FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 5, 2012

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

Coach Perkins Gathers With Former Basketball Players at SGC

At the annual Coach Scott Perkins Reunion at South Georgia College, which took place recently on the SGC campus, Coach Perkins’s players presented the college and the SGC Foundation with a special gift, relived a little basketball glory in the gym and reminisced about days gone by with their fellow players and former coach.

The weekend-long event kicked off Friday night with a cookout at the Clower Center, then continued with a brunch on Saturday morning, a free throw contest that afternoon, and wrapped up with a banquet Saturday evening inside the Peterson Hall Art Gallery. Joe Somoza, who played for Coach Perkins from 1964-1966, won the free throw competition.

During the Saturday evening banquet, Dr. Carson shared some highlights from the past academic year with the group as well as provided updates on several key projects. She also took the opportunity to re-present Coach Perkins with his plaque commemorating his induction into the SGC Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Perkins, along with nine other inductees, had been enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Thursday, May 31. Many of his players, however, were not able to attend the induction ceremony. Coach Perkins received a standing ovation from the audience of alumni and family to mark this momentous occasion.

Mr. Earl Bagley, a 1960-1963 alumnus who now lives in LaGrange, made a few remarks and paid tribute to Coach Perkins for the many ways he touched his life and how he is a better person because of Coach. Afterwards, the players presented the final installment for an endowed scholarship in Coach Perkins’s name to Dr. Virginia Carson and Walda Kight, SGC Vice President for External Affairs.

“I thoroughly enjoy each and every one of our reunions, and it truly warms my heart to see the relationships these players still have with one another and with Coach Perkins. For these alumni and former coaches to take the time to return to campus and give back in such a positive way shows the impact this institution had on them so many years ago. Through their generosity and support, they are ensuring that this college continues to make the same kind of impact on the next generation of students. We are grateful beyond words,” says Dr. Carson.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is 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.