Latest news with #Samford
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan adds a former Samford assistant coach to his 2025 staff
Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan adds a former Samford assistant coach to his 2025 staff Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan continues to bolster his staff for the 2025 season. On Friday afternoon, it was announced that the former Samford assistant coach, Neb Exantus, will be joining him in Bryan-College Station. Before joining Coach McMillan's staff in 2020, Exantus coached at West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Florida, where he established a strong presence in the AAU scene with top-tier programs like the Showtime Ballers and Team Breakdown. He has a good eye for talent and excels at developing young players. Exantus spent four seasons as an assistant coach under coach McMillan after spending a single season at his alma mater, Southern New Hampshire University. At Texas A&M, he will serve as the Aggies' Director of Player Development and Personnel, a role in which he is expected to make a significant impact on the basketball program. Below is the announcement from the official Texas A&M basketball X account. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pete Hanna, namesake of Samford University's football and basketball facilities, dies at 88
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Pete Hanna, the namesake of the Samford University's football stadium and basketball arena, died at 88 years old Sunday. Hanna, former CEO and chairman of Hanna Steel, was a significant philanthropist for the university, going back to his days as a student-athlete, where he played halfback, center and linebacker from 1955-58. Though he graduated from the University of Alabama in 1960, he spent years as a Samford trustee. 'I have been blessed beyond my fondest dreams, and I am pleased that as a steward of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have a part in Samford's future,' Hanna said, according to his university obituary. 'This is a most unusual university, and we want it to continue to be outstanding as an academic university and a Christian university.' The Pete Hanna Center was named after him during its 2006 groundbreaking. It's home to the basketball and volleyball teams, athletics department, Samford Athletics Hall of Fame and hosts commencement ceremonies. During the Bulldogs' game against Furman in October 2023, the school's football stadium was renamed for Hanna, who was presented with a golden key to the facility. John Merrill discusses Alabama governor, U.S. Senate races 'Pete had a loving heart, which was apparent by the way he operated his company, cared for his employees and generously sought to improve the community,' said Martin Newton, director of athletics at Samford. 'The blessings he extended toward Samford athletics and our entire institution won't be forgotten. Knowing that his impact will stretch for generations, so many of us are grateful for having known and befriended such a wonderful man.' Hanna served for 14 years in the Alabama Army National Guard and retired as captain. According to his family's obituary, they will receive friends at the Southern Heritage Funeral Home from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. A celebration of Hanna's life will follow. 'With a legacy extending beyond the facilities that bear his name, Pete Hanna provided a lasting impact of compassion, humility and service,' said Samford President Beck Taylor in a statement. 'While embracing his calling to become an industry leader, he stayed true to the principles of Christian stewardship and inspired others to do the same. The Samford family is grateful for having known Mr. Hanna, and we celebrate the life of a friend who embodied the best our university has to offer.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
NCAA baseball tournament descends into mayhem as players, coaches, parents ejected
Tensions flared during Saturday's NCAA baseball game between Samford and Mercer. Samford outfielder Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to increase the Bulldogs' lead over the Mercer Bears. Gupton appeared to shout something at Mercer players during his spirited jog around the bases. Gupton's words seemed to target at least one player on the baseball diamond as well as the Mercer dugout. Gupton eventually touched home plate and celebrated with his Samford teammates. A visibly frustrated Mercer shortstop, Bradley Frye, attempted to follow Gupton and had to be held back by umpires. Mercer coaches also voiced their frustrations to the umpires. Mercer players then began leave the playing field in apparent protest. Several Mercer players had to be held back in the dugout. Southern Conference commissioner Michael Cross was in attendance for the game and was eventually seen talking with the umpires. Gupton and Frye were ejected from the game after a video review. Coaches were also thrown out, with Samford assistant Gil Walkes and Mercer pitching coach Tanner Gordon receiving ejections. Frye's mother was also shown the door after she was seen standing and jumping on top of the dugout moments after she learned of her son's ejection. Other Mercer fans were tossed out after they went onto the dugout roof. The game was delayed for approximately 25 minutes. Samford ultimately celebrated a 5-1 victory on Saturday. The win punched Samford's ticket to the SoCon championship game. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Samford-Mercer college baseball game descends into chaos with mom ejected, team pulled after home run
Who needs Yankees-Red Sox when you've got Samford vs. Mercer? Fireworks erupted Saturday during a Southern Conference tournament game between the two schools after Samford's Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to give the Bulldogs a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning. As he showboated his way around the bases, Gupton could be seen yelling at Mercer shortstop Bradley Frye and the Mercer dugout as Gupton made his way from third to home. 3 Michael Gupton reacts after hitting a home run during Samford's game against Mercer. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Gupton continued to celebrate, which angered Frye and the rest of the Mercer team. Frye attempted to follow Gupton before the umpires stopped him. That led to Mercer's coaching staff arguing with the umpire crew, and Mercer began taking players off the field to protest Gupton's actions. Southeast Conference commissioner Michael Cross eventually talked to the umpires on the field, and Gupton and Frye were both tossed from the game. 3 Michael Gupton celebrates after hitting a home run during Samford's game against Mercer. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Mercer pitching coach Tanner Gordon and Samford assistant coach Gil Walker were also ejected. The penalties extended to the stands, as Frye's mother was also ejected from the stadium after she made her way onto the top of the dugout when her son was tossed. All of it led to a delay in the game of almost 25 minutes before play resumed. 3 Mercer's game against Samford turned chaotic after a home run. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Later, Mercer third baseman Brant Baughcum was tossed after he shoved a Samford player who was thrown out in a rundown. Samford went on to win, 5-1, to advance to the championship game against East Tennessee State.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mercer walk off field and player's mother ejected after home-run taunt
Mercer were so incensed by an opposing player's home run celebration that they walked off the field during their Southern Conference tournament defeat on Saturday. After he smoked a homer to give Samford a 5-1 lead they would not relinquish, Michael Gupton leapt and skipped while rounding the bases, breaking with the baseball custom in which players usually keep their celebrations in check immediately after hitting a home run. He also appeared to yell at Mercer shortstop Bradley Frye and the opposing dugout. The Mercer coaches voiced their displeasure with the umpires while Frye had to be held back as he approached Gupton. Advertisement Mercer started to leave the field, while Frye, Gupton and two coaches were ejected. Frye's mother then jumped on the dugout roof and was told to leave the stadium. The game was paused for nearly 30 minutes during the disturbance and Southern Conference commissioner Michael Cross was forced to enter the field to attempt to calm matters down. Samford's victory means they will play East Tennessee State for the Southern Conference championship on Sunday.
