Golf and fellowship were the main priority in Tuesday’s DeltaState Alumni/Coaches Tournament at the Wolf Hollow Golf Club andthe DSU Southwest Alumni Chapter meeting that followed last night.Area high school coaches teamed with DSU coaches, alumni andfriends for an 18-hole scramble.

On a rain-soaked course, the team of Jarred Glass, GrantMcDonnieal, Jim Irvin and Austin Mills combined talents to win thescramble with a 14-under par 58. Runner-up was the team of DavidSmith, Brinson Wall, Albert Hennington and Trevor Brister at 59.Placing third at 12-under 60 was the team of Johnny Monroe, TravisChamblee and Kevin Neilson.

Thirteen teams participated in the scramble.

At the alumni meeting last night at the Brookhaven Parks &Recreation Department headquarters, over 60 alums and friendsgathered. They enjoyed fellowship and food provided by Bowie’sSmokehouse.

Outgoing alumni chapter president Dr. Bob Watson welcomed thecrowd. Les Bumgarner is the new president and Mike Wimberly is vicepresident. Sandi Ray is secretary/treasurer.

Watson said the chapter planned to make the golf tournament anannual event. It gave DSU coaches and opportunity to learn moreabout coaches and prospective players in southwest Mississippi.

Bradley Smith of Wesson, a 1971 DSU graduate and a formernational alumni president, was presented the Hansel King ServiceAward by Watson.

DSU Alumni Director Vicki Fiorelli expressed gratitude for theefforts made by the local chapter to promote Delta State. Sheintroduced DSU educators and administrators who were present forthe meeting.

Jeremy McClain, DSU’s new athletic director, also thanked thechapter for hosting the golf tournament. Each DSU coach was giventhe opportunity to introduce themselves.

Ron Roberts, DSU’s new head football coach, promised an excitingseason in 2007. The Statesmen are fresh from reaching thesemifinals of the NCAA Division II national playoffs.

“We lost (quarterback) Scott Eyster but we have a lot ofstarters returning on both sides of the football,” said Roberts.”We have two quarterbacks who have shown a lot of potential.”

Brett Hyatt, a transfer from Jones County Junior College, is oneof the top prospects at quarterback.,

“We want to get more players from this area,” said Roberts.

McClain encouraged the alumni to be in Jackson Sept. 1, whenthey Statesmen play the Jackson State University Tigers inMississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. “People talk about the largecrowd of Jackson State fans who will be there. We want a big crowddressed in green to be there, too.”

Delta State men’s basketball coach Jason Conner led theStatesmen to the playoffs last season. He must replace fivestarters, including standout guard Jeremy Richardson who recentlysigned a 2-year contract with the Miami Heat. Richardson, fromBaton Rouge, played two years for Coach Dennis Sims atCopiah-Lincoln Community College.

Watson praised the efforts made by the late Doug Sullivan ofBrookhaven in establishing the Delta State Sports Network.Sullivan, a former mayor and coach in Brookhaven, was instrumentalin getting DSU football, baseball and basketball broadcasts onlocal radio.

“Doug was excited about this alumni meeting more than anybody,”said Watson. “It was a tragic day for Delta State when Doug passedaway last week.”

Watson said a scholarship, sponsored by the southwest chapter,has been established in Sullivan’s honor.