FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

SGC’s Jody Bethune Signs with VSU Lady Blazers

Jody Bethune, a sophomore midfielder with the South Georgia College Lady Tigers, will finish her playing career with the Valdosta State Lady Blazers. Earlier this month, Bethune signed with VSU, which will field its first-ever women’s soccer team in the 2011 season.

Bethune came to SGC from Jamaica, where she was playing with the Waterhouse Football Club and the Jamaican national team. Her club coach in Jamaica knew South Georgia was looking for women’s soccer players and told Bethune there was an opportunity for her in the U.S. if she was interested. Bethune said she was, and she and her coach started the process to enroll at SGC.

Her two years at SGC have been very productive. In 13 games during the 2009 season, Bethune had seven goals, three assists and 17 total points. In 17 games this year, she recorded seven goals, one assist and 15 points. Several other schools were looking at Bethune but she ultimately decided to go to VSU. The Lady Blazers made Bethune a very generous offer, and she felt very good about being a member of the first VSU women’s soccer team. “I thought it would be fun to help start the program. VSU has a good coach and it’s a good school. I’ve heard a lot of good things about VSU,” says Bethune.

“I had the opportunity to watch Jody play in several games this past fall and noticed immediately her confidence, smartness and presence on the field. As we start this new program at VSU, we know it will take talented players who can make an immediate impact for us to be very strong in each game. I am excited Jody decided on us at VSU and I am looking forward to coaching such an elite player,” says Melissa Heinz, head women’s soccer coach at VSU.

“Jody has grown so much over the past two and half years as a player, student, and as a person. Jody will do well at VSU. Her game has come a long way and she will make an impact for them. I am very happy for Jody. She has really improved in her academics to get to the next level,” says SGC head coach Ken Kirsch.
Bethune will major in pre-allied health at VSU. She hopes to become a physical therapist and remain in the U.S. to pursue her career.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is an accredited two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.