The University The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive, dual-campus, public institution. The university offers an extensive array of programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through its five colleges: arts and letters, business and economic development, education and psycholo- gy, health and science and technology. The Southern Miss community is student-centered, building the univer- sity around the fundamental mission of educating students. Southern Miss has established a national reputation in research and teaching, and is dedi- cated to advancing the social, eco- nomic and cultural well-being of the residents of Mississippi and the greater Gulf South region. Bennett Auditorium Southern Miss is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Coast Research Laboratory, Point Alumni Association and Advancement of Teaching as a Cadet and Pontelvoy, France. The USM Foundation “Doctoral/Research-Extensive” uni- With more than 115,000 graduates versity, placing it in the top 150 com- Structure and record enrollment, Southern Miss prehensive institutions in the nation. Southern Miss is Mississippi’s sec- has become an academic, as well as This honor confirms the Southern ond-largest institution of higher learning athletic, powerhouse. Thousands of Miss international reputation for and became a comprehensive university graduates and friends of Southern academic excellence and ground- in 1962. The administrative structure Miss want to see their university breaking research. Its people, pro- includes a president, two provosts (one reach the highest levels of success. grams, mix, location and achieve- for the Hattiesburg campus and one for Two organizations poised to assist ments make The University of the Gulf Coast campus), five vice presi- supporters in advancing Southern Southern Mississippi a perfect dents and deans of five colleges: arts Miss are the Alumni Association and choice for advancing education. and letters, business and economic The USM Foundation. You can become development, education and psycholo- involved through a simple phone call Locations gy, health and science and technology. or e-mail. Southern Miss is the only dual- Numerous “adopted Eagles” join campus institution in the state of Accreditation alumni to volunteer their time to assist Mississippi, with the original campus The University of Southern with recruiting the best and brightest in Hattiesburg and the new campus in Mississippi is accredited by the students. Some help with job place- Long Beach. The university also has Commission of Colleges of the ment for graduates, and many con- teaching and research sites along the Southern Association of Colleges and tribute annually to scholarships, ath- Gulf Coast and across the ocean. They Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, letics and academic facilities. include: Stennis Space Center, specialist’s and doctoral degrees. The Honor Club and the Founders’ Jackson County Center, Keesler Air Also, many university programs have Society are two programs that recog- Force Base, J.L. Scott Marine earned prestigious accreditation from nize the generosity of our donors Education Center and Aquarium, Gulf appropriate national organizations. through The USM Foundation, a non-

24 2006 Southern Miss Golf The University profit 501(c)(3) corporation, which abroad, our students possess extraor- auxiliary funds is $194,864,197. This allows donors a tax advantage with- dinary talent and uncommon verve. includes general fund budgets for the in the limits of IRS regulations, in Our ensembles have performed by invi- Hattiesburg campus, Gulf Coast cam- addition to the satisfaction that tation in Europe and Asia, as well as in pus, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, comes with support of a worthy New York City, Washington, D.C., Center for Higher Learning at Stennis cause. Membership in the Alumni Chicago and Atlanta, to name a few. Space Center and the Mississippi Association affords alumni an oppor- With more than 300 arts events per Polymer Institute. tunity to stay in touch with class- year through concerts, exhibitions, mates and their alma mater. plays and other special performances, Degrees Whether you are a Southern Miss Southern Miss offers exciting and The University offers 97 undergrad- graduate or an adopted Golden Eagle, diverse ways to experience and partic- uate degree programs and 91 gradu- the Development Office invites you to ipate in the arts. Further, the college ate degree programs. During the promote the university’s legacy of aca- has a long history of bringing to cam- 2004-2005 fiscal year, 3,181 degrees demic and athletic excellence. Contact pus world-class performers and artists were awarded. Southern Miss has the Alumni Association at 601-266- like Placido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman, awarded more than 100,000 degrees 5013 or [email protected], or the USM Yo-Yo Ma, Ray Charles, Marvin in its 90-year history. Foundation at 601-266-5602 for more Hamlisch, B. B. King and Doc information on how you can become Severinsen. These arts opportunities, Enrollment involved. You may access the Alumni along with a renowned faculty dedi- The enrollment for fall 2005 was Association’s Web site at cated to providing a quality education just over 16,000. Southern Miss stu- www.SouthernMissAlumni.com or The to the students, make Southern Miss dents come from 81 Mississippi coun- USM Foundation’s Web site at the place to be for the arts. ties, 47 states and 63 foreign countries. www.usm.edu/foundation. Budget Fees Arts The total budget for fiscal year Tuition and fees per semester are Southern Miss has long distin- 2004-2005 for The University of $2,053 for Mississippi residents. guished itself as the arts center of Southern Mississippi for general and Residence hall rent is $1,260 to south Mississippi, and, indeed, for the entire Southeastern United States, and is a national and international center for the training of artists, musicians, dancers, actors, scholars and arts teachers. To provide its students with well-rounded preparation for profes- sional and teaching careers in one of the many branches of art, music, dance and theater, the College of Arts and Letters offers courses of study centered around a core of theoretical, historical and performance activities. The college includes the Department of Art, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance, with all areas being nationally accredited. This distinction makes Southern Miss one of only 21 arts colleges in the United States and the only college offering all programs in Mississippi. Because the College attracts individu- Thames Polymer Science Building als throughout the United States and

SouthernMiss.com 25 The University

students to strengthen their language skills and explore their European neighborhood, while providing an exciting learning experience that incorporates a European approach into an American-style curriculum. Look for our similar Semester in Spain program to debut in Granada in the fall of 2006. Southern Miss study-abroad pro- grams are designed so that students with virtually any major or minor can take part. Participation affords stu- dents the chance to enhance their scholastic curriculum while acquiring the international experience so vital for success in today’s global econo- my. And, with most financial aid applicable to program costs, study Kennard-Washington Hall abroad at Southern Miss is an afford- able option as well as an unparal- $1,505 per semester (depending on students and 20 faculty to London for leled learning opportunity. Most stu- the hall), and a 7-day meal plan is five weeks each summer. Literature dents count their involvement in the $900-$1,000 for campus residents per and theatre students attend study-abroad program among their semester. The Kaplan Newsweek Shakespearean plays at the Globe most exciting learning experiences. College Catalog 1999, which surveys Theatre; criminal justice majors learn We hope you’ll join them! guidance counselors in public as well about the latest in crime-fighting as private high schools, reports that techniques from Scotland Yard; and Libraries guidance counselors across the nation WWII history students cross the Library resources and services at single out The University of Southern English Channel to splash ashore at The University of Southern Mississippi as a top school in a half- Normandy while hearing first-hand Mississippi are available at four dozen categories, including “Best accounts from veterans who took facilities: the Joseph Anderson Cook Value for Your Money.” All fees are part in D-Day. Library and the William D. McCain subject to change without notice. For students who wish to immerse Library and Archives on the themselves in an extended academic Hattiesburg campus, the new three- International Programs and cultural experience abroad, story library on the Gulf Coast Each year approximately 700 stu- Southern Miss offers a variety of Campus in Long Beach and the dents take part in Southern Miss semester and year-long programs. Gunter Library at the Gulf Coast study-abroad programs. Southern International exchange partnerships Research Laboratory. The Library Miss international programs have with institutions from seven countries also maintains an extensive web consistently achieved national recog- enable our juniors and seniors to site which provides services, elec- nition, offering summer, semester spend a semester or year abroad tronic journals and books, and biblio- and year-long programs in nearly 20 while earning USM credit. Freshmen graphic and full-text databases to countries world-wide (including and sophomores also have a unique students and faculty around the England, Mexico, France, Cuba, opportunity to satisfy core Southern world. Library holdings include Jamaica, Vietnam, Canada and Miss credit through a semester of almost 2 million volumes, more than Australia, to name a few). study in France at The Abbey, which 22,000 online and print journals, The University’s flagship British is in the heart of the Loire Valley. Set 20,000 electronic books and a vari- Studies Program, one of the largest in an 11th century Benedictine abbey, ety of online databases which sup- of its kind, sends approximately 200 The Abbey semester program allows port the University’s programs.

26 2006 Southern Miss Golf The University

Southern Miss Gulf Coast • The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory off-base degree programs. The University of Southern and Cedar Point Expansion Project Southern Miss Jackson County is Mississippi Gulf Coast brings the in Ocean Springs, Miss. on the Mississippi Gulf Coast excellence that is Southern Miss to Community College campus on the people of the Mississippi Gulf The Gulf Park Campus also hous- Highway 90 in Gautier, Miss. Located Coast. Working with the main campus, es a three-story, 50,681 square-foot in Building S on the southeast side of both Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast Advanced Education Center that the campus, the Southern Miss provide unique, educational experi- boasts multimedia-enhanced class- Jackson County teaching site provides ences with world-class academic and rooms, equipped with high-tech com- registration, advisement, financial aid service programs. puter and communication connections, information, tuition collection and a The nonresidential, Gulf Park and a 500-seat auditorium. wide selection of undergraduate and Campus offers bachelor’s degrees, The state-of-the-art Library on the graduate classes for the convenience master’s degrees, specialist’s degrees Gulf Park Campus provides students of students along the eastern Gulf and doctoral degrees. Academic divi- with a wealth of library resources Coast. The Industrial Engineering sions on the Coast consist of the and media collections. This 54,236 Technology degree program is located College of Arts and Letters, the square foot facility is the only com- exclusively on the coast at Southern College of Business, the College of prehensive university library on the Miss Jackson County to provide edu- Education and Psychology, the College Mississippi Gulf Coast. cational support for the many indus- of Health and the College of Science The mission of Southern Miss at tries in the area. Through the use of an and Technology. Keesler Air Force Base is to provide Interactive Video Network, the Gulf Coast provides a flexible learn- courses, programs and services Jackson County Center can connect ing delivery system designed to meet designed to meet the unique needs of the students of Jackson County to the educational needs of Coast citi- the Keesler community. Southern Miss classes offered at the Gulf Park and zens. New courses and programs are at Keesler is centrally located and Hattiesburg campuses. added as student demand warrants offers on-base bachelor’s degrees in The Gulf Coast Research and resources permit. A sufficient num- American Studies and Psychology and Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs ber of courses are available so stu- a master’s and bachelor’s degree in and the J. L. Scott Marine Education dents may earn their entire degree(s) Technical Occupational Education. Center and Aquarium in Biloxi are with majors and emphases in the Southern Miss at Keesler works close- two more Southern Miss teaching degrees listed under each college. ly with Keesler’s Education Services sites along the scenic Gulf of Mexico. Southern Miss’s beautiful Gulf Park Flight to provide excellent customer The Department of Coastal Sciences campus in Long Beach is situated on service in the areas of registration, at GCRL is a research and graduate sixty-five acres overlooking the Gulf of advisement and tuition assistance for education department offering pro- Mexico. Majestic oak trees and color- on-base degree programs and most grams leading to the Doctor of ful azaleas adorn the campus, which is the site of the famous Friendship Oak - a magnificent live oak tree aged 500-plus years. Other University of Southern Mississippi teaching sites on the Gulf Coast include: • The Keesler Teaching Site at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. • The Jackson Co. Teaching Site in Gautier, Miss. • The Stennis Space Center Teaching Site in Hancock County, Miss. • The J. L. Scott Marine Education Southern Miss Gulf Coast Campus Center and Aquarium in Biloxi, Miss.

SouthernMiss.com 27 The University

through the peer-review process in Cook Library both public and private sectors • Support for participatory learning programs in advanced graduate and undergraduate programs

The growth of our research/educa- tion enterprise, when coupled with achievement of the Carnegie Foundation’s designation as a “Doctoral/Research- Extensive Institution”, brings significant national attention to our university. This signifi- cant national recognition validates the high quality of our strong graduate programs, undergraduate programs and our students. Research and sponsored pro- grams are a significant part of total university operations that benefit Philosophy and Master of Science enhanced classrooms and cutting- students as well as the citizens of degrees. As a research intensive unit, edge laboratories. the state. External funding makes COA’s graduate program offers excel- Located at Stennis Space Center, possible the operation of nationally lent opportunities for students to the Department of Marine Science is competitive programs while provid- immerse themselves in applied as strategically situated in the single ing enhanced learning experiences well as basic research to help the largest population of oceanographers for both undergraduate and graduate state of Mississippi and the nation and hydrographers in the world. Both students. Further emphasizing the better protect, manage and enhance faculty and students benefit from strides made by the Southern Miss its marine resources. Stennis’ designation as NASA’s lead research enterprise is the continuing The Southern Miss Department of center for rocket propulsion testing growth of activities integrating Marine Science in Hancock County is and earth science enterprise. learning, scholarship and public home to a multidisciplinary program of service in Mississippi communities. graduate study and research in marine Research environments and offers the following During FY 2004, The University of Student Life degree programs: Southern Mississippi received more Southern Miss is distinctive for its than $69 million from external spon- friendly, engaging, student-centered • Master of Science in Marine sors for research. This constitutes a learning community. Our Division of Science $19 million increase over the $50.1 Student Affairs is known nationally • Ph.D. in Marine Science million received in FY 2001. Over the for its innovative programming, serv- • Master of Science in Hydrographic last four years, The University has ices and facilities, including the First Science tripled the size of its research enter- Year Experience, community service- prise as external awards have grown learning, leadership scholars pro- Areas of specialization include bio- from $20.1 million to over $69 million gram, student employment services logical, geological and physical last year. and the award-winning Payne Center oceanography as well as marine recreation facility. More than 250 chemistry and hydrography. In October These resources are invaluable in a active student organizations beckon 2003, the Department of Marine number of ways: students to complement their studies Science opened the 17,000-square- • Enhancement of our students’ by participating in Greek life, clubs, foot George A. Knauer Marine Science learning experiences recreational sports, professional Building which houses multimedia- • Recognition of our colleagues’ ideas societies and fine arts events.

28 2006 Southern Miss Golf The President

Coast in more than 26 subject areas. Mississippi’s Outstanding Community Another of his many accomplishments Leaders by the Sun Herald and the involves three entities created to Journal of South Mississippi Business. improve statewide economics: At the time of his selection as Mississippi Polymer Institute; president of Southern Miss, International Coatings and Formulations Thames had a research team num- Institute; and Southern Diversified bering 50 and supervised five grad- Products, LLC (a Mississippi University uate students. Most recently, this Research Authority company). team is known for the new environ- Among his numerous honors and mentally safe paint based on agri- awards are the designation as cultural products, which emitting Distinguished University Research no odor or harmful properties into Dr. Shelby F. Professor of the Department of the environment. One of the initial Thames Polymer Science; recipient of the first uses of the paint, called “American PRESIDENT Distinguished Professorship by the Pride,” was used in the reconstruc- Southern Society of Coatings tion and repair of the Pentagon in r. Shelby F. Thames is the eighth Technology, the 1996 Southern Miss Washington, D.C. Dpresident of The University of Alumni Association Continuous Thames currently serves on the Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Service Award, the 1998 NUC Board of Directors for Conference Miss. He took office on May 1, 2002, Wheeler McMillan Award for his work USA and the Mississippi Technology continuing an illustrious career of 40 with agricultural products, and the Alliance. years at Southern Miss. 1999 AAIC Anson Ellis Thompson Dr. Thames earned his bachelor’s His previous administrative posi- Career Achievement Award for his and master’s degrees from The tions at Southern Miss were chair of career in promoting the use of agricul- University of Southern Mississippi in the Department of Polymer Science, tural-based materials as industrial raw chemistry and organic chemistry, and dean of the College of Science and materials; and inductee in 1998 to the his doctoral degree from the Technology, vice president for Southern Miss’ Alumni Hall of Fame. University of Tennessee in Administration and Regional In 1998, Southern Miss’ $29 million organic chemistry. Campuses, and executive vice presi- Polymer Science dent. In 1970, he was the founder of Research Center was the Department of Polymer Science named in honor of and, in 1973, co-founder of the Thames and is now Waterborne and High-Solids Coatings known as the Shelby Symposium, an event that has Freland Thames expanded to the annual International Polymer Science Waterborne, High-Solids, and Powder Research Center. For Coatings Symposium, in which he bridging the gap continues as its co-director. He between academia sought and gained approval for the and industry and his enhancement of the College of work in research Science to the College of Science activities in the area and Technology by creating several of paint and coatings, new technology programs. Thames has been rec- He was instrumental in the concep- ognized as the 2002 tion and implementation of the “2+2 R&D Person of the Degree Program” between Mississippi Year by Modern Paint Gulf Coast Community College and and Coatings maga- Southern Miss Gulf Coast, which pro- zine. In 2004, Thames vided a bachelor’s degree program was recognized as Lucas Administration Building course work on the Mississippi Gulf one of South

SouthernMiss.com 29 Director of Athletics

almost need a roadmap to keep in 2007 to include luxury suites, con- track of the many projects and the cession stands upgrades, the addition unbelievable progress that is of a banquet room, the addition of taking place. more chairback seating and more The Rogers, Thames and Welch courtside seating, as well as making Baseball Center at Pete Taylor Park, the building more “concert-friendly.” furnished with dressing rooms, Other projects in various stages of coaches’ offices, players’ lounge and planning include a new tennis com- medical training area, was completed plex, completion of the softball stadi- in 2002, and that project has paid um, and a new Olympic Sports huge dividends for the baseball pro- Training Center. gram that, during the 2003 season, Thirty luxury suites have been Richard Giannini set school records for single-season leased and 400 club seating areas DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ victories, won Conference USA regu- comprise the cornerstone of the CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF lar season and tournament titles and Roberts Stadium project. That proj- EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF hosted the first NCAA Regional ect also will dramatically increase THE SOUTHERN MISS Tournament in school history. A new the stadium’s seating capacity. The ATHLETIC FOUNDATION press box and 12 suites will be added south end-zone project will begin in for the 2007 season with construction March of 2006, to be completed for ince arriving as Director of beginning in spring 2006. In addition, the 2007 season. SAthletics in 1999, the impact of a new women’s softball facility has During his tenure at Southern Richard Giannini’s leadership and been in use for the past four seasons. Miss, the Golden Eagles have been vision for Southern Miss athletics has Additions and improvements continue the only Conference USA program to been both positive and dramatic, and at that venue. have won championships in the the face of Golden Eagle athletics A variety of other, less obvious sports of football (1996, 1997, 1999 will reflect his vision for the depart- projects, either have been complet- and 2003), men’s basketball (2001) ment far into the future. ed, are underway, or are in the plan- and baseball (2003). Culminating an extensive search, ning stages. Those include the Giannini also has continued to Giannini officially assumed his cur- recently installed artificial playing work at both the conference and rent position June 1, 1999, pledg- surface on Carlisle-Faulkner Field at national levels. He serves on several ing, “to work tirelessly to provide M. M. Roberts Stadium, improve- Conference USA committees, was leadership to produce the best ath- ments to the Joe P. Park football chairman of the C-USA football ath- letic program possible.” And now, in practice facility that included a new letic director’s committee in 2001-02 his seventh year as a Golden Eagle, lighting system and the addition of and currently serves as the chairman the Florida native has been as good new lighting to Roberts Stadium and of the Football and Bowl Committee. as his word. the softball complex. Giannini recently completed a term In the past six years, Giannini has In addition, a $50 million facility on the NCAA Football Issues spearheaded efforts to raise more upgrade is underway, to include reno- Committee and begins a four-year than $43 million in property, cash and vation and expand projects at both term as a member of the NCAA pledges for new facilities, including Roberts Stadium and Green Championships Cabinet. He also is a the development of the Circle of Coliseum. Various phases of these member of the NCAA postseason Champions program, which currently projects are underway. Those include football committee which governs the has 78 members, who each commit- three major phases at Green bowl games and represents C-USA ted $100,000. Coliseum – the first of which has Athletics Directors at BCS meetings. Construction on the $11 million been completed – where a new air One of the areas that Giannini is Athletic Center to replace an aging conditioning and heating system has proudest of is the graduation rates Fairchild Fieldhouse has been com- been installed; coaches’ offices and and Academic Progress Rates of the pleted and is in full use. And while locker room renovations and addi- Southern Miss student-athletes. this may be the centerpiece for ath- tions, set to begin in November of Last year, the NCAA graduation rate letic department progress, fans 2005; and, renovation that will follow for all athletes was 67 percent,

30 2006 Southern Miss Golf Director of Athletics football was 79 percent and men’s Baseball World Series for HBO, and most successful first-year bowl in basketball 100 percent. The APR produced numerous conference foot- NCAA history. rate had every program above the ball highlight films. He was also Giannini’s successes have not bench mark rate of 925. Southern director of licensing for the NCAA. gone unnoticed. He recently was Miss ranks as an academic leader He served as assistant sports inducted into the University of in the State of Mississippi, the C- information director at Florida (his Florida’s College of Health and USA and the nation. alma mater) from 1966 to 1970, Human Performance Hall of Fame in A tireless and innovative adminis- was sports information director at March of 2004 and the Saint Leo trator, Giannini brought outstanding Duke from 1970 to 1973, became University Athletics Hall of Fame in intercollegiate athletic experience to assistant athletics director at Duke February of 2005. Hattiesburg, including five years as in 1974, and, after working for the The Golden Eagle athletics direc- director of athletics at one of NCAA in 1976 and 1977, returned tor was born Nov. 12, 1942; is a 1961 Southern Miss’ longtime interstate to Florida as senior associate ath- graduate of Winter Park, Fla., High rivals, Louisiana-Monroe. letics director to oversee external School; was a track athlete, compet- While working for the NCAA in the affairs. ing in the weight events, at Furman; mid-1970s, Giannini’s responsibilities He left Florida in 1986 to enter the and graduated from the University of included serving as executive produc- private sector, taking over as CEO and Florida in 1966. er of the ABC Football Highlight co-owner of Raycom Management Giannini and his wife, Gayle, are Shows, as well as NCAA Tournament Group in Charlotte, N.C., a subsidiary parents of four daughters–Ansley basketball games not aired by NBC. of Raycom Sports, where he devel- Stone, Brittney Borbash, Carlyn Linker, He also arranged and produced the oped numerous sporting events, and DeLancey, and grandparents of Tori, first national telecast of the College including the Blockbuster Bowl, the Parker, Sara, Kelsey, Ryleigh, and Kyle.

SouthernMiss.com 31 Senior Administrative Staff

David Hansen Scott Carr DEPUTY DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ OF ATHLETICS EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Responsibilities: Hansen serves as the department’s Responsibilities: Carr oversees the external affairs of chief operating officer and chief financial officer. He pro- the athletics department. He has direct supervision of the vides direct oversight of the sports of baseball and men’s marketing and promotions department, ticket operations, basketball and assists Director of Athletics Richard media relations, broadcasting, the athletic department’s Giannini with the sport of football. Hansen oversees all licensing program. He works closely with the Eagle Club, major facility projects from inception to completion and assisting Executive Director Dick Vogel in the continued has direct oversight and provides leadership in the areas development of the department’s annual giving efforts. Carr of budget and finance, policies and procedures, facilities, also serves as the department’s liaison with corporate sales event management, personnel and human resources, ath- (ISP) and the Hattiesburg community. letic equipment and property accounting, sports video, Joined Southern Miss Staff: 2001 athletic camps and risk management. Record at Southern Miss: Associate Director of Joined Southern Miss Staff: 1999 Athletics, External Affairs (2003-present); Assistant Director Record at Southern Miss: Deputy Director of of Athletics, Facilities and Event Management (2001-2003) Athletics (2005-present); Senior Associate Director of Prior to Southern Miss: Served in various capacities Athletics (2003-2005); Associate Director of Athletics, with the FedEx Orange Bowl (1997-2001); Graduate Internal Affairs (1999-2005) Assistant Equipment Manager at Florida (1995-97) Prior to Southern Miss: Assistant Director of Education: Florida, 1997 (master’s); Florida, 1995 Athletics, Internal Operations at Louisiana-Monroe (1998- (bachelor’s) 99); Director of Football Operations at Louisiana-Monroe (1994-98); Assistant Football Equipment Manager at Florida (1992-94); Event Operations/Sales Assistant for Raycom Management Group (1990) Education: Florida, 1992

32 2006 Southern Miss Golf Senior Administrative Staff

Don Oberhelman Dr. Dennis Phillips ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ FACULTY ATHLETICS COMPLIANCE AND STUDENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

Responsibilities: Oberhelman supervises all services Responsibilities: Provides input to the athletics as they relate to the student-athlete, including the department in relation to budgetary matters, policy and Student Academic Enhancement Program, Strength and government and compliance, also serves as the voice of the Conditioning, and Sports Medicine. In addition, he over- faculty on all matters relating to intercollegiate athletics. sees C-USA and NCAA Compliance, life skills programs, Joined Southern Miss Athletics: 2003 student-athlete financial aid, the NCAA certification Joined University: 1992 process, eligibility, NCAA special assistance funds, and Record at Southern Miss: Graduate Coordinator of the department’s graduate assistants. the School of Human Performance and Recreation (1999- Joined Southern Miss Staff: 2002 present); Tenured Associate Professor, School of Human Record at Southern Miss: Associate Director of Performance and Recreation (1992-present) Athletics, Compliance and Student Services (2002-present) Prior to Southern Miss: Coordination of Solicitation Prior to Southern Miss: Education Coordinator at for the Volleyball Hall of Fame (1990-91); Assistant Texas A&M (1998-2002); Compliance Assistant at Florida Director of Athletics at Springfield College (1987-90); State (1995-98) Basketball Administrator at Southwest Baptist University Education: Florida State, 1996 (master’s); Kansas (1978-87); Tenured Assistant Professor of Health, Physical State, 1993 (bachelor’s) Education at Southwest Baptist University (1978-87); Admission Counselor, Director of Intramurals and Physical Education teacher at Mount Marty College (1976-78); Physical Education and History teacher (1973-75). Education: Springfield College, 1990 (doctorate); Whitworth College, 1976 (master’s); Pacific Lutheran, 1973 (bachelor’s).

SouthernMiss.com 33 Senior Woman Administrator

In 1997, Varnell was one of 10 the conference’s squad and eligibility Americans to receive a Bundeskanzler list. She designed the computer pro- Fellowship with the Alexander von gram to track all monies for the NCAA Humboldt Stiftung. She conducted Special Assistance Program. research on politics and sports in Varnell earned her bachelor’s and Freiburg, Germany. master’s degrees in public administra- In 1993, Varnell was named the tion from The University of Coordinator of Multicultural Programs Mississippi. She earned additional for Athletics at the University of credit hours toward a second bache- Nebraska-Lincoln. She was responsi- lor’s degree in French and German ble for implementing the first ever from the University of Nebraska. She multicultural educational program for received a certificate of completion Sonya Varnell the athletics department as well as from the NACWAA/HERS SENIOR ASSOCIATE academic support services for 14 of Administrative Training Institute at DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ the department’s 23 varsity sports. Bryn Mawr College. She also served OLYMPIC SPORTS/ She was also responsible for NCAA as a graduate assistant track and field SENIOR WOMAN eligibility compliance and advisor to coach at Ole Miss, where she and six ADMINISTRATOR the Student-Athlete Advisory Board. others were the first scholarship ath- In 1991, she served as the letes to begin the women’s track and onya Varnell joined the Southern Compliance and Academic Affairs field program. She earned four letters SMiss Athletic Department in Assistant at the Southeastern (indoor and outdoor), set numerous 1999. As the Senior Associate Conference. Her responsibilities records in the sprints, jumps, and Director of Athletics, she provides included NCAA and SEC rules inter- relays, and was on the All-SEC oversight of 13 of the department’s pretations, NCAA Special Assistance Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. 16 intercollegiate sport programs, Fund, SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Varnell, a graduate of Pearl High which includes complete manage- Committee, and event management at School and a native of Brandon, Miss., ment of the sport, including business the men’s and women’s basketball has a daughter, Sophia, who is a sen- and finance, facility development and tournaments. She helped to maintain ior at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. fund raising. Her other areas of responsibility include coordinating Beth Sprague the letter awards program, perform- ance evaluations, monitoring the hir- ing practices of the athletics depart- ment and providing diversity training workshops for the athletics staff. As Senior Woman Administrator, she is the highest ranking woman in the athletics department and is a member of the athletic director’s exec- utive staff. She serves as the athletic department liaison with the University’s Gender Equity in Athletics Committee and the Committee on Athletics Minority Equity, and is responsible for the implementation of the athletics department gender equi- ty and minority equity plans. She also monitors student-athlete welfare and represents Southern Miss at Conference USA and NCAA meetings.

34 2006 Southern Miss Golf Student Academic Enhancement Program

olden Eagle student-athletes MISSION STATEMENT just the baseball team, as the aca- Gunderstand that achieving a demic achievement of all Southern quality education is the most impor- To enrich the growth of Miss athletic programs also contin- tant thing in their collegiate life. ues to increase. In May, the students through academic However, with the demands of each program helped the largest class of athlete’s athletic pursuits, balancing guidance, encouragement of student-athletes in school history both, is at times difficult to achieve. graduate, a number that also has personal accountability, Thankfully, the Southern Miss been improving each year. Student Academic Enhancement mentoring of responsible The SAEP staff meets regularly Program (SAEP) helps its student- citizenship, development of with each coaching staff to evaluate athletes attain and maintain that the academic progress of every balance by providing quality aca- independence, and the Golden Eagle student-athlete. The demic support services. acceptanceand appreciation close connection with the coaching The mission of the Southern staffs and the SAEP department is a Miss Student Academic of individual talents and key component to the success of the Enhancement Program is designed to abilities; thereby, empowering teams in the classroom and on the give Golden Eagle athletes needed field. The graduation rates of all support to assure that academic suc- students to be positive con- student-athletes at Southern Miss cess is realistic, not only during the tributors in a global society. are higher than those of non-ath- athlete’s playing days, but also after letes. Golden Eagle athletes are his or her eligibility has expired. The SAEP places a high empha- consistent members on the Southern Miss student-athletes sis on the individual services it President’s and Dean’s Lists, as well lead busy lives. The players’ sched- provides. The staff, led by Southern as among the leaders in Conference ules are filled with practices, Miss SAEP Director Tracy Robinson, USA scholars. meetings, classes and study halls, continues to tweak the services it In the recently announced which are key components to a suc- is able to provide for student-ath- Academic Progress Rate (APR) cessful and meaningful college letes with special needs or for scores that the National Collegiate experience. So when the hectic stu- those who have disabilities that Athletic Association (NCAA) dent-athlete lifestyle kicks in, the prevent them from performing at released this year, Southern Miss SAEP is there to give Southern Miss the necessary levels. fared very well, with every pro- athletes additional support in their In addition, the SAEP also moni- gram earning a score that is above educational pursuits. tors NCAA eligibility requirements the cut score of 925. As a whole, The SAEP emphasizes making for the student-athletes, ensuring the Golden Eagle teams tallied an the academic career at the universi- participation in their respective APR score of 965, 40 points above ty one of production, by counseling sports. Golden Eagle student-ath- the cut line and nearly 20 points student-athletes in a variety of letes also are involved in a variety better than the national average. areas, including course selection of individual and group community The school did even better when it and degree plans. The SAEP also service projects, along with life came to scoring the academic eli- focuses on preparing the student- skills programs that further develop gibility of its student-athletes, athlete for life beyond graduation. the overall person. posting a 974. Southern Miss’ Aided with the help of more For the past few years, the SAEP scores proved to be the highest than 30 tutors, the SAEP offers indi- program has been vital to the suc- among Division I programs in the vidualized tutoring in all courses cess of the student-athletes and state of Mississippi and also and an academic center that those successes are netting positive ranked among the top scores in includes a study hall and full access results. Since Robinson and her Conference USA. computer lab. The tutors consist of staff have been at the University, But the Golden Eagles’ success local educators who have flexible the overall GPA of the baseball in the classroom isn’t anything new. schedules, allowing them ample team has steadily increased each Through the hard work of the stu- time to work with the hectic sched- semester. dent-athletes, coaches, support ules of the student-athletes. But that success is not limited to staff and the SAEP, the Golden

SouthernMiss.com 35 Student Academic Enhancement Program

Eagle teams have continued to do while adding one in 2004-05. The into the care of an entire athletic well in the classroom. This is evi- winners are selected based on aca- department family that is wholly dent by the number of academic demic achievement (GPA), athletic committed to the personal develop- honors the individual athletes are achievement and service, and repre- ment of its student-athletes. The obtaining on the university, confer- sent the top student-athlete in each program further emphasizes the fact ence and national levels. conference sponsored sport. that parent involvement continues “Graduation rates are reflective Another key to the success of the to be an essential factor in the of a number of factors” Robinson SAEP is that its staff has a family- development of the student.” said. “The significant increase at oriented, one-on-one relationship As the director of the program, Southern Miss is largely due to the with every student-athlete outside Robinson works closely with a staff personal commitment of our staff to the realms of academics. of qualified academic counselors for our students. Our mission is not The transition to college is usu- each sport in overseeing the aca- solely to provide support services ally as difficult for the parents as it demic progress of all Southern Miss for student-athletes, but to make is for the student-athlete. To help student-athletes. sure those services are individual- ease the transition and the worries The Southern Miss SAEP depart- ized to meet the diverse a parent might have, a parent edu- ment has three academic educational, social and emotional cation program was developed in counselors, who make sure each needs of the students we serve. 2002. The educational seminar student athlete at Southern Miss While we are thrilled with the takes place during the official visit maintains his/her academic well increase, we also understand the weekend and enables the head being. reality of the numbers and the many coach and academic director an Stacy Breazeale is the academic factors not considered in the calcu- opportunity to meet with parents counselor for football. Lauren lation.” and guardians in an informal setting Hillman primarily works with men’s This past year, 114 Southern to present ideas and answer ques- and women’s basketball, volleyball, Miss student-athletes were named tions about the upcoming transition. softball and soccer. Jonas Taylor is to the Conference USA The seminar addresses such top- responsible for baseball, men’s and Commissioner’s Honor Roll for hav- ics as “Communicating With Your women’s golf, men’s and women’s ing a 3.0 or better cumulative grade College Student, “The Importance of tennis and track and field. Brenda point average. Of the 114, 28 were Continued Parent Involvement,” Mixon is the secretary. selected for the Commissioner’s “Drug and Alcohol Issues on College Thanks to the close working Academic Medal, displaying a 3.75 Campuses” and “High Risk relationship between the SAEP and cumulative grade point average. Behaviors in College.” the Southern Miss athletic depart- Southern Miss continues to be “The parent education compo- ment, a student-athlete can expect successful in the classroom, with nent of our official visits continues to gain a valuable academic experi- numerous Scholar Athlete of the to be well-received each recruiting ence that will allow him or her to be Year winners. In 2003-04, Southern season,” Robinson said. “It is com- productive members of society long Miss led Conference USA with three forting to the parents to know that after their Southern Miss playing Scholar Athlete of the Year winners, they are entrusting their students career is over.

STUDENT ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM STAFF

Tracy Robinson Stacy Breazeale Lauren Hillman Jonas Taylor Brenda Mixon Director of Student Services Director of SAEP Academic Counselor / Life Skills Academic Counselor / Life Skills Secretary

36 2006 Southern Miss Golf Conference USA

CONFERENCE USA: The membership changes have Women’s Basketball New Look, Same given C-USA the opportunity to play a • Consistently rated among the Commitment to Excellence pivotal role in the changing face of nation’s best Get to know Conference USA. We conference affiliations and have rein- conferences embrace a new era with fresh faces forced the league’s position in colle- • 38 NCAA Tournament appearances and a renewed commitment to excel- giate athletics for years to come. • 23 WNIT appearances lence and leadership in athletics, aca- “We are excited about our new • One team in the NCAA Sweet 16 demics and community involvement. membership and making structural • Two WNIT semifinalists C-USA begins a new chapter in improvements to Conference USA,” C- • Strong fan support, ranking among 2005-06 after celebrating 10 years of USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky the nation’s top 10 conferences in remarkable history. Six nationally said. “It is an opportunity for us to attendance prominent universities – Marshall, tighten our geography, group similar • Setting league attendance record for Rice, SMU, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP – join institutions together, create a division- three tradition-rich members – East Carolina, al model, and stage a football champi- straight seasons Houston, Memphis, Southern Miss, onship game. It will be very exciting to Tulane and UAB – to form the new look watch this league grow and develop.” Volleyball of the league. This combination further • 26 NCAA appearances enhances our men’s and women’s pro- Success on the Playing Field • Three Sweet 16 appearances in 1996, grams that are steeped in athletic suc- Conference USA performers have 1998 and 2004 cess and academic prowess. achieved great success in competition, • Has sent at least three teams to the All C-USA institutions sponsor placing the league among the top con- NCAA Championship five of the last Division I-A football, along with sev- ferences in the nation. seven years eral other men’s and women’s athletic • Five C-USA teams posting 20-win programs, many of which compete Men’s Basketball seasons for six of the last eight regularly for NCAA Championships. • Consistently rated as one of the top seasons C-USA sponsors competition in 19 basketball leagues in the country In addition, 29 men’s and women’s sports – nine for men (baseball, bas- • 68 postseason teams (38 NCAA and soccer teams, 23 baseball teams and ketball, cross country, football, golf, 30 NIT) 13 softball teams have earned NCAA soccer, tennis and indoor and outdoor • Strong fan support, drawing a nearly Tournament bids. C-USA has sent two track and field) and 10 for women 2 million fans each season men’s soccer teams to the Final Four, (basketball, cross country, golf, soft- • Among the nation’s best in home one baseball team to the College ball, soccer, swimming and diving, attendance World Series and four softball teams tennis, indoor and outdoor track and • Two Final Four teams to the Women’s College World Series. field and volleyball). • Four Elite Eight NCAA Tournament The league has also had three nation- C-USA, along with league adminis- teams al champions in NCAA track and field trators and coaches, maintains an • One NIT Champion competition, one national champion in unwavering commitment to the aca- • Four NIT semifinalists diving and numerous NCAA individual demic and athletic excellence of our and team competitors in cross country, member institutions. Football golf, swimming, tennis and track and The league sponsors numerous aca- • Began competition in 1996 field. Overall, Conference USA teams demic awards, including the • Rated among the top seven and individuals have made more than Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the conferences in the nation 350 NCAA appearances. Commissioner’s Academic Medal, • 27 teams have earned bowl bids indicative of outstanding achievement • Member of the Bowl Championship Success Off the Field in the classroom. C-USA annually Series C-USA institutions are among the awards six postgraduate scholarships, • Bowl ties-ins with the AutoZone nation’s best in academic perform- along with the Sport Academic Award, Liberty Bowl (champion), GMAC ance among student-athletes, bol- Scholar Athletes of the Year and the Bowl, Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl, stered by the fact that student-ath- Institutional Academic Excellence PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl and letes at league schools have a higher Award. the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl graduation rate than the general stu-

SouthernMiss.com 37 Conference USA dent population. Among C-USA’s ence has begun development of several Cincinnati, DePaul, Houston, 5,000 student-athletes, there are initiatives to maintain strong ties in C- Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, champions off the playing field as USA cities, as well as fans and alumni Saint Louis, Southern Miss, Tulane, well. In nine years, 78 student-ath- across the country. C-USA schools also UAB and USF. Eleven of the institu- letes earned national CoSIDA place a priority on giving back to their tions began athletic participation in Academic All-America honors, while communities through volunteer service 1995, while Houston joined competi- 216 were named All-District. In addi- with local and national organizations. tion in the fall of 1996. tion, more than 9,500 student-athletes The league’s headquarters were have been named to the Goverance established in Chicago and after nine Commissioner’s Honor Roll or received Along with the ACC, Big East, Big years, relocated to the current office in the Commissioner’s Academic Medal, Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC, Irving, Texas. Britton Banowsky was indicative of outstanding achievement Conference USA is one of the seven named Commissioner in October 2002, in the classroom. conferences having significant repre- succeeding Mike Slive, the league’s sentation in the NCAA governance first commissioner. C-USA On TV structure. The Presidents of the mem- C-USA added East Carolina C-USA enjoys significant television ber institutions serve as the league’s (September, 1996) and the United exposure through its partnerships with Board of Directors. Dr. Joseph Steger States Military Academy (March, 1997) ESPN Inc. and College Sports Television of Cincinnati served as the chair for the as football members. ECU began Networks (CSTV). The league entered first four years and was succeeded by league competition in 1997; Army in into a long-term agreement with CSTV, Dr. J.H. Woodward of Charlotte. In 1998 and UAB began football play in which provides C-USA with significant September 2003, Dr. Shirley Raines of 1999. The league added TCU and ECU national and regional exposure for foot- Memphis was named as the third chair. (1999) for all sports and they began ball, men’s and women’s basketball, competition in 2001. USF started C- and all other conference sports. A PROUD HISTORY; USA football in 2003. Additionally, the CSTV agreement A promising future Since its formation, C-USA has includes video-on-demand, Internet, Conference USA was formed in established a foundation, an identity broadband, national over-the-air and 1995 and quickly emerged as one of and a history that reflects the league’s satellite radio, and wireless distribution the nation’s top conferences. The national presence. C-USA celebrated as well as corporate marketing rights, conference unveiled its name, logo its 10th Anniversary during the 2004-05 and Web site production through CSTV and commissioner on April 24, 1995 season, marking a significant milestone Online, a subsidiary of CSTV. The in Chicago. The league’s charter for the league and setting the course agreement with ESPN extends the con- members included Charlotte, for the next decade and beyond. ference’s current regular season foot- CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION ball package to include the broadcast of the conference’s Football Championship Game, starting with the inaugural event in 2005. It also encom- passes distribution of men’s basketball and women’s basketball on Britton Brenda Alfred Judy Kelly ESPN/ESPN2 and both tournament Banowsky Weare White MacLeod Carney championship games. Commissioner Sr. Associate Associate Associate Associate Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

C-USA in the community The conference’s footprint is concen- trated with 12 members in nine states and a combined area population of nearly 17 million. More than 1.1 million living Russ Brad Chris Courtney alumni represent C-USA schools across Anderson Stricklin Woolard Morrison-Archer the nation. With a renewed commitment Assistant Assistant Assistant Director of Media Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Relations to community involvement, the confer-

38 2006 Southern Miss Golf Athletic Foundation

Athletic Foundation Board Back Row (from left): Krandall Howell, Holt McMullan, Dr. Christy Thornton, Bill Ward, Dick Simmons, Bob Mixon, Richard Johnston, Gene Carlisle, Dr. Doug Rouse, H.D. “Doc” Roberts, Paul H. “Bud” Holmes, David Rimes, Christi Holloway (Chief Financial Officer) Front Row (from left): Nick Welch, Larry Payne, Ginny Crawford, Dr. Wayne Adkison (Treasurer), Mike Landrum (Secretary), Mack Grubbs (President), Richard Giannini (Director of Athletics/Chief Executive Officer), Aubrey Collum (Vice President), Mickey Hudson, Bobby Dews, Paige Howell, Vic Roberts Not Pictured: John Deakle, Pat Ferlise, Robert “Toy” McLaughlin (President of Southern Miss Foundation), Dr. Dennis Phillips (Faculty Athletic Representative), Tim Ryan (Executive Director of Southern Miss Foundation), Herschel Shattles, Marvin Shemper, Don Smith, Dr. Shelby F. Thames (University President), Billy Walker

he mission of The University of scholarships totals $3.1 million The Eagle Club has already raised TSouthern Mississippi Eagle Club annually. Loyal alumni, parents, in excess of $1.7 million in 2005-06 is to provide deserving student-ath- faculty, staff, students and friends and continues to strive to meet its letes a means to obtain a quality of the University join the member- scholarship requirement of more than education while exhibiting their ath- ship of the Eagle Club in an effort $3 million. With Conference USA get- letic talents. The Eagle Club pro- to offset these costs. ting stronger each year, the Eagle vides its members the opportunity to This, in turn, allows the Depart- Club wants to give the Golden Eagles contribute to the success of the Uni- ment of Athletics to disburse its every opportunity to be successful on versity, both on and off the field of income to other needed areas, the field of competition. competition. which further enhances the success Athletics is an efficient avenue in Eagle Club members know they of Southern Miss as a whole. which to bring national attention to have done their part to enhance the The Eagle Club has been contribut- the University, and the Eagle Club is lives of students and to advance the ing to this effort for 19 years. During part of that effort at Southern Miss. interests of The University of South- that time, athletic scholarship recipi- All Eagle Club members know 100 ern Mississippi. More than 300 stu- ents have gone on to greatness in percent of their donation is going to dents in 16 different sports receive professional sports and in medicine, assist a deserving student-athlete. some type of benefit from athletic law, education, business, the arts, They also know that giving to the scholarships at Southern Miss. sciences and the humanities. Without University offers a sense of gratifica- In order to give these individu- the support of the Eagle Club mem- tion, knowing that they helped move als a chance to realize their bers, the education of more than Southern Miss in a positive direction. dreams, the scholarships must be 3,850 students over the last 19 years During the last eight years, athletic funded. The current cost for these would not have been possible. giving has grown tremendously. Total

SouthernMiss.com 39 Athletic Foundation giving has jumped from $750,000 to an tive the first three years and then For more information on the Eagle excess of $3 million annually. While Associate Director for a year, before Club, please write, call or e-mail the Eagle Club giving has more than dou- becoming the Executive Director in following: bled, the overall endowments have the fall of 2000. EAGLE CLUB grown as well, as the Eagle Club cur- Former Southern Miss standout The University of Southern rently has 69 endowments, valuing quarterback Reggie Collier serves Mississippi close to $3 million. as the Coordinator of Athletic 118 College Drive, #15458 The Eagle Club is an integral part Development and Community Rela- Hattiesburg, MS 39404 of the Southern Miss Department of tions, while Christi Holloway is the Athletics. The staff is headed by Chief Financial Officer for the Telephone: 601-266-5299 Richard Giannini, Director of Athletics Southern Miss Athletic Foundation. E-mail: [email protected] and Chairman and Chief Executive Vickie DeLancey, office manager, [email protected] Officer of the Southern Miss Athletic and Emily Lewis, office secretary, Foundation. He is assisted by Dick handle all the day-to-day adminis- Vogel, Executive Director of the Eagle trative functions. Club, who oversees all of the daily Additionally, graduate assistant operations and fund raising. Vogel is and former Southern Miss cheer- in his ninth year on the Eagle Club leader Rhian Bush helps with the staff, serving as a field representa- daily operation of the Eagle Club.

ATHLETIC FOUNDATION BOARD

Richard Giannini Dick Vogel Christi Holloway Director of Athletics/ Executive Director Chief Financial Officer Chairman and Chief of the Eagle Club Executive Officer of the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation

Reggie Collier Vickie DeLancey Emily Lewis Coordinator of Athletic Office Manager Office Secretary Development and Community Relations

40 2006 Southern Miss Golf