d.j. rias graduate wide receiver
october 5, 2024 | 2 pm vmi vs. samford
bobby bowden field at pete hanna stadium
Editor: Joey Mullins
Senior Graphic Designer: Scott Camp
Contributors: Rylee Jones and Corey Green
Photographers: Ethan Lowe
Broadcast and Social Media
BROADCASTS
For the eighth-straight season, Samford’s home games will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms, either on ESPN3 or ESPN+ For the ESPN broadcasts, Blake Gardner will handle play-byplay duties Damian Mitchell will provide color commentary, while Lynden Blake will serve as the sideline reporter . Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ can be accessed via the ESPN App across most internet-connected media devices or on ESPN com ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films It is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, and is also be available through ESPN com
SOCIAL MEDIA
Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs 24/7 through the following social media outlets: SamfordSports samfordsports samfordsportsnetwork samfordsports
INTERNET
The official website of Samford University athletics is samfordsports com A partnership of Samford athletics and SideArm Sports, the internet home of the Bulldogs, is full of the most up-to-date information on football and Samford’s 16 other varsity sports With news stories, coaches’ and studentathletes’ biographies, plus team rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, results and video, the most comprehensive coverage of the Bulldogs can always be found online at samfordsports com
Lynden Blake Sideline Reporter
Damian Mitchell Commentary
Blake Gardner Play-by-Play Announcer
Bulldogs Head Coach Chris Hatcher
Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec . 11, 2014 . Entering his 10th season at Samford in 2023, Hatcher boasts a career record of 178-100 in 24 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State . Hatcher is Samford’s all-time winningest coach, with a record of 57-43 with the Bulldogs In his time at Samford, his team’s have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories .
The 2023 team produced seven All-SoCon honorees, including the SoCon Freshman of the Year in Brendan Jenkins . Additionally, Noah Martin earned All-America honors
During the 2022 season, Hatcher led the Bulldogs to the program’s best season in over 30 years Samford posted a final record of 11-2 overall and a perfect 8-0 mark in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright SoCon title The team also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991 . Samford’s 10 regular season wins were tied for the most in program history, and the eight conference wins were the most ever for the program The 11 total wins were the second most in Samford football history .
Following the 2022 season, Hatcher was named the SoCon Coach of the Year, and he also earned Region 2 Coach of the Year honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) In addition to Hatcher’s awards, quarterback Michael Hiers was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, the fifth time in Hatcher’s first eight seasons that the Samford quarterback earned the award . In the fall of 2021, Hatcher’s offense produced the
FCS’ all-purpose yards leader in Montrell Washington (176 . 18 ypg .) . Quarterback Liam Welch also put up impressive numbers, ranking seventh in the nation in passing yards per game (306 .0 ypg .) .
As a team last fall, the Bulldogs ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (448 7 ypg ), ninth in passing offense (307.5 ypg .) and sixth in scoring offense (37.9 ppg )
Hatcher led his team in the first-ever spring season in the spring of 2021, after the 2020 fall season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic During the spring season, the Samford offense led the Southern Conference in scoring offense (40 .3 ppg .), total offense (513 9 ypg ), passing offense (353 1 ypg ) and pass efficiency (148 . 1) . On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog defense led the league in opponent thirddown conversions (31 .0%) and turnovers caused (18) .
Individually, Welch was named the SoCon’s Co-Offenive Player of the Year for the spring season Welch and safety Chris Edmonds were both named All-Americans following the season
In 2019, the Bulldogs led all of FCS football in punt return average (19 .41 ypr .), and the team ranked second nationally in fewest penalties per game (3 .58) . Samford also led the SoCon in first downs (22 6 pg ), and the team ranked second in the league in scoring offense (32 .2 ppg .) and passing offense (239 .2 ypg .) .
Hatcher’s 2018 team posted the program’s eighth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history Also during the season, quarterback Devlin Hodges became the FCS’ all-time leader in career passing yards . Hodges also earned the highest individual honor at the FCS level, the highest individual honor at the FCS level, winning the Walter Payton Award Additionally, he was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year for a third-straight season .
Also in 2018, Hodges set school records for singleseason completions (388), attempts (550), passing yards (4,283) . Hodges was named the SoCon’s
A concussion is nothing to play with.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.
Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play, evaluated by a doctor, monitored and not left alone.
To make an appointment, please call 205-934-1041.
Offensive Player of the Year and a third team AllAmerican at the conclusion of the season .
In 2017, Hatcher led the team to an 8-4 record and a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for a second-straight season for the first time since 1992 .
As a unit, the 2016 Samford offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349 .4 passing yards per game . The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90 .2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155 .24), 12th in scoring offense (35 1 ppg ) and 14th in total offense (446 .2 ypg .) .
In his first season at Samford in 2015, Hatcher put his stamp on the Bulldog program Samford finished the season third in the nation in passing offense (332 .9 ypg .), seventh in the nation in total offense (479 7 ypg ) and seventh in fourth down conversions (66 .7%) . Hatcher’s special teams also stood out, ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return average (24 .34 ypr .) .
Hatcher led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record that first season, ending the season with a pair of impressive Southern Conference road wins at Wofford and Mercer The 2015 team also produced a pair of All-Americans in cornerback James Bradberry and place-kicker Anthony Pistelli .
Hatcher came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Murray State University from 2010 to 2014 Hatcher is no stranger to the Southern Conference, as he served as the head coach at Georgia Southern from 2007 to 2009 .
Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into one of the most dominant teams in Division II
The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 at his alma mater . Hatcher led his alma mater to its first NCAA Division II national championship in 2004, and he coaches Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time Harlan Hill Award winner, an award Hatcher won as a quarterback at VSU in 1994 . Hatcher carried his success on the playing field to help him develop into one of the nation’s winningest coaches . A two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994), Hatcher threw for 11,363
yards and 121 touchdowns during his stellar career During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason berth, advancing to the quarterfinals, and when it was all said and done set 29 VSU passing and total offense records .
Hatcher finished his senior year by winning several national honors including: the NCAA Top Eight Award, the CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year and a postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame
The honors continued to add up even after his playing days . Hatcher was named to the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, in his first year of eligibility . He was also elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame the same year
In 2005, Hatcher was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame . Hatcher was also inducted into the inaugural class of the GSC Hall of Fame in 2014
Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education
He and his wife, Lori, also a graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and daughter, Talley
Shawn
Associate Head Coach/ Offensive Line
Football Staff
Turner Assistant Head Coach—Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Ricky
Adam Braithwaite Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Darien Moody Defensive Line
Blake Catlett Defensive Ends
Kerry Webb Special Teams Coordinator
Brendan Bognar Quarterbacks
Chasmon Scales Cornerbacks
Brandon Cooper Linebackers
Bostick
Peter Renkoski Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line
K.D. Humphries Running Backs
Support Staff
Alexis Roberts Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services
Matthew Kooiman Chief of Staff
James Carlson Assistant AD for Facilities, Game Ops and Equipment
Wes Bordelon Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
Whitley Williams Head Football Athletic Trainer
Rae Martin Assistant Athletic Trainer
Rocky Sabbatini Football Video Coordinator
Robert Miller Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Master of Accountancy
Master of Business Administration
Application Deadlines: Spring: Dec. 1 • Summer: May 1 • Fall: July 1 Entry exam waived for applicants with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
All-Americans and National Honors
All-Americans
All-Americans/Freshman All-Americans
Austin Barnard 2017, Punter (3rd Team, AP, Phil Steele)
Fred Bishop 1999, Linebacker
Bobby Bowden 1952, Quarterback
James Bradberry 2015, Cornerback (3rd Team, STATS)
Wally Burnham 1963, Linebacker
Trimarcus Cheeks 2019, Linebacker (Freshman All-American)
Norman Cooper 1936, Center
Marcus Durgin 1991, Cornerback (2nd Team, Sports Network; 3rd Team, AP) 1992, Cornerback (3rd Team, AP)
Chris Edmonds 2021 Spring, (1st Team, Stats Perform, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, HERO Sports)
Surkano Edwards 1992, Running Back (HM, Sports Network)
Cortland Finnegan 2002, Safety 2003, Safety (3rd Team) 2005, Safety (AFCA)
Jimbo Fisher 1987, Quarterback
Sam Goldman 1940, End
Ahmad Gooden 2017, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AFCA, Phil Steele, Walter Camp; 2nd Team, AP, STATS) 2018, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AP, HERO Sports; 2nd Team, STATS)
Karel Hamilton 2016, Wide Receiver (1st Team)
Tim Hamrick 1987, Punter
Michael Hiers 2022, Quarterback (2nd Team, STATS Perform, 3rd Team AP)
Efrem Hill 2003, Wide Receiver 2004, Wide Receiver
Harold Hill 1937, End
Devlin Hodges 2016, Quarterback (3rd Team) 2017, Quarterback (2nd Team, AFCA) 2018, Quarterback (1st Team, Consensus)
Scott Holmes 1994, Punter
Harley Hopkins 1938, End
Bobby Jackson 1962, Quarterback
Anthony Jordan 1994, Running Back
Nelson Jordan 2018, Defensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)
Jim Lovette 1966, Running Back
Noah Martin 2023, Linbacker (2md Team, FCS Football Central; 3rd Team, AP)
Kelvin McKnight 2017, Wide Receiver (2nd Team, AFCA; 3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)
2018, Wide Receiver (1st Team, Walter Camp, HERO Sports, AFCA; 2nd Team, AP; 3rd Team, STATS)
Joe Milazzo 1960, Quarterback
Anthony Pistelli 2015, Kicker (1st Team, AP, Walter Camp)
David Primus 1989, Kick Returner
Shaheed Salmon 2017, Linebacker (3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)
Justin Shade 2013, Linebacker (1st Team)
Bryce Smith 2010, Linebacker
Bennie Story 1961, Defensive Tackle
James Tarrant 1940, End (Honorable Mention) 1941, End (3rd Team)
Jaquiski Tartt 2012, Safety (1st Team) 2013, Safety (2nd Team) 2014, Safety (1st Team)
Fabian Truss 2012, Kick Returner (2nd Team) 2013, All-Purpose (1st Team)
Michael Vice 2019, Tight End (Freshman All-American)
Montrell Washington 2019, Return Specialist (1st Team: STATS, 2nd Team: HERO and Phil Steele) 2021 Fall, All-Purpose (1st Team, Consensus)
Liam Welch 2021 Spring, Quarterback (2nd Team, Stats Perform)
Mike Williams 2017, Offensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)
Other National Honors
Jefferson Adcock 2007, NFF National Honor Society 2007, FCS Academic All-Star
Joe Collins 2011, Capital One Academic All-District
Devlin Hodges 2018 Walter Payton Award 2018 FCSADA Offensive Player of the Year
2018 Columbus TD Club Offensive Player of the Year
Graham Lemmond 2006, NFF National Honor Society 2006, FCS Academic All-Star
Ty Levie 2009, FCS Academic All-Star 2009, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District
Michael O’Neal 1991, CoSIDA Academic All-American (2nd Team)
Where Passion Meets Purpose
Samford is a leading nationally ranked Christian university, renowned for excellence, robust in opportunities, intentional in fostering connection and committed to cultivating students’ foundational faith. Across our 10 academic schools, students are prepared to powerfully pursue the calling God has on their lives.
samford.edu/go/purpose Samford. Where passion meets purpose.
TODAY’S GAME
The Samford football team will play its Southern Conference opener, taking on the VMI Keydets
Saturday afternoon at 2 p .m . at Bobby Bowden Field at Pete Hanna Stadium .
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ .
Samford enters the game with a record of 1-2 on the young season . The Bulldogs last played on Sept . 14, earning a 12-7 win over Alabama State . The Bulldogs took Sept . 21 off from competition, and last week’s game at Furman was postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene on the Greenville, S .C ., area .
The Series
Samford and VMI will be meeting for the 12th time, with Samford owning an 8-3 series lead . Last season, Samford earned a 27-14 win in Lexington, Va . The last time the two teams played at Pete Hanna Stadium, the Bulldogs picked up a 34-15 win during the 2022 season . In games played at Pete Hanna Stadium, Samford has a record of 4-1, with an average score of 52-23 in favor of Samford
The Last Time Out
Samford last played on Sept 14 when the Bulldogs played host to the Alabama State Hornets, earning a 12-7 victory in the Bulldogs’ home opener for the 2024 season In the win for Samford, Damonta Witherspoon paced the Bulldog offense with 126 rushing yards on 23 carries and a touchdown Witherspoon’s 126 yards on the ground are the most by the senior in a Bulldog uniform In the air,
Quincy Crittendon completed 19-of-25 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception . The junior quarterback added 16 more rushing yards on 11 carries . Iaan Cousin led the Bulldog receiving core in the home opener by catching four balls for 75 yards and a score . Not to be outdone, Brendan Jenkins almost matched Cousin’s output by hauling in four passes of his own for 74 yards . Noah Martin led the Samford defense with 11 total tackles on the night .
Martin Named Winner Of Charles Williams Memorial Jersey
Graduate linebacker Noah Martin is this season’s winner of the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey . The jersey honors former Samford player Charles Williams, who died in a car accident on May 23, 2003 . Since the 2005 season, a different senior has worn the No . 5 jersey in Williams’ honor . Martin is the 20th winner of the prestigious award .
Samford Against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Teams
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has posted a record of 71-56 in conference games All-time against each current members of the SoCon, Samford has a mark of 97-84-4, including an 8-3 record against VMI Samford’s all-time record against each current SoCon team is Chattanooga (11-34-3), The Citadel (10-7), ETSU (8-3), Furman (12-14), Mercer (15-14-1), VMI (8-3), Western Carolina (17-4) and Wofford (16-5)
Samford At Pete Hanna Stadium
Samford has an all-time record of 186-85-4 in games played at Pete Hanna Stadium This season, Samford has six home games on its schedule, with the Bulldogs holding a 1-0 record in those games . Last season, Samford posted a record of 4-2 in home games . In nine-plus seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has a record of 36-13 when playing at home .
Noah Martin vs Alabama State
Around the SoCon
CHATTANOOGA
(1-3, 0-1 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Portland State, W, 45-30
This week: at ETSU
The CITADEL
(2-3, 0-2 SoCon)
Last week: vs. ETSU, L, 17-34
This week: vs. Furman
(3-2, 1-0 SoCon)
Last week: at The Citadel, W, 34-17
This week: vs. Chattanooga
FURMAN
(1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Samford, Ppd.
This week: at The Citadel
MERCER
(5-0, 3-0 SoCon)
Last week: at Wofford, W, 22-3
This week: OPEN
SAMFORD (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Last week: at Furman, Ppd.
This week: vs. VMI
VMI
(0-4, 0-0 SoCon)
Last week: OPEN
This week: at Samford
WESTERN CAROLINA
(1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
Last week: OPEN
This week: vs. Wofford
WOFFORD (2-2, 0-1 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Mercer, L, 3-22
This week: at Western Carolina
2024 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS
FOOTBALL
DATE OPPONENT
Aug. 31 at West Georgia L, 29-38
Sept. 7 at Florida L, 7-45
Sept. 14 Alabama State W, 12-7
Sept. 28 at Furman* Ppd.
Oct. 5
Oct. 12 at ETSU* 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 19
Oct. 26 at The Citadel*
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16 at Chattanooga*
Nov. 23
*-Southern Conference game
All times Central and subject to change
Football Player Feature:
D.J. Rias
Samford graduate wide receiver D.J. Rias had to overcome a lot on his road to becoming a Bulldog .
Rias grew up in Phenix City, Alabama, a town on the Alabama-Georgia border . He started playing football and baseball at the age of seven . He said his mother, Chatora Berry, was the main person who got him involved in the game .
“The person who really influenced me was my mom,” Rias said . “Not because she was a big football fan, but more so because she just wanted me to do extracurricular activities, something to keep me out of trouble . All of my friends played football as well . My God dad was a big influence, and another family friend, Chris Lee, they influenced me . ”
Rias picked up the game well early on . He played multiple positions before eventually focusing on being a wide receiver
“I actually played quarterback, and that’s probably still my favorite position,” Rias said “In pee wee and I played travel football when I was younger, before I got to school I started off playing receiver and linebacker, then I played quarterback and linebacker Quarterback really stuck and I played quarterback really until my 10th grade year I moved up the varsity and they
By Joey Mullins Samford Athletics
said, if you want to start somewhere else, we have a chance for you to do that, so I started playing corner and receiver and I just really turned into an athlete . ”
Rias played at Central High School in Phenix City . In his senior season, the Red Devils won a state title . Unfortunately, Rias’ career was plagued by injuries . In the summer after his sophomore season, he tore his ACL . He worked hard and made it back, but then during his junior season, he tore the ACL in his other knee . The injuries, obviously, limited his time on the field, so he decided to go to the University of Alabama as a regular student and not try to be an athlete at the college level .
“After my 10th grade year, I only played like six high school games total,” Rias said . “I had a couple of offers in baseball and a couple in football, but I prayed about it and decided I’m just going to go to school I had a couple of friends going there and my stepbrother was there at the time, so I was like, I’m just going to go be a student ”
For his first two years at Alabama, he remained as a regular student in Tuscaloosa However, entering his third year, he said some friends talked him into trying out as a walk-on
player for the Crimson Tide . Rias made the 2021 Alabama football team as a walk-on, resuming his athletic career at one of the top programs in the nation . He spent the 2021 season as a reserve wide receiver for Alabama, seeing no game action After one season at Alabama, he decided to look into going to another school where he would have a better chance to play Rias talked about what the factors were in him choosing to come to Samford
“I had a couple of offers from a couple of different places,” Rias said “I went on a visit to Jacksonville State, and I went on one to Samford, those were the only two visits I took Part of the reason I chose Samford was the closeness to home I stay about two and a half hours from here, so it’s not that close, but it’s not that far either, logistically I also prayed about it, thought about it, talked about it with family and friends
The academics were good, so that was big for my mom, she’s an avid academic person . And once we found out the weight a Samford degree can have, as well as the football program was on and up and up, plus I just wanted an opportunity, and that’s all I could ask for . ”
Rias’ first season at Samford was in 2022 . That season, Rias played in all 13 games, ranking third on the team with 51 receptions for 588 yards and six touchdowns . He had particularly big games in wins over Chattanooga, with four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, and Mercer, with eight receptions for 117 yards and two scores .
In addition to his personal achievements, the 2022 season was a particularly good season for the team as a whole . The Bulldogs finished the season with a mark of 11-2 overall, going 8-0 in Southern Conference play to win the program’s first outright SoCon title . Samford earned a No . 6 national seed in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs, earning a first-round bye . Samford hosted Southeastern Louisiana in the second round for the first home playoff game in program history, earning a 48-42 overtime win The team eventually fell at third-ranked North Dakota State in the playoff quarterfinal round
Rias said, coming from a successful high school program at Central High School, and a
successful college program at Alabama, winning was just what he was accustomed to . He said, however, being a part of a historic season for Samford is a memory he will always cherish .
“It was a blessing for sure, it was surreal,” Rias said “It’s something that I will always remember And I’m just happy that I was able to be a part of the team, and we got to accomplish something like that ”
In 2023, Rias played in eight games In those eight games, Rias hauled in 31 passes for 386 yards and a touchdown
Through the first three games of the 2024 season, Rias has 10 catches for 75 yards His biggest game so far this season came at the University of Florida where he caught four passes for 44 yards
Rias earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Samford in December He said, while he would like to continue playing football at the professional level, if that does not work out, he would like to do something to help those less fortunate .
“One of the reasons I came to Samford was they have a great law school,” Rias said . “I’d like to do anything in the public realm of helping people and giving back to those who are treated unjustly or unfairly . That’s always been one of the things on my mind, so just something of that nature . ”
2024 SAMFORD FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER
6-5 210 Sr Orlando, Fla ./UCF
19 Connor Masters QB 5-9 170 Jr . Louisville, Ky /Christian Academy of Louisville
20 Micah Kelly RB 5-9 203 Gr Pascagoula, Miss /Toledo 21 Ethan Fisher K 5-7 135 Fr Tallahassee, Fla /North Florida Christian HS
21 Carson Goold WR 6-5 205 Jr Memphis, Tenn /Houston HS
22 Ken Cherry RB 5-11 190 Fr Huntsville, Ala ./Madison Academy
22 Xavier Nurse DE 6-3 205 Gr Brooklyn, N Y /Maine
23 Tucker Weber CB 5-10 175 Fr Brentwood Tenn, /Brentwood HS
23 Noah Young WR 6-5 215 Sr Birmingham, Ala /North Alabama
24 Edwin Dearman S 5-11 200 Gr Spring, Texas/Northern Iowa
24 Kobe Hughes RB 5-10 182 Sr Birmingham, Ala ./Birmingham-Southern
25 Jadon Loving WR 5-10 160 Fr Trussville, Ala /Hewitt-Trussville HS
25 William Pruitt S 6-2 185 Fr Atlanta, Ga /Marist School
26 Mitchell Owen S 6-1 185 Sr Atlanta, Ga /Marist School
26 Colton Pace WR 5-9 165 Fr Brentwood,
2024 FOOTBALL
35 Nick Speros WR 5-10 165 Jr Alpharetta, Ga ./Mount Pisgah Christian School
36 Dayton Green WR 5-11 176 Sr . Madison, Ga ./Birmingham-Southern
38 Emerson Russell RB 5-6 160 Fr Chelsea, Ala /Chelsea HS
39 Gavin Morris LB 6-1 215 So Cumming, Ga /South Forsyth HS
39 Ryan Skinner RB 6-1 200 Fr Cullman, Ala /The Citadel
40 Wade White S 6-1 200 Sr . Prattville, Ala ./Prattville HS
41 Jake Haynes LB 6-2 225 Fr Hartselle, Ala /Hartselle HS
41 Tate Taylor TE 6-0 228 Jr Nashville, Tenn /Lipscomb Academy
42 Jordan Russell DE 6-0 225 Sr Birmingham, Ala /Georgia State
43 Daniel Bethel K 6-1 195 Jr Clinton, Tenn /Tennessee
44 Corey Warren DT 6-0 257 So Hoover, Ala /Georgia State
45 Jaden Daniels WR 5-10 165 Fr Vestavia Hills, Ala /Vestavia Hills HS
45 Thomas Neville LB 6-3 215 Gr Loganville, Ga /Dunwoody HS
47 Daniel Valdes WR 6-2 160 Fr Franklin, Tenn /Franklin Christian Academy
46 Trustin Northington S 6-1 190 Jr Bay St Louis, Miss ./Ole Miss
48 Nour Tayara WR 6-0 190 Jr Pass Christian, Miss ./St Olaf (MN)
49 Vance Nicklaus TE 6-5 240 Jr Duluth, Ga /Florida State
50 Darrian King OL 6-3 295 Sr Oak Grove, Miss /East Misssissippi CC
51 Jacob Gettman K 6-0 160 Fr Daytona Beach, Fla /Mainland HS
52 Wesley Graham OL 6-3 300 Fr . Smiths Station, Ala ./Glenwood HS
53 Kaden McKeown LS 6-0 195 Fr Mableton, Ga /Whitefield Academy
54 Luke Byrne OL 6-4 305 Gr Forsyth, Ga /Mary Persons HS
55 Johnny Johnson DL 6-1 263 Gr St Amant, La /St Amant HS
56 Aidan Barr LS 6-0 205 So West Palm Beach, Fla /Cardinal Newman HS
57 Cooper Frazier OL 6-4 305 Gr . Corinth, Miss /Corinth HS
58 Chris Noble OL 6-4 287 Gr Brewton, Ala /UAB
59 Will Thorley P 6-3 215 So Torquay, Australia/Prokick Australia
61 Alex Applefield LS 5-10 208 Gr Dothan, Ala /Houston Academy
63 Zach Bond OL 6-3 290 Sr McHenry, Miss /N W Mississippi CC
64 Noah Watts OL 6-1 295 So Alabaster, Ala ./Thompson HS
69 J P Oliver DL 6-0 260 Jr Jackson, Tenn /Trinity Christian Academy
70 Brett Johnson OL 6-4 290 Jr Maplesville, Ala /UAB
71 Carson Donovan OL 6-2 255 Fr Calera, Ala /Evangel Christian
72 Joshua Lovett OL 6-0 255 So Knoxville, Tenn ./Birmingham-Southern
73 Justin Perritt OL 6-2 285 Jr Covington, La /Northlake Christian School
74 Tyler Douthit OL 6-4 280 Fr Woodstock, Ga /Woodstock HS
75 Charlie Rickell OL 6-4 252 So Dunwoody, Ga /Birmingham-Southern
76 Michael Snow OL 6-5 240 Fr Pell City, Ala /Pell City HS
77 Zach Brown OL 6-4 280 Sr . Loretto, Tenn ./Loretto HS
78 Duncan Johnson OL 6-5 275 Fr Augusta, Ga /Aquinas HS
79 Donovan Hawkins OL 6-1 310 Sr Pinson, Ala /Pinson Valley HS
80 Wilson Beaverstock K 6-0 210 Gr Mobile, Ala /UAB
81 Jamall Thompson DL 6-3 268 Jr Sarasota, Fla /Sarasota HS
82 Jaylon Barden WR 5-11 180 Gr . Macon, Ga /Georgia Southern
84 Preston Bird WR 5-10 170 Fr Bonaire, Ga /Veterans HS
85 Wesley Carlock WR 5-10 175 Jr Jackson, Tenn /University School of Jackson
86 Nick Crayton WR 6-3 215 Fr Decatur, Ala /Austin HS
87 Forrest Taylor K 5-8 165 Jr Foley, Ala ./Coffeyville CC
88 Joel Decoursey TE 6-4 230 Gr . Zionsville, Ind ./Vanderbilt
89 Michael Mitchler TE 6-3 225 Jr Roswell, Ga /Blessed Trinity HS
90 Conroy Cunningham II DE 6-3 235 Gr Melbourne, Fla /Bethune-Cookman
91 Jaylin Rainey DL 6-2 275 Gr Memphis, Tenn /Dartmouth
93 Daniel Bettis TE 6-1 250 Gr . Tuskegee, Ala ./Booker T Washington HS
94 Makhi Gilbert DL 6-3 290 So Phenix City, Ala /Central HS
95 Maxton Woodward DL 6-2 336 Jr Philadelphia, Miss /Holmes CC
96 Nazir Sy DL 6-3 300 Gr Caton, Ga /Northwestern State
97 Nick Jackson DL 6-1 270 Gr Orlando, Fla /Winter Park HS
98 Joshua Mathiasen DL 6-2 325 Sr . Elmhurst, Ill /Olivet Nazarene
99 Tyler Durant DL 6-3 270 Fr Daphne, Ala /Daphne HS
2024 VMI FOOTBALL ROSTER
0 Jonathan Hunter-Horton S R-Jr 6-1 200 Ashburn, Va / Broad Run
1 Jason Cole DB R-So 6-1 205 Suffolk, Va / Kings Fork
1 Collin Shannon QB R-So . 6-1 200 Sevierville, Tenn . / Sevier County
2 Shamus Jones DB Sr 6-3 210 Chester, Va / Thomas Dale
2 Ebenezer McCarthy RB R-So 6-0 200 Charlottesville, Va / Albemarle
3 Tahj Summey DB R-Sr 6-0 195 Herndon, Va / Westfield
3 Ivan Thorpe WR R-So 5-10 185 Philadelphia, Pa / Springside Chestnut Hill
4 Destin Moore WR So . 5-11 170 Cairo, Ga . / Brookwood
5 Egypt Nelson WR So 6-4 200 Norfolk, Va / Booker T Washington
5 Eric Rankin LB Sr 6-3 220 Ashland, Va / Atlee
6 Joe Comello CB Jr 5-8 190 Silver Spring, Md / Our Lady of Good Counsel
6 Noah Grevious WR Fr 5-11 195 Charlottesville, Va / Albemarle
7 Noel Innocent DB Sr 6-1 175 Stafford, Va ./ Colonial Forge
7 Nathan Lhotsky TE So 6-4 235 Bridgeport, W Va / Robert C Byrd
8 Jabari Haslem LB R-Jr 6-1 220 Woodbridge, Va / Woodbridge
8 VJ Johnson WR R-Sr 5-10 180 Virginia Beach, Va / Catholic
9 Julio DaSilva WR R-Sr 6-1 180 Philadelphia, Pa / West Catholic
9 Steven Riveros DB R-Fr 5-11 210 Sterling, Va . / Potomac Falls
11 Jason Johnson LB R-Jr 6-2 220 Glen Allen, Va / Glen Allen
11 Trace Pedigo WR R-Jr 6-4 205 Roanoke, Va / Patrick Henry
12 Malik Holmes S So 5-10 185 King & Queen, Va / King & Queen Central
12 Chandler Wilson QB R-Fr 6-0 200 Knoxville, Tenn / Carter
13 Ethen Horne WR Fr 5-11 182 Woodbridge, Va / Colonial Forge
13 James Morris DB So 6-1 195 Madison Heights, Va / Amherst County
14 Noah Fathy TE R-Fr 6-5 240 Marcus Hook, Pa / Salesianum
14 EJ Wilborne DB So 6-1 195 Fredericksburg, Va / Riverbend
15 Louis English DB R-Fr 6-2 190 Roanoke, Va . / William Fleming
15 Brady Hammonds QB Fr 6-1 206 Gatlinburg, Tenn / Gatlinburg-Pittman
16 Cade Cox QB R-Fr 6-4 215 Chesapeake, Va / Oscar Smith
16 Asa Locks DB Fr 6-0 180 Lusby, Md / Patuxent
17 Robert Powell DB Fr 5-8 162 Morgantown, W Va / Morgantown
17 Cody Shelton QB Fr . 5-11 190 Midlothian, Va . / Benedictine
18 Stephen Dean III LB R-So 6-2 225 Mineral, Va / Louisa County
18 Ryan von Brandt TE Jr 6-7 255 Middletown, Del / Appoquinimink
19 D’Ahmon Artis LB So 6-2 220 Henrico, Va / Henrico
19 JoJo Crump QB Fr . 5-11 193 Nashville, Tenn / Father Ryan
20 Anthony Allen DB Fr . 6-2 185 Richmond, Va /Armstrong
20 Owen Sweeney WR Fr 6-4 200 Roanoke, Va / Cave Spring
21 Camden Clinton LB So 6-2 215 Evington, Va / Liberty Christian
21 Luke Schalow RB R-So 5-10 205 Ashburn, Va / Briar Woods
22 Tyrel Dobson LB Jr . 5-11 220 Radford, Va . / Radford
22 Kam Johnson RB Fr 5-9 215 Roanoke, Va / North Cross
23 Nic Land S R-Fr 6-4 205 Richmond, Va / Benedictine
23 Zion Woody RB Fr 5-6 155 Daleville, Va / Lord Botetourt
24 Jack Ham DB Fr 6-0 180 Mechanicsville, Va / Atlee
24 Hunter Rice RB Sr . 6-0 225 Daleville, Va . / Lord Botetourt
25 Ayden Babich S R-Fr 6-1 205 Roanoke, Va / Cave Spring
25 Aslin Shipe RB Fr 5-9 180 Ashburn, Va / Broad Run
26 Kouri Crump DB R-So 6-3 205 Charlotte, N C / William A Hough
26 Garrett Via RB R-Fr 6-0 205 Clifton Forge, Va / Alleghany
27 Austin Fletcher LS Fr . 6-0 190 Stafford, Va . / Colonial Forge
27 Dante Terrell DB So 6-2 210 Stafford, Va / Brooke Point
28 Isaiah Grevious LB So 6-1 205 Charlottesville, Va / Albemarle
28 Cole Varner RB Fr 5-10 175 Highland Springs, Va / Highland Springs
29 Myles Berry CB Fr 5-11 170 Richmond, Va . / Mills Godwin
29 Leo Boehling RB Fr 5-11 214 Richmond, Va . / Benedictine
30 Amaje Parker CB Fr 5-10 180 Charlottesville, Va / Albemarle
30 TJ DiLoreto RB Fr 5-9 195 Richmond, Va / Trinity Episcopal
31 Amani Koffi DB Fr 5-10 193 Sterling, Va / Park View
2024 FOOTBALL
31 Jon Tyree WR Fr . 5-6 152 Chester, Va . / Thomas Dale
32 Zach Bowers K/P Fr 6-1 170 Chesterfield, Va . / Matoaca
33 RJ Gatlin DB Fr 6-0 185 Virginia Beach, Va / Ocean Lakes
33 Brody Patterson WR Fr 6-1 197 Tazewell, Va / Tazewell
34 John Garbett LB So 6-1 195 Richmond, Va / Benedictine
35 Jack Joyce K/P Fr 6-4 215 Metuchen, N J . / St . Thomas Aquinas
36 Jakari Nicely LB Fr 6-0 217 Daleville, Va / Lord Botetourt
37 Logan Burnett LB R-Fr 6-0 220 Amherst, Va / Liberty Christian
38 Omar McPherson S Fr 5-11 165 Amherst, Va / Amherst County
39 Camron Watkins LB Fr 6-1 206 Wingate, Pa / Bald Eagle Area
40 Phoenix Ward DL Fr 6-3 256 Chester, Va . / Thomas Dale
41 Omar Miller CB Fr 5-10 170 Charlottesville, Va / St Anne’s-Belfield
42 Jason Armstrong WR Sr 6-0 210 Charlottesville, Va / Monticello
42 De’Andre Robinson DL R-So 6-2 250 Goochland, Va / Goochland
43 Henry Berling LB R-Fr 6-2 220 Richmond, Va / Benedictine
44 Dylan Poley FB R-Fr 6-0 225 Grahamsville, N . Y / Tri-Valley
44 Dorien Starnes DL Sr 6-2 270 Waco, N C / Burns
45 DJ Jones LB Fr 6-0 210 Charlotte, N C / Mallard Creek
46 John Covert LB R-Jr 6-1 245 Winfield, W Va / Winfield
47 Gavin Kamody DB Fr 6-0 192 Pittsburgh, Pa . / North Catholic
48 Bret McClung LB Jr 6-1 230 Lexington, Va / Rockbridge County
49 Jalen Terrell S Fr 5-11 180 Alexandria, Va / West Potomac
51 Terrell Jackson DL Sr 6-1 300 Washington, D C / The Bullis School
52 Bryce Burnett OL R-Fr 6-1 290 College Park, Ga / Woodward Academy
53 Robbie Dunn OL R-Fr 6-3 280 Midlothian, Va . / Trinity Episcopal
55 Tommy Inge OL R-Jr 6-4 300 Blackstone, Va / Kenston Forest
56 William Dixon OL R-So 6-4 270 Midlothian, Va / James River
57 Chase Aslett OL R-Fr 6-4 290 Chester, Va / Thomas Dale
58 Aiden Jones OL Fr 6-4 264 Chester, Va / Thomas Dale
60 Nathan Payne LS R-Jr . 6-3 225 Burke, Va . / Lake Braddock
61 Ryan McCarthy DL R-Fr 6-3 240 Ashburn, Va / Briar Woods
62 Jacob Rose OL R-Fr 6-5 275 Mechanicsville, Va / Atlee
63 Ayanle Farah OL Fr 6-4 255 Sterling, Va / Potomac Falls
64 Ah’Daryall Hite DL R-Fr 6-2 250 Hopewell, Va / Hopewell
66 Richard Mulhern OL Fr . 6-3 285 Centreville, Va . / Mt . Zion Prep
67 Josh Zarriello OL So 5-11 280 Lynchburg, Va / Liberty Christian
68 Cole Holtz OL R-Sr 6-2 280 Richmond, Va / Douglas Freeman
70 Elijah Bass OL So 6-5 250 Danville, Va / George Washington
71 James Jenkins OL R-Fr . 6-1 275 Kenbridge, Va / Central Lunenburg
72 Michael Perry OL R-So 6-3 300 Fredericksburg, Va / St Michael the Archangel
73 Britin Witt OL Fr 6-2 295 Forest, Va / Jefferson Forest
74 Tristan Woodley OL R-Fr 6-4 300 Virginia Beach, Va / Bayside
75 Thomas Leible OL Fr 6-6 299 Bensalem, Pa / Bensalem
77 Tyriq Poindexter OL R-Jr . 6-5 325 Roanoke, Va . / William Fleming
78 Garrett Joyce OL Fr 6-2 275 Richmond, Va / Benedictine
81 Anthony Harris WR Fr 6-1 180 Amelia Court House, Va / Amelia
82 Ryan Beckman WR R-Fr 5-11 180 Nokesville, Va / Brentsville District
83 Zach Pirtle WR R-Fr 6-1 195 Charlottesville, Va / The Covenant School
84 Malik McNeely WR Fr . 6-4 185 Huntington, W Va / Huntington
85 Max Cullen TE R-Jr 6-4 240 Richmond, Va / Trinity
87 Victor Young WR Fr 5-11 150 Ashburn, Va / Broad Run
88 Morgan McPhaul TE R-So 6-2 260 Kinston, N C / Arendell-Parrott Academy
89 Liden Krush TE Fr 6-2 200 Vienna, Va / James Madison
90 Elijah Brooks DL R-Fr . 6-2 290 Louisa, Va / Louisa County
91 Stephan Fowlkes DL So 6-4 240 Richmond, Va / Huguenot
92 Jacob Moore DL So 6-3 280 Richmond, Va / Benedictine
93 Luke Scott DL So 6-4 250 Johnson City, Tenn / Daniel Boone
94 Hunter Robbins DL R-Jr 6-2 275 Mechanicsville, Va ./ Hanover
95 Owen Ham DL R-So . 6-0 275 Mechanicsville, Va . / Atlee
96 Uriah Harris DL Fr 6-2 229 Richmond, Va / Hermitage
97 Geoffrey Speight DL Jr 6-1 275 McDonough, Ga / Union Grove
98 Caden Beck K/P R-Jr 5-9 175 Greenville, S C / Powdersville
99 Ben Shrewsbury K/P So . 6-2 190 Jonesborough, Tenn . / Daniel Boone
2024 SAMFORD FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB 2 Quincy Crittendon (5-11, 200, Jr )
10 Hayden Klees (6-1, 180, Fr )
RB 31 Damonta Witherspoon (5-8, 210, Sr .)
20 Micah Kelly (5-9, 203, Gr )
X 3 E Jai Mason (6-1, 205, Sr )
82 Jaylon Barden (5-11 180 Gr .) -or-
18 Stephen Martin (6-5, 210, Sr )
LT 50 Darrian King (6-3, 295, Sr )
78 Duncan Johnson (6-5, 275, Fr .)
LG 58 Chris Noble (6-4, 287, Gr )
70 Brett Johnson (6-4, 290, Jr )
C 57 Cooper Frazier (6-4, 305, Sr .)
63 Zach Bond (6-3, 290, Sr )
RG 54 Luke Byrne (6-4, 305, Gr )
79 Donny Hawkins (6-1, 310, Sr )
RT 77 Zach Brown (6-4, 280, Sr .)
74 Tyler Douthit (6-4, 280, Fr )
H 15 Iaan Cousin (5-11, 170, Gr )
11 Rayf Vinson (6-1, 195, Jr .)
Y 7 DJ Rias (5-9, 190, Gr )
85 Wesley Carlock (5-10, 175, Jr ) -or-
33 Teddy Davenport (5-10, 175, Jr .)
Z 12 Brendan Jenkins (6-1, 200, So )
84 Preston Bird (5-10, 170, Fr )
TE 41 Tate Taylor (6-0, 228, Jr .)
93 Daniel Bettis (6-1, 250, Gr )
DEFENSE
R 45 Thomas Neville (6-3, 215, Gr )
22 Xavier Nurse (6-3, 205, Gr )
NT 98 Josh Mathiasen (6-2, 325, Sr .)
91 Jaylin Rainey (6-2, 275, Gr )
DT 97 Nick Jackson (6-1 270 Gr )
94 Makhi Gilbert (6-3 290 So )
DE 55 Johnny Johnson (6-1, 263, Gr )
81 Jamall Thompson (6-3, 268, Jr ) -or-
W 33 Jaden Mosley (6-2 . 208, Gr )
39 Gavin Morris (6-1, 215, So )
M 5 Noah Martin (6-2, 232, Gr )
34 Mailk Gaither (6-2, 205, Gr .)
CB 16 Kamron Smith (6-0, 195, Sr )
13 Jamari Cannon (5-10, 158, Sr )
SS 24 Edwin Dearman (5-11, 200, Gr .)
6 Jalen Nelson (6-1, 185, So )
FS 29 CJ Douglas (5-10, 195, So )
9 Midnight Steward (6-1, 202, Jr )
NKL 1 Dontae Pollard (5-10, 185, Jr )
27 Gumbo Gaskins (6-1, 190, So )
CB 2 Jalik Yancey (5-11, 180, Jr )
4 Xavier Lainer (6-2, 192, Jr .)
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK 87 Forrest Taylor (5-8, 165, Jr )
80 Wilson Beaverstock (6-0, 210, Gr )
KO 80 Wilson Beaverstock (6-0, 210, Gr )
87 Forrest Taylor (5-8, 165, Jr .)
P 59 Will Thorley (6-3, 215 So )
80 Wilson Beaverstock (6-0, 210, Gr )
H 59 Will Thorley (6-3, 215, So .)
6 Ben Levine (5-8, 165, Fr )
LS 61 Alex Applefield (5-10, 208, Gr )
56 Aidan Barr (6-0, 205, So .)
KR 7 DJ Rias (5-9, 190, Gr )
15 Iaan Cousin (5-11, 170, Gr )
PR 82 Jaylon Barden (5-11, 180, Gr .)
7 DJ Rias (5-9, 190, Gr )
2024 SAMFORD FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Chris Hatcher, Head Coach
Ricky Turner, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Shawn Bostick, Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Adam Braithwaite, Defensive Coordinator
Kerry Webb, Special Teams Coordinator
Brandon Cooper, Linebackers
K.D. Humphries, Running Backs
Brendan Bognar, Quarterbacks
Darien Moody, Defensive Line
Peter Renkoski, Tight Ends/Asst . Off . Line
Chazmon Scales, Cornerbacks
Blake Catlett, Defensive Ends
Chris Hatcher Head Coach
2024 FOOTBALL
2024 VMI DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
LT 77 Tyriq Poindexter (6-5, 325, R-Jr )
LG
74 Tristan Woodley (6-4, 300, R-Fr )
55 Tommy Inge (6-4, 300, R-Jr .)
53 Robbie Dunn (6-3, 280, R-Fr )
C 68 Cole Holtz (6-2, 280, R-Sr )
RG
73 Britin Witt (6-2, 295, Fr .)
52 Bryce Burnett (6-1, 290, R-Fr )
57 Chase Aslett (6-4, 290, R-Fr ) or
72 Michael Perry (6-3, 300, R-So .)
RT 56 William Dixon (6-4, 270, R-So )
74 Tristan Woodley (6-4, 300, R-Fr )
X 5 Egypt Nelson (6-4, 200, So .)
11 Trace Pedigo (6-4, 205, R-Jr )
H 3 Ivan Thorpe (5-10, 185, R-So ) or
TE/Y
4 Destin Moore (5-11, 170, So )
88 Morgan McPhaul (6-2, 260, R-So .)
7 Nathan Lhotsky (6-4, 235, So )
Z 9 Julio DaSilva (6-1, 180, R-Sr )
13 Ethen Horne (5-11, 180, Fr .)
RB 24 Hunter Rice (6-0, 225, Sr )
21 Luke Schalow (5-10, 205, R-So ) or 25 Aslin Shipe (5-9, 180, Fr .)
QB 12 Chandler Wilson (6-0, 200, R-Fr ) or
15 Brady Hammonds (6-1, 205, Fr )
DEFENSE
DE 44 Dorien Starnes (6-2, 270, Sr )
93 Luke Scott (6-4, 250, So .)
NOSE 51 Terrell Jackson (6-1, 300, Sr )
94 Hunter Robbins (6-2, 275, R-Jr ) or
96 Uriah Harris (6-2, 230, Fr .)
DT 97 Geoffrey Speight (6-1, 275, Jr )
46 John Covert (6-1, 245, R-Jr )
2024 VMI COACHING STAFF
Patrick Ashford, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Rich Yahner, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
SAM 8 Jabari Haslem (6-1, 220, R-Jr )
28 Isaiah Grevious (6-1, 205, So )
MIKE 5 Eric Rankin (6-3, 220, Sr )
11 Jason Johnson (6-2, 220, R-Jr )
WILL 18 Stephen Dean III (6-2, 225, R-So .)
43 Henry Berling (6-2, 220, R-Fr 0)
Rover 2 Shamus Jones (6-3, 210, Sr )
14 EJ Wilborne (6-1, 195, So .)
CB 7 Noel Innocent (6-1, 175, Sr )
6 Joe Comello (5-8, 190, Jr )
S 0 J Hunter-Horton (6-1, 200, R-Jr )
9 Steven Riveros (5-11, 210, R-Fr )
S 26 Kouri Crump (6-3, 205, R-So )
20 Anthony Allen (6-2, 185, Fr )
CB 16 Asa Locks (6-0, 180, Fr .)
17 Bobby Powell (5-8, 162, Fr )
SPECIAL TEAMS
K 98 Caden Beck (5-9, 175, R-Jr )
99 Ben Shrewsbury (6-2, 190, So )
H 0 J Hunter-Horton (6-1, 200, R-Jr .)
99 Ben Shrewsbury (6-2, 190, So )
LS 41 Austin Fletcher (6-0, 190, Fr )
21 Camden Clinton (6-2, 215, So .)
P 99 Ben Shrewsbury (6-2, 190, So )
35 Jack Joyce (6-4, 215, Fr )
PR 3 Ivan Thorpe (5-10, 185, R-So .)
4 Destin Moore (5-11, 170, So )
KR 4 Destin Moore (5-11, 170, So )
3 Ivan Thorpe (5-10, 185, R-So .)
Greg Wood, Director of Player Personnel/Special Teams Coordinator
J.B. Lageman, Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Pat Brown, Secondary/Corners
A.J. Hampton, Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Keith Jones, Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs
Greg Meyer, Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends
Elliot Wratten, Offensive Line Coach
Dae’lun Darien, Assistant Secondary/Safeties
Danny Rocco Head Coach
BOBBY BOWDEN FIELD AT PETE HANNA STADIUM
Bobby Bowden Field at Pete Hanna Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since 1958, one year after the campus was moved from East Lake to its present site Over the years, the stadium has seen some memorable football, including the Bobby Bowden era (1959-62), a one-loss season in 1971, the Terry Bowden era, which ended with a 14-game Bulldog winning streak in the stadium and the 2022 season that saw the Bulldogs win the SoCon, host the stadium’s first FCS Playoff game and post a 6-0 record in the facility .
The stadium was originally named Seibert Stadium, in honor of the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Fla ., businessman who donated money for the completion of the stadium in 1961 with the addition of stands on the west side . Originally, the stadium had the current gatehouse and seating on the east side During the 2023 season, the stadium was renamed Pete Hanna Stadium, honoring Samford alumni and supporter Pete Hanna
The first game was played Friday, Sept . 26, 1958, with Samford losing to Sewanee, 21-0 Bobby Bowden brought Samford (then known as Howard College) its first win in the stadium on Oct . 3, 1959, as the Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0 The first win against varsity competition came two weeks later when the Bulldogs defeated Millsaps, 26-0
The facility has undergone numerous improvements during the past few years . In 2019, a brand new state-of-the-art video board was installed
in the north end zone of the stadium Before the 2009 season, the Cooney Family Field House was opened in the South end zone of the stadium . The facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches offices for Samford’s football program . A second-level terrace overlooks Pete Hanna Stadium The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in 2014, honoring former head coach Pat Sullivan and his wife, Jean
In fall 2005, the original grass surface was replaced with an LSR Blade Synthetic Surface The surface was replaced in 2013 with a Hybrid Mono/XP by Warner Athletic Construction, and was again replaced in 2024 . The four-level Bashinsky Press Tower was completed before the 1989 season . This GeorgianColonial structure contains complete facilities for print and electronic media on the third level, reserved seating for 51 guests on the second level, and a concession stand and restroom facilities on the ground floor A partially covered film deck is located atop the facility, and an elevator serves all levels
At the same time, more than 200 theatre-type reserved seats were added in front of the press tower, bringing the seating capacity to 6,700 Aluminum seating replaced the original wooden seats . A scoreboard featuring an electronic matrix message board was added before the 1994 season The improvements have made Samford’s football facility one of the finest in the nation at the Division I-FCS level
PETE HANNA STADIUM RECORDS
BUILT:
Gatehouse and East Stands, 1958; West Side Stands, 1961; Bashinsky Press Tower, 1989; Electronic Message Board, 1994; Video Board, 2005; SullivanCooney Family Field House, 2009 .
FIRST GAME:
Friday, Sept 26, 1958 (Sewanee defeated Samford, 21-0)
FIRST WIN:
Oct 3, 1959 (Samford defeated Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0)
FIRST VARSITY WIN: Oct 16, 1959 (Samford defeated Millsaps, 26-0)
SAMFORD OVERALL RECORD AT SEIBERT (272 GAMES): 182-86-4 ( 676)
SAMFORD DAY RECORD AT SEIBERT (197 GAMES): ): 124-69-4 ( 639)
SAMFORD NIGHT RECORD AT SEIBERT (77 GAMES): 60-17-0 ( 779)
MOST COMMON OPPONENTS AT SEIBERT: Chattanooga 15, Jacksonville State 11, UT Martin 10, Mississippi College 9, Tennessee Tech 9
MOST SAMFORD POINTS: 77 vs Mars Hill (7), 2016
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: 70 points (Samford 77, Mars Hill 7), 2016
MOST OPPONENT’S POINTS: 82, by Salem (Samford 9), 1984
LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE:
81-yard run, Chris Evans, vs Austin Peay, 2007
LONGEST PASS COMPLETION:
92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013
LONGEST SAMFORD PASS COMPLETION:
92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013
LONGEST PUNT:
73 yards, Ray Collins, vs . Southwestern, 1961
LONGEST FIELD GOAL:
52 yards, Ray Early of Furman, 2010
LONGEST SAMFORD FIELD GOAL:
48 yards, Mark Prevost, vs Jacksonville State, 2007
LONGEST PUNT RETURN:
90-yard touchdown, Mick Edmonson of Jacksonville State, 1989
LONGEST SAMFORD PUNT RETURN:
76 yards, Anthony Jordan, vs Alcorn State, 1994
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN:
100-yard touchdown, Karel Hamilon vs Chattanooga, 2015; 100-yard touchdown, Fabian Truss vs Western Carolina, 2013
LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN:
100-yard touchdown, Ricky Fields, vs Concord, 1990
MOST YARDS RUSHING:
249, Surkano Edwards, vs West Georgia, 1992
MOST CARRIES:
35, Derek Staley, vs . Tennessee Tech, 1995
MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING:
4, Michael Eubank, vs VMI, 2014; 4, Steve Hayden, vs Morgan State, 1995; 4, Brady Jones, vs . Austin Peay, 1990; 4, Brady Jones, vs East Tennessee State, 1989
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS:
60, Ray Nelson, vs Jacksonville State, 2003
MOST COMPLETIONS:
43, Michael Hiers, vs Mercer, 2022
MOST YARDS PASSING: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs Georgia Southern, 2013
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES: 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs . Ferrum, 1987; 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs Maryville, 1987
MOST RECEPTIONS: 16, Efrem Hill, vs Jacksonville State, 2003
MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: 3, Efrem Hill, vs Eastern Kentucky, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2003; 3, Kelvin McKnight, vs Western Carolina, 2018
Sonesta ES Suites Birmingham Homewood
Our all-suite hotel features separate sleeping and living areas with fully equipped kitchens.
• Complimentary hot buffet breakfast
• Onsite laundry facility
Sonesta Select Birmingham Colonnade
• 24-hr Fitness center Our
• The Commons,
•
• Indoor pool
Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House
Prior to the start of practice for the 2009 season, the Samford football program moved into the Cooney Family Field House During the 2014 season, the facility was renamed in honor of then head coach Pat Sullivan and is now known as the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House .
The field house houses a locker room, nutrition center, training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and a film room . The field house, which is 39,400 square feet, cost approximately $8 million dollars, with all money privately donated .
The Cooney Family Field House was made possible with a lead gift from Birmingham business executive and Samford graduate Gary Cooney, vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc , one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerage firms . Cooney
said he wanted to honor his parents, the late John and Patricia Cooney, and other family members with the naming
“Our family has a long history with Samford, andmy hope is that these gifts will encourage others to support this great university,” Cooney said at the time of the dedication . “We have great confidence in the leadership of Dr Westmoreland and our good friend, Coach Pat Sullivan, and we want to help have a positive influence on young student-athletes ”
Cooney graduated from Samford in 1974 . He was a member of the school’s 1971 team that won the NCAA Division II West Region Championship
HELP GROW OUR TEAM
Let’s
Academic Enhancement Program
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has strongly enforced academic reform this decade as it pertains to student-athletes’ continuing eligibility and ultimate college graduation Because of the tightening of new legislation, academic support services throughout the country have been highlighted to spearhead the additional success that is needed for student-athletes to earn a degree The academic success for Samford University student-athletes begins with the Academic Enhancement Program [AEP] The AEP was developed in the early 1990s and is based on individual instruction with student-athletes who are integrated within a caring environment that is conducive to academic success
The AEP system is designed to provide Samford’s student-athletes with the necessary guidance, personal attention and academic skills— enhancement activities to help them have the most positive educational and personal experience possible . Student-athletes are integrated within a foundation of the university’s general education core curriculum that emphasizes basic skills for academic achievement .
Tutors and academic mentors assist athletes in writing courses, foreign languages, math, science and business, to name a few . With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques, the AEP puts student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners .
The AEP environment includes a computer lab/classroom, private tutor rooms and quiet study space .
In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life .
The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all student-athletes Each May, the academic enhancement office honors studentathletes who have achieved a 3 0 GPA or better over the last two full terms
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including
some NCAA Student Affairs programming This student development program exists to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting There are five focus areas that address student-athlete development
Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation
Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of student-athletes
Commitment to Personal Development:
To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills .
Commitment to Career Development: To encourage student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals .
Commitment to Service: To engage studentathletes in service to their campus and surrounding community . Throughout the year, student-athletes attend the programs in the five commitment areas that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development . This is done through workshops and seminars, campus partnerships and other programming throughout the year . Topics include financial management, time management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing, and sportsmanship . Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators, business leaders and former student-athletes .
All AEP programming is designed to enhance and support the academic and athletic endeavors of student-athletes Student-athletes gain preparation for success in life, develop enhanced interpersonal skills, build positive self-esteem, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their communities
CHARLES WILLIAMS MEMORIAL JERSEY
On May 23, 2003, Samford junior cornerback Charles Williams died in a car accident . In only two seasons on the team, Williams emerged as a starter in the secondary in 2002 . In addition to his success on the field, Williams also maintained one of the highest grade point averages on the team For the 2003 and 2004 seasons (what would have been Williams’ junior and senior seasons) no one wore jersey No . 5, the number that Williams wore . Every year since then, a senior has been selected to wear the No . 5, the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey
Ossie Buchannon
Jon Weber
Justin Shade T C Myers
Bryce Smith Brinson Porter
Jay McCurty
Sean Thompson
Carson Barnett Devon Schmitt Shaheed Salmon Tyler Queen Nick Barton
Montrell Washington Liam Welch Nathan East Chandler Smith Noah Martin
Rodney Shepherd
Ryan Dudchock
98 %
Graduation Success Rate
Average GPA for all of Samford’s student-athletes for the academic year.
72%
student-athletes made Fall 2024 Dean’s List
student-athletes made Spring 2024 Dean’s List
79
student-athletes earned the Commissioner’s Medal
34 3.25
student-athletes had a 4.0 GPA
144 130 14/15 81
Academic All-Conference Fall 2022
145
321 of Samford’s student-athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or higher
teams had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
Academic All-Conference Spring 2023
student-athletes on the SoCon Academic Honor Roll
Beck A. Taylor President
Beck A. Taylor began his tenure as the 19th president of Samford University in July 2021 Taylor, who served as dean and professor of economics for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, returned to Samford after serving as the 18th president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, from 2010-2021
After earning his undergraduate degree from Baylor with majors in economics and finance, Taylor was employed as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Houston, Texas He went on to earn his MS and PhD in economics from Purdue University Shortly thereafter, he returned to Baylor as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business, and was named the first holder of the W.H . Smith Professorship in Economics . In 2002, he was appointed as a visiting scholar by Harvard University where he spent one year in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education .
As dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business, Taylor led the rapid transformation of the business school, including its renaming to honor Harry B . Brock Jr ., founder of Compass Bank . Taylor led the Brock School of Business to establish eight new academic programs, as well as the school’s new honors program . The school’s entrepreneurship program was recognized in 2010
as the nation’s top emerging program by the U .S . Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship In an effort to build bridges between students and the Birmingham business community, Taylor established the Samford Business Network, as well as a 45-member advisory board of the region’s top business leaders
As a scholar, Taylor has published dozens of studies in economics journals such as Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Human Resources and Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking Illustrating his diverse research interests and his connections to the social sciences, Taylor has also published groundbreaking research in public health and child developmental psychology His research has been cited in testimony given before the U .S . Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Assembly, and also has been referenced in publications such as TheNewYorkTimes,The BostonGlobe,andTheChristianScienceMonitor . Taylor is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, and he has served as a strategic business consultant for dozens of organizations . He and his wife, Julie, have three children .
Martin Newton, Director of Athletics
Samford University alumnus and director of athletics Martin Newton has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference’s most successful programs since taking the helm of the department on March 9, 2011 . Two years ago, Newton signed a five-year contract extension that began on July 1, 2022 .
Newton has made an impact nationally in his time at Samford as he is in the middle of a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC)
On the fields and courts, the Bulldogs have captured 69 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships during his tenure, including a school record 11 championships in 2022-23
Additionally, in the last two Southern Conference All-Sports standings Samford won both the Germann Cup (top women’s program) and the Commissioner’s Cup (top men’s program) in back-to-back seasons Additionally, Samford has won the last two SoCon Graduation Rate Awards
Academically, the school’s student-athletes have also posted outstanding results in the classroom, with 2,462 Bulldogs being named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll . Samford’s student-athletes posted an impressive 98 percent in the most recent NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, the highest mark in the SoCon and in the state of Alabama .
Over the last 13 years, the Athletics Department has seen significant growth in corporate partnerships and annual giving, more than doubling philanthropic gifts and sponsorship revenues .
Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton’s tenure with the Bulldogs . Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice facility for men’s and women’s golf . A new academic
center was recently built in Bashinsky Field House . Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men’s and women’s basketball/volleyball), Pete Hanna Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field) .
The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded . Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House
In the spring of 2017, a goal of Newton’s was realized when the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted
He has also negotiated an exclusive universitywide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, helped lead the way on a university-wide licensing agreement with the Licensing Resource Group and successfully transformed the antiquated radio network into an industry leader in campus-led broadcast production with all Samford home athletic events airing on ESPN3 or ESPN+
Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014 The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership . Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford’s student-athletes .
Following his 1983 graduation from Samford, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years . Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike .
Prior to his return to Samford, Newton was hired at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he managed the budget, fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program .
Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles . They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer .
VOLLEYBALL
Head Coaches
SOFTBALL
FOOTBALL
BASEBALL
Megan Curry
Keylor Chan
W. GOLF
Joe Davidson
M. GOLF
Al DelGreco
W. TENNIS
David Vest
SOCCER
Todd Yelton
TRACK & FIELD
Rod Tiffin
Tony David
W. BASKETBALL
Carley Kuhns
M. TENNIS
Oliver Reynolds
M. BASKETBALL
Bucky McMillan
Chris Hatcher
Ask Before You Act
Compliance with NCAA rules is of utmost importance to Samford University . As a member of the NCAA, Samford is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes, employees, alumni, donors, boosters and friends As such, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important items concerning NCAA rules and always remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: 205-726-4244 | compliance@samford.edu Twitter: @Samford_Rules
FIVE IMPORTANT RULES
1 . Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process . Alumni, friends and “other representatives of athletic interest” who are not employed by the university are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting participation in the athletics program Samford faculty members are permitted to have contact with prospects on campus only
2 A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university . The prospect does not lose prospect status until the start of classes at Samford or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes .
3 The prohibition of contact with a prospect is intended to relate to unavoidable incidental contacts with a prospect by representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest It is understood that such a contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an athletics department staff member; is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect; and involves only normal civility For example, if you meet a high school student or junior college student-athlete, you can talk with him or her about anything except Samford athletics . If you are attending a public function and find yourself talking to the parents of a prospect, you can talk about anything that doesn’t relate to the athletics department
4 If a student-athlete accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation Do not do anything for prospective or enrolled studentathletes without specific authorization from the Samford Athletics Compliance Office
5 . Representatives of athletics interest (boosters) are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled studentathletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks . When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/ or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid
FAQ
Who is a “prospective student-athlete?”
A “prospective student-athlete,” also known as a recruit or prospect, is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade, seventh for men’s basketball and softball In addition, any younger student who receives any benefits from the institution not available to prospective students generally would be considered a prospective student-athlete
Who is a “representative of athletic interest” or booster?
A representative or booster is an individual or business that is or has ever done any of the following:
• been a contributor to the Samford Bulldog Club or has purchased tickets to a Samford athletics event
• been an employee of Samford University or is the spouse of an employee
• has ever made a donation of any kind to the Samford athletics department
• helped to arrange or to provide employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a National Letter of Intent
• assisted or have been requested (by the athletics department) to assist in the recruitment of students to participate in any of Samford’s athletics programs
• assisted in providing any benefit to Samford enrolled student-athletes or their families
• been involved in promoting Samford athletics programs
Samford University
Samford is one of the country’s leading Christian universities and offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional programs through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health . Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States . It enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, Puerto Rico and 16 countries .
Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value . Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings published by The Wall Street Journal . Additionally, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranks Samford 1st in the nation for student engagement . Samford is ranked 66th nationally for best undergraduate teaching and 104th for best value by U .S . News & World Report .
Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually
is fostered through an array of opportunities, including 170 student organizations, global engagement in more than 14 different countries and dozens of courses that incorporate community service Additionally, undergraduate students complete Samford’s core curriculum, providing a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts
Among Samford’s 57,062 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U .S . Congress, eight state governors, two U S Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes
The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference . Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions
Samford Distinctions
• The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford #10 of all colleges and universities in the United States for the quality of career preparation provided to its students (2024)
• Samford is ranked 34th in the nation among private universities and 115th among all public, private and liberal arts colleges and universities analyzed for Kiplinger’sPersonal Finance’s Best College Values list (2019) .
• Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings by The Wall Street Journal (2022) .
• 97% of undergraduate alumni are working or in further study within six months of graduation (2022) .
• Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions .
• Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 32nd nationally by LendEdu in its list of best colleges for financial aid (2020) .
SAMFORD ATHLETICS HALL
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Gifts received by our Bulldog Club Excelence Fund donors position Samford Athletics to recruit, retain and develop the very best student-athletes. Thanks to this support, Samford is producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.
2023-24 Bulldog Club Excellence Fund Donors
All-Conference level and above
CHAMPION’S CIRCLE
Ginny Aday
Daryl Byrd
Alan & Constandina Long
Bill & Kimeran Stevens
Rick & Beth Thorne Stukes
HERITAGE CIRCLE
Anthony & Robbin Allen
Todd & Karen Carlisle
Tim Francis
James & Kay Harrison
Wayne & Judy Houston
Mark & Gwen Matthews
John Russell
Jeremy & Andrea Ryan
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Bennie & Sonja Bumpers
Tom & Teri D’Armond
Tommy & Charolette Hamby
David & Julie Jenkins
Fred & Ruth Johnston
Bobby & Andrea Killingsworth
Steve & Kim Miller
Ron & Cindy Mims
Rickie & MayAnn Moon
Michael Robinson
Peter & Margaret Ann Selman
Charlie & Lisa Venable
Athletics Facilities
The Samford University athletics program has risen to regional and national recognition through its commitment to athletic and academic excellence . Samford student-athletes have achieved much on the playing fields and in the classroom .
Paralleling the competitive success of the program, Samford’s athletics facilities also continue to develop .
The newest addition to Samford’s athletics facilities is the new video board installed at Joe Lee Griffin Field early in the 2022 season
The first two phases of a Seibert Stadium upgrade project were also recently completed . Phase I was a new state-of-the-art video board installed in 2019 Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House
At the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, a new video board was added prior to the start of the 2021 soccer season .
Also, the Samford Softball Field opened in spring 2013 The J T Haywood Field House, which houses an indoor hitting facility, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms for both baseball and softball, was officially opened in fall 2013
The Samford Track and Soccer Stadium opened in spring 2011 The 1,200-seat facility opened by hosting the 2011 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships .
The facility includes locker rooms, a ticket office, a high-tech press box, a nine-lane track and a regulation soccer field
The Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House for football opened in August 2009 . It includes coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, a locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and players’ lounge . The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in the fall of 2014 to honor former Head Coach Pat Sullivan and his family .
The convocation/arena/fitness complex, Pete Hanna Center, was completed in fall 2007. The center
provides outstanding playing facilities for volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball in a 5,000-seat center, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-of-the-art training facilities for Samford’s varsity sports . Also included in the facility are offices, meeting space and support facilities for coaches and athletics administration .
The facility is adjacent to Bashinsky Field House and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major nonathletics events .
The Pat M Courington Tennis Pavilion was completed in 2006 with three indoor courts, a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms Samford’s Tennis Center also includes the Darwin C . Hardison Courts, featuring six outdoor NCAA courts
All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of 2005 .
Facilities in Seibert Hall have been renovated to accommodate academic programs and student recreation activities
Joe Lee Griffin Field, home of the Samford Bulldogs baseball team, was remodeled in 2000 to include offices, locker rooms and other support services in a facility that complements the Georgian-Colonial architecture found throughout the Samford campus The Carl E Miller Press Box was added in 2009 .
Bulldog Spirit Plaza, dedicated during 2005 Homecoming weekend, is the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Field House and Pete Hanna Center
Organized by the Class of 2003, the landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, students, parents, employees, former athletes and friends of the university as a celebration of Samford’s more than 125 years of intercollegiate athletics competition
The athletics department is building its capital campaign efforts to raise funds to further assure Samford athletes of the finest playing facilities possible .
BULLDOGS IN THE NFL
Samford currently has five former players on either the active roster or practice squad of NFL teams.
JAMES BRADBERRY
James Bradberry was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers Bradberry played four seasons with the Panthers and two with the New York Giants He was named All-Pro following the 2020 season He is currently in his third season with the Philadelphia Eagles
MONTRELL WASHINGTON
Montrell Washington was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos He was the first offensive player in Samford history to be selected in the NFL Draft This year, he is in his second season on the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs .
MICHAEL PIERCE
Michael Pierce had success as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens He spent four seasons with the Ravens and two as a member of the Minnesota Vikings He returned to the Ravens for the 2022 season and is entering the third season of his second stint with the team
NICK WILLIAMS
Nick Williams was taken in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers During his career, Williams has seen time with the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers . He is was signed in the 2024 offseason by the San Francisco 49ers, but is now a free agent .
