Today's Blue & White February 3, 2012

Today’s Blue & White

The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Official Electronic Newsletter

Friday, February 3, 2012

Opening Tipoff!

Camps flags were lowered to half-staff all this week in memory of Col. Harvey Dick ’53, longtime treasurer of The Brigadier Foundation and a member of our Hall of Fame who passed away on Saturday morning, Jan. 28.  There was an overflow crowd at his Wednesday afternoon funeral, and Col. Dick will be missed by the entire Citadel Family. 

National Signing Day arrived on Wednesday, and Coach Kevin Higgins introduced the names of his class at a 4 pm press conference.  The Citadel Football Association had a swell get-together later that evening that was well-attended in the Pearson Lounge at Johnson Hagood Stadium. 

We collectively welcome Mike Capaccio, a former UNC-Wilmington staffer, to our athletics fundraising team (see his write-up below). 

This past Saturday afternoon’s Alumni Basketball Game proved to be a fun day and, fortunately, veteran Director of Sports Medicine Andy Clawson seemed to have enjoyed himself by not working too hard.  Also, on Friday night, former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz entertained about 450 people in a packed Marriott ballroom during the Hot Stove Banquet. 

As you’ve come to expect, we have another packed issue of news and notes, so enjoy and Go Bulldogs!!! 

Signing Day Nets 29 Newcomers to Football Family

Coach Kevin Higgins announced Wednesday the addition of 29 new football players who will join the Bulldog program in the fall. 

The class features nine linebackers, including Hunter Shepherd from Berkeley High School, the lone Charleston area player among the 29.  A total of eight states are represented, with 11 coming from Georgia, seven from South Carolina, four from North Carolina, two each from Alabama and Texas and one each from Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

Two of the players - offensive lineman Harrison Davis and defensive lineman Joe Phillips - had fathers who played in the NFL. Kicker Eric Goins (father, Ray) and offensive lineman Sam Frye (brother, Chris) had close relatives who played football at The Citadel. 

The 2012 Recruiting Class:

• ·       Koty Allen, DL, 6-2, 215, Marietta, Ga./Walton
• Caleb Bennett, LB, 6-0, 210, Travelers Rest, S.C./Blue Ridge
• Dylan Busby, RB, 5-9, 200, Theodore, Ala./Theodore
• ·       Dondray Copeland, DB, 6-2, 190, Doerun, Ga./Colquitt County
• Joe Crochet, OLB, 6-2, 200, Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic
• Harrison Davis, OL, 6-2, 265, Marietta, Ga./Walton
• Preston Durham, LB, 6-0, 210, Inman, S.C./Chapman
• Sam Frye, OL, 5-10, 275, Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School
• Eric Goins, K, 6-2, 210, Herndon, Va./Oakton
• Austin Harrell, LB, 6-2, 235, Adairsville, Ga./Adairsville
• Emmet Howle, OL, 6-3, 295, Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park
• Mitchell Jeter, DL, 6-0, 270, Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill
• Austin Jordan, P, 6-0, 200, Columbia, S.C./Airport
• Taylor Jurney, OLB, 6-0, 195, Cornelius, N.C./Southlake Christian Academy
• Drew McCluskey, RB, 5-9, 170, Columbus, Ga./Brookstone School
• Vinny Miller, RB, 5-10, 195, North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta
• Hunter Morris, LS, 6-2, 240, Mooresville, N.C./A.L. Brown
• Te'Myrick Mosley, RB, 5-11, 180, Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody
• Brent O'Neal, RB, 5-10, 195, St. Petersburg, Fla./Canterbury School
• Ferris Owens, LB, 6-0, 230, Kerrville, Texas/Tivy
• Joe Phillips, DL, 6-2, 260, Washington, Pa./Washington
• Cody Richardson, DB, 5-11, 165, Marietta, Ga./Walton
• James Riley, LB, 5-11, 215, Mobile, Ala./Davidson
• Hunter Shepherd, LB, 6-2, 215, Moncks Corner, S.C./Berkeley
• Mark Thomas, OLB, 6-2, 200, Brunswick, Ga./Glynn Academy
• Julian Walker, QB, 5-11, 180, Pearland, Texas/Manvel
• Kyle Weaver, OL, 6-2, 275, Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy
• Trey White, QB, 6-0, 195, Atlanta, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic
• ·       Nick Willis, DB, 6-2, 185, Stone Mountain, Ga./Dunwoody

Mike Capaccio Joins Athletics Fundraising Team

Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dennis Bergvall have announced the appointment of Mike Capaccio to The Citadel’s athletic fundraising team. 

Capaccio comes to The Citadel after spending the past year and a half as the CEO of the Brunswick (N.C.) Community College Foundation and the previous two years as the school’s director of development. 

While at Brunswick, Capaccio oversaw the daily operations of the BCC Foundation and all fundraising events.  He increased named endowments almost 400 percent from $700,000 to more than $2.5 million while securing a $2 million gift, the largest ever given to the BCC Foundation. 

After being appointed CEO at Brunswick in June 2010, Capaccio worked closely with the athletics department in his capacity as vice president, developed and implemented the BCC Alumni Program and was selected the 2010 Brunswick Community College Administrator of the Year. 

Prior to joining the staff at Brunswick, Capaccio spent eight years in various capacities at UNC-Wilmington, including three as the director of athletics from Oct. 2004 through May 2007.  He was also the director of athletic development at the school 2002 through 2006. 

As director of athletes, Capaccio was one of the key figures in a fundraising effort that resulted in $1.3 million for the construction and renovation of a new baseball locker room and also secured a $500,000 gift to begin development of new locker rooms for the men’s and women’s golf teams. 

During his stint as director of athletic development he oversaw all fundraising activities within the athletic department, upped the number of endowed scholarships from 8 to 41 and substantially increased giving in all areas to unprecedented heights in the school’s athletic history. 

Capaccio earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Mary (N.D.) and received his master’s degree in education from Drake. 

Furman, UNCG Trip Citadel in Basketball

The combination of scorers Mike Groselle (20 pts.) and Lawrence Miller (15 pts.) led the way for the Bulldogs, who suffered a 82-71 loss at UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference action on Thursday.  Groselle posted his seventh 20-point game in conference play this season, hitting 7-of-15 from the floor to go along with eight rebounds.  Miller countered with a 4-of-7 performance, draining 3-of-5 from 3-point range, en route to his fourth career double-digit outing.

The Bulldogs hit 24-of-56 (42.9%) from the floor, including five from beyond the arc, to go along with an 18-of-25 (72%) performance from the free throw line.  The Citadel was paced by the performances of Groselle (6-7), Marshall Harris III (5-9), Miller (4-5) and DeVontae Wright (3-4), from the charity stripe.  Those five free throw conversions led Harris III to seven points. C.J. Bray chipped in seven points as well, while Greensboro native Jordan Robertson came off the bench to score four points.

Groselle scored a game-high 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds, marking his 19th career double-double, but it was Furman's late game heroics that allowed the Paladins to come through with a 67-58 victory at McAlister Field House on Saturday.  Groselle moved into a second place tie with former standouts J'Mel Everhart (19 career double-doubles) and Regan Truesdale's (10 single-season double-doubles).  The game included a halftime ceremony for Jake Burrows ‘40, whose No. 3 jersey was honored and placed in the rafters to honor his contributions to the success of the basketball program.

Groselle, who hit 10-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line, was the catalyst to an offensive unit that closed 20-of-46 (43.5%) from the field.  Joining Groselle in scoring was Bo Holston and Wright, who finished with nine and seven points, respectively.  The Bulldogs hit 15-of-19 (78.9%) from the free throw line for the second straight contest, marking the first time this season that they have come through with consecutive games of shooting better than 70 percent.  Groselle manned the post for 11 rebounds, including three on the offensive glass, as the Cadets totaled 30 rebounds.  

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

Groselle Named to CollegeHoopsNet.com All-Conference for January

Junior Mike Groselle has been selected to the CollegeHoopsNet.com All-Southern Conference team after averaging 18.8 points per contest and 9.3 rebounds during a nine-game stretch in January. 

Groselle posted four double-doubles, including a 19-point, 13-rebound outing to open the month against UVA Wise (Jan. 2).  He followed with a 17-point, 11-rebound game against Elon (Jan. 12), during a three-game homestand in the middle of the month.  The Plano, Texas native was the catalyst for a struggling Bulldog offense at Davidson, posting 20 points and 14 rebounds (three offensive) against the Wildcats, before closing the month with a 24-point, 11-rebound showing against Furman. 

In January, Groselle led the team in 15 categories including minutes (325), field goals made (67), field goals attempted (110), field goal percentage (60.9%), free throws made (35), free throws attempted (46), free throw percentage (76.1%), offensive rebounds (27), defensive rebounds (57), total rebounds (84), rebound per game average (9.3), blocks (8), points (169) and point per game average (18.8). 

Among his other achievements were six games in which he hit better than 70 percent from the free throw line, which included back-to-back games of eight made free throws against UNCG (8-9, 88.9%) and Davidson (8-11, 72.7%).  Groselle was responsible for 31% of the team’s total rebounds for the month of January, grabbing 84 total rebounds (27 offensive) with no less than five in each of the nine games played. 

Jamie Jenkins’ 30 Points Leads Alumni Past Corps, 80-63

For the second consecutive year, guard Jamie Jenkins, representing the Class of 1998, scored 30 points to lead the Alumni to an 80-63 win over a team from the Corps of Cadets in the 8th Annual Alumni Basketball Game in McAlister Field House on Saturday.  Forward Dan Gowdown (Class of ’98) contributed 15 points, 11 of which came in the first half, to aid the Alumni.   

Midway through the first half, J’mel Everhart (’07) pounded through a two-handed jam to change the game’s momentum as the Corps held a slight advantage.  Everhart marked 11 points in the contest and was one of the four Alumni players in double digits scoring. 

Also posting double-digits scoring was Bryan Streeter (’11) with 11 points. 

Bob Kiggans, representing the Class of 1965 and the oldest member of the Alumni team, hit an impressive two-point jumper from the baseline in the second half.

Leading the Corps team was freshman Aaron Miller with 19 points, followed by senior Akeem Garnett with 14 points off the bench. 

Wrestling Falls to Chattanooga

Chattanooga jumped to an early 12-0 advantage and held on late for a 27-13 Southern Conference victory over The Citadel Sunday afternoon at McAlister Field House.  With the victory, the Mocs have won 39 straight SoCon dual meets, dating back to a 27-13 defeat at the hands of The Citadel on Feb. 14, 2004.

 Chattanooga led, 12-0, as the Bulldogs mounted a comeback in the upperweights, winning three of four bouts to close within 18-13.  No. 19 Turtogtokh Luvsandorj scored a pin at the 5:35 mark of the 174-pound match, holding a 7-2 lead at the time.  Chattanooga responded with a fall in the 184 bout and at197, Kelby Smith picked up his ninth straight win, a 12-3 major decision and No. 19 Odie Delaney remained a perfect 10-0 in dual meets with a 6-3 decision. 

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

Personal and School-Best Records Fall as Indoor Track & Field Participates in Annapolis

Brunson Miller, Kyle Keene and David Melton all posted school- and personal-bests in the 400m, 5,000m and pole vault, respectively, at the Wesley A. Brown Invitational on Saturday at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. 

Miller, who fell just short of a national quarterfinal in the 400m at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships East Regional last May, smashed the school indoor record that he set last season on the same track.  The junior leader posted a time of 47.97, which reflects .16 seconds better than a year ago.

 Keene etched his name in Citadel history, breaking a 19-year-old record in the 5,000m set by Bob Butcher in the 1993 season.  The junior distance runner posted a 14:56.02, three seconds better than Butcher's time (14:59.4).

 Melton, a 6-foot sophomore from Mt. Pleasant, captured a Bulldog record in the pole vault that he set last season at the Southern Conference Indoor Championships, vaulting 15'3" to break his own mark by four inches. 

In the 3,000m, junior Austin Waldrop moved into ninth on The Citadel's top 10 list with a 8:53.93, while freshman Matthew Beausoleil landed on the list for the 60m hurdles with an 8.91.  The mark leaves him in the seventh spot following his first collegiate meet. 

On the women's side, the 4x400m relay team of Alexandra Moss, Micah Wessinger, Danielle McKee and Tanisha Bethel took first place, crossing the finish line with a 4:04.97. 

Wessinger also posted a second-place finish in the 800m with a 2:14.61, while the freshman tandem of Bethel (26.16; second) and Moss (27.17; ninth) moved into second and seventh places, respectively, on the all-time list in the 200m en route to personal bests. 

Also recording personal bests were Dylan Gidado (45'10" in the weight throw), Clay Allen (44'6 1/4" in the weight throw), Valian Brown (42'9 3/4" in the triple jump) and Tanner Shoemaker (40'0" in the triple jump).   

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com. 

Jackson Cards a 575 to Lead Shooters in NCAA Open Match

Robert Jackson's stellar season continued on Saturday as the freshman fired a 575, just one point behind his personal and season best, in an NCAA match at the Inouye Marksmanship Center.  The competition included No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 14 Air Force and conference foe and 19^th ranked N.C. State.

 An “open match” is different from the regular SEARC competition as the teams shoot and the scores are sent to the NCAA for averages.  There is no direct competition, per se, however, on Saturday, the University of Mississippi took the team crown firing a score of 4,640. Air Force captured second place (4,610), followed by N.C. State (4,596) and The Citadel (men) (4,456).  On Sunday, Air Force (4,628) nabbed first place by just one point over Ole Miss (4,627), while The Citadel (women) finished in third with a 4,258.

 The Roswell, Ga., native has led the Bulldogs in five of the nine matches this season, while junior captain Julia McCullohs (566) and freshman William Wutzer (560) continued to come in right behind Jackson, finishing in the second and third spots, respectively.  

Also competing for The Citadel in air rifle competition was Nathaniel Moy (557), Richard Hunton III (556), Ashten Byrne (554), Kristofer Small (554), Julie O'Meara (549), Terri Craig (549), Margaret LaRiviere (535) and Teddi Haliscak (531). 

In small bore action, eight of the 11 shooters recorded season-best marks as Wutzer led all Cadet shooters with a 562.  Finishing behind Wutzer with record marks were Moy (561), Jackson (549), Hunton III (536), McCullohs (530), Byrne (515), LaRiviere (507) and Haliscak (456).    

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com. 

Tennis Drops Opener to Coastal Carolina; Spoils Coach Baker’s Debut

The tennis team dropped their home and season-opener against Coastal Carolina, 6-1, on Saturday at the Earle Tennis Center. 

In doubles the Bulldogs were able to take only one match as the duo of David Orces and Josh Cook overpowered their rivals, 8-4.  Orces collected the lone win in singles as he won in three sets, 7-5, 5-7, 10-4.   

The defeat spoiled the Citadel debut for first-year coach Kemper Baker. 

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

Baseball’s “Meet the Bulldogs” Set for Feb. 12

The annual "Meet the Bulldogs" autograph session and Blue-White scrimmage has been set for Sunday, Feb. 12 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.  Gates open at 12 noon with an autograph session and the final preseason scrimmage of the spring will follow at 1:15 p.m.  Admission is free to the public. 

The Charleston RiverDogs will once again provide free hot dogs for this year's event.  Posters, magnets and schedule cards for the ‘12 season will be available, along with other giveaways. 

The Citadel opens the season on Friday, Feb. 17, when the Bulldogs host Towson at 4 pm.

Soccer Releases Fall Schedule

Coach Bob Winch released the soccer team’s fall schedule this week with a match at Maine to highlight the slate.  The Bulldogs, who finished 5-11-3 overall and 3-6-2 in the conference a year ago, will host seven games on WLI Field, including five Southern Conference matches.

 The 2012 season starts with a slate of five road non-conference games followed by two home contests before starting SoCon play.  The Cadets open the season on Aug. 17 against intra-city foe Charleston Southern before heading to the Upstate to take on Winthrop, a team the Bulldogs beat 2-1 a season ago.

 A few days later, the Bulldogs take their talent to the Northeast as they make the 1,214-mile trek to Orono, Maine, to take on the University of Maine.  The Cadets topped the Black Bears, 3-1, at The Citadel Nike Classic on WLI Field in 2010.  The Citadel will continue the road trip in Rhode Island where they will play Bryant University for the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

 The Bulldogs will finish out their away slate of non-conference games against tough ACC competition as they head to Raleigh to compete against N.C. State.  The contest marks the first-ever between the Bulldogs and Wolfpack.

 The Citadel will then head back home to finish out non-conference play against in-state foe Coastal Carolina and University of Northern Iowa.  

The Citadel begins conference play at home when it opens up a two-game home stretch against Furman and Wofford.  The Bulldogs will look for redemption from last season's trip to the Upstate, where they lost first half leads in the both games, falling to the Paladins, 2-1, and tying the Terriers, 2-2. 

To view the entire schedule, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

14th Annual TCBF Sporting Clays Fun Shoot Slated for Feb. 18

The 14th Annual TCBF Sporting Clays Fun Shoot at Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt is set for Feb. 18 and will be held from 9 am–1 pm.  The presentation of awards will be held during a lunch that follows the shoot.

 This event, which was established by the late Hall of Famer Jerry Varn ’51, brings together shooters of all abilities in a fun environment.  A $100 donation per shooter includes 100 shells and 100 clays plus lunch and awards, while a $150 sponsorship donation buys a station that promotes your business or organization.  All shooters receive five free raffle tickets for prizes after the shoot.  This NSCA Registered shoot will utilize the Lewis Class System. 

To register, please contact Broxton Bridge Plantation at 800/437-4868, and checks should be made payable to “The Citadel Brigadier Foundation.”  Additional information may be secured by reviewing the Brigadier Foundation website link at www.broxtonbridge.com. 

Proceeds benefit a basketball scholarship through TCBF.  

CFA to Host 2^nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest

The Citadel Football Association will host the 2^nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest that will be held prior to the football team’s annual spring game at Johnson Hagood Stadium on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17. 

Seven categories – including the Most Beautiful Bulldog – will be offered and they include Best St. Patrick’s Day Costume, Best Overall Costume, Best Smile, Best Tail-Wagger along with Mr. Personality and Miss Congeniality.  American Kennel Club rules will not be enforced. 

A $5 donation admits spectators to visit with dogs and owners prior to the Beauty Pageant.  This unique event guarantees oohs, aahs and laughs as approximately 60 English bulldogs strut their stuff. 

Those participating are required to bring a copy of their dog’s certificate of vaccinations and heartworm prevention.  Dogs must be leashed at all times and there is a limit of two owners per dog in the judging area.  Costumes, t-shirts, hats and the like are allowed but are not required.  

Owners are also asked to bring water and bowl, a rug or pad for the dog to rest, pooper-scooper and bags, and appropriate gear for cold or wet weather.  A certified veterinarian will be on site. 

Registration is scheduled from 10-10:45 a.m. and the judges’ review and visits with the dogs and owners run from 11-12.  The Beauty Pageant begins at 12:30, and there will be trophies and prizes for the winners.  There is a $30 entry fee. 

Everyone is invited to stay (for no charge) for the 2 pm Citadel Spring Football Game. 

Proceeds from the event benefit The Citadel’s live mascot, General and Boo, in addition to The Citadel Football Scholarship program.  To preregister, please refer to www.thecitadelfootballassociation.com and for additional information, please contact Assistant Athletics Director Mike Groshon at 843/953-2161. 

Date for 24^th Annual TCBF Auction Set

Be sure and mark down April 14 on your calendar or IPhone as that will be the date for the 24^th Annual Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Auction.  If you have items to donate or care to join the planning committee, please contact Gina Inabnett at 843/953-5277.

We Regret to Inform You

We regret to inform you that Col. Harvey M. Dick, long-time TCBF treasurer a member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 28.  Born Aug. 9, 1927 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Col. Dick was a graduate of the Class of 1953 and was a graduate of the Army Command General and Staff College.  Prior to graduation from high school, Col. Dick enlisted in the Marine Corps during WW II from 1945-48, obtaining the rank of Sergeant.  Following the war, he graduated from the High School of Charleston and entered The Citadel.  He was commissioned in the US Army following Citadel graduation.  Upon retirement from the Army in 1977, Col. Dick accepted the position of Assistant Commandant, and held this position for 16 years.  He also served on the Board of Visitors.

Memorials may be made to the following: Colonel Harvey M. Dick Scholarship, Margie M. Dick Scholarship and/or The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC  29409.

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!

Upcoming Birthdays

Feb. 6              Amanda Newell                      Volleyball

Feb. 6              Jeff Ragan                               Wrestling

Feb. 19            Lori Bonacci                           Golf

Feb. 19            Michelle Lomonaco               Sports Medicine

Feb. 28            J.P. Gunter                              Football 

Upcoming Events

Feb. 12            Baseball’s “Meet the Bulldogs” @Riley Park

Feb. 18            14^th Annual Broxton Bridge Fun Shoot @Ehrhardt, SC

Mar. 17           2^nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest @Johnson Hagood Stadium

Mar. 17           Spring Football Game @Johnson Hagood Stadium

Apr. 14            24^th Annual TCBF Auction @McAlister Field House

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