REMEMBERING THE PAST SPORTS LEDGER May 2024 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 1B The
Rodriguez To Lead JSU Through 2030
After what has been an historic start to his tenure as Jacksonville State's head football coach, Rich Rodriguez will lead the Gamecocks through 2030. The veteran coach and the sixth-winningest active coach in FBS signed a two-year extension on his previous contract with Jax State that will keep him in charge of the program for seven more seasons. "We couldn't be more excited that Coach Rodriguez is committed to Jacksonville State and continuing to lead our football program into this new era," Athletics Director Greg Seitz said. "The growth of our program since the day he took over has been incredible, with a conference title in year one, the first bowl win by a transition team in history in year two and the opening of the Loring and Debbie White Football Complex this fall, it has never been a more exciting time to be a Gamecock. We can't wait to see the heights that Coach takes this program to in the next eight years." Rodriguez is off to an 18-6 start to his Jax State career, going 9-2 and winning the ASUN Conference Championship in 2022 and 9-4 with a win in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in 2024. He enters his third season at Jax State and 27th overall with a 181-125-2 (.591) career record that only trails five active coaches in wins. On top of the success his teams have enjoyed on the field, Rodriguez has been making improvements to the Gamecocks' facilities and operations in his time at Jax State. The state-of- the-art Loring and Debbie White Football Complex is set to open at the end of the summer and will house all operations for Gamecock Football, as well as additional luxury seating for Jax State fans to enjoy on game day. The Gamecocks are coming off an historic 2023 campaign that saw them burst onto the FBS scene
Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
Geraldine's River Walling Earns Bryant-Jordan Spotlight Alabama Football Head Coach Kalen DeBoer takes a look around Bryant Denny Stadium during the Crimson Tide's A-Day game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The game marked the first opportunity for many Alabama football fans to welcome DeBoer to Tuscaloosa. A total of 72,358 fans were in attendance to witness the first game action of the Kalen DeBoer era. The White team (offense) defeated the Crimson squad (defense), 34-28. Read more about the A-Day game in this edition of The Sports Ledger. A Crimson Welcome
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Jax State Head Coach Rick Rodriquez holds up the championship trophy from the 2024 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
He guide Jacksonville State into its first season as a full-fledged member of CUSA and the FBS in 2024, a season that will start on Thursday, August 29 at home against Coastal Carolina. The Gamecocks will will play six games at a newly renovated Burgess-Snow Field and six road games in 2024, including an eight- game CUSA schedule. Fans can secure season tickets for the 2024 season now at JaxStateSports.com/ Tickets or by calling the Ticket Office at (256) 782- 8499. General admission season tickets are just $75, while season tickets in the Stadium Club are priced at $650 and include a chairback seat, as well as a pregame meal and unlimited snacks and soft drinks during the game. With the upgrades to Burgess-Snow Field, there will be more premium seating available. Multiple suites overlooking the west end zone and other premium options will be available in the Loring and Debby White Football Complex, as will new outdoor concourse suites on the North side of the stadium. For more information on premium seating call the Jax State Ticket Office at (256) 782-8499 or email dcallan@jsu.edu
like no program has done. Jax State won nine games and became just the sixth program since 1957 to post that many wins in its first season against an FBS schedule. The final win was in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in the Caesar's Superdome, making Jax State the first team to win a bowl game in its first season in FBS and just the fifth in history to play in a bowl game. Under the guidance of Rodriguez, the Gamecocks boasted the fastest offense in the nation in 2023. They got each offensive snap off in an average of 20.3 seconds, 0.6 faster than the closest competitor. They controlled the ground game in 2023, running for 236.7 yards per game and ranking third among all FBS teams in rushing offense. The Gamecocks' run defense was almost just as good, leading CUSA and ranking 14th nationally after giving up just 111.5 yards per game. Success is something Rodriguez has been no stranger to in his 26 years as a head coach. He has won championships at every level and has taken four different programs to a bowl game, tied for the most among active coaches and for the fifth-most all-time.
Some student athletes motivate others with their performance. Others inspire with a positive attitude. A third group shines by thriving despite adversity. It’s rare to find a player who falls into all three categories, but that’s how those who know Geraldine senior River Walling describe him. “He’s one of the finest young men that I’ve ever coached,” said Geraldine high school football coach Michael Davis. “Everyone at this school would probably tell you that he’s probably the best kid in the senior class," added government and economics teacher Lindsey Wade, Walling was born with a club foot, a condition in which the foot is turned inward, sometimes so severely that the bottom of the foot faces sideways or upward. In Walling’s case, both feet were affected and his case was so severe that he said both feet essentially appeared “upside-down.” The severity of his case meant he needed surgery, In fact, he had three surgeries before his fourth birthday and was required to wear braces and “special” shoes to help his feet heal. In kindergarten he removed the braces largely out of embarrassment and began walking without them. “It felt like nails were going through my feet when I walked without my braces,” he said, “but I got used to it. I was able to walk without them.” That’s just one example of the toughness and resiliency Walling has shown throughout his life, which helped him become one of 52 regional winners in the 2024 Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program’s Achievement category. A total of 104 high school senior student- athletes – 52 in the program’s Achievement category and 52 in the Scholar-Athlete category – have advanced from area nominations. All were recognized at the 37th annual Bryant-Jordan Awards Banquet, which was held on Monday, April 15.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Geraldine Coach Micheal Davis congratulates River Walling during the Bulldogs 2024 Senior Night Ceremony.
Each of the regional recipients will receive a $3,000 scholarship. Overall, more than $12 million in scholarship funds has been distributed to student recipients by the Bryant- Jordan Scholarship Program since its inception in 1988. “He’s a walking testimony to everyone,” Davis said about River. “He’s motivation to everyone because he doesn’t make excuses. If River is not making excuses, why should someone else? That’s the way his teammates look at him, and he receives so much respect from his teammates because of how much grit he has. The way he goes about his business and doesn’t complain is truly an inspiration to all of us.” Walling began playing sports as a second grader, despite his mom’s reluctance, and grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball. In high school, he concentrated on baseball and football. His condition left him with what he described as “skinny legs,” with almost no calf muscle. That left him with little ankle flexibility and diminished leaping ability, but it’s a point of pride that he never missed a game because of a foot or ankle injury. “Kids always asked me why my legs were so skinny in elementary school,” he said. “They still do. People look at me weird like there’s something wrong with me. I really didn’t let it bother me. … I’m one of the fastest (players) in my grade.”
On the football field, he settled in at linebacker and became one of the Geraldine’s leading tacklers. In 2021, he played on the Geraldine team that defeated rival Fyffe 20-19 to end the Red Devils’ 51- game winning streak, which was the nation’s longest at the time and second longest in AHSAA history. As a senior, he enjoyed a second victory over Fyffe, a 17-6 victory, and a trip to the Class 3A quarterfinals. Walling played a major role as the Bulldogs made its deepest playoff run since 2000 and finished 12-2, earning All-Region and All- County honors. “On and off the field, he’s just a man of character,” Davis said. “Everything you want a young man to be, he’s got it. The obstacles he has overcome and to find himself and to go down the road he’s going, I’m proud of him. I really am.” Throughout high school, Walling has worked a series of part-time jobs, including helping a local contractor with electrical and plumbing work. He has received a scholarship to attend Northeast Community College, where he plans to seek certification in electrical and plumbing trades. He wants to eventually own his own business, perhaps after also earning a business degree at Jacksonville State. “You’ve just got to keep going and don’t let it stop you from doing what you want,” added Walling about overcoming his condition.
Plainview's Lauren Jimmerson is shown in action during the 2024 Class 3A State Semifinals against Cottage Hill. Jimmerson helped the Lady Bears win the game and go on to claim the State runner-up spot. She also passed the 1000 point scoring mark this past season and had the opportunity to participate in the North/South All-Star Game. Additionally, she has a 4.0 GPA and is involved in various school clubs, events, and community service work such as Operation Christmas Child. Her efforts have earned her the honor of being named a 2024 Ledger Leader. Joining her as a Ledger Leader is Junior classmate Richard Dean "Trey" Rutledge, III. He also has a 4.0 GPA and is a three-sport standout at Plainview. He plays football, baseball and basketball. Read more about both student athletes inside this edition. Jimmerson and Rutledge Named Ledger Leaders Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
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