Words by Joel Hagood | Images by Ryan McGill
When I stepped into the role of president at Bevill State, I was greeted with a resounding question: “Will athletics be a priority at the College?” And today, I am thrilled to affirm that the answer is a resounding YES! From facilities to instructional programming, community engagement to workforce development, Bevill State has dedicated itself to comprehensive improvement, and our athletic department is no exception.
We have assembled an extraordinary team of coaches to guide our athletes toward success:
- Coach Chris Harris is our newly appointed, full-time Athletic Director for the College and our softball coach.
- Coley Blakeney is the baseball coach.
- Eli Matthews is coaching our tennis program.
- Charlotte Beasley is the volleyball coach.
- Billy Conner will be starting his first season as our basketball coach.
Already, our tennis program has made remarkable strides. The 2021-2022 season marked the inauguration of tennis at Bevill State. This year, the Bevill State Tennis men’s team traveled to Texas to compete for the NJCAA Men’s Tennis National Title. Such early triumphs lay the foundation for even greater achievements to come.
In 2022, Bevill State brought back cheerleading, sponsored by Danielle Cohoon, to support the basketball program, provide excitement, and enhance the collegiate atmosphere at our home basketball games at Glen Clem Gymnasium.
Bevill State Softball made huge strides during the 2022-2023 season, winning 30 games. Katie Puckett smashed an astonishing 17 home runs, which led the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) for most of the season. Meanwhile, Santana Clark led our conference and the entire nation in stolen bases, showcasing her remarkable speed and agility. These extraordinary achievements led to both ladies earning well-deserved spots on the second-team All-ACCC.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of our incredible communities. The Fayette Area Community Foundation and the Bevill Foundation in Fayette bolstered our athletic programs through scholarships and various means of financial assistance. Furthermore, they have been instrumental in constructing a new grandstand for our baseball program. The City of Jasper went the extra mile by resurfacing our tennis courts. The City of Sumiton provided a new field with lighting for use by the Bevill State Softball team. The value of our athletic programs to the communities we serve is undeniable, and we are immensely grateful for their support.
More exciting announcements about Bevill State Athletics are on the horizon, so stay tuned! Please come out and support the Bears for the 2023-2024 seasons. Go Bears! WL
For more on Bevill State athletics, please visit https://www.athletics.bscc.edu/
