Today's Blue & White November 18, 2011
Today’s Blue & White
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Official Electronic Newsletter
Friday, November 18, 2011
Opening Kickoff/Tipoff!
With Homecoming this past weekend, the “Pack the Mac” Clemson basketball game in McAlister Field House on Wednesday night and the South Carolina football game in Columbia tomorrow, this has been one busy week within the Department of Athletics. And while we were not successful on the scoreboard for the first two, we believe that a victory is within reach.
And, oh, what a victory that could be.
Congratulations are extended to Mike Groselle, who was named the Southern Conference’s basketball player of the week for his work in Colorado Springs as the Bulldogs fell to VMI and beat Army.
With the Thanksgiving holiday next week, Spike plans to start cooking his turkey early. Therefore, we will not produce an issue of Today’s Blue & White next week. Our next issue will be on Friday morning, Dec. 2, and we’ll catch up then. As you’ve come to expect, we have another packed issue of news and notes, so enjoy and Go Bulldogs!!!
Citadel Visits USC; Kickoff Set for 12 noon
The Citadel heads to the University of South Carolina for the 50th all-time meeting between the two rivals. It marks the 18th time that the two have met at Williams-Brice Stadium, with the Gamecocks holding a 13-4 edge at home. The series dates back to Nov. 30, 1905, the inaugural season of Citadel football, where USC emerged with a 47-0 win. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series, 39-7-3. The Citadel won the last head-t0head meeting, 38-35, which took place in Columbia on Oct. 20, 1990. Prior to that, South Carolina had won nine straight in the series from 1951-85.
In that game, quarterback Jack Douglas scored from the 1-yard line on fourth down with 22 seconds left to life The Citadel to its first victory over USC in 40 years.
Samford Prevails in Football Homecoming Affair
A fourth quarter touchdown by Dustin Taliaferro with 5.8 seconds left in the game proved to be the difference as Samford captured the 19-14 victory over The Citadel in front of 13,591 fans at Johnson Hagood Stadium on Homecoming.
From their own 20, Samford put together a 15-play, 80-yard drive, highlighted by 38 rushing yards by Jeremiaha Gates, to move to The Citadel three-yard line. With six seconds remaining, Taliaferro carried the ball to the left side of the end zone for the decisive 19-14 Samford victory.
The Citadel finished with 259 yards of total offense, accruing 238 on the ground. Among the individual statistical leaders for the Bulldogs included Darien Robinson, who finished with 84 yards on a season-high 22 carries. VanDyke Jones finished with 48 yards on nine attempts, while Ben Dupree, who tallied each of The Citadel touchdowns, added 44 yards. Defensively, Joseph Boateng (12 tackles) and Carl Robinson (10 tackles) led the way.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Stray Dog Society Charters Bus for Citadel-USC Game
Join the Stray Dog Society on Saturday, Nov. 19 for a bus ride to and from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia for The Citadel-South Carolina game. A chartered bus will take Citadel fans to Columbia in comfort and style. The bus will leave The Citadel Alumni Center at 8am and arrive at the Alumni Association/Columbia Citadel Club Tailgate around 10 am. After the game, which kicks off at noon, there will be some post-tailgate time before returning to Charleston by 7pm. Save the driving hassle and costs of paying for parking, gas, food and all beverages. The bus has a restroom on board.
Cost for the trip is $50 per person, and this opportunity will
sell out. For additional information, please contact infor@citadelstraydog.com,
and to sign-up, please refer to http://citadelstraydog.com/.
Note that the trip does not include the ticket to the game, which may be secured by calling The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).
Basketball Splits Games in Colorado; Falls to Clemson
Junior center Mike Groselle recorded his fourth straight double-double, 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was ACC foe Clemson that emerged with a 73-50 victory at McAlister Field House in front of 5,186 fans Wednesday night. Groselle, the lone Bulldog who recorded double figures in scoring, was joined by Cosmo Morabbi and Bo Holston, who netted eight points each.
The Citadel struggled to find their offensive rhythm, converting only 19-of-63 (30.2%) from the field, including 5-of-19 (26.3%) from beyond the arc. Groselle scored 14 of his game-high 16 points by hitting 7-of-13 from the field. He crashed the offensive boards for five of 11 total rebounds and became just the third player in Citadel Basketball history to post four straight double-doubles in his career. Morabbi led the way from beyond the arc, hitting 2-of-4, which accounted for six of his eight points. Holston knocked down 3-of-9 field goals and hauled in five rebounds.
DeVontae Wright scored a career-high 26 points -- 18 in the second half -- to lead The Citadel to an 83-72 comeback victory over Army in the third-place game of the inaugural All-Military Classic Saturday night in Colorado Springs. The Bulldogs shot 51.9 percent from the field in the second half on their way to erasing Army's 12-point halftime lead.
Groselle added 16 points and 10 rebounds, which trailed the Black Knights by as many as 20 in the first half. The double-double was Groselle's second in under 24 hours. Holston also had 12 points, including a career-high seven free throws.
On Friday The Citadel matched intensity with an up-tempo VMI squad for 40 minutes at 7,258 feet above sea-level, but the Bulldogs fell short in the season opener for both teams, dropping a 103-100 decision to the Keydets.
Groselle led all scorers with 25 points, a career-high for the junior from Plano, Texas. Groselle also collected 11 rebounds, giving him nine career double-doubles, tying him for the most in program history. Four other Bulldogs scored in double figures as freshman Lawrence Miller poured in 14 points in his first collegiate game, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Fellow knob Ashton Moore and sophomore Barry Smith each scored 12 points, while newcomer Marshall Harris chipped in 11 points.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Groselle Named SoCon Player of the Week
Mike Groselle added another accolade following his performance at the All Military Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo., when he was named Southern Conference Player of the Week for all games through Nov. 14. The honor came one day after College Sports Madness named Groselle as its SoCon Player of the Week.
In games against VMI and Army at the All Military Classic in Colorado Springs, Groselle combined for 41 points on 16-of-21 (76.2%). The junior center was named to the all-tournament team and finished with a pair of double-doubles against VMI (25 pts., 11 rebs.) and Army (16 pts., 10 rebs.).
Those double-doubles moved the Plano, Texas, native into a tie with Virgil Stevens for seventh-most career double-doubles (10) in program history. Groselle has now reached double figures in each of his last eight games, dating back to Feb. 14, 2011 against Savannah State. Coincidentally, Groselle has three straight double-doubles dating back to a 12-point, 12-rebound performance against Elon at the Southern Conference Tournament on March 4. This string of double-doubles marks the second time in his career that Groselle has achieved the feat in three straight contests.
McQueeney to Hold Book Signing at Monday’s Basketball Game
Native Charlestonian Tom McQueeney ’74, who just last month was enshrined in The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame, has published his first book and it is entitled, “The Rise of Charleston: Conversations with Visionaries, Luminaries and Emissaries.” It is an enlightening book where he chronicles the life, times and contributions of many of Charleston’s living treasures. He will sign books at Monday night’s home basketball game against Florida Christian.
Phoenix Hold Off Volleyball in Season Finale
The trio of Rachael Farrell, Amanda Rudnik and Ise d'Angelo combined for 18 kills but it was not enough to deter Elon from winning by scores of 25-21, 25-14 and 25-19 in the 2011 season finale at Elon on Sunday.
Farrell finished with seven kills, while Rudnik (six kills) and d'Angelo (five kills) rounded out the front row. The three also accounted for the Bulldogs’ top defensive numbers as Rudnik finished with nine digs, while Farrell and d'Angelo tallied eight and six digs, respectively. Kathryn Johnston put the finishing touches on her four-year career with five digs and four assisted blocks. Alexa Dahlstrom handed out 19 assists as The Citadel concluded the season at 8-22 overall and 1-15 in the Southern Conference.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Wrestling Drops Three Matches in Pennsylvania
Senior Kelby Smith was a perfect 3-for-3 on the afternoon and junior Turtogtokh Luvsandorj picked up a pair of victories, but The Citadel dropped all three of its duals Saturday afternoon at the 2011 Wrestle for a Cure Duals at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The Bulldogs fell to Cleveland State, 22-12, to Lock Haven, 33-8, and 46-3 to No. 9 Illinois.
Against Cleveland State, senior Richard Alarcon picked up an 11-5 decision at 125- pounds, while senior Pierre Frazile also scored a victory, a 7-4 decision at 157. Luvsandorj and Smith completed the Bulldogs' scoring against Cleveland State with 4-0 and 7-3 decisions, respectively.
Luvsandorj and Smith managed to score the only victories for The Citadel against Lock Haven as Luvsandorj earned a 16-5 major decision at 174 pounds and Smith also received a major decision by a 12-2 score at 197 pounds. Smith's 6-2 decision gave the Bulldogs their only points against Illinois.
For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
Dan Johnson ’93 Named Young Alumnus of the Year
Dan Johnson ’93 of Columbia, was named The Citadel Alumni
Association’s Young Alumnus of the Year having distinguished
himself through his service to country and community. After
graduating from The Citadel, he received his law degree from the
University of South Carolina in 1997 and later served as chief
deputy and general counsel for the Richland County Sherriff’s
Department. He also served as special city prosecutor for the
city of Columbia. He is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves
and is a member of the Judge Advocate Corps, having served in Iraq
and Korea. Johnson was elected 5th Circuit Solicitor in 2010
and teaches as an adjunct professor at the USC Law School. In
1993, at the age of 22, Johnson was awarded The Order of The
Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian award, for his
involvement at the local level in the Domestic Abuse Center and the
Youth Corps.
Johnson was a member of the 1992 Southern
Conference football championship team.
Boo IV Passes Away
Boo IV (T. Nugent Courvoisie Ducker) named after the beloved Colonel Courvoisie of The Citadel), passed away in his sleep on Nov. 7. Born June 4, 2002, Boo IV had a wonderful 9½ years with his owners Fred and Dona Ducker. He was just a wee 14 weeks old when he replaced the aging Boo III as The Citadel’s live mascot for the 2002 football season.
His reign as mascot however was short-lived, because in 2003, Boo IV sired his first litter and gave The Citadel a puppy to live on campus. This puppy (Boo IX) is still one of the mascots and lives on campus with Assistant Athletics Director/Facilities Mike Groshon.
During the 2003 football season, Boo IV met celebrities such as Ted Turner and Sean Connery. Boo IV was also the mascot for The Citadel Stray Dog Society and the signature logo of the Stray Dogs was based on a photo of Boo IV.
Boo IV was also quite the “ladies
man” and sired three litters (12 pups) with Penelope, his
first Dam. He just sired a litter of eight pups with his new
Dam Rose (Rosa’s Girl) on Oct. 25, 2011. Boo IV
left behind many offspring, so the lineage of “The Boo”
will continue.
Hot Stove Banquet to Feature John Smoltz
Last year’s Hot Stove Banquet that featured recently-retired Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox got so big that the site had to be changed to accommodate all those that wanted to attend.
This year, it could even be larger because John Smoltz, the future Hall of Fame pitcher who spent two decades with the Braves, will serve as the guest speaker for the 8th annual banquet.
The event, which will be held on Friday, January 27 at The Crystal Ballroom at the Charleston Marriott on Lockwood Blvd., is being sponsored for the fifth consecutive year by Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance and for the first time by Bennett Hospitality.
The reception begins at 6 pm with the dinner starting at 7 o’clock. Tickets are $65 per person and include dinner and beverages. Tables with preferred seating for eight (or 10) individuals are available for $500.
During his illustrious career, Smoltz was an All-Star eight times and was a member of the 1995 World Series team. He captured the 1996 National League Cy Young Award and was the 1992 NLCS most valuable player. Smoltz was the 2002 NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and in 2005 he received the Roberto Clemente Award and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Two years later, brought home the Branch Rickey Award.
Previous speakers for the Hot Stove Banquets were former New York Yankees Bobby Richardson and John Blanchard, Jim Bouton and Tommy John, former Brave and current Kansas City Royal Jeff Francoeur, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, the ever-popular Dale Murphy and former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox..
For individual tickets, please contact the RiverDogs at (843) 577-DOGS (3647). Tickets may also be purchased online at www.riverdogs.com.
Keep Up With Citadel Athletics
For the latest on all athletic events and giveaways, visit the official Facebook and Twitter accounts of The Citadel Athletics at www.facebook.com/citadelbulldogs and at www.twitter.com/citadelsports. Also, the baseball and football teams now have their own Twitter accounts at www.twitter.com/citadelbaseball and www.twitter.com/citadelfootball. Follow them today!
Bulldog Business Partners
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation has started the “Bulldog Business Partners” for the 2012-12 academic year and signed up are:
- Charleston Comfort Inn
- Charleston Crab House
- Piggly Wiggly
We encourage you to please stop by and thank our supporters. If you want more information on how your business can partner with The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, please call us at 843/953-5277.
They Said It:
"I have a lot of respect for those kids. They
don't go there (just) to play football. They go there to get
a great education. I pull for them every week they play
except against us and hope they will have a successful season.
But I'm not planning on forfeiting my paycheck next week
because we're playing The Citadel."
- University of South Carolina Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, a 1975 Citadel graduate who guided the Bulldogs’ football team from 2001-03.
"At halftime, coach challenged us to come out and play tough defensively, and we took that challenge. We told each other we needed to man up, play hard and play as a team."
- Sophomore guard DeVontae Wright, after the Bulldogs came from
behind to defeat Army.
"My gut says that this will be an ideal time for Coach (Steve) Spurrier to get his passing attack going. In order for them to beat Clemson and win a big bowl game, they will have to be able to do that. And I think (USC quarterback) Connor Shaw is at point where he's ready to do that. … They've been kind of tight with him because they are trying to win games. But I would think this would be a great time, especially early in the game, for them to air it out and try to get it down the field."
- Coach Kevin Higgins, anticipating that USC will throw the
football a lot on Saturday.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 27 8th Annual Hot Stove Banquet @Marriott
Jan. 28 Alumni Basketball Game (McAlister Field House)
Mar. 17 2nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest @Johnson Hagood Stadium
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 is to click on this link: http://www.citadelsports.com/list-signup
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
Layout………………Mike Petrini
