19th Annual Celebrity Classic to Benefit The Children's Hospital

Mark Ballard - artist, designer, author, columnist, entertainer, television personality - is a true modern-day Renaissance man. He combines his artistic talent and wonderful sense of humor to entertain audiences at over 125 speaking engagements annually and on television and the internet. Mark has appeared on regional television for over 10 years and has been featured on programs on the Travel Channel, the Do-It-Yourself Network and Georgia Public Television and currently on his own website - www.markballard.com - and on www.macon.com.

Mark is an artist first. His paintings hang in private and public collections all over the United States and abroad. In recent years, his paintings have been reproduced as prints, note cards, and collectible porcelain plates. His columns appear weekly in the Macon Telegraph and in every issue of Macon Magazine. Mark has published 5 books - 4 cookbooks and 1 short story book - which is also available as an audio book.

Mark also puts in numerous hours to benefit local art, charity and community organizations. He and wife Debra have been married for 27 years and have two adult children, Courtney and Blake, who live in Atlanta.

Dan Bouchard - A resident of Marietta, GA, Bouchard played professional hockey for 16 years. He began his career with the NHL in 1970 when he was picked up by the Boston Bruins in the Amateur Draft. Two years later, Bouchard joined the Atlanta Flames in the expansion draft. He remained in Georgia until the franchise transferred to Calgary in 1980. Bouchard also played for the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets. During his career, Bouchard played 655 games, winning 286. As part of Team Canada, Dan won the Canada Cup in 1976 and in 1978 won the World Tournament.

Nanci Bowen - Nanci is a native of Tifton, Georgia and currently is the Director of Athletics at Wesleyan College in Macon. Nanci attended the University of Georgia where as a member of the golf team, she was a two time All American. As an amateur, Nanci qualified for 5 U.S. Opens and was a U.S. Women's Amateur Championship semi-finalist. After graduating from UGA in 1989, Nanci joined the LPGA Tour. Her LPGA career spanned 16 years and included a major championship title, the 1995 Nabisco Dinah Shore and 6 U.S. Opens. While a member of the LPGA, Nanci served on the LPGA Tour Player Executive Committee that included a term as vice-president in 2001. Nanci has hosted her own golf tournament, the Nanci Bowen Charity Event that has raised over $300,000 to benefit hospice and oncology services.

Dave Bristol - Maconite, Bristol served as a Major League Baseball manager in the 1960s and 1970s. He managed the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants during this period. He became a playing manager in the Cincinnati farm system at the age of 24. Seven years later at the age of 31, he was managing the Reds' top farm team, the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League, where he won a pennant. In 1966, Bristol was named to the Reds' coaching staff and when the team performed badly under rookie skipper Don Heffner, Bristol took over the club as manager. At 33, he was the youngest pilot in the major leagues. Bristol guided the Reds through 3 ½ winning seasons before his departure in 1969. Cincinnati (298-265, .529) represented the highwater mark of Bristol's managing career. In addition to his rookie MLB season with Cincinnati, Bristol also served as the third-base coach of the Montreal Expos, Braves, Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and a second term with the Reds.

John Castellanos - Castellanos, who portrays attorney John Silva on The Young and the Restless, joined the cast in May 1989. His previous television credits include guest-starring roles on Hard Copy, Miami Vice, Babylon 5, and Teen Angel. Castellanos also appeared in the feature film K-9 and in numerous theater productions including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Love's Labor's Lost, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, and Les Liaison's Dangereuses. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rhonda Freedman, supervising producer of The Bold and the Beautiful. He enjoys playing tennis and golf, traveling, woodwork, writing and storytelling. Castellanos also is active with a number of charitable organizations.

Thad Daber - Four-time "World One Club Champion," Daber also holds the Guinness World Record for the lowest score in a round of golf played using only one club. Using a six-iron, he shot a sensational two-under-par 70. His professional golf career has afforded him three professional tournament victories and has taken him to the PGA tours in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.

Kevin Dawson - Featured golf magician. Dawson travels the United States performing his show for the most exclusive events.

Mark DeCarlo - Celebrity Classic Weekend veteran, Mark DeCarlo reached fame status as Hugh Neutron in Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. In fact, The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators is in post-production now and is set to release this summer. He's also guest starred on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Matlock, Tracey Takes On, and feature films including Raising Helen and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. DeCarlo currently enjoys the spotlight as the acclaimed host of the Travel Channel's Taste of America.

Preston Dennard - For eight years, Dennard was a top-rated National Football League wide receiver. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Pro, and numerous other magazines. Dennard has proven his athletic talents professionally as a veteran with the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and the Green Bay Packers. He was named Most Outstanding Receiver and twice nominated NFL Man of the Year.

Vince Ferragamo - Vince Ferragamo started his collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, but transferred to the powerhouse Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1974. Starting out at Cal, Ferragamo became one of only three quarterbacks from Cal and the only quarterback from Nebraska to start in a Super Bowl. Ferragamo was an All-American and established himself as one of Nebraska's premier quarterbacks, going on to the LA Rams in 1977. Though he spent time with the Montreal Alouettes, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers, Ferragamo's greatest years were with the Los Angeles Rams. Now a resident of Anaheim, California, Ferragamo owns and operates Touchdown Real Estate and End Zone Mortgage Companies. He remains active in football by doing color commentary for NFL preseason games and local high schools. He is a leader in the community, hosting charitable events including a celebrity golf tournament that generates funds for children's charities.

Brian Finneran - Finneran began his football career at Santa Margarita High School in California where he played wide-receiver alongside his twin brother, Brad. Both went on to play wide-receiver at Villanova. Finneran launched his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 after a strong showing in NFL Europe with the Barcelona Dragons. After being waived by the Eagles in the fall of 1999, the Atlanta Falcons signed Finneran two months later. He emerged as a solid receiver with big-play ability in his second season for the Falcons in 2001, leading the team with a 21.3 yards per catch average. During his Falcons career, 145 of his 208 receptions have been for a first down or touchdown. When Finneran isn't on the field, he's active in the community. He serves as the official spokesperson for SafeKids, a helmet safety program. (His brother-in-law suffered a major head injury from a skateboard crash without wearing a helmet.) He also participates in the Empty Stocking Fund and Falcons' Ball Boy Mentoring Program.

George Foster - This Macon, GA native and former Georgia Bulldog was the first-round draft selection (20th overall) of the Denver Broncos in the 2003 NFL Draft. As a Bulldog, Foster played in 43 career games, making 10 starts. Regarded as the Bulldogs' best combination blocker (pass/rush), the two-year starter provided valuable leadership and depth to the offensive line with his ability to play either tackle position. In 2004, Foster started all 16 games for the Broncos at right tackle and did not miss an offensive snap on a line that set a franchise record by allowing only 15 sacks, shattering the previous best of 22 sacks set in 1971, to rank third in the NFL. In 2007, Foster was traded to the Detroit Lions after four seasons with the Broncos in which he established himself a key player.

Tony Gilbert - Born and raised in Macon, GA and a graduate of Central High School, Gilbert played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1998 to 2002. As a senior, he earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors and started every game at middle linebacker. He tied for the team lead with a career-high 114 tackles. Gilbert was signed by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2003 Draft, but later picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played through the 2007 season. Gilbert signed with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2008 season where he was reunited with Falcons head coach Mike Smith, the defensive coordinator during Gilbert's time with Jacksonville. Gilbert has resigned with the Falcons for the 2009 season.

John Gilliam - An 11 year NFL veteran, this wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings scored 55 touchdowns and appeared in two Super Bowls. John played in the Pro Bowl four consecutive years from 1972 to 1975 and has been elected to the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the Vikings Hall of Fame.

Adrian Gnam - Adrian Gnam has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Macon Symphony Orchestra since 1983. A versatile musician, Maestro Gnam has conducted symphonic, opera, ballet, choral, pops and young people's concerts. He is also the recipient of the National Federation of Music Clubs President's Award. He is a former President of the Conductors Guild (1995-97) and is on the Board of Directors of Macon's Grand Opera House and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

David Greene - Former UGA quarterback, David Greene, holds the rare distinction of being the only passer in Georgia history to start every game during his four-year career. He led the Bulldogs to a 42-10 record, three straight seasons of 10-or-more wins, four straight bowl games, three-straight national top six finishes, two SEC Eastern Division titles (2002 and 2003) and the 2002 SEC Championship. Greene's personal player triumphs include eclipsing Peyton Manning's record of 39 NCAA Division 1-A wins with his own 42 career victories and finishing his collegiate competition with and SEC-record 11,270 yards of total offense, surpassing Manning once again. In 2005, Greene was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd round. Greene spent time with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianaoplis Colts before retiring at the end of the 2008 NFL season.

Charlie Harrison - One of Georgia's most celebrated amateur golfers, Charlie won the Southern Amateur in 1955 and the Georgia State Amateur in 1959. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur sixteen times, was a quarter finalist in 1959, and finished fifth in 1972. He has played in the Masters twice.

Chris Hatcher - Macon, GA native Chris Hatcher currently serves as head coach for Georgia Southern University's Eagles. Before taking the position with GSU, Hatcher served as head coach for his alma mater, Valdosta State University for seven years. The coach with the most wins in Blazers' history, Hatcher was 76-12 at Valdosta State. When he took over as head coach in 2000, he wasted no time molding the Valdosta State program into the ‘Hatch Attack.' In that first year, he took a 4-7 squad the previous year and turned it around to a 10-2 record (8-1 in GFC action) and berth in the Division II playoffs. His 2001 and 2002 teams posted back-to-back undefeated records during the regular season, part of a Gulf South Conference record 35 straight victories during the regular season. During the 2004 championship season, the Blazers lost their season-opener before rattling off 14 consecutive victories, capped by a 36-31 victory over Pittsburg State in the title game. Hatcher was named ‘National Coach of the Year' by the American Football Coaches Association and was the offensive coordinator for the East squad at the Hula Bowl. In 2005, Valdosta opened the season ranked No. 1 for four straight weeks and saw the season culminate with a sixth-straight NCAA postseason appearance. He has received no less than 14 ‘Coach of the Year' awards from various organizations since 2000. He and wife Lori, also a VSU graduate, are the parents of a son, Ty and a daughter, Talley Ann.

George "Bunky" Henry - Henry is a long-time PGA Tour professional golfer and tournament winner. His honors include Winner of the 1969 PGA Tour National Airlines Open and an NCAA First Team All American in 1967 while at Georgia Tech. Henry also has been inducted into Georgia Tech's Sports Hall of Fame. Today, Henry works with Reynolds Plantation as an independent golf teaching professional.

Kent Hill - A native of Americus, Georgia, Hill was a first round draft choice from Georgia Tech to the Los Angeles Rams. He was named "Rookie of the Year" for the Rams and is a five-time Pro Bowl performer. Hill was named to both the Rams and Georgia Tech's All-Time Teams. During his pro career, he founded the Kent Hill Foundation to support a youth development program in Americus. That program is still active. In 2001, Hill was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and in 2006 into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame. He now lives in Atlanta and is a managing partner in Kent's Country Cookies. Hill also serves as a project director, facilitator, and speaker for The Pacific Institute.

Bob Hoffman - Bob is the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Mercer University. A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Hoffman has been successful at all levels and boasts a proven track record from high school through the professional ranks. His overall record as a head coach at the collegiate level is 400-170. When his Mercer team takes the court, he will rank among the top 20 active collegiate coaches in winning percentage. Hoffman came to the Bears after serving as head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a NBA Developmental League franchise, and guided the American Basketball Association's Arkansas Aeros to a 25-2 record in 2006-07. The Aeros led the league in scoring, averaging 133 points per game in Hoffman's up-tempo style of basketball.

Prior to coaching the Aeros, Hoffman served for two years as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma, where the Sooners recruited a class ranked in the top five nationally. Hoffman helped guide the Sooners to the first Big 12 championship in school history en route to a two-year record of 45-17 and back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2004-05 and 2005-06. He brings a wealth of additional experience to the position, having served as head coach at the University of Texas Pan American from 1999-2004, compiling a 69-76 record at the NCAA Division I school. The highlight of Hoffman's stint with the Broncs was a 21-9 record during the 2001-02 season. Hoffman guided UTPA to 12 wins in his first season, which was more than the previous three seasons combined, and posted the school's best record since the 1993-94 campaign. In 2001-2002, Texas Pan-Am had its first winning season since 1993-94, earned their first tournament victory since 1989-90, and recorded the most home wins in eight seasons. The Broncs were ratedfor the first time ever in theCollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll and Hoffman earned National Independent Coach of the Year honors by CollegeInsider.com.

As the head women's basketball coach at Southern Nazarene, Hoffman took a team that had never posted a winning season and won the 1989 NAIA National Championship in just his second season with the team. In three seasons at the helm of the Crimson Storm, he compiled an 88-16 record and was named Sooner Athletic Conference, District 9 and NAIA Coach of the Year. Building on his success at Southern Nazarene, Hoffman took the reins of the men's program at his alma mater, Oklahoma Baptist, in 1990 and three seasons later guided the Bison to a 34-4 record and berth in the NAIA national championship game. Hoffman was named National Coach of the Year by Basketball Times and also earned Sooner Athletic Conference and District 9 Coach of the Year honors for his efforts. He went on to a record of 243-78 and a winning percentage of .757 in nine seasons at OBU, earning six trips to the NAIA Tournament and making two trips to the championship contest. He coached 10 All-Americans and 21 All-Conference selections during his tenure with the Bison. Hoffman was named Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times. During his nine years at OBU, Hoffman's teams averaged more than 90 points per game and led the NAIA in field goal percentage seven times. His commitment to academic is just as strong, boasting a player graduation rate of 82 percent. A standout guard and forward and a 1979 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist, Hoffman is one of just 30 players to score at least 1,000 points in his OBU career. Hoffman is married to the former Kelli Lumry. The couple has a son, Grant.

Gary Hudson - Hudson, a Virginia native, has been in the acting profession for over 25 years, producing a large body of work that includes producing and directing, as well as acting. His more recent credits consist of the television series Smallville and the feature film Two for the Money. Hudson also appears regularly on the Lifetime network in such films as The Mary Kay Letourneau Story and A Lover's Revenge. Other film credits include Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze and After Alice with Keifer Sutherland.

Leroy Irvin - The Augusta, Ga. native made a statement his freshman year by becoming the only Kansas University freshman that year to earn a starting spot. In that first start, which came in the seventh game of the year against Kansas State, he responded with an interception. As a sophomore, he added two more interceptions and led the team in tackles with 106 including 15 against UCLA. His junior season he recorded 127 tackles, which is the best-ever for a defensive back at KU. During that 127-tackle season, he had two 17-tackle games. Following his playing career at Kansas, Irvin was a third-round draft selection by the Los Angeles Rams where he played until 1989. His career highlights include one All-Pro Season at PR in 1982, two Pro Bowl Seasons at CB, three All-Pro Seasons at CB, three All NFC Seasons at CB, "Player of the Week" at CB position in 1985 (week 6), and the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award in 1985. Irvin now resides in Anaheim, Ca., runs a football summer camp for boys and girls, and gives personal training to those interested in football as a profession.

Angela Jerman - Angela is currently playing the LPGA Tour where she has been a member since 2003. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and an avid Bulldawg fan. Angela's golf career has spanned junior, college, amateur and professional ranks. Career highlights for Angela include: member of 2001 NCAA Championship team at UGA, 2002 SEC Golfer of the Year, member of USGA Curtis Cup team, Low Amateur 2002 USGA Women's Open, 4-time All-SEC selection, First team All-American and 3-time AJGA Rolex Junior All-American. When not on tour, Angela lives in LaGrange, Georgia.

Travis Jones - In February 2008, Jones joined the staff of the New Orleans Saints and currently serves as assistant defensive line coach. This move comes after having spent two years as the defensive ends coach with the Miami Dolphins under then head coach Nick Saban. Prior to joining the Dolphins, Jones spent the previous two seasons at LSU as the Tigers' defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Jones, who had lettered as a defensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs and served as a defensive captain in his final year, began his coaching career at his alma mater. As a graduate assistant, he worked with the defensive line, which included Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud. In addition to coaching, Jones also played one season with the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League in 1995 and then joined the Florida Bobcats of the Arena League in 1996. A native of Irwinton, GA, he and wife Melody have a daughter, Kennedi.

Mark Johnson - Georgia native, Johnson began his television career in the 1960's with a guest-starring appearance on the then-popular show F.B.I. in 1967. Later, he starred in the hit series "In the Heat of the Night" and "Savannah." His talent is versatile and comprises several credits as Executive Producer on projects including "L.A. Doctors" and "The Guardian" and Executive in Charge of Production on the WB hit "Greetings from Tucson." Expanding his abilities into writing and across the Atlantic, Johnson writes for the BBC's "EastEnders" series, as well.

Roger Kaiser - Hailed by the legendary Bobby Dodd as "the best all-round athlete in Georgia Tech history," Kaiser is Georgia's only two-time basketball first-team All-American and the only basketball coach in Georgia history to win a national collegiate championship. Actually, Kaiser-coached teams won four national titles. During his career as a Georgia Tech player, Kaiser scored a total of 1,628 points (this was prior to the three-point game). The Tech basketball media guide lists Kaiser for records, near-records, or honors won no less than 41 times. In fact, his 85.8% free throw mark remains both a Tech and SEC record. Ironically, Kaiser never wanted to coach. However, in 1974, four years after joining the West Georgia College faculty, Kaiser led his team to the first national collegiate championship ever won by a Georgia team. During his 20 years at West Georgia, Kaiser turned out three All-Americans and six NBA players. Coach Kaiser is also known for starting the athletics program at Life College and, subsequently, coaching three of their basketball teams to national championship wins. In 30 years of college coaching, Kaiser was named Coach of the Year in Georgia 11 times, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Coach of the Year three times, and NAIA Coach of the Year twice.

Jaime Kaplan - A former chair of the Celebrity Classic, Kaplan is a star on the court and in the Macon community. Since 1989, she has raised over $1million for Bibb County charities. She is the Major Gifts Coordinator and Tennis Coach at Stratford Academy and was on the WTA tour for six years, earning world rankings of #91 in doubles and #252 in singles. Kaplan is a 2005 Inductee into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Roger Kingdom - Kingdom, an Olympic Gold medal winner from Unadilla, Ga., began his track and field career in 1983 at the University of Pittsburgh. There, he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Track and Field Outdoor Championship's 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 13.54 seconds. During his senior year in 1984, Kingdom won the 55-meter high hurdles in 7.08 seconds at the NCAA Track and Field Indoor Championships. That same year, he set a record for the 110-meter hurdles and won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles with a time of 13.20. In the 1988 Olympics, his gold medal-winning time was 12.98 seconds in the 110-meter high hurdles, which was just 0.05 second off the world mark. In 1989, Kingdom set a new world record in the 100-meter hurdles. He also won gold medals at the Pan Am Games in 1989 and 1995, a World Cup gold medal in 1989, and a gold at the World University Games in 1989. Kingdom was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2005. Currently, he is the director of the men’s and women’s cross-country and track & field programs at the California University of Pennsylvania.

Brian Kozlowski - Washington Redskins tight end Brian Kozlowski began his NFL career in 1993 when he signed with the New York Giants. After three years with the Giants, Kozlowski made the move to the Atlanta Falcons where he went to Super Bowl XXXIII. Kozlowski's pro talent had been honed well in college where he was known for being consistent. He started at tight end for 43 straight games at the University of Connecticut. His alma mater honored Kozlowski for his hard work, effort, and dedication to the game by establishing the Brian Kozlowski Award, which is given to an outstanding player each year. Kozlowski and his wife, Ellen, have one daughter, Paris. The family currently resides in Duluth, Georgia.

Frank Malloy - Malloy, co-anchor for 13 WMAZ Eyewitness News, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Penn State University for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia. He graduated from UGA in 1980 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Malloy began his broadcasting career as Sports Director of WRBL TV 3 in Columbus, Georgia, where he spent 2½ years before moving to Macon. Today, he and his wife, Marilyn, have four children and one grandchild. When Malloy isn't with his family, he spends much of his spare time supporting fundraising efforts for The Children's Hospital.

Dewey McClain - An Okmulgee, Oklahoma native, McClain signed with the Atlanta Falcons fresh out of college in 1976 and remained with the team for five years. He also played two years in the USFL with the Oakland Invaders and the Oklahoma Outlaws. In 1981, McClain was inducted into the College Hall of Fame; in 1986, he won the AFB Community Service Award; and he was honored with the Gwinnett County Rape Crisis Crystal Angel Award in 1996. McClain is also actively involved in the American Foundation for the Blind, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and the Sickle Cell Foundation.

Tommy Mixon - A former captain of the Mercer University basketball and baseball teams, Mixon played professional baseball with the Dodgers and basketball with the Pistons before a shoulder injury forced his retirement. He then went on to scout 26 years for the Dodgers and served as their national supervisor before retiring in 1999. Mixon is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Emery Moorehead - A 12-year veteran of the NFL, Emery has a history of being a versatile football player. He received All State honors as a running back at Evanston Township High School and played both running back and receiver at Colorado. Drafted by the New York Giants in 1977, Moorehead played both wide receiver and fullback. He concluded his 12-year career with the Chicago Bears as their starting tight end for eight consecutive years in 1988. This long and highly successful athletic career included the Chicago Bears World Championship in Super Bowl XX. Emery finished career as the second leading receiver for tight ends in Chicago Bears history behind Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka. Emery was named Realtor Associate of the year in 2006 by the North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors. Emery is currently on the Executive Board of Directors for the Northeast Illinois Council of Boy Scouts and heads the council's Outreach division.

John "Blue Moon" Odom - Macon native and major league pitcher with the Oakland As, Odom was the winner of three World Series (1972-1974). Blue Moon's career spanned from 1964 to 1976 with Oakland, Cleveland, and Atlanta. He was elected to the All-Star game in 1968 and 1969.

Brian Nash - Nash, a native and current resident of Perry, Georgia, can hit a golf ball over 400 yards on a bad day. As the Top Five Finisher in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Finals for three consecutive years, Nash travels extensively promoting and hosting events for the Long Drive Association. When he's not on the road, he enjoys his family: wife, Lindsey, and children, Hunter and Austin.

Jimmy Palumbo - Versatile has been the word for actor/comedian Jimmy Palumbo's career. In addition to roles in the films Live from Baghdad, Kissing Jessica Stein, and Artie Lange's Beer League, Palumbo has employed his acting skills in the theatre with Play It Again Sam and 1-800. However, he's probably most widely recognized from his numerous television appearances including guest-starring parts on Ghost Whisperer, Monk, Desperate Housewives, Without a Trace, and Friends.

Peter Persons - Macon native and PGA player from 1990-1996, including the 1990 championship at the Hamilton Classic in Chattanooga. Persons also was an All-American at UGA from 1984 to 1986.

Bobby Pope - The dean of athletic directors in the Atlantic Sun Conference, Bobby Pope also serves at the helm of Mercer University athletics. Very active in the A-Sun, Pope served two years as President in the late 1990s. He has served on virtually every committee and currently is a member of the sports policy committee. He also is very active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Macon Touchdown Club as well as serving on the Mayor's Recreation Master Plan Committee and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority. His involvement with Mercer athletics began in 1970 when he was the "Voice of the Bears." A native of Thomaston, Ga., Pope graduated from Georgia College. He and wife Carol have two children: Andy, a 1998 graduate of the University of Georgia and Kristen, a 2001 Mercer graduate.

Danny Roundfield - Roundfield began his career as a standout player for Central Michigan University, where he averaged 16.7 PPG over four years. After graduation, he was picked up by the Indiana Pacers for whom he played twelve years. In 1980 while playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Roundfield was named to the All-NBA Team. During his pro-career, he was named to the All-Defensive First Team three times and the Second Team twice. Roundfield has also played for the Detroit Pistons and Washington Bullets and is a three-time NBA All-Star.

Jeff Treadway - Columbus, Georgia native and Georgia Bulldog, Jeff Treadway headed for the Big League in 1984 when, as an amateur free agent, he was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. He played there for two years before coming home wear the Atlanta Braves uniform. As a Brave, Treadway went to the World Series twice. He now lives in Macon, Georgia and coaches for Stratford Academy.

Joe Ward - Joe Ward's basketball career was well on its way when he was named "Player of the Year" as a senior at Griffin, High School. He was rated the second best small forward in the United States (Michael Jordan was ranked third). As a player for UGA, Ward ranked eleventh in all-time scoring. His pro career began when the Phoenix Suns picked Ward in the second round of the NBA's 1986 draft. During his prosperous career, Ward has played in the United States Basketball League for the Staten Island Stallions and for the Fresno Flames and the Springfield Express in the World Basketball league. He also started on the WBL Champion Dayton Wings. In the Continental Basketball Association, he has played for the Savannah Spirits, Tulsa Fast Breakers, and the Rapid City Thrillers. Ward has played internationally in Manila, Philippines where he averaged 53 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots per game. He also played internationally for Barcelona and Aleciras, Spain and for Reims and Chalon su Marne for two seasons in France. Now, Ward spends much of his time with wife Stacey. He is an ordained minister and has been President of BMI (Basketball Ministries International) since its inception in the spring of 1989.

Nicole Watson - An award winning reporter and producer, Nicole Watson has collected many honors for her work. She most recently worked for CBS Radio covering the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons as the sideline analyst and feature reporter. As a consultant, Nicole provides media and marketing services including broadcast production, image consulting, project management and style writing for various individuals and organizations. The multi-talented producer has worked for most of the top names in the broadcast industry including, Turner Broadcasting (TNT & TBS), BET, HBO, and ESPN). Nicole is well versed in many areas including news/public affairs, sports, business and entertainment. She created and produced a ground breaking sports talk show called "The Sports Report" on BET and was the producer responsible for introducing Michael Wilbon(P.T.I./ ESPN), David Aldridge(NBA Analyst), and Bill Rhoden(The Sports Reporters, NY Times columnist) to television viewers. She was also a feature reporter/producer for the NFL's longest running program, "Inside the NFL." Watson has hosted and reported on the NBA, NFL, NHL, Black College sports, women's professional basketball, auto racing, ballroom dancing, the Olympic and many other sports. She is experienced in live television events, radio broadcast, entertainment and children's programming. Nicole also has an incredible library of feature programs she has produced on various celebrities.

Well experienced and traveled, Nicole's work has taken her to several locations around the world including St. Petersburg Russia, Barcelona Spain, Havana Cuba as well as Cape Town and Soweto South Africa. She has worked with several organizations including Microsoft, the Atlanta Falcons, the National Black Arts Festival, the Atlanta Hawks, CBS Radio, and many other Atlanta based companies and individuals. The veteran journalist has interviewed countless celebrities including Super Bowl Champion, Tony Dungy, actor/director Tyler Perry, Olympic champion, Jackie Joyner Kersee, director, Spike Lee, basketball star, Michael Jordan, and actress, Sanaa Lathan just to name a few. Nicole Watson has a bachelor's degree in Business Management/Marketing from the State University of New York College of Technology. Nicole is most proud of her work as an educator. She is also an instructor in the television department of Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Atlanta, GA and an educational speaker for the NCSA (National Collegiate Scouting Association) where she enjoys the opportunity to reach out to young people about her experiences in the world of sports and the entertainment industry.

DeWitt Weaver - DeWitt Weaver has been a dominant force in the state of Georgia, winning a record seven Georgia PGA Championships and a record four Georgia Opens. Weaver and his son DeWitt III are the only father-son winners of the Georgia Open and hold a world record 55 in a two-man competitive scramble. Weaver won two PGA Tour events and one Senior Tour event. In 1969 IBM statistics put him as the longest driver on the PGA tour, averaging 279.8 yards, one yard longer than Jack Nicklaus. Weaver is a member of both the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. Weaver currently owns a golf consulting company, DeWitt Weaver Golf Solutions LLC, with his sons Brian, DeWitt III and Scott. Weaver currently resides in Braselton, Georgia.