February 13, 2013
Hello Lions,
We have had a great kickoff to 2013! I cannot think of a better way to start the first six weeks of a new year than how Paine College Athletics did this year.
First, we opened the New Year with the January 4, HEAL Complex Grand Opening Reception & Tour. Thanks to a tireless and supportive HEAL Dedication Committee, chaired by alumnus Dr. Roscoe Williams. That event was a tremendous success. Over 250 people attended the long-awaited opening of the HEAL Complex, with a night to remember. Those who experienced the succulent dinner provided by “Old School” catering, could not stop raving about the fare. Following the dinner, there was a brief ceremony, which included Dr. George Bradley, President of Paine College, Dr. Luther Felder, Campus Pastor, Associate Athletic Director, Selina Kohn and yours truly making remarks. The Paine College male chorus entertained us prior to the introduction of the keynote speaker, Bishop Charles Lakey. His message of the three key buildings on the College’s Campus, Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel, Collins-Callaway Library and the HEAL Complex, resonated extremely well with the audience. Finally, the event culminated with a tour of the facility. Guests were able to enjoy a self-guided stroll through the edifice. Members of Paine College’s Athletics teams were the tour guides and explained the various features of the HEAL Complex.
The celebration continued the following day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With the HEAL Complex being a true public-private partnership, there were over 20 dignitaries involved in the ceremony highlighted by Richmond County Mayor, Deke Copenhaver, Dr. George Bradley, Rick Allen of R.W. Allen, the building’s general contractor, Sharon Doanes-Bergin, President of the National Alumni Association, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Silas Norman, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Commissioner, Greg Moore and former County Commissioners Betty Beard and Calvin Holland, who were heavily involved with the origins of the partnership.
I am most proud of the fact that the building was christened with wins by both our women’s and men’s basketball teams against SIAC Conference for, Stillman College. The women’s team won 64-44 and the final score of the men’s game was 96-90. Congratulations to Coaches Willie Adams, women’s basketball and Jimmy Link, men’s basketball, who will go down in history as the first coaches to win in the renovated facility.
Last weekend, we celebrated what has been widely acknowledged as the best Homecoming in school history. Each event was great in its own right; however, in my humble opinion, the basketball games against Albany State University were the weekend’s main course. Once again, our coaches and student-athletes responded by winning both games. The women’s team played an overtime thriller as the top two SIAC Conference scorers lit up the scoreboard with an array of creative and timely shots. Paine College’s Ashley Watts, thrilled the capacity crowd with 35 points in the 89-84 win. The men’s team avenged an earlier loss to the Rams with a 71-62 win. The sellout crowd was able to enjoy the remainder of their Homecoming Weekend with a feeling of pride in their Alma Mater’s basketball teams.
We look forward to the remainder of 2013. The SIAC Basketball Championships is the week of February 25-March 2 and Forbes Arena on the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. We invite you to attend these games in support of your teams. Both teams have legitimate shots at making it to the championship games and need your support to do so. Please contact us at (706) 821-8428 to find out how you can purchase tickets to attend this wonderful event and cheer on your Lions.
Finally, our spring sports are getting underway as baseball, softball, men’s golf, and the track and field teams start their seasons. Those students want and need your support, so please go to
www.paineathletics.com to see their schedules. We would love to have you in attendance.
Thank you for your tremendous support of Paine College Athletics. As I mentioned, we have had a great start to 2013 and I hope you have as well. I am excited to see how the remainder of this year plays out and am prayerful that it will continue to provide great health and good fortune for all members of the Lion Family. I look forward to seeing you next time and will be in touch with you again very soon.
Go Lions!
Tim Duncan
Director of Athletics
