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2021 Media Information
JACKSONVILLE STATE SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT: (256) 782-5915 FAX: (256) 782-5958
www.jsugamecocksports.com
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Josh Underwood, Associate AD
Football, Softball, Golf Office: (256) 782-5915 Cell: (256) 453-0545 email: underwood@jsu.edu
Tyler Brown, Assistant SID
Football, Men’s Basketball, Tennis Office: (256) 782-5977 email: tabrown@jsu.edu
Tony Schmidt, Assistant SID
Baseball, Soccer, Rifle Office: (256) 782-5377 email: tschmidt@jsu.edu
Daniel Porter, Assistant SID
Women’s Basketball, Track & Field Volleyball, Beach Volleyball Office: (256) 782-5965 email: dporter2@jsu.edu
STUDENT ASSISTANTS:
Eli Bates Taylor Anne Beckha Pierson Branham Avery Davis Brooks Davis Anthony Green Will Jackson Jaylah Martin Mason McGlaughn Sam Palmer Dahlia Sanford Haili Turner Brayden Wright Blake Nicholson
SID MAILING ADDRESS—
Jacksonville State University Attn: Sport Information Director 365 Pete Mathews Coliseum 700 Pelham Road North Jacksonville, AL 36265
Facebook.com/JSUGamecocks
@JSUGamecocksSB
#JSUGamecocks
2021 Gamecock Softball Media Information
THE 2021 EDITION of the Jacksonville State University softball media guide is a source of information for the news media covering the Gamecocks. News releases, photographs/slides, clips and film footage and other additional information will also be available to accredited members of the media upon request.
Credentials — Credentials for JSU home games are issued for working media only and should be requested as early as possible. Requests must be made in writing on company letterhead and are honored only from sports editors of daily newspapers and sports directors of radio and television stations.
Jacksonville State University follows the guidelines set forth by the NCAA in governing the issuance of credentials. Season credentials will be granted only to daily newspapers and television/radio stations that cover JSU softball on a regular basis. Otherwise, weekly newspapers television/radio stations will be granted credentials on a single-game, space-available basis.
All requests for credentials should be made to Josh Underwood, Associate AD for Media Relations.
Media Services — Jacksonville State University uses “The Automated Scorebook” for softball computerized statistics system.
Radio Rights — Jacksonville State University will provide one phone line free of charge to opponents wishing to broadcast. However, it is the responsibility of the visiting radio stations to have its flagship station call direct to the JSU Softball Field to establish the broadcast line. JSU will not permit outgoing telephone calls. Teams planning to broadcast should notify JSU Sports Information Director Josh Underwood of their intent no less than two days before the actual broadcast.
Interview Policies — General—All interviews with Jacksonville State University softball players or coaches must be arranged through the Sports Information Office. In general, JSU softball practices are open. Player interviews may be conducted from 1:30-2:00 p.m. during regular practice sessions or at the conclusion of practice. Players will not be allowed to return phone calls, but phone numbers of respective players will be distributed upon request to certified media.
Reaching Coach McGinnis — JSU Head Coach Jana McGinnis can be reached by telephone at (256) 782-5524 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon.
Postgame Interviews — Following each game, there will be a 10-minute cooling-off period, then the JSU players and Coach McGinnis will be made available to the working media on the field.
Credits...The 2021 Jacksonville State University Softball Media Guide is a publication of the JSU Sports Information Office. It was compiled, written and edited by Associate Athletics Director Josh Underwood. Photos by JSU photographers Matt Reynolds and Grace Cockrell and Dave Brandsma. Special thanks to Wray Dillard of Wray Graphics in Florence, Alabama, for design. This brochure was printed by Jacksonville State University Print Shop. ©2021 JSU Sports Information Departments. All Rights Reserved. JSU is an EO/AA Employer.
McGinnis’
Coaching Philosophy
“Athletics is one of the greatest ways to prepare our young people for life. So, in a way, I feel responsible for trying to help these young athletes take their first steps into the “real world.” To be successful in athletics, an athlete must work hard, be focused on what their goals are, be committed and be willing to work with others. My philosophy is very simple and easy to comprehend. The players understand from the first day on campus that they will always give 110% in whatever they do, whether it is in the classroom or on the field. They will always strive to be a better softball player and person than they were the day before. They will respect their teammates, coaches and teachers. And, they will be “winners” in everything they do. Our softball program will always strive to represent JSU in a positive way. I feel that when you have a team full of players who strive for excellence, you can’t help having a winning season.”
JSU Softball Fan Day
2018 (35-25, 16-6 Ohio Valley)
2/9 %vs. Army %at Jacksonville W, 6-3 L, 6-8
2/10 %vs. UConn %vs. Army 2/11 %at Jacksonville 2/14 SAMFORD
L, 4-7 W, 4-3 W, 8-7 W, 3-2 2/16 #vs. Georgia Southern L, 2-4 #vs. Abilene Christian L, 0-8 (5 inn) 2/17 #vs. Lipscomb W, 2-1 #vs. UMass L, 2-10 2/18 #vs. Ohio L, 0-3 2/23 at Southern Miss L, 4-5 at Southern Miss W, 6-3 2/24 at Southern Miss L, 6-9 3/2 $vs. UNC Greensboro L, 2-3 (9 inn) $at #14 Georgia L, 0-7 3/3 $at #14 Georgia L, 0-6 $vs. Radford L, 2-5 3/4 $vs. Radford W, 6-5 3/7 FORT WAYNE W, 4-2 3/13 at Alabama State W, 17-1 (5 inn) 3/16 &vs. Georgetown W, 2-0 3/17 &vs. Georgetown W, 4-0 &vs. Texas L, 2-4 3/18 &at College of Charleston L, 1-13 (5 inn) 3/22 at Western Kentucky L, 2-6 3/23 *at UT Martin W, 6-4 *at UT Martin W, 6-2 3/25 *at Southeast Missouri W, 6-0 *at Southeast Missouri L, 2-7 3/28 at UAB W, 4-1 3/30 *at Murray State W, 9-3 *at Murray State W, 5-0 4/3 at Samford L, 10-11 4/6 *BELMONT (Oxford) W, 9-1 (5 inn) *BELMONT (Oxford) W, 4-3 4/8 *TENNESSEE STATE (Oxford) W, 7-2 *TENNESSEE STATE (Oxford) W, 5-2 4/13 *at Austin Peay W, 2-1 *at Austin Peay W, 5-3 4/21 *at SIU-Edwardsville L, 4-5 *at SIU-Edwardsville L, 1-3 4/22 *at Eastern Illinois W, 5-2 *at Eastern Illinois W, 10-9 4/24 GEORGIA TECH (Oxford) W, 2-1 (9 inn) 4/28 *MOREHEAD STATE (Oxford) W, 1-0 *MOREHEAD STATE (Oxford) L, 0-3 4/29 *EASTERN KY (Oxford) L, 2-5 *EASTERN KY (Oxford) L, 1-5 5/2 UAB (Oxford) L, 0-4 5/4 *TENNESSEE TECH (Oxford) W, 5-2 *TENNESSEE TECH (Oxford) W, 6-2 5/9 ^vs. Eastern Illinois W, 11-10 5/10 ^vs. Austin Peay W, 3-0 5/11 ^vs. Eastern Kentucky W, 7-1 5/12 ^vs. Eastern Kentucky W, 9-1 (5 inn) 5/18 @at #6 Florida State L, 0-8 (5 inn) 5/19 @vs. Kennesaw State W, 5-3 (10 inn) @vs. #15 Auburn W, 3-2 5/20 @at #6 Florida State L, 0-10
* - OVC Game 12 Home Games played in Oxford due to Tornado Damage % - River City Leadoff – Jacksonville, Fla. # - EMU Madeira Beach Spring Invite – Madeira Beach, Fla. $ - Georgia Bulldog Classic – Athens, Ga. & - Charleston Invitational – Charleston, S.C. ^ - OVC Tournament – Oxford, Ala. @ - NCAA Tallahassee Regional – Tallahassee, Fla.
2017 (41-12, 15-1 Ohio Valley)
2/10 %vs. Alabama State W, 12-1 (5 inn) %vs. Central Arkansas W, 7-0 2/11 %vs. Central Arkansas W, 7-2 %at South Alabama L, 0-1 2/12 %vs. Houston Baptist W, 10-2 (6 inn) 2/17 #vs. Mississippi Valley State W, 14-7 #vs. Nicholls State W, 4-3 2/18 #at Southern Miss W, 2-0 #vs. Mississippi Valley State W, 10-1 2/22 at Georgia Tech W, 7-1 2/25 SOUTHERN MISS L, 1-2 SOUTHERN MISS L, 3-4 2/16 SOUTHERN MISS L, 4-6 3/3 $vs. Southeastern Louisiana W, 3-0 3/4 $vs. Ohio L, 0-1 $at #15 Tennessee L, 2-3 3/5 $vs. Bradley W, 3-2 3/10 &vs. Missouri State W, 4-2 &vs. Loyola-Chicago L, 2-4 3/11 &vs. Samford W, 8-0 (5 inn) 3/12 &vs. Alabama A&M W, 11-0 (5 inn) 3/14 WINTHROP W, 5-3 3/15 WESTERN KENTUCKY W, 6-0 3/18 at Kennesaw State W, 15-5 (6 inn) at Kennesaw State L, 3-4 3/22 at Alabama A&M W, 8-0 (5 inn) 3/25 *UT MARTIN W, 4-0 *UT MARTIN L, 5-7 3/26 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 3-0 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 9-5 3/28 ALABAMA STATE W, 4-0 3/29 #24 OLE MISS W, 5-4 (11 inn) 4/1 *MURRAY STATE W, 7-3 *MURRAY STATE W, 10-6 4/4 at UAB W, 6-5 (13 inn) 4/8 *at Belmont W, 8-0 *at Belmont W, 6-1 4/9 *at Tennessee State W, 7-0 *at Tennessee State W, 8-0 (5 inn) 4/14 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 7-0 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 4-3 4/22 *SIU-EDWARDSVILLE W, 5-3 (8 inn) *SIU-EDWARDSVILLE W, 2-1 4/26 at #20 Ole Miss L, 1-2 4/30 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 6-0 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 5-0 5/10 ^vs. Belmont W, 8-5 5/11 ^vs. Eastern Illinois W, 4-2 5/12 ^vs. SIU-Edwardsville W, 6-2 5/13 ^vs. SIU-Edwardsville W, 5-4 5/19 @vs. #25 Georgia L, 2-4 5/20 @vs. Princeton W, 10-2 (6 inn) @vs. #25 Georgia L, 2-8
* - OVC Game % - Sand Dollar Classic – Mobile, Ala. # - Southern Miss Tournament – Hattiesburg, Miss. $ - Tennessee Invitational – Knoxville, Tenn. & - Choccolocco Classic – Oxford, Ala. ^ - OVC Tournament – Oxford, Ala. @ - NCAA Tallahassee Regional – Tallahassee, Fla.
2016 Record: 43-17, 26-0 OVC
2/12 %vs. Western Carolina %at Savannah State 2/13 %vs. College of Charleston 2/14 %vs. Drexel 2/19 #vs. #13 Missouri #vs. Omaha 2/20 #vs. College of Charleston #vs. #10 Georgia 2/21 #vs. Elon #vs. #1 Florida 2/26 $vs. Grambling $vs. Lamar 2/27 $vs. Liberty $at Louisiana Tech 3/2 ALABAMA 3/5 SAMFORD SAMFORD 3/6 at Samford 3/8 KENNESAW STATE 3/11 &vs. Illinois State &vs. Louisville 3/16 UAB 3/19 *TENNESSEE TECH *TENNESSEE TECH W, 7-6 W, 7-4 L, 6-7 L, 9-10 L, 0-8 (5 inn) W, 3-1 W, 6-4 L, 0-9 (5 inn) W, 7-6 L, 0-10 (5 inn) W, 11-3 (6 inn) L, 2-9 W, 5-0 L, 0-4 L, 3-10 L, 3-4 W, 8-4 L, 4-7 W, 3-1 L, 7-8 L, 3-6 L, 0-3 W, 2-1 W, 5-4
3/20 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 8-3
3/23 at Alabama State
W, 12-3 (5 inn) 3/25 *EASTERN ILLINOIS W, 4-0 *EASTERN ILLINOIS W, 13-1 (5 inn) 3/26 *SIU-EDWARDSVILLE W, 4-2 *SIU-EDWARDSVILLE W, 6-3 4/2 *at Tennessee State W, 11-3 *at Tennessee State W, 10-2 (5 inn) 4/3 *at Tennessee State W, 11-0 (5 inn) 4/5 at UAB L, 3-6 4/9 *at Southeast Missouri W, 6-5 *at Southeast Missouri W, 9-2 4/10 *at UT Martin W, 4-0 *at UT Martin W, 2-1 4/14 ALABAMA A&M W, 4-2 (8 inn) 4/16 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 3-0 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 6-0 4/17 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 8-0 (6 inn) 4/23 *at Austin Peay W, 4-1 *at Austin Peay W, 5-1 4/24 *at Murray State W, 3-1 *at Murray State W, 6-4 4/30 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 3-0 5/1 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 13-2 5/7 *BELMONT W, 1-0 *BELMONT W, 6-1 5/8 *BELMONT W, 2-1 5/11 ^vs. Murray State W, 5-0 5/12 ^vs. SIU-Edwardsville W, 3-2 (8 inn) 5/13 ^vs. Eastern Kentucky W, 12-0 (5 inn) 5/14 ^vs. SIU-Edwardsville L, 1-2 ^vs. SIU-Edwardsville W, 6-1 5/20 %at #5 Auburn L, 1-2 5/21 %vs. Oregon State W, 5-4 (14 inn) %vs. USC Upstate W, 3-2 5/22 %at #5 Auburn L, 2-14 (5 inn)
* - OVC Game % - Savannah State Tournament – Savannah, Ga. # - Diamond 9 Citrus Classic – Walt Disney World $ - Louisiana Tech Tournament – Ruston, La. & - Louisville Tournament – Louisville, Ky. ^ - OVC Tournament – Oxford, Ala. % - NCAA Auburn Regional – Auburn, Ala.
2013 Record: 30-27, 11-11 OVC
2/8 %vs. Saint Louis L, 2-5 %vs. Louisiana Tech W, 11-1 (5 inn) 2/9 %vs. Southern W, 7-0 %vs. Nicholls State L, 2-4 2/15 #vs. Sam Houston State L, 3-5 (11 inn) #at Southern Miss L, 6-7 2/16 #vs. Sam Houston State L, 4-5 (8 inn) #at Southern Miss L, 2-6 2/17 #vs. Sam Houston State W, 6-5 2/20 ALABAMA A&M W, 9-1 (5 inn) ALABAMA A&M W, 12-0 (5 inn) 2/23 $vs. #27 Virginia Tech L, 1-5 2/24 $vs. Bowling Green W, 12-7 $vs. Youngstown State W, 8-3 2/27 GEORGIA TECH L, 7-9 (9 inn) 3/1 &vs. Wright State W, 4-3 &vs. Northern Iowa W, 9-1 (5 inn) 3/2 &at Arkansas W, 5-4 &vs. Wright State W, 4-3 3/3 &at Arkansas L, 2-3 3/8 at Alabama A&M W, 9-1 at Alabama A&M W, 7-1 3/12 MISSISSIPPI STATE L, 2-7 3/16 *TENNESSEE STATE W, 8-0 (6 inn) *TENNESSEE STATE W, 5-1 3/17 *TENNESSEE STATE W, 5-0 3/19 at Georgia State L, 3-11 (5 inn) 3/23 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 6-0 *AUSTIN PEAY L, 2-4 (8 inn) 3/24 *MURRAY STATE L, 6-7 *MURRAY STATE L, 5-6 3/26 at Samford W, 7-6 3/30 *at Belmont W, 3-2 *at Belmont L, 5-7 4/2 at #4 Alabama L, 3-11 (5 inn) 4/6 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 4-2 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 13-5 (5 inn) 4/7 *UT MARTIN W, 7-6 (10 inn) *UT MARTIN L, 6-7 4/9 ALABAMA STATE W, 4-3 4/13 *at Morehead State L, 4-12 (6 inn) *at Morehead State W, 7-6 4/14 *at Morehead State L, 1-7 4/20 *at Eastern Illinois L, 2-3 *at Eastern Illinois L, 0-10 (5 inn) 4/21 *at SIU Edwardsville L, 0-10 (5 inn) *at SIU Edwardsville W, 3-2 4/25 at Middle Tennessee L, 5-6 (9 inn) 4/27 *EASTERN KENTUCKY L, 1-3 (10 inn) *EASTERN KENTUCKY W, 6-4 5/1 at UAB L, 4-7 5/8 ^vs. Eastern Kentucky W, 5-3 5/9 ^vs. SIU Edwardsville W, 2-0 (9 inn) 5/11 ^vs. Murray State W, 2-1 5/12 ^vs. UT Martin W, 2-0 5/17 !at #10 Alabama L, 0-4 5/18 !vs. SC Upstate L, 0-8 (5 inn)
* - OVC Game % - JJ’s Lion Classic – Hammond, La. # - Southern Miss Invitational – Hattiesburg, Miss. $ - Phyllis Rafter Memorial – Kennesaw, Ga. & - Woo Pig Classic – Fayetteville, Ark. ^ - OVC Tournament – Charleston, Ill. ! – NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
2011 Record: 40-21, 21-9 OVC
2/11 %vs. UAB W, 5-4 %vs. Alabama State W, 10-1 (5 inn) 2/12 %vs. Alabama A&M W, 9-4 %vs. #3 Alabama L, 0-6 2/13 %vs. Auburn L, 3-6 2/18 #vs. Central Michigan W, 2-1 #at Jacksonville L, 2-5 2/19 #vs. Central Michigan L, 0-2 #vs. Florida A&M W, 5-1 2/20 #at Jacksonville W, 5-0 3/1 at Kennesaw State W, 11-1 (5 inn) 3/4 $vs. Akron W, 4-1 $vs. #21 Georgia Tech L, 3-4 3/6 $vs. Penn State L, 4-6 3/8 SAMFORD W, 9-0 (6 inn) SAMFORD W, 6-0 (5 inn) 3/10 KENNESAW STATE W, 5-4 (8 inn) 3/12 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 9-0 (5 inn) *at Eastern Kentucky W, 6-2 3/13 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 4-2 3/17 at Samford W, 10-1 (6 inn) at Samford W, 7-3 3/19 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 10-3 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 12-9 3/20 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 7-3 3/22 *at Tennessee State W, 8-3 *at Tennessee State W, 3-1 3/23 at Middle Tennessee L, 2-4 3/26 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI L, 6-7 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 8-5 3/27 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 13-8 3/29 SOUTHERN W, 11-3 (5 inn) 4/2 *at SIU-Edwardsville W, 3-0 *at SIU-Edwardsville L, 4-7 4/3 *at SIU-Edwardsville L, 4-9 4/4 UTEP W, 3-1 4/7 *at Tennessee Tech W, 13-2 (5 inn) 4/12 *TENNESSEE STATE W, 9-1 (5 inn) 4/14 UAB L, 0-7 4/16 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 5-2 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 5-0 4/17 *AUSTIN PEAY W, 1-0 (9 inn) 4/20 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 3-2 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 8-3 4/22 *at UT Martin L, 1-3 *at UT Martin W, 9-1 (6 inn) 4/23 *at UT Martin L, 0-8 (5 inn) 4/30 *at Eastern Illinois L, 3-4 *at Eastern Illinois W, 4-0 5/1 *at Eastern Illinois L, 1-3 5/5 at UAB L, 0-1 (9 inn) 5/7 *MURRAY STATE W, 4-3 *MURRAY STATE L, 3-6 5/8 *MURRAY STATE L, 5-7 5/12 ^vs. Murray State W, 6-1 5/13 ^vs. Southeast Missouri W, 4-0 5/14 ^vs. Southeast Missouri L, 2-3 5/15 ^vs. Southeast Missouri W, 9-5 5/20 !vs. #7 California L, 3-6 5/21 !vs. Illinois-Chicago W, 1-0 !at Louisville L, 0-12 (5 inn)
* - OVC Game % - All-Alabama Classic – Birmingham, Ala. # - Jacksonville University Invitational – Jacksonville, Fla. $ - Ga. Tech Buzz Classic – Woodstock, Ga. ^ - OVC Tournament - Charleston, Ill. ! - NCAA Louisville Regional, Louisville, Ky.
2010 Record: 30-19, 13-6 OVC
2/14 %vs. Indiana %vs. Wright State 2/18 SIU-EDWARDSVILLE 2/26 #vs. Southern #vs. Houston W, 7-6 W, 5-4 L, 3-5 (8 inn) W, 4-0 L, 1-7
2/27 #at LSU L, 1-4
#vs. Southern W, 18-4 (5 inn)
2/28 #at LSU
L, 1-5 3/5 $vs. Kentucky L, 1-4 $vs. Western Kentucky W, 9-8 (9 inn) 3/6 $vs. Winthrop L, 0-6 $vs. North Florida L, 2-10 (6 inn) 3/7 $vs. UNC-Greensboro W, 4-2 3/9 at UAB L, 5-13 (6 inn) 3/13 @vs. Indiana W, 6-3 @vs. Cleveland State W, 2-0 3/14 @vs. Quinnipiac L, 0-2 @vs. Pittsburgh W, 1-0 (8 inn) 3/20 *EASTERN ILLINOIS L, 1-3 *EASTERN ILLINOIS L, 4-6 3/23 KENNESAW STATE W, 7-6 3/24 MIDDLE TENNESSEE L, 0-1 MIDDLE TENNESSEE W, 5-1 3/27 *at Murray State L, 7-10 *at Murray State W, 5-3 3/30 *at Tennessee Tech W, 5-1 *at Tennessee Tech L, 1-4 4/2 *UT MARTIN W, 7-5 *UT MARTIN W, 10-2 (5 inn) 4/3 *UT MARTIN L, 6-9 4/6 ALABAMA STATE W, 1-0 4/8 UAB W, 2-1 4/10 *at Morehead State W, 9-4 *at Morehead State L, 3-4 4/11 *at Morehead State W, 4-0 4/14 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 8-5 4/17 *EASTERN KENTUCKY W, 8-0 (5 inn) *EASTERN KENTUCKY W, 10-2 (5 inn) 4/18 *EASTERN KENTUCKY W, 15-6 (6 inn) 4/27 at Auburn L, 5-8 4/28 SAMFORD W, 3-2 5/8 *TENNESSEE STATE (DH) W, 5-1 *TENNESSEE STATE W, 12-4 (6 inn) 5/9 *TENNESSEE STATE W, 13-0 (5 inn) 5/13 ^vs. Tennessee Tech W, 10-4 5/14 ^at UT Martin W, 5-4 5/15 ^at UT Martin W, 10-1 (5 inn) 5/21 !at #8 Georgia Tech L, 3-5 5/22 !vs. Auburn L, 1-15
* - OVC Game % - Kennesaw State K-Club Classic – Kennesaw, Ga. # - LSU Tiger Invitational – Baton Rouge, La. $ - Ga. Tech Buzz Classic – Woodstock, Ga. @ - USF The Game Classic – Tampa, Fla. ^ - OVC Tournament - Martin, Tenn. ! - NCAA Atlanta Regional – Atlanta, Ga.
2009 Ohio Valley Conference Champions NCAA KNOXVILLE Regional CHAMPIONS NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional
2009 Record: 43-16, 19-2 OVC
Final National Ranking: #21
2/6 %vs. Memphis 2/7 %at South Alabama %vs. Northwestern State 2/8 %vs #2 Alabama 2/10 AUBURN 2/18 at Mercer at Mercer 2/20 #vs. Florida A&M 2/21 #vs. Louisville #vs. Rhode Island 2/22 #vs. Albany #at South Florida 2/27 @vs. James Madison @vs. North Dakota State 3/4 KENNESAW STATE 3/6 $vs. Albany $vs. Winthrop 3/7 $at Georgia Tech $vs. Purdue 3/8 $vs. Indiana State 3/15 *AUSTIN PEAY *AUSTIN PEAY
W, 5-1 W, 6-2 W, 2-1 L, 0-9 L, 2-5 W, 5-2 W, 7-3 W, 21-1 L, 0-6 W, 3-0 W, 11-5 L, 1-10 W, 6-0 W, 4-0 W, 4-0 L, 6-8 W, 4-0 L, 0-3 L, 3-4 (8 inn) W, 8-6 W, 3-2 W, 8-1 3/19 SOUTH ALABAMA L, 2-6 3/20 *at Tennessee State W, 5-3 (8 inn) 3/21 *at Tennessee State W, 7-0 *at Tennessee State L, 2-3 (8 inn) 3/24 at Chattanooga W, 11-9 (8 inn) at Chattanooga W, 5-4 3/29 *at UT Martin W, 6-3 *at UT Martin W, 7-1 4/4 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 12-1 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 9-0 4/5 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI W, 11-1 4/11 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 17-0 *at Eastern Kentucky W, 9-1 4/15 at Ole Miss W, 5-1 4/18 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 8-0 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 8-0 4/19 *TENNESSEE TECH W, 4-0 4/21 at Kennesaw State W, 4-2 4/23 OLE MISS W, 4-3 4/25 *at Eastern Illinois W, 5-1 *at Eastern Illinois W, 2-0 4/26 *at Eastern Illinois W, 2-0 4/28 at Middle Tennessee L, 5-6 (10 inn) at Middle Tennessee W, 9-5 5/2 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 8-0 (5 inn) *MOREHEAD STATE L, 2-3 5/3 *MOREHEAD STATE W, 12-0 (5 inn) 5/7 ^TENNESSEE TECH L, 2-5 5/8 ^EASTERN ILLINOIS W, 5-4 ^UT MARTIN L, 0-2 5/15 !vs. Nebraska L, 2-4 (9 inn) 5/16 !vs. James Madison W, 6-0 5/17 !vs. Nebraska W, 4-1 !at #13 Tennessee W, 6-1 !at #13 Tennessee W, 2-1 5/22 &at #3 Alabama L, 0-9 (5 inn) 5/23 &at #3 Alabama L, 0-9 (5 inn)
*- OVC Game
% - Jaguar Invitational – Mobile, Ala. # - USF Tourney – Tampa, Fla. @ - Tennessee Tourney – Knoxville, Tenn. $ - Ga. Tech Buzz Classic – Woodstock, Ga. ^ - OVC Tournament – Jacksonville, Ala. ! - NCAA Knoxville Regional – Knoxville, Tenn. & - NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
2008 Record: 40-16, 22-4 OVC
2/8 #vs. Purdue #vs. South Alabama 2/9 #vs. South Alabama #at Alabama 2/15 &at Georgia Southern &vs. Campbell 2/16 &vs. Georgetown &vs. Drexel 2/17 &vs. Radford &vs. Alabama State 2/20 Chattanooga Chattanooga 2/27 Kennesaw State 2/29 $vs. Belmont $vs. Troy 3/1 $vs. Stephen F. Austin $vs. Louisiana Tech 3/2 $at Ole Miss 3/16 *at Tennessee Tech *at Tennessee Tech 3/21 *UT Martin *UT Martin 3/22 *UT Martin 3/26 *at Samford *at Samford 3/29 *Tennessee State *Tennessee State 3/30 *Tennessee State 4/2 at Auburn 4/5 *Eastern Kentucky *Eastern Kentucky 4/6 *Eastern Kentucky 4/9 *Samford 4/12 *at Morehead State *at Morehead State 4/13 *at Morehead State 4/15 Middle Tennessee Middle Tennessee 4/17 at Kennesaw State 4/19 *Eastern Illinois *Eastern Illinois 4/20 *Eastern Illinois 4/24 Birmingham-Southern 4/26 *at Austin Peay *at Austin Peay 4/27 *at Austin Peay 5/3 *at Southeast Missouri *at Southeast Missouri 5/4 *at Southeast Missouri 5/8 ^Tennessee Tech 5/9 ^Samford 5/10 ^Tennessee Tech 5/15 %vs. Florida State 5/16 %at Alabama %vs. Florida State 5/17 %at Alabama (ESPN2)
L, 5-4 W, 7-5 (8) W, 7-1 L, 6-2 W, 9-8 L, 7-3 W, 14-1 L, 7-6 L, 3-1 W, 10-1 W, 7-6 (8) W, 7-5 L, 5-3 W, 5-4 (9) W, 5-3 (8) W, 3-2 W, 5-3 (8) L, 2-1 W, 2-1 L, 4-2 W, 5-2 W, 8-0 W, 6-3 W, 9-0 W, 12-1 W, 8-0 W, 3-2 W, 14-1 L, 8-0 W, 11-7 W, 6-5 W, 8-7 W, 9-8 L, 2-0 W, 3-2 L, 5-1 W, 6-1 L, 7-4 W, 7-6 (8) L, 5-4 W, 4-2 W, 11-1 L, 3-2 W, 3-0 W, 7-1 W, 13-0 W, 7-0 W, 6-3 W, 8-4 (8) W, 10-1 W, 5-3 W, 10-1 W, 4-3 L, 10-1 W, 10-1 L, 4-1
*OVC Game #Bama Bash - Tuscaloosa, Ala. $Red and Blue Classsic – Oxford, Miss. &GSU Invitational – Statesboro, Ga. ^ OVC Championship - Jacksonville, Ala. %NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Why We Are The Gamecocks
“Go Eagle Owls!” would be the resounding cry from Paul Snow Stadium today if ardent fans hadn’t decided 50 years ago that the school mascot should be a bird of a different feather.
Jacksonville State University’s first football team was fielded in the late 1800’s and nicknamed in honor of a rare predatory bird found near the Arctic circle. The exact details are lost to history, but a group of fans decided it was hard for the school’s image to soar like an eagle if the team’s name was something of a turkey. People like E.C. Wilson, Bruce Chase and Charles Sprayberry felt a more collegiate-sounding moniker would be more appropriate. The supporters looked to Southern culture rather than the north pole to symbolize the school’s tough spirit. Tongue firmly planted in beak, Gamecock supporters crowed the loudest, and the University found itself with a new identity: a mascot familiar to everyone, including the farm boys who comprised most of the student body back then. For nearly a half-century – up until 1946 – the fledgling Eagle Owls hooted with pride from the scanty facilities adjacent to the field at John Forney National Guard Armory. The State Normal School (SNS) team was sparse by today’s standards, but the gridiron action was competitive from the start. Present day rivalries such as Samford (Howard College) and Troy State were rooted in those early games. The team had only 23 players when SNS was renamed Jacksonville Teachers College in 1946, with Head Coach Don Salls beginning his first season, but there was a “big school” atmosphere developing in the foothills. Along with the new name came new colors. The blue and gold were tossed out in favor of the familiar red and white worn by the area high school players. The story goes that there were two camps - those who wanted to keep the Eagle Owl nickname and those who wanted new colors. Legend has it that a compromise was worked out; new colors for a new mascot.
It was all worked out by 1947 when the Fighting Gamecocks took to the field for the first time. And, as is true to the nature of the warlike bird itself, the football team and other athletes fought their way to respectability in intercollegiate ranks - eventually bringing home a national championship in every major sport.
University Field
A Renovated Home For JSU Softball
The Gamecocks upgraded their longtime home before the 2013 season, when the old grandstands at University Field were torn down to make way for a new state-of-the-art press box with suites and radio/tv booths and a 2,000-seat facility that features chairback seating behind home plate. In 2019 an AstroTuf artificial playing surface was installed
JSU’s home since a Feb. 15, 1996 doubleheader against Tennessee State, the University Field renovations came full circle before the 2014 season, when the old dugouts that served as the home of the Gamecock baseball and softball teams for years were torn down and new sunken dugouts with restrooms and a dressing facility for the Gamecocks were installed, making University Field one of the best Division I softball facilities in the Southeast.
Prior to the 2018 season, the Gamecocks added a state-ofthe-art high definition Daktronics video board beyond the left field wall. The new board is one of the largest in college softball and gives JSU fans an unparalleled experience at University Field.
The Gamecocks Locker Room
The 2014 season saw the Gamecocks move out of their former dressing room in Kennamer Hall into their new locker room at University Field. The Gamecocks now dress in the facility that opens into their home dugout. The new building, completed as part of phase II of the University Field upgrade, houses a locker room, restrooms and showers and a laundry facility. The Gamecocks added wall graphics in the building during the 2014 season.
DIRECTIONS FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALA., To JACKSONVILLE
l Take I-20 East towards Atlanta l Take the Hwy 21 North exit (No. 185) in Anniston/Oxford l Turn left onto Hwy 21 North towards Jacksonville l Drive 14 miles until you enter the city limits of Jacksonville l After you drive around the Jacksonville town square, go one mile and turn Right on Hwy. 204 l Proceed on Hwy 204 for 100 yards and University Field is on the left
DIRECTIONS FROM ATLANTA, GA. To JACKSONVILLE
l Take I-20 West towards Birmingham l Take the Hwy 21 North exit (No. 185) at Anniston/Oxford l Turn right onto Hwy 21 North towards Jacksonville l Drive 14 miles until you enter the city limits of Jacksonville l After you drive around the Jacksonville town square, go one mile and turn Right on Hwy. 204 l Proceed on Hwy 204 for 100 yards and University Field is on the left
l Take I-59 South towards Birmingham l Take the US 431 South Exit (No. 183) at Attalla/Gadsden l Turn left onto US 431 South towards Anniston l Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles l Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway) l Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 13 miles l After you cross Pelham Road, University Field is on the left
DIRECTIONS FROM CULLMAN, ALA., To JACKSONVILLE
l Take US 278 East towards Gadsden l Turn right on US 431 South when US 278 dead ends (approximately 50 miles) towards Anniston l Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles l Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway) l Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 13 miles l After you cross Pelham Road, University Field is on the left
DIRECTIONS FROM HUNTSVILLE, ALA., To JACKSONVILLE
l Take US 431 South (Governors Lane) out of Huntsville towards Gadsden l Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles l Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway) l Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 13 miles l After you cross Pelham Road, University Field is on the left
Local Motels
Best Western Anniston Oxford
US 78 & Hwy 21 South Oxford, AL (256) 831-3411
Hampton Inn Gadsden
129 River Road Gadsden, AL (256) 546-2337
Hampton Inn - Oxford
1600 Highway 21 South Oxford, AL (256) 835-1492
Holiday Inn Express Gadsden-Attalla
801 Cleveland, Avenue Attalla, AL (256) 538-7861 Hampton Inn Jacksonville
1041 JD&L Drive Jacksonville, AL (256) 782-0330
The McClellan Lodge
74 Exchange Ave Anniston, AL (256) 820-9494
University Inn
1530 Pelham Road South Jacksonville, AL (256) 435-3300
Hotel Finial
1604 Quintard Avenue Anniston, AL (256) 236-0503
The Athletic Sports Performance Center at Stephenson Hall opened in spring 2020. The renovated 12,000 square foot space, once home to the Gamecock basketball program in its formative years, serves all 17 of Jacksonville State’s intercollegiate teams. Renovations to the Stephenson gym began in January 2020 and was completed at the end of March 2020.
The weight room features 14 custom Hammer Strength racks, wall-to-wall rubber flooring and a 35-yard artificial turf area that stretches hashmark to hashmark.
Additional upgrades include a state-of-the-art surround sound and speaker system, more than 100 barbell sets, over 300 Hammer Strength olympic weights and two corner projectors and 12-foot video screens.
The open area and 14 doublesided racks translate into 28 working stations, allowing for multiple teams to use the facility at once without overcrowding.
QUICK FACTS • Opened March 2020 • Located at Stephenson Hall • 12,000 sq./ft. • 4,200 sq./ft. turf area • 28 Hammer Strength weight stations • More than 100 barbell sets and 300 Olympic weights • Two corner projectors and 12-foot video screens • Additional 5,000 sq./ft. recovery center • Surround sound speaker system
The turf serves as a warm-up area prior to workout sessions while doubling as a space for super sets during lifts. The turf is rated to withstand heavy drills such as sled pulls and tire flips. Also, JSU is putting the finishing touches on an additional 5,000 square foot room located adjacent to the main workout area, formally the home of the University Recreation Fitness Center, into a rehabilitation and recovery center for injured student-athletes that require individual training. Both facilities will combine to provide more than 17,000 square feet of training space for Gamecock athletes. The athletic performance facility previously presided inside Kennamer Hall. Total floor space of the former weight room was 5,000 square feet with 10 racks and a two-speaker sound system.
Brandon Schoeneck
Director of Sports Performance
Brandon Schoeneck came to JSU prior to the 2016-17 academic year as a part of the men’s basketball staff. He enters his second year as the Gamecocks’ Director of Sports Performance and handles the strength and conditioning responsibilities of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Former All-American Gavin Hallford enters his eighth season working in the Strength and Conditioning department and his second as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. He is JSU’s all-time leading scorer in football with 311 career points and works directly with the football and softball teams. Also playing a vital role in the JSU Strength and Conditioning department is Ricky Rutledge, a former head football coach at Jacksonville High School. Rutledge enters his 13th season with the Gamecocks and works with the tennis, golf and rifle teams.
Gavin Hallford
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Ricky Rutledge
Strength and Conditioning Assistant
A Championship Tradition
The 2019-20 athletic year got off to a fast start and was gearing up for the home stretch before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to athletics and created multiple challenges to Gamecocks from around the globe. That fast start saw the JSU Volleyball team win its first Ohio Valley Conference crown since 2009 when the Gamecocks won the regular season title and hosted the 2019 OVC Volleyball Championship at Pete Mathews Coliseum. It also saw the JSU football team upend No. 4 Eastern Washington, the highest-ranked foe to fall to JSU since 2002. The JSU Rifle Team highlighted a winter that saw the Gamecocks claim the OVC’s 2020 Air Rifle title. The Gamecock basketball teams both qualified for the OVC Tournament in Evansville, Ind., for the thirdstraight year, the first time since joining the league in 2003-04 that both teams have qualified in threestraight seasons. The spring sports were in full swing, with some teams preparing for their championships, while others were just starting league play. While COVID-19 forced the Gamecocks athletic seasons to end prematurely, it didn’t stop the Gamecocks from excelling in their classes, which were all transitioned online. JSU’s athletic rosters in 2019-20 were comprised of studentathletes from 28 states and 20 countries and also included Gamecocks from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The vast majority of them returned home, but they remained dedicated to finishing the year strong. Not only did they finish the semester, but they excelled in the classroom during the COVID-19 Pandemic and posted a 3.477 overall grade point average for the spring, the highest GPA ever posted in a term by JSU’s student-athletes. The record-setting term was the 18th in a row to see the department record a 3.0 or better, while all 17 of JSU’s varsity programs posted better than a 3.2 during the term. That also capped a 2019-20 academic year that saw a 3.310 overall GPA and all but one team post a 3.0 or better. Beach volleyball earned the highest overall GPA with a 3.685, followed by women’s golf (3.674) and volleyball (3.664). Women’s cross country, women’s tennis and soccer were next on the list all finishing with 3.53 or better. Women’s basketball, softball, baseball, track and field, men’s tennis, rifle and men’s golf round out the programs securing 3.3 GPAs.
JSU’s Conference Championships (128)
Men’s Basketball (14): 1962*, 1965*, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2017* Men’s Golf (11): 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 Men’s Tennis (11): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2005*, 2007, 2007*, 2009*, 2014, 2014*, 2019
Women’s Tennis (10): 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2011, 2011* Rifle (10): 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Volleyball (9): 1991, 1992, 2005*, 2006, 2006*, 2007, 2009, 2009*, 2019 Women’s Golf (5): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012 Women’s Basketball (2): 1991, 1993
* denotes tournament title
National Championships (6)
Football: 1992
Men’s Basketball: 1985
Baseball: 1990, 1991 Gymnastics: 1984, 1985
OVC Championships Since 2003-04
Jacksonville State 78
Eastern Kentucky 71 Eastern Illinois 52
Murray State 47 Tennessee Tech 34
Southeast Missouri 33
UT Martin 26
Austin Peay 24 Morehead State 19
Belmont 16
SIUE 9
Tennessee State 8 Jacksonville State was the first school in the nation to lay claim to NCAA national titles in football, men’s basketball and baseball at the Division II level or higher. The Gamecocks were the only school to achieve the feat until 2017, when Florida added the Division I Baseball title to its Football and Men’s Basketball titles. JSU and Florida are the only two schools to even play for all three at the Division II level or higher.
Since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 200304, Jacksonville State has solidified itself as the preeminent athletic program in the conference. The Gamecocks have won 78 OVC Championships, more than any other program in the OVC during that same time period. JSU has seen 10 of its 17 programs bring home various OVC titles and combine for 51 trips to NCAA postseason play.
