Allen joins coaching staff

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January 14, 2015

Demorest, GA – With spring rapidly approaching at Piedmont College, Head Baseball Coach Jim Peeples has made an addition to his coaching staff bringing former player CARL ALLEN on as a Graduate Assistant Coach with the start of this spring semester. A Piedmont graduate himself who spent his collegiate playing days in the friendly confines of Loudermilk Field, Allen will make a smooth transition to the coaching ranks as he has already been in the dugout to coach several youth baseball teams around the area.

Spending his time with the Green and Gold on the mound, Allen enjoyed a four-year stint with the Piedmont Lions helping his team to a 105-68 overall record, two wins shy of the all-time best for a four-year class. The 2014 graduating class trailed just the 107 wins put up by the 2011 class that posted bookend seasons of 30-plus wins as only two classes have surpassed the century-win mark in the NCAA era.

Allen’s 2014 graduating class were freshmen on the 2011 team that won a Great South Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in dramatic walkoff fashion. With the title in hand, PC would go on to a NCAA National Tournament appearance that season, the program’s second such trip in four seasons.

As one of the winningest classes overall, Allen watched his Lions post a 58-27 mark in the friendly confines of Loudermilk Field including an outstanding 15-4 mark at home in his senior season.

Saving his best for last, Allen helped his team to a 25-14 overall record including a 17-10 mark in USA South play making a pair of scoreless appearances on the mound in a pair of wins in 2014. Allen pitched two innings in a Friday night win under the lights at Loudermilk in the Lions’ final series of the year to spark a three-game weekend sweep of Maryville College.

The senior allowed just one hit tossing the final two innings of that series-opening victory over the rival Scots. His final pitch of the night completed his only strikeout of the appearance as he caught the final batter of the top of the 9th looking at strike three walking off the mound a winner in his last appearance for the Green and Gold.

Allen picked up a flare for storybook endings during his high school days as, prior to enrolling at Piedmont, Allen was a mainstay with the Commerce High School baseball program less than 30 miles away from Loudermilk Field. Allen closed the regular season portion of his high school baseball career with the Tigers by belting a pair of home runs in a dominant 19-4 victory over visiting Social Circle.

Playing third base for the Tigers in his final game at Gordon Field, Allen hit two opposite-side homers, the second of which was a grand slam in the 15-run win, his final regular season contest before jumping to the collegiate ranks. As the leadoff hitter that Tuesday night in April of 2010, Allen went 3-for-4 with seven RBIs to put the finishing touches on his time with the Georgia-based high school baseball program.

Allen was named to the 2008 All-Region 2nd Team as a DH before being named a 1st Team selection as a pitcher in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, the Peach State native was named a Georgia Dugout Club All-Star and also a Preseason All-State 2nd Team selection as well. Prepping under Coach Steve Cotrell at Commerce, Allen also enjoyed a solid travel ball career playing for Team Elite under Coach Brad Borous.

Starting his coaching career before wrapping up his collegiate playing career, Allen was the Head Coach of a 12 & under travel baseball team in 2013 working with Tiger Baseball just prior to his final campaign at Piedmont. Allen stayed with the same squad in 2014 taking the Commerce-based team to a pair of tourneys during the summer after completing his time at PC.

Coach Carl Allen from his high school playing days with local prep spot Commerce as he receives advice from Coach Steve Cotrell. — Coach Carl Allen from his high school
playing days with local prep spot Commerce
as he receives advice from Coach Steve Cotrell.

The Piedmont pitcher also worked back-to-backCoach Carl Allen from his high school playing days with local prep spot Commerce as he receives advice from Coach Steve Cotrell.
Coach Carl Allen from his high school
playing days with local prep spot Commerce
as he receives advice from Coach Steve Cotrell.
Tiger Baseball camps in 2011 and 2012 firmly establishing himself as a member of the baseball community in the area surrounding his college home. Working with Next Level Baseball & Softball Academy in Habersham, Allen honed his coaching skills by serving as a baseball instructor with the Northeast Georgia organization.

Coupled with his heavy involvement in the travel baseball scene, Allen also volunteered as a coach with the Commerce High School summer team for three straight years (2011, 2012, 2013).

A graduate of Piedmont with a degree in Early Childhood Education, the pitcher took home Dean’s List honors in each of his final four semesters at PC and was also a two-time USA South Academic All-Conference honoree.

Allen will pursue his graduate degree from the School of Education at PC while serving as a graduate assistant with the Lions’ baseball program assisting Head Coach Jim Peeples in every facet of the program.

Lady Lions rout Scotties

By

Joy Purcell

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January 14, 2015

Demorest, GA – The Piedmont College women’s basketball team struggled at the free throw line but still overwhelmed the visiting Scotties of Agnes Scott College in a 91-57 thrashing in Cave Arena Tuesday night.

The win marks the second most points in the second half by the Lady Lions this season as they scored 56 total in the final 20 minutes. Piedmont scored 66 in in the second half against Oglethorpe in a 107-76 win in the third game of the year.

Five Lady Lions were in double figures led by JULIANNE BAYER’s 14 total points on six-of-nine shooting from the field. The sophomore hit a pair of three-pointers on the night, just her 5th and 6th tri-fectas of the season.

Bayer was also the leading rebounder on the night with eight with DAKOTA SULLENS and BRIANNA BARRETT close behind with six boards a piece. Barrett also scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting while LE’SHAUNDA JONES also had 13 on the night hitting on five of her eight tries from the field.

In the first half, the story was the team’s troubles at the free throw line which prohibited PC from holding a larger advantage at the half as Piedmont led by just nine at the break. The Lady Lions were 6-for-14 at the charity stripe in the first half missing on the front end of a 1-and-1 twice in the closing minutes of the opening period to allow Agnes Scott to hang around.

Despite the trouble at the line which continued into the second half, the defensive energy by the Lady Lions excited the crowd and forced 25 Agnes Scott turnovers on the night as Piedmont tallied 27 points off those takeaways, seven points shy of the final margin in the contest.

The 25 turnovers by an opponent was one shy of the season-high forced by PC who has twice forced 26 turnovers by an opponent, first in a home win over Mary Baldwin on November 23 and again in a win on the road at Meredith on January 2.

Piedmont never trailed in the second half rolling to a 16-6 run out of the locker room after the intermission, a run sparked by eight straight points from MARY KATE RUSHTON including back-to-back strikes from distance. A TAYLOR SWOSZOWSKI layup near the midway point helped the lead crest the 20-point barrier for the first time on the evening.

The Lady Lions held Agnes Scott to just 11 field goals in the second half as the Scotties did not connect on any of their four three-point tries either. With Piedmont up by 24 and just over five minutes to go, the Scotties would score only eight points down the stretch while PC continued to do damage with BRIDGETTE KELLY, LAUREN ZOLLINGER, and CARLIE SHIELDS combining to score the team’s final ten points en route to the 91-57 win at home.

With the win, Piedmont improves to 11-1, the best 12-game start for the Lady Lions since they won their first dozen in the 2011-12 season. PC is now 4-1 against teams from the state of Georgia as well with the only loss coming to Berry College, a team that Piedmont defeated 17 days earlier in the season.

Next up for Piedmont is another home contest as the Lady Lions host the Pride of Greensboro College on Friday, January 16 in Cave Arena. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm and live coverage will be provided via the Mane Event Broadcasting Network and WCON Radio. Admission to the regular season contest is free.

Mary Helen James Burrell

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Staff Report

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January 14, 2015

Mary Helen James Burrell, age 88, of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

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J.C. “Bull” Ramey, Jr.

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Staff Report

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January 14, 2015

J.C. “Bull” Ramey, Jr., age 80, of Helen, passed away on January 13, 2015 at Habersham Medical Center.

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Wilkinson Re-Appointed Chair of Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee

By

Joy Purcell

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January 14, 2015

ATLANTA – Sen. John Wilkinson (R- Toccoa) has been named chair of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee for the 2015- 2016 legislative term by the Senate Committee on Assignments. Sen. Wilkinson has served as chairman of the committee since 2013.

“After countless years in the agriculture business, this topic remains near and dear to my heart; for that reason I am continuously grateful to my colleagues for this appointment,” said Sen. Wilkinson. “I look forward to legislation that ensures our lands and commodities are sustained so Georgia can continue to lead the industry throughout the country.”

The Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee’s jurisdiction encompasses agricultural land use, commodities, commissions, fairs and expositions, marketing law, pest management, and pesticides. This committee may also review laws around consumer protection.

Sen. Wilkinson was also selected as the Vice-Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee and will serve as a member of the Appropriations and Natural Resources committees. He is an Ex-Officio to the Rules Committee and was appointed to one of the two seats available on the Committee on Assignments by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.

“I appreciate Sen. Wilkinson taking on these critically important leadership roles in the Georgia Senate. Like all of us, he is committed to building a better Georgia. I look forward to working closely with Sen. Wilkinson during the upcoming session to move our state to a stronger and more prosperous future,” said Lt. Governor Cagle.

“The Committee on Assignments worked hard to match every senator to positions where they could best serve the people of Georgia,” said President Pro Tempore David Shafer (R-Duluth).‎ “I have great confidence in our new committee leadership team.”

Once a piece of legislation is introduced in the Senate, it is assigned to a Committee, depending on its topic. If the Committee gives the legislation a “do pass” recommendation, then the proposed law is sent to the Rules Committee for consideration. The appointed chairs will oversee the operation and order of Senate committee meetings, including calling for action on bills, resolutions or other matters assigned to that committee.

The first term of the 153rd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly convened January 12, 2015 at the Georgia State Capitol.

Sen. John Wilkinson serves as the Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns counties and portions of Hall and Jackson counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at [email protected].

Got yolk?

By

Nora Almazan

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January 14, 2015

I love the movie Nacho Libre. While there isn’t technically any literary worthiness to it, there is a message. Jack Black plays the part of Nacho, a Monk, discouraged with his life and longing for some form of recognition that his job has meaning. He is the cook for the other Monks and the orphans in a small town in Mexico. When a beautiful Nun enters the scene as a new teacher for the orphans, things begin to change. In secret, Nacho becomes a tag team wrestler and with the proceeds of his fights, buys fresh ingredients to prepare better meals for the children. To gain more power and become the best wrestler in the world, Nacho climbs a cliff to a known eagle’s nest, drinks the yolk of the eagle’s eggs, so that he may gain eagle power. But it doesn’t work. What he believed would happen after climbing a jagged edged cliff to get to the eagle’s nest; what he believed would happen after drinking the disgusting yellow gooey yolk; what he believed would happen…didn’t.

Discouragement happens to us all at some point in our lives – to some more than others. It is a loss of hope. A feeling that surrender and defeat are the only answers. Discouragement highlights the word ‘quit’ when we want desperately to fight and stay the course. It chips away at our future and makes us believe we are weak, incapable, too old, too young, no-good, hang-it-up people.

Can you imagine the discouragement Noah must have felt waiting for the rain and listening to the jeers and name calling from the people around him? Or Daniel as they lowered him into the lion’s den? Being swallowed by a whale and living in its belly had to have left Jonah a bit out of sorts…Esther facing the King…Moses dealing with the Isrealites…Jesus as He prayed in the garden and His disciples slept. It leaves me to wonder, what separates the men from the boys?

Steps to Combat Discouragement:

Tell yourself ‘Who’ is on your side. God is a God of encouragement and hope, not doubt and fear. His words are uplifting, not negative. God never says, “You can’t do it! I’m going to find someone else.” On the contrary, God says, “Despite your weakness, WE will do it and do it well!” Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary,and increases the power of the weak.”
Relieve yourself of the weight. Carrying burdens, harboring anxiety, filling our worry tanks glorifies Satan. He is the instigator of all doubt and fear as he whispers in our ear, “Whatever gave you the idea things would work out! You are going under!” Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares (burdens) on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Tell yourself not to fear. Psalm 56:11, “…though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” God spends a great deal of time in the Old and New Testament telling us not to fear. Not to worry. Not to let anxiety rule us. Why then do we?
Allow God to renew your strength. Pray for encouragement and that God will surround you with His people who will lift you up and give you a renewed sense of hope. Isaiah 40:31, “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Don’t withdraw. Don’t stop praying. Don’t buy into the potential destruction. Praise God that He will renew and restore you!
Summon your Eagle Powers. You don’t have to drink eagle egg yolk like our friend Nacho. God renews our strength like the eagles. Isaiah 40:31, “You will soar on wings like eagles. You will run and not grow weary. You will walk and not be faint.”

Discouragement can have a hold on us that destroys and weakens our ability to function. The bigger the plan God has for your life, the tougher Satan will be on thwarting that plan. Just when we think we are almost there, something interrupts our progress and hurls us back a few feet. Stand up. Brush yourself off and face the challenge before you.

Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Donald Lee Rogers

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Staff Report

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January 13, 2015

Donald Lee Rogers, age 77, of Homer, GA., passed away Monday January 12, 2015, at a local area hospital.

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Dzik stepping down as PC athletic director

By

Joy Purcell

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January 13, 2015

Demorest, GA – Piedmont College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics John Dzik has announced that he will be stepping down from his position effective June 30, 2015. Dzik originally came to Piedmont in April of 2005 as the college was moving from affiliation in the NAIA to membership in Division III of the NCAA.

Under Dzik’s leadership, the athletic department has grown from 195 athletes in 11 programs to the current configuration of over 300 student athletes on 15 athletic teams. Additionally, Piedmont, a charter member of the Great South Athletic Conference changed affiliation in 2011 to the USA South Athletic Conference providing all athletic teams greater opportunity for expanded conference scheduling and NCAA post season automatic qualification.

During Dzik’s time as Athletic Director, Piedmont has won 22 conference championships and appeared in 14 NCAA national championship tournaments. Piedmont currently houses the USA South President’s Cup trophy for women’s athletics, emblematic of the best overall women’s athletic program of the 13 USA South member institutions.

Facility improvements completed during his time as AD include: a new artificial turf field, new fencing for both baseball and softball areas, new scoreboards for all venues, and a renovation/redesign of the Johnny Mize Athletic Center adding locker rooms, expanded athletic training room space, coaches offices, GA office space and conference area.

The area of athletic communications has been upgraded to include a new athletic website, a branding initiative for the department, live stat and video broadcasts of home events and a radio partnership with WCON. Expanded resources for each team allow for safe travel on charter buses, sufficient funding for lodging and meals while traveling and appropriate financial support to outfit and equip teams.

During Dzik’s tenure as AD, Piedmont student-athletes have consistently achieved and been recognized for their academic excellence. The aggregate GPA for all teams has exceeded 3.00 in every semester he has served as the director. With 189 USA South Academic All Conference honorees in 2013-14, 7 Capital One Academic All Americans since 2011, and several NCAA post graduate scholarship recipients, Piedmont student athletes have demonstrated their prowess in the classroom during his time with the institution.

Dzik’s career in collegiate athletic administration spans 35 years at two institutions, Piedmont College and Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania. At both institutions he oversaw the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III. Additionally, he moved both schools into new conferences to enhance playing opportunities for student athletes. For 25 years he coached men’s basketball at Cabrini, and his Cavaliers program ranked as one of the winningest in the nation.

When asked to comment on his time at Piedmont, Dzik said, “I have really enjoyed being the Director of Athletics at Piedmont. I want to thank both past president Ray Cleere and current president James Mellichamp for their support and commitment to the athletic program at Piedmont. My two supervisors, Tom Bowen and John Misner are two of the finest administrators I have encountered in my 35 year career in college athletics and the coaching staff at Piedmont is one of the most dedicated and competent in all of Division III. Most importantly, the wonderful group of student-athletes I have watched represent Piedmont have brought great joy to my life. ”

Dzik and his wife of 42 years, Suzanne, will relocate to their permanent home in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Your struggles to witness

By

Pastor Mike Franklin

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January 13, 2015

Acts 16:25, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas meet a woman who is a fortune-teller. She is following them around as they are preaching and continues to echo, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” After several days of this, Paul and Silas turn to her and command the demons in the name of Jesus Christ to leave her. Fortune Telling provided money for her owners, and those owners are angry that Paul and Silas have removed this ability from her.

The owners take Paul and Silas to the Magistrate and have them arrested. The crowds join in the attack against these men, and Paul and Silas are beaten within an inch of their lives and thrown into jail. The worst of criminals (those most dangerous to society) are held in stocks. Paul and Silas’ feet are anchored down in stocks, a very painful process. Also, they are heavily guarded.

It is fascinating to read what Paul and Silas do. First, imagine what you would do. Maybe you would demand a lawyer or protest that the treatment you had received was unlawful. Possibly, you would cry out to God in agony and defeat. I can hear it now, “I am preaching your word, Lord! Get me out of this mess!” But the scriptures tell us that Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. You guessed it; the other prisoners were listening.

Who is watching you? Who is listening to you? Maybe it is a co-worker or a neighbor. Maybe it is your son or daughter. Maybe it is your brother or sister. Maybe it is a complete stranger. How we respond to adversity is one of the greatest testimonies we can offer to God; it can also be the most damaging when we respond incorrectly.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you are an instrument for God. He will come to your rescue. He will deliver you. Remember Paul and Silas the next time you are faced with less than ideal circumstances. Allow God to use your struggles to witness to others.