National tennis award honors former SPC student

Milan Vasic, Abby Martinez and SPC Head Tennis Coach Phil Girardi

An award, first offered this year at the Women’s Tennis National Championship, pays tribute to a former St. Petersburg College student killed two years ago in a traffic accident.

Coaches at the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament voted on the Jovana Vasic Spirit of Competition Award, naming Abby Martinez of State College of Florida as its first ever recipient.

A former SPC tennis player, Vasic was killed in a car accident two years ago while en route to begin her junior year at the University of Northern Arizona. Those who knew the student said she exemplified what student athletes strive to be noted for. She was team captain her sophomore year. She had over a 3.0 cumulative GPA. She excelled on the court. She had a full-ride scholarship waiting for her in Arizona, and she was loved by her teammates and those whom she competed against.

A standout tennis player for two years, Martinez has similar attributes.

Jovana’s father Milan Vasic attended the award presentation. Wanda McPhail, the Women’s National Tennis Coaches Association President, presented him with the same plaque given to Martinez. SPC’s Head Tennis Coach Phil Girardi spoke for a few minutes, detailing what it was like to coach Jovana Vasic and what she meant to her team and SPC.

SPC finished 14th at the championship, held in Tucson, Ariz. Tyler Junior College won the title.

Read Full Post »

SPC basketball player recognized in Hall of Fame ‘Ring of Honor’

Antqunita Reed

Antqunita Reed, a graduating member of the St. Petersburg College women’s basketball team, has been awarded one of the highest individual honors as an athlete. Her team jersey has been selected for display in the “Ring of Honor” at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Hall of Fame is recognizing student athletes and their outstanding play during the 2012-13 season. Reed has broken many records and shown phenomenal athleticism and heart while she played for two years as a Lady Titan.

Reed, who is No. 22 on the team, averaged 17 points and nine rebounds this season while helping her team win the 2013 Southern Conference Championship. The team advanced to the second round in the Florida College System Activities Association State Tournament. She also was named Conference Player of the Year and selected 2nd Team All American, along with many other honors.

“Antqunita has been a joy to coach here at SPC,” said Denisha Davidson, Head Coach of women’s basketball.

“She is a coach’s dream because she works hard both on and off the floor in all that she does,” Davidson said. “She will be successful in whatever she decides to do. I see her as one of my very own children. She is a special young lady and I will truly miss her.”

The Ring of Honor has become one of the most popular exhibits at the Hall of Fame. It has more than 100 jerseys on display, including high school and college All Americans from the 2011-12 season.

Reed’s SPC jersey will be displayed for the entire year. The Ring of Honor provides a colorful backdrop to the Hall of Fame’s many archives but also recognizes some young basketball players for their achievements in their sport.

Read Full Post »

SPC women’s basketball coach, player earn Southern Conference titles

Denisha Davidson, Women’s Basketball Coach, has been named the 2012-13 Southern Conference Coach of the Year by the Florida College System Activities Association. SPC student Antqunita Reed also was named Conference Player of the Year.

Denisha Davidson

Antqunita Reed

The SPC women’s basketball team was named the Southern Conference Champions with Southern Conference standings of 14-1 and overall standings of 23-7. By securing the Southern Conference division, the team has earned a spot in this year’s state tournament in Marianna March 6-9 and will play in the third of four games at 1 p.m. CST on March 6. The games will be streamed live.

“We’re extremely proud of Denisha’s efforts,” said Mark Strickland, Associate Provost of SPC Downtown and Director of Athletics. “And the fact that this is her fourth year in the program and has two first teamers and two second teamers — you can’t ask for anything better.”

SPC teammates Kimdra Reid and Ayshia McNeil also were listed among the 12 players who made the 2012-13 All-Conference First Team. Their colleagues Thomia Wadley and Precilla Hill made the All-Conference Second Team.

The Lady Titans are also ranked 24th in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Poll.

“It’s pretty impressive,” said Strickland. “We’ve had other players in every one of our sports bestowed that honor, so it’s not new to us. But the significance for us is that it has been a long time for our women’s basketball.”

The last conference won by the SPC women’s basketball team was in 1999.

Read Full Post »

Lady Titans Southern Conference champs, headed to state tournament

The Lady Titans have been named the 2012-13 Southern Conference champions.

In the conference, the team is undefeated with a current record of 12-0. Overall the team has won 21 games and lost six with three games remaining in the conference schedule this season.

“I’m extremely excited and proud of the way these ladies have worked and played this season. Every year we strive to win our conference and make a run to win the state championship,” said Head Coach Denisha Davidson.

SPC Downtown Associate Provost and Athletic Director Mark Strickland said, “I’m extremely proud of Coach D and this women’s basketball team. Just four years ago Coach D took over a program that hadn’t won the Southern Conference since 1999. So here we are, poised to make a run at the state tournament. Coach D should be applauded for the work she has done the last four years.”

By securing the Southern Conference division, the team has earned a spot in this year’s state tournament in Marianna March 6-9.

Read more on the college’s sports blog the Locker Room.

Read Full Post »

SPC basketball teams play in Military Appreciation games

Military Appreciation games are proving to be lucky for SPC’s Titans.

The women’s basketball team defeated Brevard College 63-43 on Tuesday, Feb. 12. The week before, the Titans baseball team ended a two-game losing streak, defeating the University of Tampa Spartans JV team 5-4 at that night’s Military Appreciation event.

About 70 people attended the basketball game at the gymnasium at St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. The Student Veterans Association provided food and beverages to the crowd.

The next Military Appreciation Game is set for Feb. 20 at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. This time the event will be held at the men’s basketball game against Polk College. That game starts at 7 p.m.

Read Full Post »

Military Appreciation Game draws crowd, nets win for Titans

More than 200 people came out for the Military Appreciation Game between the SPC Titans and the University of Tampa Spartans JV team Wednesday, Feb. 6. The baseball team didn’t disappoint SPC fans with a 5-4 win over the Spartans.

“That is the most fans we have had at a game home or away in my three years with the program. What an experience for the guys! Donnie Kiernan, Jeff Cavanaugh and Clearwater’s Student Government did a tremendous job of supporting the team,” said SPC Baseball Coach Ryan Beckman. Read more about the team played on the college’s sports blog, the Locker Room.

The event was sponsored by SPC’s Student Veterans Association, which provided custom-printed baseballs to fans.

More military appreciation sports events are planned for later this month with food and drink provided. These are free and open to the public:

• SPC women’s basketball team game against Brevard College, 6 p.m., Feb. 12, SPC Gymnasium
• SPC men’s basketball team game against Polk College, 7 p.m., Feb. 20, SPC Gymnasium

Read Full Post »

SPC Military Appreciation Game at Bright House

Take yourself out to the ball game when the SPC Titans baseball team takes on the University of Tampa Spartans JV team Wednesday evening in the second annual Military Appreciation Game.

Admission for the Feb. 6 game is free. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the game will start at 6 p.m. The first 200 fans will receive a SVA Baseball courtesy of the Student Veterans Association. Bright House Field is located at 601 N Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, and is just seconds away from the SPC Clearwater Campus. The West Gate will be the only gate open for this event. Please park in the old coachman parking lot next to the Phillies Water fountain.

Read more about the game on the college’s sports blog the Locker Room.

Read Full Post »

Former SPC baseball standout Bryan LaHair makes NL All-Star team

A childhood dream has come true for St. Petersburg College baseball star Bryan LaHair. The Chicago Cubs first baseman has been selected for the National League All-Star roster, which includes some of the biggest names in baseball, the Tampa Bay Times reported this weekend.

The game is Tuesday, July 10, in Kansas City.

“It gives you chills,” LaHair said Sunday in Chicago. “You get a chance to quickly reflect, and I’m sure I’ll reflect more later on, but you think about all the work you put in and the adversity you’ve been through and the different adventures you’ve had along the way to get your first opportunity in the big leagues, and now an All-Star Game is just incredible.”
The report said LaHair was “one of the most unexpected selected.”

He was voted to the National League team by the players as a reserve.

In 2002, LaHair played at SPC. A 39th-round pick by Seattle, he spent most of the next nine years in the minors. He’s getting his first legitimate chance to play regularly this season, according to the article. In the season’s first six weeks, he hit .365 with nine homers and 20 RBIs.

LaHair came to SPC from Clemson and played for the Titans along with current Angels catcher Bobby Wilson. Former Titans baseball coach Dave Pano, now a minor-league coach with the Jays, said in another Times article that 2002 team was “probably the best team I had overall.”

LaHair is the second former SPC player to be named an All-Star. Howard Johnson attended the college and went on to play for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and the Chicago Cubs.

Read Full Post »

Beckman named St. Petersburg College baseball coach

Ryan Beckman was named the baseball coach at St. Petersburg College Friday.

He was interim coach last season after replacing former coach Rob Francis who was dismissed shortly before the 2012 season began.

Beckman, 27, grew up in Dunedin and played baseball at Dunedin High School and Pasco-Hernando Community College.

“Ryan did an exceptional job for us last season under very difficult circumstances,” Athletic Director Mark Strickland said. “We had a lot of strong candidates but felt Ryan had earned the right for this opportunity.”

Beckman said he was thankful for the opportunity. “I know the great history St. Petersburg College has in baseball and I’m excited to be able to work hard to maintain that,” he said.

Read Full Post »

Basketball teams again qualify for state tournament

You can watch the men’s and women’s basketball teams compete in the 2012 FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII State Championship beginning March 7 at Chipola College in Marianna.

The men (8-0, 19-7) will play in the first game of the tournament at 1 p.m. March 7 against Santa Fe College, the runnerup of the Mid-Florida Conference.

The women (7-3, 24-5) will meet Daytona State College, the Mid-Florida Conference runnerup, in game three on the women’s side at 8 p.m. March 8.

Be sure to also check out the brackets for the men’s and women’s teams.

Read Full Post »