Posted on Friday, January 21, 2022
“It was a perfect night!”
That’s how Sam Cotton ’83 described Tuesday’s salute to the 1982-83 Georgia Independent College Association Men’s Basketball Championship Team.
Cotton, one of the team’s captains, helped organize the event.
“A bunch of us usually get together at Homecoming events and we noticed there wasn’t anything in Mariotti (Gym) about our championship season in 1982,” he said. “I mentioned it to (Men’s Basketball Coach) Kendal Wallace and he jumped right on it.”
While Cotton contacted teammates, Wallace met with Terlynn Olds, Director of Athletics and Recreation, and Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, to plan the ceremony.
Olds said she was immediately on board.
“I thought of how great it would be if I had a reunion with my old college teammates,” she said. “As the AD at LC, my goal is to move from ‘good to great.’ I believe that to do so, we must honor those who came before us. I have made it my mission to connect and bring back athletic alums as active members of the LC Panther Nation.”
Held during halftime of the men’s game, 18 players from the 1982 squad were celebrated for their accomplishments, with some members traveling from Florida and South Carolina to participate. Before the game, the athletes gathered to look over scrapbooks, yearbooks and memorabilia from their time on the Hill – and to catch up.
“Seeing everybody again was my favorite part of the night,” Cotton said. “We may have changed physically, but everyone still had the same personalities. It didn’t feel like 40 years had passed.”
Michael Fay ’86 of Miami, Florida, played forward and was a freshman when the team won its title. He said he was honored to be a part of the group.
“It was great to be on a winning team with winning and remarkable teammates,” he said. “We have a special bond that has lasted for over 40 years.”
That bond was evident Tuesday night, said Olds.
“It was amazing to see all those guys hug and high-five one another,” she said. “The laughs and smiles simply warmed my heart.”
The 1982-83 team was coached by Hugh Corless ’66, who was named GIAC and District 25 Coach of the Year. The assistant coach was Ricky Reeves and student assistant coaches were Ricky Reeves and Allen Hunt.
Team members were Ken Alexander, Mark Carter, Jeff Cotton, Sam Cotton, Michael Fay, Frank Hall, Mitch Hanson, Wayne Johnson, Ray Lail, Chip Lawson, Kim Lillie, Xavier Mann, Doug Mason, Paul Minter, Brian Sani, David Shealy, Carl Sills, Rick Smith, Fred White, Wayne Williams, Jerome Woodyard, Joe Page and Tim Reeve.
Jeff Cotton was an NAIA All-America second team selection. He was on the All-GIAC and All-District 25 teams, averaging 25.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game during the season. He scored a season-high 41 points in a 112-75 win over Edward Waters, making 20-of-26 shots in the game. Cotton had 27 of the team’s 36 dunks during the season.
Woodyard averaged 13.3 points per game and was named to the All-GIAC team. Sam Cotton averaged 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Alexander led the team with 125 assists, while averaging 10.9 points per game.
The Panthers had a 10-game winning streak during the season and were 12-2 in the GIAC. The team reached the finals of the NAIA District 25 tournament before losing to North Georgia in overtime, finishing the season 20-8.
Those accomplishments were applauded on Tuesday as the team was announced by Larry Thompson '85, the voice of the Panthers, and welcomed back to the floor of Mariotti. Each member received a framed team photo with a list of players who were on the championship squad.
Sam Cotton said words couldn’t express how he felt about the honor.
“LaGrange College went above and beyond to make it a special night for all of us,” he said. “I can never thank them enough.”
Don’t forget Monday’s 3D Journeys lecture at 10 a.m. at Callaway Auditorium on Dallis Street. Dr. Richard Soash, Assistant Professor of History, will discuss Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall. Please note the change in location.
Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, had his article “Simulations in an Alien Environment of COVID-19: The Role Practice Tests Play in Preparing for the Real Exam” published in the Winter 2022 edition of the Political Science Educator (pages 16-19).
Be sure to mark Oct. 7-9 on your calendars for Homecoming 2022. More details will be released this summer.
Lamar Dodd Art Center and LaGrange Art Museum will host the Fourth LaGrange Southeast Regional on Feb. 19-April 22. The Regional is a biannual juried competition open to artists over 18 years of age who live in the Southeastern United States. The categories are painting, prints, drawings, ceramics, sculpture, photography and mixed media. For more information, contact Marcia Brown at mbrown@lagrange.edu.
There are many ways to support students at LaGrange College – from giving to the LaGrange College Fund to donating stocks and bonds. Visit here to learn more.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
WEDNESDAY
Golden State University School of Law
11 a.m., Lewis Library room 317
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers (6-8, 1-0 USA South) edged Piedmont 66-62 on Tuesday in Mariotti Gym. Zac Hill had a game high 16 points, while Bershard Edwards added 15.
Women’s Basketball
LC (10-6, 5-2 USA South) beat Covenant 68-42 on Tuesday in Mariotti Gym. Megan English led the Panthers with a game high 13 points. Gracie Brunel and Breonna Glover each had 12.
CALENDAR
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Today (Friday)
Women’s Basketball at Brevard, 6 p.m., Brevard, North Carolina
Men’s Basketball at Covenant, 7 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday
Women’s Basketball at Piedmont, 2 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Sunday
Men’s Basketball vs. Maryville, 3 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Thursday
Men’s Basketball at Piedmont, 7 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
This month’s Inside LaGrange looks at the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars program, the Education Department’s move to new quarters, 2022 3D Journeys lectures and a special note from Development Director Mark Davis.
LaGrange College honors men’s basketball team 40 years later – Jan. 20, 2022, WRBL-TV, Columbus, Georgia
https://www.wrbl.com/top-stories/lagrange-college-honors-mens-basketball-team-40-years-later/
LaGrange College Nursing Department discusses challenges faced amid pandemic – Jan. 21, 2022, WRBL-TV, Columbus, Georgia
LaGrange College honors the championship team of 1982-83 – Jan. 21, 2022, BeeTV, LaGrange
https://www.facebook.com/100003318402163/posts/4893484010772164/?d=n
Category: Events, Students, College
Keywords: Basketball champions GICA
