Bobcat Athletics Named Finalist for D2 Award of Excellence

For the first time in program history, Georgia College & State University Athletics has been named a finalist for the 2023 Division II Award of Excellence, the NCAA offices announced Wednesday.

Division II honors its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 14 at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio.

“We are honored that the Tailgate Tour has been included with so many outstanding nominations throughout the country,” said Director of Athletics Wendell Staton. “This is a true campus effort that has been very impactful as we emerge from the pandemic. It is designed to bring the campus together with fun, food and fellowship. The Tailgate Tour has certainly been successful in creating wonderful engagement throughout the campus community and we look forward to our next one at our Jan. 25 basketball doubleheader, where we also recognize our awesome faculty!”

The GCSU Tailgate Tour focuses on a single home event per sport to have a campus community social event, complete with grilling food, music, games and fun – right next to the event venue. Bobcat Volleyball’s Tailgate Tour event was Tuesday, Sept. 13 and GCSU Women’s Soccer hosted theirs Wednesday, Oct. 19 – each resulting in the highest-attended event for those respective sports this season. 

Highlights included an intramural cornhole tournament, a Greek philanthropic shootout at halftime of soccer, as well as free hot dogs provided by the Alumni Office. Prior to the Volleyball contest, the campus celebrated the staff from both Student Health Services and Counseling Services by having them all provide a ceremonial first serve. At the Soccer match, the GCSU Custodial Staff was honored through presenting the game ball.