athletics

Mercer Athletics expects successful seasons with new coaches, renewed staff contracts

The latest on Mercer coaches and staff

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Published Aug 15, in Sports

The success of Mercer Athletics is proven through the work ethic and commitment of the coaches, who mold and guide their players. This summer, the Athletics Department has been preparing for many successful athletic seasons by renewing the contracts of both Baseball Head Coach Craig Gibson and Basketball Head Coach Bob Hoffman. In addition, Mercer Athletics recently hired Kyle Hannan to be the head Mercer Lacrosse coach.
Gibson agreed to terms on the renewed contract extension through 2017 after finishing his ninth season coaching for the Bears. With a 277-233 all-time record at Mercer, Gibson is the second coach with the most wins in Mercer’s baseball history.
This spring, the Bears were led to a 38-21 overall record and attended the Atlantic Sun Tournament for the seventh year in a row.
“I am excited to get this deal done with Craig because he exemplifies the commitment to academic and athletic excellence that Mercer stands for,” said Jim Cole, director of athletics.
“Craig is the ideal leader of our baseball program for the future and I would be proud to have my own son play for someone of his character.”
Over Gibson’s last three seasons as head coach, he has led the Bears with a 115-65 record marking the program’s best three year run. The success over the last three years with 115 wins places the bears at the 29th in the nation.
Gibson graduated from Mercer in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and recreation. While at Mercer, Gibson was a four-year member of the baseball team where he received the 1985 Atlantic Sun Player of the Year award after his junior season. Gibson also received his master’s degree in social science from Mercer in 1988.
In addition, Mercer’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bob Hoffman was rewarded after last year proved to be the most successful men’s basketball season in Mercer’s history. Hoffman’s new five-year contract will lead him to continue his head coach position through the 2016-2017 season.
“Bob has done a tremendous job taking the men’s basketball program to new heights,” Cole said.  “We were proud to extend this offer and look forward to the team’s continued success on and off the court.”
The Bears previous season was one to set records as they won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament championship and finished their season with a 27-11 overall record. That season record established the program record for single-season wins.
Hoffman holds a 75-61 as head coach since beginning in the 2008-2009 season. The Men’s Basketball team has qualified for the Atlantic Sun Championships all four years he has coached for Bears. Hoffman’s 75 wins in four seasons holds the program-best win total over a four-year period.
Hoffman has been recognized by SI.com, where he was listed among some of the nation’s elite coaches.
Bleacher Report and CollegeInsider.com also gave him recognition where the Bears were among the season-end top 25 mid-major polls.
Mercer Athletics has also taken a step forward with the lacrosse program as they recently hired Head Coach Kyle Hannan to lead the program.
Hannan has 19 years of experience as a head coach and will begin his coaching role as the team moves to the Tony and Nancy Moye Family Football and Lacrosse Complex, which is expected to open in early September.
“I am extremely excited and proud to announce the hiring of Kyle Hannan to lead our men’s lacrosse program,” Cole said.
“Kyle quickly rose to the top of our search list because of his reputation in the lacrosse world, not only as a coach but more importantly as a person of high character. Kyle, his wife Angie, and their two children are a welcome addition to the Mercer family and the middle Georgia area.”
Hannan has produced an overall 179-122 record throughout his 19 years as a head coach, including a 128-71 record in his most recent coaching at Goucher College in Towson, Md.
Hannan spent 12 years as a coach at Goucher. Prior to his work with Goucher, Hannah was the head men’s lacrosse coach at Colorado College from 1998-2000 and Virginia Wesleyan College from 1993-1998.
Hannah received his education at Salisbury University where he graduated in 1986 and was a four-year starting midfielder for the Sea Gulls.
As a player, he received the Charles B. Clark Award for Salisbury’s best all-around men’s lacrosse player in 1985.
“I want to thank Director of Athletics Jim Cole and President William D. Underwood for providing this opportunity to my family,” Hannan said.  “I’m excited to continue developing my relationship with them and the entire middle Georgia community.”

SGA Paints the Town Orange

By:
Published Aug 15, in News

Mercer’s Student Government Association has taken an active role in initiating two new programs for students to become involved in for this upcoming semester.
The first initiative is a motivation program partnering with Mercer’s Athletics Department. Though the program is still being finalized some of the details include a points-based incentive for students to encourage them to attend athletic games and events.
The second is a collaboration between Mercer students and businesses in College Hill and downtown areas. The initiative is cleverly titled Paint the Town Orange and stems from last semesters SGA Presidential race where elected President and Vice President, Mollie Davis and Josh Lovett, proposed a plan to create jobs and internships for students amongst local businesses. “In essence, SGA is going out on behalf of students to businesses and explaining the benefits of hiring students and how to hire students through Career Services. In addition, we ask that applicable businesses offer deals or discounts to Mercer students. In return, SGA will list and market these “Mercer friendly” business on our Facebook and our website,” explained Davis.
When businesses sign up, SGA provides them with Mercer gear, including team schedules, posters, etc., so that they can show support for the Bears in their place of business. These businesses will also place the SGA decal in their storefront windows to show the community their support of Mercer.
SGA is partnering with College Hill, the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Macon, Unity-N-Community, and other existing avenues to get the word out to local businesses that wish to participate.     At this time, 10 businesses have registered and pledged to post over a dozen jobs and internships in fields like graphic design, marketing, journalism/ photography, business management, accounting, and music venue promotion. Paint The Town Orange is in its initial stages but has already confirmed partnerships with the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, Saturna & Company (a CPA firm), the 567 Center for Renewal (a multifaceted non-profit downtown), DonSon Productions (a custom laser-engraving business), 11th Hour and other local businesses.
SGA has taken the steps to ensure the program’s sustainability and growth by working with Mercer’s business school to create a service-learning course that will market the program throughout Macon and on campus. “Josh and I are both in the class and will work closely with that team of students to ensure that we create as many opportunities as possible for students,” said Davis.
The program will be formally announced August 23 at a press conference with Mayor Reichert and Mike Dyer, the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
“We are very excited about the potential of this program to create a sustainable connection between Mercer students and the Macon community. In the long run, we would love to see students living and working in Macon after graduation. As Mercerians, we have so much to offer the local community; it’s just about matching Macon’s needs with Mercer’s abundant resources, namely its educated, service-oriented, vibrant student body,” said Davis.
For more information on the Paint the Town Orange initiative you can e-mail the address paintmaconorange@gmail.com.
SGA is a body of elected representatives that connect Mercer’s administration with the student population. The Senate body meets weekly to discuss issues and pass legislation to enhance student life on campus. Meetings are held every Monday at 5:30 pm in Conference Room II of the Connell Student Center.

Mercer, free gifts should not be incentives for school spirit

By:
Published Feb 22, in Opinions

Over the past three years of my attendance at Mercer I have noticed a pretty consistent trend amongst the student body: Mercer students love free stuff.

From what I observe, the most popular and time honored traditions at Mercer are the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Founder’s Day. However, I find it absolutely absurd how if you were to ask the average Mercer student why they go to these events they would automatically say the promise of free stuff.

The mug after the Christmas Tree Lighting is a definite favorite. And who among us doesn’t love receiving that long sleeve t-shirt after the Founder’s day speaker finishes talking? Don’t get me wrong, I love the free stuff just as much as the next student, but I think we shouldn’t have to use incentives to bring in a large crowd.

The student body should want to participate. Take the basketball games for example. During an average men’s basketball game, the student section is never completely filled with Mercer students.

On the off chance that the student section is filled, most of the time they aren’t nearly as spirited as they should be. The largest crowd at basketball games is because of a promise of free pizza and possibly other free items, some of which include the infamous Mercer shirt of various designs.

As a junior, I have become rather disappointed with the sense of school spirit around campus. I don’t find myself overly spirited or filled with pride, but I do make it a point to get involved. I care about Mercer and I really do enjoy the traditions that make up my Mercer experience.

I love Homecoming week, the Christmas Tree Lighting and I especially love Founder’s day. I would go to these events even without the incentive of a free token to remember the event by.

But the truth of the matter is the majority of the student body would not come out to these events if it weren’t for those free objects. I believe that even homecoming has become a little more lackluster since my freshman year due to the fact that we have to pay for homecoming shirts. How ridiculous is that?

Homecoming week isn’t supposed to focus on alumni coming back and visiting Mercer and reliving the “good ole’ days.” It’s about the current student body making memories to last a lifetime.

Yes, students come out to the big homecoming game, but what about the other sports? Without the promise of priority tickets to Homecoming, there would be a dramatic decrease in fall sports attendance.

Not to say that these sports don’t draw a crowd on their own, but the crowd is always bigger when the game has been publicized as a priority game.

Sure, we Mercer students pay enough to get the education we receive and we feel as though we have a right to the free stuff.

If anything, we feel as though they owe it to us. However, I think there is definitely room for improvement when it comes to the amount of school spirit and pride that comes from the student body.

If Mercer students have enough pride for their school, the free stuff shouldn’t matter and attendance should be high at these events in spite of the materialistic incentives.

 

Comments and questions about this opinion can be sent to cecilia.villagomez@live.mercer.edu

 

Mercer to welcome Chipper to First Pitch Classic

By:
Published Jan 25, in Sports

Year after year, the Athletics Department at Mercer continues to exceed its expectations and outdoes the previous year with high-profile speakers and remarkable talents roaming the halls of the University Center.
In four years, Mercer has hosted the likes of college basketball legends such as the outspoken Dick Vitale, the former Duke Blue Devil Jay Bilas and the inspiring wisdom of CBS analyst Clark Kellogg. The talent level continues to rise for the baseball visits as Mercer continues to attract the eyes of former Braves such as outfielder Jeff Francoeur and the legendary John Smoltz. This year, the Bears family welcomes another Braves legend to its fourth annual First Pitch Classic. This time, Macon welcomes the current All-Star third baseman and future Hall of Famer, Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones, Jr.
Sponsored by Macon Occupational Medicine and in-time to kick off the baseball and softball seasons at Mercer, the 39-year-old Chipper comes to the UC Arena on Feb. 7, 2012.
If anyone is qualified enough to speak to a crowd of young, aspiring athletes, this 17-year veteran fits the bill. Playing all of his seasons at the Atlanta Braves, Chipper’s name is synonymous with the Atlanta baseball franchise.
Undoubtedly one of the best switch hitters of all time, Jones has made his mark on the game of baseball since his inception in 1993. Hitting an impressive .304 in his career, Jones currently ranks second all-time among switch hitters in career RBIs (1,561) and is third in career home runs by a switch hitter (454).
The seven-time All-Star is a native of Deland, Fla. and was the first overall pick in the 1990 MLB Draft at the young age of 18. After making his debut in 1993, Jones quickly blossomed into a perennial All-Star as he worked his way to an eventual NL MVP award in 1999. Through the years, Jones continued to show signs of consistency as his average continued above .300 leading him to an NL Batting Title in 2008. That season, Jones hit a remarkable .364 and tied a MLB record for consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs to start your career (14).
In his time with the Braves, Jones and then manager Bobby Cox would lead the club to 14-consecutive NL East Division titles including a World Series Championship in 1995.
All-in-all, Chipper Jones brings a definite sense of experience and knowledge to a small university whose athletic programs could always use a little pep talk before the beginning of a season. The community, staff and student body were thrilled to hear the news of this year’s speaker. “When you think of the Atlanta Braves organization and all the great players that have come through there over the years, Chipper Jones is one of the first players that comes to mind because of the way he handles himself both on and off the field,” said head baseball coach Craig Gibson. “For us to be able to have him come down to this event and help us open our 2012 season is a very special honor,” he added.
The night is sure to be filled with stories, introductions and hopes of a successful season to come for both the Bears and the Braves.
The event is open to athletes and those who wish to donate to Mercer’s baseball program. The autograph session begins at 6:00 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room and the dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. in the UC Arena.
For more information on the event or to make a reservation, contact Mercer Baseball Director of Operations Jason Farhadi, at (478) 301-5218 or by email at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu.

Adidas, Mercer agree on 5-year sponsor extension

By:
Published Sep 7, in Sports

For the next five years, Mercer Athletics will join the ranks of programs like Michigan and Nebraska in being sponsored by international corporation Adidas America. All 16 intercollegiate sports will be sponsored by the company, and they will have apparel and footwear provided by them as well.
“We appreciate their willingness to supply our student-athletes and coaches with top flight products that will aid in their development and training, while also providing apparel to enhance the look and presence for our support staff,” Athletic Director Jim Cole told MercerBears.com.
New head football coach Bobby Lamb has worked with Adidas in the past, and he is excited about the future. Adidas America will be a selling point in his upcoming recruiting blitz that will take him through the states of Ga. and Fla. as he attempts to sign a 40- to 45-person recruiting class. He was very optimistic and called it “great sports apparel.”
As for the rest of the department, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and volleyball all already used Adidas products, so the rest of the athletic department will be sure to see the benefit of the products to organizations that have done well in the past few years. Daniel Tate is the assistant athletics director for marketing for Mercer, and he was the broker behind the deal. He believes in far-reaching benefits for the entire athletics department.
In Mercer’s effort to create a brand for themselves, Tate told the Mercer Bears website that he believes this will help brand and build a consistent identity. “There is also a certain ‘credibility’ that is added when a worldwide company such as Adidas is willing to put its name side-by-side with yours. That association will help us market Mercer Athletics in the future and could open the door to many other opportunities,” Tate said.
Mercer is the only team in the Atlantic Sun who will have a deal with Adidas, once again showing Mercer’s leadership. In 2013, Mercer will be one of just two squads (Drake University is the other) in the Pioneer Football League to wear Adidas products. This type of exposure and linearity will boost the Mercer name. When style and substance combine, the building of the football program will be benefited, according to Coach Lamb. Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman seconded this, saying that the results have been nothing but positive.
Adidas is definitely going to help Mercer along its way to success and winning more Atlantic Sun championships. This is the first time the university has had a deal that stretches across the entire athletic department.