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Issue 20 / April 2008 |
Office
of Alumni Relations • P.O. Box 261954 • Conway, SC
29528-6054
843-349-ALUM (2856) • facsimile: 843-349-2199 • jeanann@coastal.edu |
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Football's Simpson Selected by Cincinnati in Second Round of NFL Draft
Coastal Carolina University wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft April 26. Simpson was the 46th overall pick and the sixth wide receiver taken in the draft. He is just the second player from the Big South Conference ever drafted by a NFL team, following teammate Tyler Thigpen who was taken in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings last year and spent the entire season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to the official NFL Combine website this year (www.nfl.com/combine), Simpson led all receivers with a standing broad jump of 11'4", eight inches longer than any other wide receiver and the longest of any position so far. He also tied for second with a 37.5" vertical leap and tied for eighth with a 40-yard dash time of 4.47. The Reidsville, N.C. native, did not do the bench press, though he competed in the 60-yard shuttle, 20-yard shuttle and other position-specific drills. He also upped his vertical leap at CCU's Pro Day, going 41" in front of the scouts.
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CCU graduate on Fox reality show
 Heather Bailey, a 2006 Coastal graduate, was recently on the hit Fox reality show “Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants.” The reality show pits mother and daughter teams against each other for the chance to win $100,000. Heather, a second-year law student, and her mother Brenda, a paralegal, were the fifth team to be eliminated from the show. |
Weisbrod gets two year contract with ESPN
 Brooke Weisbrod’s moves on the basketball court quickly made her one of the most victorious female athletes ever to attend Coastal Carolina University. Now she is hoping it can make her a household name as an ESPN analyst.
Weisbrod is one of only three players in CCU history to accumulate 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists and 200 steals. During her senior year, she was named the player of the year and scholar-athlete of the year in the Big South Conference and NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of South Carolina. She was also recently inducted into CCU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating in 2001, Weisbrod played professional basketball in Germany. After a couple of games, back problems forced her to put her dreams of playing professional basketball on the back burner.
Weisbrod came up with the idea to try out for ESPN when she was part of a half-time interview at a Coastal Carolina basketball game. A friend saw the interview and told her that she should look into working games. She called ESPN repeatedly over a year and a half period and gave a producer a tape that she made of herself analyzing a game; the producer told her that it was one of the worst tapes he had ever seen. Not one to dwell on the negative, Weisbrod kept working at it, sending in tapes, calling and looking for advice so that she could sharpen her craft. In 2002, she was given an opportunity to call two games for ESPNU. She did her first two games with Betsy Ross, and eventually went on to do a few Big East games. Last September, she signed a two-year contract with ESPN. The contract guarantees Weisbrod will call at least 15 games this season and next. Although this is not a full-time job, it is a giant step in the right direction. |
Former CCU student debuts on MTV show
 A former Coastal Carolina University student recently made his debut on MTV's "The Real World: Hollywood". Dave Malinosky is one of seven strangers chosen to live in a Hollywood house and have his life taped. Originally from Waynesboro, Pa., Dave says he is fun and outgoing and loves being the center of attention. |
Chanticleers to Play Clemson in 2009
 The Coastal Carolina football team has signed a contract to play Clemson University on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. This historic game will be the first for CCU against one of the two in-state Football Bowl Subdivision schools and just the third in its brief history. Coastal heads to Happy Valley to take on Penn State to open the 2008 season. The 2009 schedule will open at the Mid-American Conference's Kent State.The Clemson game will be a homecoming of sorts for Bennett, as he was a graduate assistant under Danny Ford with the Tigers from 1984-86.
This will also be the first time that the Tigers have taken on a member of the Big South Conference during their schedule. Clemson has played current member of the league VMI and in-coming member Presbyterian in their history, but that was prior to the sponsorship of football in the Big South Conference. The last time Clemson played either of them was in 1957 when they defeated Presbyterian at home, 66-0, to open the season. |
Penn State vs. CCU Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets for the Penn State vs. CCU football game scheduled for August 30, 2008 are now on sale! For tickets call or visit CCU Athletic Ticket office at (843) 347-8499 or 1-877-4-CHANTS.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALUMNI:
Call the Crowne Plaza Harrisburg at (717) 234-5021 and mention CCU for a special rate of $99 per night (double occupancy). Motorcoach transportation will be provided to and from the game for $10 per person. Reservations are required. Call (843) 349-ALUM.
Penn State Ballgame & Pennsylvania Tour Package:
Sunway Charters and Tour packages $470 per person, leaving Myrtle Beach August 28, 2008 and returning August 31, 2008. Call Sunway at 843-293-1773. Package Contains:
-Roundtrip motorcoach transportation
-Transportation to/from the game
-3 night’s accommodations
-Penn State/CCU game ticket
-3 continental breakfasts
-Tour of Hershey's Chocolate World
-Guided tour of the Amish Country, including dinner
-Baggage handling fees
Package based on double occupancy |
Brittney Harris '07 joins the Alumni Relations team
There is a new face in the office; Brittney Harris '07 has taken on the position of Program Assistant for Alumni Relations. Wendi Lee '98, who previously held the position, has moved to the position of Administrative Specialist for Marketing Communications at CCU. Brittney, a graduate of the Wall College of Business, previously worked as an admissions counselor for the university and was actively involved while a student on campus with organizations such as Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Student Government Association, Order of Omega and the CCU Mentoring Program. |
Campbell '04 Wins Second National Title
 Former Coastal Carolina women's track and field standout and current volunteer assistant coach Amber Campbell claimed her second USA Indoor Track and Field National Championship in the weight throw Sunday, Feb. 24 at Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston, Mass.
Campbell won the event with a 76'2.75" (23.23m) throw, which was 2'0.25" (0.61m) better than runner-up Kristal Yush. Campbell's winning toss came on her fifth attempt. Last year, Campbell won the weight throw with a mark of 80'6.25" (24.54m).
Campbell is the current Coastal Carolina and Big South indoor record holder for the weight throw. She set the record in 2004 with a 72'11.75" (22.24m) throw. |
Johnson named one of CGA's players of the year
Dustin Johnson of Myrtle Beach was named one of the Carolinas Golf Association's players of the year. Johnson, a Coastal Carolina University player who was once the top-ranked amateur in the country according to Golfweek magazine, is the top overall men's player. In June, he tied for ninth place in the NCAA Division I championship. |
| Spadoni College of Education |
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Ward '89 receives prestigious national award
Susan Ward, a 1989 Coastal Carolina College graduate, is among five educators to receive the 2008 National Outstanding Educators of the Year awards from Project Learning Tree. She was selected nationwide for her commitment to environmental education, exemplary use of Project Learning Tree and exceptional teaching skills, according to a news release from the American Forest Foundation. Ward teaches seventh-grade science at Whittemore Park Middle School; she will be honored during a conference set for May 13-16 in Jackson, Miss. |
Ashley Brigman '04 named teacher of the year
 Ashley Brigman, a 2004 Coastal Carolina University graduate, was named Teacher of the Year at Waccamaw Middle School in Pawleys Island for the 2008-2009 school year. She has been teaching seventh- and eighth-grade Language Arts at Waccamaw Middle School for three years. |
New superintendent arrives at Lake Warren
There's a new face waiting to greet visitors to Lake Warren State Park. Robert Dinkins has arrived in Hampton as the new Superintendent at Lake Warren.
Dinkins has been with the South Carolina State Park Service for a total of five years. He has enjoyed positions at Hunting Island (Assistant Ranger), Myrtle Beach (Ranger I), Santee (Ranger II), Sesquicentennial (Senior Ranger) and, for the past year and a half, at Myrtle Beach (Assistant Park Manager).
Dinkins, 28, is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University, with a B.A. in recreation and a minor in biology. He replaces former Park Superintendent John Moon, who left for a similar position at Croft State Natural Area and will serve the community along with current Park Ranger David Baker.
“The people here in Hampton County seem really nice and I want to continue to strengthen the bond between the park and the community,” Dinkins said. “That is something that has grown through the work of my predecessors and we need to keep it going.”
Dinkins added that he plans to continue all of the current programs currently available at Lake Warren and possibly add a few new activities, including “Fishing With a Ranger” and other ranger-led fishing and hiking programs for kids.
To contact Dinkins or to take advantage of Lake Warren opportunities visit the local state park or call 943-5051. |
Chris Cook '98 named partner
Chris Cook '98 was named partner in Commonwealth Insurance Group, a Charleston-based Insurance company that specializes in providing risk management, property, casualty and employee benefits insurance for mid-size to large businesses. He also earned the designation of Certified Risk Manager (CRM) in January 2008. |
Travis Dannelly '06 Joins First Citizens as personal banker in East Conway
Travis Dannelly, a 2006 Coastal graduate, has joined the First Citizens team as a personal banker. In this role, he is responsible for meeting the lending and deposit requirements of customers and ensuring they have the right products and services to meet their financial needs. Prior to joining First Citizens Dannelly worked as a sales and leasing representative for Myrtle Beach Chevrolet. |
Jillian Fisher '05 and Nathan Ernest '06 Wed
 Jillian Fisher '05 and Nathan Ernest '06 were married on March 22, 2008, at Pawleys Plantation in Pawleys Island. Nathan teaches science at Carolina Forest High School and Jillian is an assistant director of admissions at CCU. |
Hope Hughes '07 marries Justin Calder
Hope Hughes '07 married Justin Clader on Oct. 27, 2007. Hope Hughes Calder is employed with Horry County Schools as a second-grade teacher at Loris Elementary. |
Chrissy Hunter '99 and Steve Mays '94 exchange vows in Jamaica
 Chrissy Hunter, a 1999 Coastal Carolina University graduate, and Steve Mays, a 1994 Coastal Carolina University graduate, were married April 4, 2008. The ceremony took place at Sans Souci resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Both Mays and Hunter are active members of the Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors. |
Ashley Marie Squires '06 marries Patrick Steve Smith
Ashley Squires '06 and Patrick Smith where united in marriage Oct. 13, 2007, at Wachesaw Plantation in Murrells Inlet. Squires is employed by Georgetown County School District, and Smith is employed by Georgetown Hospital System with NEXTSTEP Rehabilitation Services. |
Marlena Hunnicutt and David Wayne English '06 marry on Jan 1.
Marlena Hunnicutt of Laurens and David Wayne "D.J." English Jr., a 2006 Coastal Carolina University graduate, married on Jan. 1, 2008 at New Hope Baptist Church in Clinton. |
Richard Todd Nolan '04 to marry Heather Michelle Todd
Richard Todd Nolan '04 is engaged to marry Heather Michelle Todd of Hartsville, SC. Heather is a graduate of Marlboro Academy and Florence Darlington Technical College with a degree in nursing. Richard, a graduate of Marlboro County High School and Coastal Carolina University, works as an eighth-grade pre-algebra teacher at Hartsville Middle School. The wedding is planned for May 10, 2008. |
Danielle Vause '07 and William Black to marry
Danielle Vause 07' and William Black announce their engagement. Vause is employed with the Georgetown County School District and Black is employed with Georgetown Landing Marina and is a current student at CCU. The wedding has been planned for June 14, 2008, at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. |
Amy Holmes '01 and James Richardson '96 will exchange vows
Amy Holmes, a 2001 Coastal Carolina University graduate, and James Richardson, a 1996 Coastal Carolina University graduate, are set to marry on June 7, 2008, at Salem Baptist Church in Aynor. Holmes is employed as a senior accountant with Smith, Sapp, Bookhout, Crumpler and Calliham, P.A. and Richardson is the owner of Backwoods Landscaping, LLC. |
Kelly Stroud '06 will marry Joshua Hardwick
Kelly Stroud '06 will marry Joshua Hardwick on May 24, 2008, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Conway. Stroud currently works as a nutrition education specialist with the Department of Health and Environmental Control in Charleston, and Hardwick is a student at the Medical University of South Carolina Dental School in Charleston. |
Kelly Miles '00 will marry Jason Barr
Kelly Miles '00 and Jason Barr announce their engagement. A June 2008 wedding is being planned. Miles is a middle school teacher with Horry County Schools in North Myrtle Beach, and Barr is a sales representative with Star Music company and a performer with the house band at the Hose of Blues in North Myrtle Beach. |
Brandy Phillips '01 and Brian Stacks to marry
Brandy Phillips '01 is engaged to marry Brian Stacks in June 2008. Phillips works as the director of political fundraising and education for Clear Channel Comunications in Washington, D.C., and Stacks is an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. |
Joy Kimberly Strickland '04 and Julian Dusenbury Wilson to marry
Joy Strickland, a 2004 Coastal grad, and Julian Wilson will marry June 7, 2008 at Marion Baptist Church in Marion. Stickland works as a speech-language pathologist at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Florence, and Wilson is a commercial real estate broker with Grubb & Ellis, Wilson Kibler in Columbia. |
Amanda Whyland '06 and husband welcome first child
Amanda and Michael Whyland welcome their first child, a little girl named Samantha Claire Whyland. She was born Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at Waccamaw Community Hospital at 12:18 pm. |
Travis Altman '01 expecting second child
Travis Altman, Jr. '01 and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their second child in late August 2008. |
Joseph Harris Froelich '92 and wife Uliana announce the birth of triplets
 Joe Froelich, a 1992 graduate of CCU, and his wife Uliana announce the birth of their triplets, two girls and a boy! They were born on April 3, 2008.
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Dana Lynne Webb (Goffin) '03 and husband welcome first child
Dana Lynee Webb '03 and husband P.J. Webb welcomed their first child, Avery Grace Webb, on Jan. 23, 2008. |
Sandra Hope (Slepski) '95 and Barry Hope '96 announce the birth of third daughter
Sandra and Barry Hope, both Coastal Carolina University graduates, announce the birth of their third daughter, Lyla. |
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