MGCCC alum Steve Wilson speaks at 2009 Spring Athletic Banquet

(From left to Right) Current MGCCC Golf Coach Tommy Snell, former MGCCC golf coach Charles Cooper, and Steve Wilson at the college’s 2009 Spring Athletic Awards Banquet.

Masters participant tells students to “aim high”

PERKINSTON-When Steve Wilson was playing golf at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College back in 1989-90 under then golf coach Charles Cooper, he said had high hopes for his future. The Ocean Springs native and 2008 Gulf Coast Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee served as guest speaker at the college’s 2009 Spring Athletic Awards Banquet at Heidelberg Hall on the Perk Campus.

“If you would’ve told me back then that I would be speaking to you tonight, I would’ve laughed,’ said Wilson, who just returned from playing in the 2009 Masters. “But if you would’ve told me someday I’d get a chance to play in The Masters, I wouldn’t have laughed.”

Wilson earned a trip to golf’s most prestigious even after winning the 2008 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship last September. Wilson was also an NJCAA All-American golfer while at Gulf Coast.

“Set your goals high…really high,” he added. “The opportunities are out there. I’m living proof of that.”

Basketball, baseball, softball, golf and tennis athletes were honored, while the Gulf Coast cheerleaders and athletic training staff were also recognized at the bi-annual event.

2009 MGCCC Spring Athletic Award Banquet Winners

Baseball “Mr. Hustle” (Danny Varnado) Award: Luke Briley
Most Improved: Will White

Men’s Basketball
Offensive Award: Cordell Pope
Defensive Award: Isaiah Jackson
Hustle Award: Terrance Hall
Most Valuable Player: Justin Ray

Women’s Basketball
Offensive Award: Savannah Palomarez
Defensive Award: Kiara Johnson
Leading Rebounder: Adrienne Mackay
Highest Free Throw Percentage: Julicia Taylor
The Lady Bulldog Award: Savannah Palomarez

Golf
Bulldog Award: Richie Williams
Bark Award: Corey Ward

Softball
Best Defensive Player: Tiffany Fuller
Heart of a Champion: Megan Colvin
Most Improved Player: Kayla Moran
Most Valuable Player: Brittany Fields
Highest Batting Average: Megan Colvin, Holly Lawrence

Men’s Tennis
Most Valuable Player: Landon Williams
Sportsmanship: Glyn Bowman
Most Improved Player: Lyn Jacobsen

Women’s Tennis
Sportsmanship: Charmayne Purvis
Most Improved Player: Jessica Chism, Meagan Terrell
Most Valuable Player: Victoria Hagel

The “Bulldog Babes” batgirls, cheerleaders and athletic training staff were also recognized at the event. Bulldog Babes Katie Smith and Amanda Anderson, were recognized with an Appreciation Award, while Farris Freeman earned the Bulldog Babe Scholarship Award. Shanell Edge was a Student Athletic Trainer honoree while Kory Padgett earned the Jim Epting Student Athletic Trainer Award.