From the President…………………………… ………………. 2 Vice President of Student affairs and Athletics, Scott Little.. 3 Athletics Administration……………………………………….. 4 Sports Medicine………………………………. ………………. 5 Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Garret Rayborn…. 6 Cross Country “Expecting big Things in 2009”……………... 7 Head Coach, Christie Barber………………... ………………. 8 Roster………………………………………….. ………………. 9 Runners……………………...………………... ………………. 10 Action Shots…………………………………… ………………. 11 Cross Country Schedule…………………….………Back Cover

Belhaven College Athletics Department 1500 Peachtree Street, Box 171 Jackson, MS 39202

Phone: 601-968-5956 Fax: 601-965-7025 www.blazers.belhaven.edu

Dear Belhaven fans, It is my privilege to welcome you to another exciting fall edition of Blazer Athletics! From Football to men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball to cross country, our student-athletes and their coaches have been working hard to ensure that this season will be one of the most memorable in the institution’s more than 50 years of intercollegiate athletics competition. Our players are building a tradition that goes far beyond the court and the field, to preparing them to become their best in life, not only in their sport. These programs are living out our mission: “to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.” And I’m proud of our entire Athletics Department, because it fully integrates faith in to every aspect of athletics competition. Thank you for being part of the Belhaven Athletics support team, and I do so hope you enjoy the upcoming season. Go Blazers! Serving Him always,

Dr. Roger Parrott President, Belhaven College This year Dr. Parrott begins his 15th year as president of Belhaven College. As well as his service to the College, he is a member of several international ministry boards including: Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, Mission America, Leighton Ford Ministries, and Asian Access. Dr. Parrott is also the presidential representative of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to the national board of the NAIA. He is a third generation College president and a former collegiate soccer goal-keeper and tennis player.

Scott Little is in his ninth year at Belhaven College and has served as Director of Athletics since 2007. As Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics, he also serves as the Director of Athletics, giving leadership and oversight to all thirteen sports programs in the areas of personnel, academic support, recruiting, compliance, eligibility, budget management, development, and event management. Little is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), serves as Vice Chair of the NAIA National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) Committee, is the NACMA conference representative for the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) and is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Committee. Prior to his role as Athletics Director, he worked in Student Affairs administration as Belhaven’s Director of Student Leadership. "I am committed to creating an atmosphere where student-athletes can both compete for championships and mature as men and women – academically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally," said Little, “Our success is largely due to the leadership of our coaches and staff, and my first priority is always hiring, leading and retaining the best people to lead our student-athletes.” Under Little’s leadership, the Athletics Department continues to achieve success both on the field and in the classroom. Highlights of the 2008-09 year include: 116 individual student-athletes earning 3.0 GPA Club status; expanded athletics community service programs; a GCAC conference championship and record-setting postseason in baseball; a softball program that set 26 school or NAIA national

records in route to a fourth consecutive 30+ win season; a women’s soccer program that was GCAC conference runner-up; a men’s soccer program that was ranked as high as #6 in the nation; a men’s basketball team that reached the semifinals of the GCAC conference tournament; three women’s cross country athletes earning NAIA national meet berths; two coaches selected as GCAC conference coaches of the year (Christie Barber, Steve DeCou); facility improvements for volleyball and basketball; and the creation and launch of a new Athletics website. A native of Jackson, AL, Little is a graduate of the University of Mobile and also holds a Master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Little, his wife Neece and their two children live in Madison, MS, where they are active at LifeBridge Church.

John Aiken Athletics Administration Coordinator/Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

John Aiken, a native of Portland, Maine, enters his second season as Assistant Coach for the Belhaven Men’s

Basketball Program. In addition to his coaching responsibilities Aiken will serve as Athletics Administration Coordinator. Aiken most recently served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of New England for the 2007-2008 season. Aiken earned his Bachelor’s Degree in economics from the

University of Southern Maine. He, Michelle, and their puppy, Coby, currently reside in Brandon, MS.

Dana Marsalis Director of Game Day Operations/ Head Cheerleading Coach

Dana Marsalis enters her fourth year with the Blazer Athletics. Following her first two years as Assistant to the

Director of Athletics, Dana was named Director of Game Day Operations and Head Cheerleading Coach. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. She assisted Bulldog Athletics with game day operations, media relations and also interned with the Southeastern

Conference assisting with media days. Dana, her husband Russell, and their son Jack reside in Brandon, MS.

Kirk McDonnell Director of Sports Information

Kirk McDonnell is entering his second year as the Director of Sports Information at Belhaven College. Kirk

manages sports information for all thirteen of Belhaven’s sports programs. Prior to working at Belhaven, McDonnell worked in radio news and sports for Clear Channel Communications and was a Resident Director, Director of Intramurals, and Sports Broadcaster for Mount Vernon Nazarene University. A native of Delaware,

OH, McDonnell is a 1999 graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a degree in Communications Broadcasting. He also just completed his Master’s of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. McDonnell is

single and resides in nearby Flowood, MS.

Alton Wade Assistant Director of Sports Information

A native of New Boston, TX, Alton Wade enters his second year as the Graduate Assistant of Sports

Information. Wade graduated from Belhaven in 2008 with a degree in Business Administration. He was also a

member of the Blazer football team. Alton is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management degree at

Belhaven.

Brittany Godsey Compliance Coordinator/Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

Brittany Godsey enters her first year as the Compliance Coordinator and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach. Godsey, a native of Rogersville, Alabama, played four seasons at NCAA Division II University of North

Alabama where she was a standout point guard for the Lady Lions. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English from UNA in 2008. Godsey then moved on to the University of Southern Mississippi as a graduate assistant coach for the women’s basketball program and just completed her Master’s of Sport Management

Degree. While at Southern Mississippi, Godsey worked with the Golden Eagle guards, helped with the marketing of the program, and provided support with on-campus recruiting.

William B. Geissler, M.D., - Professor, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic Surgery , Hand Surgery , Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Dr. Geissler received his M.D. degree from Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1985. He completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and then completed an AO orthopedic trauma fellowship in Aarau, Switzerland. Dr. Geissler then completed a one-year

fellowship in Advanced Arthroscopy in Sports Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. He returned to UMC and completed a hand and upper extremity surgery under Dr. Alan E. Freeland. Dr. Geissler has served as faculty and instructor in

over 35 arthroscopic and upper extremity trauma courses both throughout the country, as well as internationally. He has presented

over 80 various orthopedic talks for a variety of orthopedic societies and published 34 orthopedic articles in peer related journals and eight book chapters. In 1992, he joined the department and currently is professor specializing in hand, shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery, along with knee and arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Geissler serves as chief of the sports medicine and shoulder

programs...

Steve A. Watts, M.D., - Assistant Professor, Sports Medicine, Family Practice Dr. Watts completed undergraduate education at the University of Houston, where he graduated cum laude with

Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry. From 1979-1983 he attended the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He then completed a three-year family practice residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Forth Worth. While there, he received the Resident Teaching Award in 1986. Dr.

Watts has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in medical journals. He has made over 35 regional and national professional presentations on a wide variety of sports medicine subjects. Dr. Watts holds a joint appointment in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Family Medicine in the medical school. He is actively

involved in teaching responsibilities in sports medicine for medical students and resident physicians. Dr. Watts is also the director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Watts holds professional memberships in numerous associations and is a board certified Family Medicine Physician with CAQ in Sports Medicine. He is a

member of the American College of Sports Medicine and serves on the Education Committee for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Watts currently services University Sports Medicine as a staff physician and is a team physician for the Mississippi Braves, Belhaven College, and area high school teams. Dr. Watts provides sports medicine physician coverage for a

variety of athletic events in the Jackson area.

Elliott Carter, M.A.T., A.T., C., - Head Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services Elliot Carter, a native of Louisville, Mississippi, joined the University Sports Medicine staff in January 2005. Elliot is

the Head Athletic Trainer at Belhaven College and began his career in athletic training at Belhaven as a student-athletic trainer. Carter supervises all 15 varsity athletic teams, substance abuse testing, appointment scheduling, rehabilitation, and various other administrative duties. During his time as a student-athletic trainer at

Belhaven, he also assisted University Sports Medicine in their Outreach program providing services as a student-athletic trainer with local high schools under the supervision of UMC Certified Athletic Trainers. Elliott graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine in May of 2003 from Belhaven College. Following graduation, Elliott

accepted a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer position for the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama. Elliott supervised student athletic trainers for varsity football, basketball, baseball, and softball. He was a primary supervisor for the Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center for high school athletes and private patients. Elliott received his Masters of Arts and

Teaching in Physical Education in December 2004 from the University of West Alabama. He became NATABOC certified in the fall of 2004.

Kelli N. Cockrell - Assistant Athletic Trainer Kelli enters her second season as an Assistant Trainer at Belhaven College. A native of Hattiesburg, MS, Cockrell

received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi in 2006. She then earned a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with an emphasis in Athletic Training. At Tennessee Chattanooga, Kelli worked with the Lady Moc’s soccer team and football team. She also had the pleasure of working

for Varsity Spirit Brands and had opportunity to work Nationals at Walt Disney World and Resort in 2008. After graduation, Kelli returned home to Mississippi to work with men’s and women’s soccer as well as women’s softball at Belhaven College. Kelli is the daughter of Bro. John Cockrell and Pam Cockrell from Hattiesburg, Ms. In her own

time, Kelli enjoys hiking and playing tennis. She is licensed in the state of Mississippi and is certified by the NATABOC.

Mike Neal - Assistant Athletic Trainer Mike Neal enters his second season as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Belhaven College. A native of Jackson, MS,

Neal received a Bachelors of Science in Health Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he lettered 4 years in Men’s Basketball. Neal then went on to earn a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from the University of West Alabama. At West Alabama as an Athletic Training Student he worked with football, volleyball, and

men’s and women’s basketball. In 2006 and 2007 Neal was a summer Athletic Training intern for the Atlanta Falcons where he worked with all rookie and veteran players assisting with the treatment and rehabilitation on a daily basis. Neal is licensed in the State of MS and certified by the NATABOC.

Garret Rayborn enters his first season as the Strength and

Conditioning Coach at Belhaven College. Rayborn, a native of

Natchez, Mississippi, played football and baseball at Adams

Christian High School. He attended the University of Southern

Mississippi where he earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science

in 2006, and a master of science in sport coaching education in

2008.

For the past two years, Rayborn has assisted the strength and

conditioning coach at the University of Southern Mississippi with all

fourteen (14)sports, including the 2009 Southern

Miss baseball team, who for the first time in school

history, participated in the college world series. He was also part of

the strength staff for the Golden Eagle football team during each of the past two winning seasons

which resulted in bowl invitations to the Papa Johns Bowl in 2007 and the New Orleans Bowl in

2008.

Rayborn is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), the

Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC), the USA

Weightlifting Association (USAW), and the USA Track and Field Association (USATF).

“I believe that success is achieved through drive and determination, and that all athletes can be

successful in their lives, both as individuals and as student athletes. I respect and admire the staff at

Belhaven College. It is exciting to become part of a college with a proud tradition of academic,

athletic and spiritual training of its students.”

Rayborn is engaged to be married in September to Amber Green, a registered nurse who is also from Natchez.

Belhaven men’s and women’s cross country teams head into the 2009 season with high hopes and momentum thanks to an outstanding 2008 season. The men’s and women’s team both had a strong finish to the 2008 year with three of the Lady Blazers earning a trip to the NAIA National meet. Christie Barber, Libby Brown, and Jessica Gunning all qualified for the national meet via their times at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference meet. Barber finished third overall with a time of 20:33.07 in the 5 k race. Brown checked in with a time of 21:17.74 which was good for 7th place overall. Gunning recorded at 9th place finish with an overall time of 21:39.10. At the National meet, Senior Christie Barber was Belhaven’s top finisher crossing the line with a total time of 20:08 minutes to finish in the 242nd position. Senior Jessica Gunning had a time of 21:01 to place 291st in the meet. Sophomore Libby Brown checked in with a total time of 21:31 minutes to complete the race in the 327th position. The Belhaven men will have a tremendous amount of experience as they push forward in 2009. The Blazers will be returning four of their top five runners from a year ago including sophomore Thomas Kazery who led the team last year. Kazery will be joined by senior Douglas Coker and fellow sophomores Peter Davis and Luke Lennon. Belhaven will also welcome freshman runners Andrew Sinclair, Sonny Gunn, and Adam Jones.

“We are expecting great things from our men’s team in 2009 and are excited about the talent that we have,” says Head Coach Christie Barber. “Our goals this season are for us to take home some Gulf Coast Athletic Conference All-Conference awards and compete for a GCAC championship. Ultimately, we hope to make an appearance at the NAIA National meet.” The Lady Blazers will have some new faces in 2009 with only one runner coming back from last year’s team. Sophomore Jackie Bateman is the only returner and will be looked upon to help lead this year’s group of runners. Bateman will be joined by senior transfer Lea Schumacher and junior Callie Osborn. Hannah Reese and Nikki Stackhouse are the other two newcomers and will be freshmen in 2009. Reese hails from nearby Brandon, MS and Stackhouse is from Madison, MS. “This year’s team will have some new faces this season, but I am excited about the talent we have assembled,” says Coach Barber. “Hannah Reese is a strong competitor and Co-Lin transfer Callie Osborn will bring maturity and experience to the team. We finished second in the GCAC last season. We are looking to secure a conference championship and a trip to the NAIA National meet in 2009.” The Belhaven men and women will both open the season on September 1st when they compete in the Mississippi College Season Opener in Clinton, MS.

Christie Barber enters her tenth year as Head Cross Country Coach at Belhaven. A 1997 graduate of Belhaven, Barber was a Cross Country team member for the Blazers during her time at the college.

We are excited to have some very strong returning runners and new additions this year and hope to have several runners qualify for the national meet this Nov."

Coach Barber continues to run competitively, winning the women’s division of the Mis-sissippi Marathon in 2001 and 2003.

Coach Barber is a resident of Crystal Springs, Mississippi. She teaches elementary students in

addition to coaching at Belhaven.

Head Coach: Christie Barber

Name Academic Year Hometown

Jackie Bateman SOPH Jackson, MS

Callie Osborn JR Magee, MS

Hannah Reese FR Brandon, MS

Lea Schumacher SR VT

Nikki Stackhouse FR Madison, MS

Douglas Coker SR Daphne, AL

Peter Davis SOPH Brush Creek, TN

Sonny Gunn FR Jackson, TN

Adam Jones FR Bogalusa, LA

Thomas Kazery SOPH Jackson, MS

Luke Lennon SOPH Freeport, FL

Andrew Sinclair FR Mendenhall, MS

Jackie Bateman SO

Callie Osborn JR

Hannah Reese FR

Lea Schumacher SR

Nikki Stackhouse FR

Thomas Kazery SO

Luke Lennon SO

Adam Jones FR

Peter Davis SO

Douglas Coker SR

Andrew Sinclair FR

Sonny Gunn FR

Date Opponent Location Time/Result

9/1/2009 Mississippi College Season Opener Clinton, MS 4:30 PM

9/5/2009 Twilight Classic/Christian Brothers Memphis, TN 8:40 PM

9/12/2009 Loyola Wolfpack Invitational New Orleans, LA TBA

9/26/2009 Rhodes College Invitational Memphis, TN 9:30 AM

10/10/2009 Mississippi College Invitational Clinton, MS 8:30 AM

10/17/2009 Choctaw Open Clinton, MS 4:30 PM

10/24/2009 University of Mobile Rampage Mobile, AL TBA

11/7/2009

GCAC Championships (Hosted by Xavier

University) Clinton, MS TBA

11/21/2009 NAIA National Championships Vancouver, WA TBA