NCAAF News. The win gave VSU its third Division II National title in eight years. The Blazers lost to Grand Valley State University 3124 in the 2002 NCAA Division II national championship. (); : In 2004, the Blazers returned to the National Championship, this time defeating Pittsburg State University 3631. [11] Dean left the Blazers to coach a single, unsuccessful year as co-offensive coordinator at FBS program Georgia Southern; both co-coordinators were fired after one year. In 2009 and 2011 the Blazers had 64 seasons and missed the Division II playoffs. A panel reviewed the nominees and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. In the Blazers first season, under the direction of Head Coach Jim Goodman, the team finished with a 551 record. Valdosta State University athletics has made great strides forward in the almost 10-plus years Herb Reinhard has been in charge of the 11-sport Division II program. The official 2023 Football schedule for the Delta State University Statesmen. VSC had its first winning season in 1986 with a 92 record led by All-American Jessie Tuggle. [25], The VSU Golf program began in 1984. In 2005 Sia Poyer took over as coach and in 2006 led the team to the Gulf South Conference Tournament for the first time since 2000.[27]. The stadium is shared with, A 5,355-seat, 105,600 square feet (9,810m. The Blazer baseball team plays at Billy Grant Field located on the Valdosta State North Campus. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. [26], Lady Blazer volleyball was restarted in 1995 after a 15-year hiatus. Bell was also the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators from 1984 through 1987. (); : 26th Annual Valdosta State Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Brunch Set for January . He is credited with being a part of the team that laid the foundation for the schools great history of winning. (); : Also in 1984, Cooper's team reached the NCAA Division II Final Four. The Blazers did not compete in the 2020 season and opted out of spring competition.[4]. W 36-21 : 1-0 (0-0) Sat, Sep 10: . [3] The Blazers also won the 2004 national championship with a 3631 win over Pittsburg State University. They were led by third-year head coach Gary Goff. [6] The Blazers also played for the national championship in 2004, 2007, and 2010. [2] A few months later in November, the conference announced that there will be no spring conference competition in football. To recognize the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program, the Blazers wore silver helmets and pants in 2006. Yevette Sparks led the Lady Blazers for the 2000 season and Kiley Hill took over in 2001. The official 2022 Football Roster for the Fort Valley State University Wildcats. The Blazers play in BazemoreHyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia, which has a capacity of 11,249. The 2004 Valdosta State Blazers football team was an American football team that represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2004 NCAA Division II football season. The Blazers then capped off the season with an eight-game winning streak and their second National Championship title win against Northwest Missouri State University, 2520. [30] Soccer was the 12th intercollegiate sport sponsored by Valdosta State, and the sixth women's team. ); The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The first baseball team at Valdosta State was formed in 1954 and had its first official season of intercollegiate competition in 1955. Mel Kiper Jr. projects all 31 first-round picks -- with three trades -- in April's draft . Valdosta State University, 1996. The Blazers competed for the 2021 NCAA Division II Football Championship Game against Ferris State. ); : Hatcher was also Valdosta State's head football coach from 20002006 and amassed a 6810 record with one national championship and four conference crowns during his six-year tenure at Valdosta State. Program (12 pages). The 2021 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. ); Copyright © 2018 Shorter University Athletics. [5] The Blazers also won the 2006 national title after defeating Lynn University 52 and finishing the season undefeated. [8] In 2011 the men's team became the first to win five consecutive GSC Championships in tennis.[9]. Matt Dunigan, former offensive coordinator at VSU and ex-CFL player and current TSN sports commentator Phone. J.H. Valdosta Daily Times. (); : Football Schedules and Miscellaneous Publications, Welcome to Archives & Special Collections, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, University Advising & Student Transitions, 2022 Valdosta State University A Comprehensive University of the University System of Georgia. The Blazers started the season ranked No. Valdosta State Blazers Roster. The Valdosta State Blazers are the athletic teams that represent the Valdosta State University, located in Valdosta, Georgia, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The courts were renovated during the 200001 season and again in 2008. Callaway spent five seasons at Samford, where he served as . The team has appeared in the NCAA Championship 11 times, and Briny Baird was the NCAA Champion in 1994 and 1995. Delta State University defeated the Blazers 3531, despite being down 28 points at the beginning of the second half. "Jersey Joe" Germano is listed as the school's all-time best runner, earning All-America honors in 1976 and 1977. The Football Collection includes one box of programs from 1982-1987, featuring the teams, the games, and news and highlights from the season. In 2004, Hatcher led the Blazers to their second National Championship appearance with and a 3631 win over Pittsburg State University for the National title. The Blazers also won the 2012 NCAA Division II National Football Championship beating Winston-Salem State University 35-7. After beginning the year unranked, the Blazers rose as high as No. The official 2022 Football Roster for the Fort Valley State University Wildcats. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 2023 NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper's first-round pick predictions. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. : Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week. Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 in the polls. [14] VSU's Morgan Johnson won the Gulf South Commissioner's Trophy, the highest honor bestowed by the Conference for the 201112 academic year following the Blazers national title. Signing Day 2023 and Football Schedule Announced, National Signing Day Press Conference This Wednesday at Chadwick-Dickson Fieldhouse, Three Statesmen Named First Team All-Super Region Two, Statesmen Football Season Comes To An End In NCAA Playoffs. During Goff's playing days he led the Blazers to their first ever championship in 1996. The season saw them playing four televised games on ESPN going 13 in those matchups. [21], Jim Yarbrough served as coach from 2001 to 2005. College football's 100 best games of 2019: 60-41. 1 in the nation in Division II for part of the 1996 season when they won their first Gulf South Conference championship. Football camp information and newsclippings covering the team complete the collection. Valdosta State University has had a football team since 1981. The golf course plays 7,781 yards long from the championship tees and features five sets of tees for professionals, men, women and juniors. Valdosta, Ga. Stadium: Bazemore-Hyder Stad. Skip To Main Content . Jane Williamson became the head coach in 1995. Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Skip . The Blazers played their home games at BazemoreHyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. Click here for COVID-19 and Social Distance Policies. In 1971 James Dominey became coach. In 1968, coach Jimmy Melvin took over with continued success at VSC. Based on online fan voting, Valdosta, Georgia was the winning city of TitleTown USA. : David Dean, current head football coach of UWG; won the NCAA Division II Football Championship in 2007 (his first year as coach), and 2012 with Valdosta State, and had a short-lived stint as co-offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern. The Lady Blazers basketball team began in 1975, although intramural women's basketball has been strong at VSC back to the 30s during its days as GSWC. In 1994 the Blazer won a school record 11 victories and Quarterback Chris Hatcher won the Harlon Hill Award as player of the year in NCAA Division II football. The Blazers also have won 9 Gulf South Conference football championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2021*). The stadium is also the home of the historical Valdosta High School Wildcats. The fenceline sits at 200 feet (61m) throughout the outfield, and the stands seat 500. Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, TEAM AND CHEERLEADING INSTRUCTIONS (CLICK HERE), https://www.ghsa.net/2022-2023-ghsa-class-a-division-ii-girls-state-basketball-championship-bracket, https://www.ghsa.net/2022-2023-ghsa-class-a-division-ii-boys-state-basketball-championship-bracket, Mt. Macera attended Valdosta State and was an assistant coach at VSU under Durante in the 1990s. Abstract: The positive reputation of Valdosta State University athletics has grown by leaps and bounds in the 12-plus years Herb Reinhard has been in charge of the 11-sport Division II program. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. In 2002 VSU made its first National Championship appearance with a 3124 loss to Grand Valley State University. In 1973 the Blazers upset three-time defending champions Kentucky State in the first round of the NAIA tournament. (). Whether it is sophomore Mark Dace, junior Terry Mallory or senior Doug . The "Hatch-Attack" completed its first season 102, and were Gulf South Conference Champions with an 81 conference record, a dramatic improvement from their previous 47 season. All three have the tools, the talent and the experience, and all three were instrumental in Blazer victories in 1984. As Valdosta State prepares to enter its third season of football, head coach Jim Goodman sees a defense that has reached the point of competitiveness in the Gulf South Conference and an offense which is still young and inexperienced. Blazers . During Worth's tenure, the Lady Blazers were the GAIAW Division I Champions in 1977 and 1978, GAIAW Division I Runner-up in 1976 and 1979, and AIAW South Regional Champion in 1978 and 1979. Kerwin Bell, former Florida Gator quarterback, led the Valdosta State team that won the 2018 Division II National Championship. Valdosta State University: 4: Darius Douglas: QB: 6-1: 212: Sr. Moncks Corner, Sc / Berkeley HS: Charleston Southern : 5: Tim Alderman: DE: 6-3: 230: So. The VSC/VSU Football program began in 1982, and its first coach was Jim Goodman. The stadium is also the home of the historical Valdosta High School Wildcats. Other coaches include Mike Cavan, Hal Mumme, and Mike Kelly. ); : Callaway joined the Gators in 2022 after spending the 2021 season with the New York Giants, serving as an offensive assistant, and the 2020 season as a senior offensive assistant and analyst at LSU. The Blazers played their home games at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia . The official 2022 Football Roster for the University of West Georgia Wolves. [8] In 2010, the VSU team tied with Delta State and Henderson State for the Gulf South Conference Championship,[9] the only one in Dean's five years as head coach. President Hugh Bailey brought Football to VSC early in his tenure, and has been very active in supporting it. The first coach was Walter Cottingham, and the college was first a member of the Georgia Conference. [12] David Dean is the only football coach in Valdosta State history to win two national championships. The Blazers won the 2018 NCAA Division II National Football Championship beating the Ferris State Bulldogs 49-47. The Valdosta state football program began in 1981 and has been led by eight head coaches. Mumme took over as head coach at Valdosta State University in 1992. 17. The Valdosta State Lady Blazers won the 2012 NCAA Division II softball championship, the first in VSU and Gulf South Conference history, beating UC San Diego 41. The Paul Finebaum Show Hour 3: Chris Hatcher, Samford Head Coach Chris Hatcher joins the show to talk about his time as a QB for Valdosta State under Mike Leach, 45 minority coaches under 45 to watch for future Division I head-coaching jobs, Arizona Cardinals NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection, College football's 100 best games of 2019: 60-41, Valdosta St. edges Ferris for 4th Division II title, Ferris State fails to tie it up late with 2-point conversion, Valdosta State gifts TD to Ferris State after tip, Valdosta St. QB lofts one to back of end zone for TD, Valdosta St. WR makes diving catch for TD. The VSC/VSU Football program began in 1982, and its first coach was Jim Goodman. Visit ESPN to view the Valdosta State Blazers team schedule for the current and previous seasons. 25 Feb/23. The home of Valdosta State golf and the Southeastern Collegiate, Kinderlou Forest is located just minutes away from the VSU campus. Reinhard joined the Valdosta State athletic family in December 1991, coming from Florida A&M University where he was assistant athletic director in charge of marketing and promotions. Full Schedule. [6] This was the third straight championship appearance by the Bearcats, also the third straight time the Bearcats have lost the National Championship game. The Blazers have primarily competed in the Gulf South Conference since the 198182 academic year. Box Score; Livingston, AL. Redshirt Freshman Valdosta, GA Lowndes County. footballmail@gators.ufl.edu. During his tenure the Rebels placed first in the conference multiple times and Colson holds the highest winning percentage of any Valdosta State basketball coach at .707. The Blazers played their home games at BazemoreHyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. In 2011, following the men's team winning their second national championship, an additional 4 courts were added to the south end of the complex. The Blazers had consecutive NCAA National finishes of 17th (1975), 8th (1976 and 1977), prior to grabbing third place in the 1978 Nationals, going 503 on the year. Related Collections:Information about the founding of the team can be found in the Hugh Bailey Papers and the Joan Bailey collection. Tommy Thomas, became coach in 1967 and served as coach until 2007. Consistency is the key. The Blazers are a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in NCAA Division II. [13] Bell was formerly the head coach for the Jacksonville Dolphins, prior to joining Valdosta State. While at Valdosta State, Taylor played under head coaches Chris Hatcher and David Dean. ); The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. [5] That year the Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time in the Chris Hatcher Era, despite an 82 record and a top-ten ranking. The Blazers hosted GSC foes Delta State, North Greenville, Shorter, and West Georgia, and traveled to Florida Tech, Mississippi College, West Alabama, and West Florida. For the 2006 Season the Blazers wore silver helmets to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program. Macera also won the GSC Coach of the Year in 2007 and the South Region Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2012.[20]. Hatcher was also Valdosta State's head football coach from 20002006 and amassed a 6810 record with one national championship and four conference crowns during his six-year tenure at Valdosta State.[4].