Today's Blue & White

Today’s Blue & White
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Official Electronic Newsletter
Friday, May 6, 2011

First Pitch!
Commencement for the Corps of Cadets is tomorrow (Saturday) morning, and we offer our most sincere congratulations to those who are graduating and especially to their parents and immediate families.

Political columnist George Will, one of the most fascinating journalists in America, is the speaker for the Corps’ commencement while Dr. Gene Budig, the last president of Major League Baseball’s American League and a co-owner of the Charleston RiverDogs, will deliver the address for the Graduate College.  Both speakers are headliners, and graduates should remember for a very long time who their speakers are.  Might you remember who spoke at your graduation?

Good news abounds as two football players – Cortez Allen and Erik Clanton – were drafted by professional leagues.  Baseball, which is on a five-game winning streak, continues this weekend with a key series against Elon at Riley Park.
 
As expected, we have another packed issue of news and notes, so enjoy and Go Bulldogs!!!

Diamond Dogs Sweep PC; Top Winthrop
William Ladd's bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the fifth inning and Joe Jackson's career-high four hits powered The Citadel to a 7-4 victory over Winthrop on Wednesday evening at Riley Park as the Bulldogs concluded an eight-game out-of-conference slate.  The Citadel has now won five games in a row, matching the longest winning streak of the season as they return to conference action this weekend when they host Elon.  The Bulldogs recorded double digit hits for the 11th time in their last 14 games as the offense finally broke through against Winthrop after scoring just one run in two games against the Eagles in the first two meetings this season.

The Citadel turned seven double plays on Sunday, including a school-record five in Game 1, to sweep a doubleheader and the three-game series against Presbyterian Riley Park.  The Bulldogs, who had turned just 22 double plays all season, induced Presbyterian into nine double plays in three games over the weekend.

In Sunday’s first game, the Bulldogs won, 8-2, as Austin Pritcher went six innings for the win.  Matt Simonelli had three hits while Calvin Orth and Brad Felder each drove home a pair of runs to pace the offense.   In the second game, a 5-3 victory, Drew DeKerlegand and Justin Mackert had three hits each.

The baseball team scored 13 unanswered runs on Saturday evening as every starter picked up at least one hit in a 13-2 victory over visiting Presbyterian.  After breaking for a week for final exams, The Citadel showed little rust as they fell behind in the top of the first, but scored nine runs in the first three innings to take control.  Nick Orvin and Grant Richards each had three hits while DeKerlegand and Simonelli each drove home three runs.

Nick Orvin Collects Academic Citation
Center fielder Nick Orvin has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 Second Team as selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information of America).

Orvin, of nearby Moncks Corner, is a physical education major with a 3.75 cumulative GPA.  The junior is batting .306 with 38 runs scored, 56 hits, 12 doubles, 12 stolen bases, 26 RBI and leads the team with seven home runs this season.

To be nominated for the team, a student-athlete must have a 3.3 or better cumulative GPA and be in their second year of competition and academically.  Orvin was also selected as the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week on March 30.

Cortez Allen Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
Cornerback Cortez Allen on Saturday was selected as the 128th pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 NFL Draft.  It marks only the third time in school history that The Citadel has had players selected draft in consecutive years.
 
Allen, selected in the fourth round by the 2011 AFC Champions, follows Andre Roberts who was picked in the third round of the 2010 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.  The 6-1, 197-pound defensive back from Ocala, Fla., became the first defensive back and 13th Bulldog drafted by the NFL (16th drafted to play professional football).  Allen is also the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft since the Baltimore Colts selected linebacker Brian Ruff as the 304th pick in 1977.
 
Allen, who started attracting the attention of pro scouts after his junior season, recorded two interceptions for 112 yards against Samford in 2009, marking the second-highest single-game number of interception return yards in Southern Conference history.  As a 2010 second team All-Conference selection, Allen's stock rose after his performance at the East-West Shrine Game and Scouting Combine.

Of note, of all draftees from FCS member institutions, Allen was the sixth highest to be selected, and the Southern Conference led all FCS conferences with five selections.  Interestingly, both Citadel players drafted in back-to-back years were both team captains and both were drafted by the previous year’s Super Bowl losing team.

Erik Clanton Signs with Montreal of the CFL
Defensive end Erik Clanton this week signed with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, according to General Manager and Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel Jim Popp, a former assistant coach at The Citadel under Coach Charlie Taaffe.

Clanton, who was the Bulldogs' only 2010 All-Southern Conference first-team selection, finished the regular season ranked tied for 12th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in pass sacks with 9.0, an average of .87 per game, while also placing third in the SoCon in tackles for loss with 14.0 for a loss of 61 yards.  Clanton's sacks also ranked him tied for third all-time at The Citadel in total sacks in a season.

A Southern Pigskin Mid-Season All-SoCon team selection, Clanton emerged as the team’s defensive threat in 2010, totaling the third-highest total tackles among Citadel defenders with 62.  He also recorded one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery for 40 yards and three forced fumbles.

Clanton's best performance of the season came against Georgia Southern when he totaled 16 tackles.  He also recorded seven tackles, four for a loss of 22 yards, including three sacks for a loss of 18 yards, against Chowan in the season-opener.

According to Popp, Clanton has a natural ability to play defensive end which he may not have been able to do the NFL.  The Alouettes have had several Bulldogs on their roster throughout the years and Popp said they welcome Clanton to the list that includes Lester Smith, Lance Cook and Everette Sands.

Clanton ended his career with 12.0 sacks, 114 total tackles, 22.0 tackles for a loss of 113 yards, three pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Former Citadel Football Standouts Return for Piccolo Spoleto’s Spotlight Concert Series
They wore The Citadel blue and white football uniforms and toiled in the trenches of historic Johnson Hagood Stadium 17 years apart, yet both were named among the Southern Conference’s best linemen during their time.  Now they return together to their Alma Mater to present the most unique concert ever held in McAlister Field House.

Dr. Tony Cicoria, Class of 1974, and Morris Robinson, Class of  1991, revisit The Citadel on Sunday, June 5 at 7 pm, as part of the 2011 Piccolo Spoleto “Spotlight Concert Series.”  Both return to give back to the college they love so as a fundraiser for The Citadel Football Association in a concert setting that is appropriately entitled, “From Athletes to Artists.”

Cicoria is an orthopedic surgeon in Norwich, NY who was struck by lightning.  Having no musical background, he developed an insatiable desire to listen to piano music, taught himself to play and is now a celebrated concert pianist.

Robinson, on the other hand, is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most fascinating and sought after basses performing today.  A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in their production of Fidelio.

Both Cicoria and Robinson will appear with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Donald Portnoy.

Tickets are $51 (Gold), $36 (Silver) and $16 (Bronze) and may be secured by contacting the Piccolo Spoleto Ticket Hotline at 866/811-4111.  General festival information may be secured by calling 843/724-7305 and the website is www.piccolospoleto.com.

Proceeds benefit The Citadel Football Association, its athletic scholarship and efforts to enhance the football program for players and coaches.

Golf Team Inks Three
Coach Lori Bonacci has announced the signing of three newcomers to the roster for the 2011-12 season as the three are positioned to replace graduating seniors Christine Clark, Kate Hardina and Sheri Rockefeller.

Takima Denise Butler comes to The Citadel from Spartanburg Methodist College where she competed on the women's golf team.  She is a 2009 graduate of Aiken (SC) High where she participated on the softball, basketball and golf teams.

Devin Jessica Lowe will soon graduate from Wakulla High in Crawfordville, Fla. where she received four letters in golf and one in softball.  She was named to All-Big Bend Golf Team four years and helped her team to the state finals during her senior season.

Kellie Marie Anderson will soon graduate from Walter E. Stebbins High in Dayton, Ohio where she earned four letter on the golf team. She received the CBI Sportsmanship Award, Ohio High School Golf Coaches Recognition for Academic Excellence Award, the Coaches Award twice, and was a Scholar Athlete for her school team for all four years.

The Citadel T&F Sponsors 2nd Annual Breakaway Twilight Series
The track and field teams will host the 2nd Annual Breakaway Twilight Series as a fund-raiser for the teams.

Under the direction of veteran coach Jody Huddleston, the events take place on Thursday nights and will start and finish at The Maybank Triplets Practice Facility at Willson Field on campus.  It is a certified 5K event as there will be one lap on The Citadel’s campus, a lap around scenic Hampton Park and back around campus.

Late registration and packet pickup is slated for 5:45-6:15 with the race starting at 6:30 pm.  Fee is $20 per race ($15 for early registration/$25 for late registration) or $50 for all five events ($60 with t-shirt).

Races are set for May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23, and July 7.  For information, please contact Coach Huddleston at 843/953-5900 or email him at huddlestonj@citadel.edu.

One can register in advance by clicking www.active.com. 

SoCon Baseball Tournament Seeks Patrons
The Citadel and the City of Charleston will again host the annual Southern Conference Baseball Tournament, set for May 25-29 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.  As in the past, we are offering three great patron packages:

• Patron Package ($346 value for $130): 1 hat, 10 all-session passes and 6 meal tickets; 
• Super Patron Package ($455 value for $235): 1 hat, 1 Polo shirt, 12 all-session passes and 10 meal tickets (shirt comes with SoCon logo and one member school logo;
• Ultra Patron Package ($612 value for $340): 2 hats, 2 jackets, 15 all-session passes and 12 meal tickets (jackets come with SoCon logo and one member school logo).

As a convenience, we accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards.  Order forms are on the website at www.CitadelSports.com.  For additional information, please contact our Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).

TCBF Schedules Coaches Nights
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s annual spring tour that features many of our coaches has been set, and we invite you to attend the one(s) closest to where you reside.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Caleb Davis at 843/953-6813 or email him at caleb.davis@citadel.edu.

For the updated listing, please refer to “Upcoming Events” that appears below.

Want to Keep Up With Citadel Athletics?
Fans have the opportunity to follow all the action of The Citadel Bulldogs by joining Twitter and Facebook for your round-the-clock news on Citadel athletics.
 
To join other loyal fans on Twitter, visit: http://twitter.com/CitadelSports and to become a devotee of the Bulldogs on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Citadel-Sports/108617202526805?ref=ts.  And, as always, we’re updated on www.CitadelSports.com.

Bulldog Business Partners
The Citadel Brigadier Foundation has started the “Bulldog Business Partners” for the 2010-11 academic year and the first to sign up are:

• Charleston Crab House/Palmetto Ale House
• Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub
• Hawthorne Suites
• Lutheran Hospice
• Piggly Wiggly
• Kevin Shealy, Allstate Insurance
• Sleep-Inn / Mt. Pleasant
• South Carolina Federal Credit Union

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.

Sir, No Excuse Sir
In last week’s issue, we boasted that 12 cadet-student-athletes had been among the 75 that were named to the 2011 Class of Who’s Who.  In our haste, we neglected to include shooter Alison M.D. Hayes of Manning, SC in the list, thus increasing the number to 13.

 We regret the error, brace and shout, “Sir, no excuse Sir!”

They Said It:
"The Citadel family is very excited for Cortez and his opportunity to play for Pittsburgh.  He will represent our institution well. … Cortez matured a great deal during his time here as evidenced by his being chosen captain his senior year.  Every team from the National Football League was on campus to evaluate him and they all raved about his character and work ethic.  We all just became Steelers fans."

• Coach Kevin Higgins, on Cortez Allen being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The Citadel is not a football factory  A lot of the work that he gets is very limited in terms of football.  I asked him when he came to visit us, 'How much time do you get to work on your craft?' He said, 'I don't get a lot of time because I have to do The Citadel stuff.' … So I said, this guy is really playing well, and he's not working on his craft that much because of his limited time.  If he can spend a lot of time working on his craft, I see a lot of upside for him.  I think that is one of the reasons why we selected him."

• Carnell Lake, secondary coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Cortez Allen.

“The support system there is amazing and the values they instill in you are invaluable.  The discipline you have to have to succeed there is rigorous, but it betters you for the rest of your life. … They teach you to be mentally tough, which plays heavily onto the football field, along with the ability to overcome adversity, whether it be a trouble in life, or having to dig deep and perform big time in a football game.  The leadership you’re taught at the Citadel is absolutely essential in all phases of life, and being a captain senior year I definitely took those lessons to heart.”

• Cortez Allen, in an interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers Chronicle, on The Citadel.

"Erik had a great senior year.   He was an excellent leader with a strong work ethic.  Coming back for his fifth year really improved his skill set.  His speed, quickness and athleticism are ideal for the Canadian League.  Montreal will love his motor.  We wish Erik the best."

• Coach Higgins, on Erik Clanton signing with Montreal.

"Playing in Montreal is going to be a great culture shock but I'm looking forward to being a part of something that is not only football, but a different way of life.  Plus learning a little French won't be so bad."

• Erik Clanton, on signing with Montreal.

May Birthdays
May 7  Andy Solomon   Administration
May 8  Robby Bennett   Administration
May 23 Al Buddin    Administration
May 28 Andy Alden    Football

Upcoming Events
May 12   TCBF Coaches Night: Columbia/Lexington/Ft. Jackson
May 12  Breakaway Twilight Series @Maybank Triplets Facility
May 13    TCBF Coaches Night: Greenville/Anderson/Spartanburg
May 17   TCBF Coaches Night: Sumter/Shaw Air Force Base
May 19   TCBF Coaches Night: Winnsboro/Chester
May 24   TCBF Coaches Night: Florence/Darlington/Lake City
May 25   TCBF Coaches Night: Greenwood
May 25-29  SoCon Baseball Tournament @Riley Park
May 26   TCBF Coaches Night: Augusta/Aiken/North Augusta
May 26  Breakaway Twilight Series @Maybank Triplets Facility
June 9   Breakaway Twilight Series @Maybank Triplets Facility
June 16   TCBF Coaches Night: Summerville
June 23  Breakaway Twilight Series @Maybank Triplets Facility
July 7   Breakaway Twilight Series @Maybank Triplets Facility

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.nmnathletics.com/main/NewsMailSetup.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9700&DB_OEM_ID=9700&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&DB_OEM_ID=9700&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=9700&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=
 

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…………………Jeremy Helms