|
Page 12
Alumnus named 17th head football coach
|
A new era began for the
A&M-Commerce football program as Scotty Conley was named
the 17th head football coach in Lion history. Conley, 56,
led Trinity Valley Community College to the 1997 NJCAA National
Championship. He posted a 32-12 record with two conference
championships in four seasons before becoming an assistant
at the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000 and 2001.
Conley is a 1970 graduate of A&M Commerce
with a |
Scotty
|
degree in business
administration. He earned a master’s in secondary
and higher education here in 1973. “Scotty is a very
successful Alumnus who has returned home,” said athletic
director Paul Peak, adding that he has a national championship
in the junior college ranks and has experience as a Division
I assistant. “He’s an excellent coach,”
Dr. Peak said, “and we’re excited to have him
back in the fold.” |
“We’ve made an excellent choice,”
stated President Keith McFarland. “There’s no doubt
he’ll continue his success, put us back on the winning way,
and enhance the future of our football program.” Conley
was the 1997 NJCAA National Coach of the Year and American Football
Quarterly Junior College National Coach of the Year. He was also
the 1999 NJCAA Regional Coach of the Year. He directed the Cardinals
to the 1997 and 1999 Red River Bowls. “I’m looking
forward to the new challenges and opportunities here at A&M-Commerce,”
said Conley. “My Alma Mater is a special place. ...Our challenge
is to make East Texas and the Metroplex identify A&M-Commerce
and the Lions as their team.”
Cover Cat
|
A Lion was in the news during Super Bowl XXXVIII. Sports Illustrated
used the photo of the coin toss of Super Bowl I (then the
AFL-NFL World Championship Game) on its cover for the week
of the game. One of the captains of the Kansas City Chiefs
is former Lion center Jon Gilliam (65). Gilliam was the
first of eight Lions who have played in the NFL Title game. |
cover courtesy Time-Life
|
Ernest Hawkins benefit tourney
slated for July 23
The Department of Athletics and the Athletic
Association will sponsor the inaugural Ernest Hawkins Benefit
Golf Tournament on Friday, July 29, at Webb Hill Country Club
in Wolfe City, Texas.
The tournament honors the all-time winningest
football coach in University history and the only football coach
to win a national championship. Registration begins at noon and
tee time is at 2 p.m. with a shotgun start.
Green fee is $75 and includes a hamburger lunch
prior to the tournament, range balls and cart rental. The format
for the tournament will be a “Florida Scramble,” and
teams will consist of four individuals. As an event benefiting
the Athletic Department and the Athletic Association, no prizes
will be awarded for such things as long drive, low team score,
etc. Organizers invite everyone to participate and form his or
her own team. Individuals who are not a part of a pre-arranged
team will be placed on teams. For more information, contact the
Athletic Office at the University, Ron Newsome, president of the
Athletic Association, or Mel Fox at Webb Hill Country Club at
903-496-2221. Ron said, “For those who might prefer bowling
to golf, donations will gladly be accepted or, for $50, one may
chose to sponsor a hole.”
All-American Lions
| Junior punter
Chris Miller was named a first-team All-American on both
the Daktronics Division II All-America Team and the Don
Hansen’s Football Gazette Division II All-America
Team. He was also selected second-team D2Football. com All-America
and thirdteam Associated Press Little All-America. The 6-3,
200-pound |
Miller
|
punter from Plano, Texas,
became the first Lion to be named a first-team All-American
since Antonio Wilson in 1999. He’s also the first
non-senior to be named as a first-team All-American since
Kevin Mathis was honored in 1995. Miller led the Lone Star
Conference and ranked second in NCAA Division II with his
average of 44.1 yards per punt with his 54 punts for 2,384
yards. His 44.1-yard average set a new A&M-Commerce
record for season punting. He also established a new A&M-C
record for single-game punting average with his six punts
for 302 yards, a 50.3-yard average, against West Texas A&M.
He booted his career-long of 69 yards against the Buffaloes
as well. |
Lions resume indoor track
For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century,
the track and field team ran an indoor season. The Lions competed
in three meets with a full team and another with selected team
members. Tommie Jemerson provisionally qualified in the triple
jump for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Boston on
March 12-13 with a jump of 49-1 in the season opener in Norman,
Okla. Joel Tudman (6.84), Delrick Taylor (6.87) and Jemerson (6.88)
met provisionally qualified in the 60-meter dash, and Cornelius
Price clocked a provisional time in the 400 meters (48.99).
Hang ‘em high
|
The Field House got a facelift recently as new metal walls
were hung on both the north and south ends. At the same
time, new banners recognizing Lone Star Conference championships
and NAIA and NCAA national tournament participation were
hung. More than 125 championship banners now grace the gym. |
 |
Former Lion White once blitzed,
now bobbles, a lot
by Louis Margot III
(BS ’67, MS ’71)
|
Dwight White was merely a Pittsburgh hero 30 years ago.
Four Super Bowl rings later, he’s
a Pittsburgh legend with his own bobblehead.
“Pittsburgh is a hardnosed, blue-collar
town,” according to a Pittsburgh sports writer. “Rabid
Steelers fans wear their emotions on their sleeve, constantly
reminiscing about the glory days of the ‘Steel Curtain.’”
Consequently, the 250-pound end and his
Steel Curtain comrades on defense are hot items on the Pittsburgh
sports memorabilia market, complete with a bobblehead salute.
Check the Internet— autographed photos, footballs,
helmets, etc.
White (aka Mad Dog), an All-Lone Star |
 |
Conference defensive end
for the ETSU Lions (1967-70), was taken by Pittsburgh in
the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft and remained a Steeler
until his retirement in 1980. Twice he was selected for
the Pro Bowl. |
For the record, White scored the first safety
in Super Bowl history (1974), sacking Viking Fran Tarkenton.
Two of his Super Bowl rings came against his
ETSU roommate, Harvey Martin, and the Dallas Cowboys (1975 and
1980).
Enjoying celebrity status, he remained in Pittsburgh
after retirement from pro football as a financial adviser.
|
