan Keiper (football), Brittany Nagel (golf), Jessica Park (rifle) and Josie Stern (rifle) all recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA last academic year.
Football had the highest number of athletes on the list with 51.
The Southern Conference academic honor roll consists of student-athletes who participated in varsity sports at member institutions and posted a 3.0 grade point average or higher while passing at least 24 hours in two semesters of classes or its equivalent for other academic calendars. The honor roll was established prior to the 1988-89 athletic year as a way to recognize the league's outstanding student-athletes.
Citadel Makes A Special Offer for Club Seat Holders
Additional single game tickets to the Pearson Club Level at Johnson Hagood Stadium are available to current club seat holders at $75 each on an individual game basis based on availability. Please contact Gina Inabnett at 843/953-5277 to reserve yours.
Shuttle Van for Handicapped Begins This Weekend
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation is supplying a shuttle van from the "B" parking lot for our fans who are handicapped, particularly those who are in a wheelchair. The van operates two hours prior to kickoff and one hour after the contest. There are 24 designated handicapped spots in the "B" lot and the shuttle will run to and from there.
Get A Free Coke with Your TCBF Membership
When attending home football games at Johnson Hagood Stadium, remember to bring your Brigadier Foundation membership card as it entitles you to a complimentary Coca-Cola product (or a bottled water) from any Aramark concession stand upon presenting the card. This offer is good only at an Aramark stand.
And we again thank you for your support of Citadel Athletics through your TCBF membership.
Bulldog Business Partners
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation has inaugurated the "Bulldog Business Partners" and among the first to sign up to this growing list include:
- Andolini's Pizza;
- Hyman's Seafood;
- Lloyd's Soccer Sports;
- Moe's Southwest Grill;
- Moe's Tavern;
- 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 Stop PC; Host App State Saturday
 The Citadel improved to 2-1 on the season after defeating Presbyterian, 46-21, in the home-opener on Saturday night at Johnson Hagood Stadium. Quarterback Bart Blanchard led the Bulldogs by tying a school and Southern Conference record for passing touchdowns in a game with six, while All-America wide receiver Andre Roberts moved up the charts in the SoCon record book.
The Citadel finished the game with 414 yards of total offense, 151 on the ground and 263 in the air. Blanchard completed 20-of-30 passes with two interceptions for 263 yards and six touchdowns, tying a school record. Roberts finished with 12 receptions for 184 yards and four touchdowns, also a school mark. He increased his career receiving yards to 3,221, improving him to third all-time in the Southern Conference, while his 233 catches improved him to second all-time in the SoCon. Roberts totaled 213 all-purpose yards on the night.
Backup quarterback Miguel Starks led The Citadel rushing effort with 12 carries for 103 yards while linebacker Jordan Gilmore led the defense with nine total tackles, with one sack for a loss of four yards. Cortez Allen had an impressive defensive performance with five total tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup.
The Bulldogs now open league play on Saturday at 1 pm as Appalachian State comes to Johnson Hagood Stadium.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Blanchard Earns SoCon Co-Offensive Player of the Week
 Redshirt junior quarterback Bart Blanchard was named Southern Conference Co-
Offensive Player of the Week for his record-setting performance against Presbyterian as he became just the fifth quarterback in league history to throw for six touchdowns passes in a game.
The junior from Rock Hill was 20-for-30 for 263 yards with six scores to lead the Bulldogs to the 46-21 victory. Four of Blanchard's touchdowns went to All-America wide receiver Andre Roberts and the other two to tight end Alex Sellars.
Blanchard shared the honor with Elon's Scott Riddle.
The Citadel has now had two players of the week this season. Redshirt freshman defensive back Joseph Boateng earned SoCon Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive collegiate debut at No. 21 North Carolina.
Football Hosts Appalachian State
Saturday's matchup will be the 38th meeting between The Citadel and Appalachian State. The Mountaineers lead the series, which dates back to 1972, by a 26-11 margin. In Charleston, Appalachian State has won 10 of 18 games played at Johnson Hagood Stadium and the most recent Bulldog victory against the Mountaineers was on Sept. 27, 2003 in Charleston, breaking a nine-game losing streak to ASU. Now having lost five in a row to the Mountaineers, The Citadel looks to end the streak and claim the first victory in six years.
The Citadel and Conference Openers
The Citadel opens its conference schedule on Saturday at 1 pm against Appalachian State. The Bulldogs have claimed wins in their last three conference openers against Chattanooga in 2006 (24-21 in Charleston) and 2007 (41-16 in Chattanooga) and Western Carolina in 2008 (34-14 in Charleston). However, The Citadel has only claimed wins in four of their last 10 SoCon openers. In the last 10 years, the Bulldogs have met Appalachian State for the conference opener on three occasions, losing all three to the Mountaineers.
The Coach Kevin Higgins Show ¿ Whenever You Want It
Watch The Coach Kevin Higgins TV Show whenever you want at CitadelSports.com. "Voice of the Bulldogs" Darren Goldwater joins Coach Higgins in reviewing the past game while previewing the upcoming contest. That's the Coach Kevin Higgins TV Show, whenever you want it at CitadelSports.com.
Soccer Claims SoCon Victory Over Chattanooga; Falls to Samford
 The soccer team won their first Southern Conference match of the season as they defeated Chattanooga, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at WLI Field. The victory marks the team's second conference victory in its brief history and also notes the best start in conference play in program history.
After a scoreless half and in the 82nd minute of play, Nicole Martinoli scored for the decisive goal. Martinoli recorded her sixth goal of the season while Dianna Martin picked up her fourth assist.
On Friday, the soccer team lost, 1-0, in their league opener to Samford at WLI. After a scoreless half, the second half was more physical as both teams tallied 14 fouls each and the Bulldogs limited Samford to one shot. However, that one shot was the lone goal scored by Samford with about 10 minutes into play.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Volleyball Nearly Beats App State; Falls to CofC
Wednesday night, the Volleyball team was defeated in three straight games by cross town rival College of Charleston (20-25, 12-25 and 14-25) at the Carolina First Arena. Seeking their first-ever win over the Cougars, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome a difficult night on the front row with 23 kills.
The Citadel had a strong showing from freshmen Rachael Farrell (9 digs), Jessica Maxwell (4 kills, 3 digs) and Alexa Dahlstrom (4 kills). Junior Tatum Jestila finished with eight digs along with three kills.
At McAlister Field House on Saturday, the volleyball team fell, 3-2 (25-11, 20-25, 18-25, 25-14 and 15-9), to Appalachian State in five sets.
The Citadel had solid performances from juniors Tatum Jestila, who tallied her fourth double-double of the year with 13 kills and 11 assists, and Jessica Maas, who racked up 15 kills (season-high) and four digs. Sophomore setter Alyssa Holum came up with 44 assists and 14 digs to lead the Bulldogs.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Volleyball to Wear Pink Friday Night
The volleyball team, on Friday during their 7 pm match in McAlister Field House against Wofford, will wear pink uniforms for the "Dig Pink" night, a nation-wide promotion to help awareness for breast cancer. Citadel pink volleyball T-shirts will be available for sale during the match, and donations will be accepted for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Cross Country Men Finish Third, Women Fourth at 29th Annual Will Wilson Citadel Invitational
The Citadel men finished third for the second consecutive year with an average time of
27:26.28 and 57 points, while the women placed fourth with 109 points and an average time of 21:06.96 as The Citadel hosted the 29th Annual William Wilson Citadel Invitational on Saturday at James Island County.
Four Bulldogs finished in the top 15 with senior Brendan Kight leading the way with his eighth place finish in a time of 27:07.70. Freshman Kyle Keene finished 10th (27:19.75) and Chris Fallis followed in 11th place (27:22.46). Freshman Atom Young rounded out the top 15 with his 13th place finish (27:30.70) while John Gatewood (27:52.25) was 16th and Nathan Jackson was 17th (27:53.28).
Senior Katheryn Gatewood came in 21st to record the first points for the Bulldog women with a time of 20:21.34. Senior Natalie Wolin finished 27th (20:48.22) and Suzanne Gay followed right behind (20:54.63). Freshman Micah Wessinger crossed the finish line 34th (21:40.75) and was followed by Sarah Stierwalt (21:49.15) and Caitlyn Lees (24:48.73).
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Basketball to Appear on TV Three Times This Season
 Three Citadel basketball games will be televised live during the 2009-10 season. Two regular season games will be aired regionally on SportSouth as part of their package with the Southern Conference, while ESPNU will feature The Citadel when they host Michigan State.
The Bulldogs' first television appearance will bring ESPN's college coverage to McAlister Field House as they host the NCAA national runners-up on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will look to pack the house as the Spartans make their first trip to Charleston.
As The Citadel wraps up their conference schedule, the Bulldogs will be featured in back-to-back SoCon Saturdays when they travel to Elon on Feb. 13 for a 6 p.m. matchup and the following weekend on Feb. 18 when they play host to UNC Greensboro at 1 p.m.
From the Press Box with Darren Goldwater
I can't remember a time when I felt Andre Roberts would be a "key" to any game. He's so much of a constant force that the word "key" just doesn't seem to apply. We know Roberts will put up gaudy numbers on a regular basis, so ordinarily our "Keys To The Game" segment will focus on anything other than Andre Roberts.
That might not be the case Saturday when The Citadel plays host to Appalachian State. The Bulldogs' All-American likely will be counted on more than ever to help the Cadets knock off the Mountaineers for the first time in the Kevin Higgins era. And I expect he's eagerly anticipating the challenge.
Last year, ASU's All-American corner Cortez Gilbert limited Roberts to 52 yards. Gilbert plays alongside a First Team All-American safety, Mark LeGree in a secondary that also features Ed Gainey, one of the top young corners in the country playing opposite Gilbert. The overflowing talent-pool in the Mountaineers secondary allows them to play a significant amount of man-coverage.
If Roberts can get off to a hot start (like last week) and force the Mountaineers to alter their defensive strategy by placing a safety over the top to double him, holes could open up for Scott Harward, Alex Sellars, Kevin Hardy and the bunch. IF Roberts can pull this off, the rotation of the ASU defense could allow for Miguel Starks and the running backs to find some running room.
Of course even if all that happens, Armanti Edwards will still be directing the ASU offense creating the toughest challenge of the season for the Bulldogs defense.
For more coverage of Saturday's game (and every other game) log onto www.THEcitadelsportsnetwork.com. There you'll find daily interviews, highlights, previews, recaps and so much more! We're on the air Saturday at 11:30 am for the 1 o'clock kickoff from Johnson Hagood Stadium. Hope to see you there!
(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.
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.
Win A Trip to Hawaii With The Bulldogs
The baseball team travels to Honolulu, Hawaii this March 1-7 to play a four-game series with the University of Hawaii. This is a great opportunity for these young men as they will also get to tour the island of Oahu, visit Pearl Harbor and enjoy a Luau. While this will be an incredible experience for the ballplayers, it does not come without great expense. To help defray the costs of airfare, hotels, meals, ground transportation and other necessary costs, the team is holding a raffle. The winner receives a trip for two with the ballclub and included airfare, six nights of accommodations, ground transportation, two Pearl Harbor tickets, two Luau tickets and game tickets for all four games. If you are interested in securing tickets (a $10 donation) please contact assistant coach Randy Carlson at 843-953-7265 or randy.carlson@citadel.edu.
They Said It:
"We love Alex down on the goal line. We like to use him in different formations, and when he gets one-on-one coverage, I'm going to try to go to him as much as possible."
- Quarterback Bart Blanchard, on tight end Alex Sellars.
"It's amazing. We keep saying we need to get him the ball more during the course of the game, and every time we throw it to him, he gets a touchdown. ... He's critical to us down in the red zone, especially when the first or second option is taken away. There's a real urgency to get the ball to a guy like that."
• Coach Kevin Higgins, on Alex Sellars, who, entering the Presbyterian game, has seven career receptions with four accounting for touchdowns. He scored twice against PC.
"We were consistent this game and we all worked together. We are taking steps forward and we hope to continue into that successful path."
- Soccer senior Kristine Devine, after the win over Chattanooga.
"We all knew we'd have to step up and do our part. We can't lose a member of the team, no matter who it is, and not be able to fill in. So we all have to do our jobs."
- Sophomore linebacker Jeremy Buncum, on the reaction to the loss of Mel Capers.
"Obviously, he's a guy you have to control. I don't know if anybody has stopped him in a game yet. But we have to try to keep him under control, to make sure we slow him down and keep a hat on him the entire game."
- Coach Higgins, on defending App State's All-America quarterback, Armanti Edwards.
"The neat thing about those two guys is they are on the same page. Bart knows exactly what Andre is doing, and Andre has a good feel for where Bart is going to put the ball. That's great to see."
- Coach Higgins, on quarterback Bart Blanchard and receiver Andre Roberts.
"We're flying to the ball. Even in practice, we stress it a lot, getting hands on the ball, getting turnovers, recovering fumbles. That's just been our focus and our whole goal from the start of the season."
- Defensive back Cortez Allen, on the defensive effort after the Presbyterian game.
Upcoming Birthdays
Oct. 5 Isaac Collins Football
Oct. 7 Gerald Dixon Football
Oct. 14 Fred Jordan Baseball
Oct. 16 Nick Toth Football
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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