Box Score The Francis Marion University men's and women's basketball teams will play host to Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris College on Saturday (Feb. 16) as the school celebrates Homecoming 2013.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
The women's basketball game will tip-off at 1:30 p.m. in the Smith University Center, followed by the men's contest at 3:30 p.m. Admission to all events on Saturday will be free.
The contest will be televised live on Channel 11 of Florence's Time Warner Cable system as well as streamed on the internet at http://www.ustream.tv/fmupatriots
Homecoming activities will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with a women's basketball brunch for former players upstairs in the Smith University Center. At approximately 10 a.m., former Patriot men's basketball players will gather in the gym for their annual Alumni Game.
A Homecoming parade through the campus is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PatriotFest will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Smith University Center featuring live music and entertainment, a picnic lunch, and an opportunity for alumni to interact.
The FMU baseball team (4-3) will also be action on Saturday, hosting Seton Hill University (0-0) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.
From 1 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m., the 15th-annual Swamp Fox Club Benefit Silent Auction, featuring sports memorabilia and merchandise, will be held in the Smith University Center gym. (LIST BELOW)
SILENT AUCTION LIST
Between games of the regularly scheduled basketball doubleheader, at approximately 3:15 p.m., former Patriot baseball coach and long-time athletic director Gerald Griffin will be inducted into the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame.
HALL OF FAME RELEASE
A native of Williamston, N.C., Griffin established the Francis Marion baseball program in 1972 and guided the Patriots for 28 seasons until his retirement in 2000. He registered more than 730 career victories, including 22 years of 20-plus wins at the helm of the Francis Marion program. In addition to posting a 655-433-1 in the Patriot dugout, he coached for six seasons at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. His career record stands at 736-521-1.
Nine times in his career, Griffin garnered "coach of the year" honors, twice being named the South Carolina Baseball "Coach of the Year," and in 1993, he was elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame.
He was named athletic director in 1973 and served continuously in that capacity while also coaching baseball, and led an athletic program from mere existence to one of national prominence. Griffin directed the Francis Marion athletic program as it moved from NAIA status to NCAA Division II affiliation in 1992. Under his leadership, the program grew from seven sports to 14 sports, and Francis Marion captured four national championships and earned back-to-back Peach Belt Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup trophies.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he was a four-year letterman on the Tar Heel baseball team, twice earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He later spent several seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system.
He will join 38 current members in the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame, which was formed in 1991.
The 2013 Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at the conclusion of the men's basketball game.
The FMU women (10-10) are currently fifth in the East Division standings with a 4-9 conference mark, one-half game out of the all-important fourth position – which guarantees a spot in the conference post-season tournament.
The Young Harris women are 13-9 overall and 7-8 in conference play during their inaugural season of Peach Belt play.
The Francis Marion men are 9-11 overall and 4-9 in the PBC, while Young Harris is 15-7 overall and is second in the West Division standings with a 10-5 league mark.
FMU, behind junior Evrik Gary's 16.6 ppg average, leads the Peach Belt in scoring offense at 89.1 ppg, while the Mountain Lions feature the PBC's second-leading scorer in Malcolm Jackson (19.7 ppg) and are fourth in the conference in offense, averaging 82.5 ppg.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Patriots and Mountain Lions on the basketball court.
2013 FMU Silent Auction Items (Sat., Feb. 16, 2013)
Autographed Items
Dick Groat autographed Pirates baseball hat
Barrett Kleinknecht autographed bat / baseball card
Josh Edgin (NY Mets) autographed ball, hat, baseball card
Josh Edgin (NY Mets) autographed ball, baseball card
Spyder Webb autographed ball from FMU/USC Game
Arnold Palmer autographed photograph
Chad Jenkins (Toronto Blue Jays reliever) autographed ball
Spyder Webb Everett AquaSox autographed hat/baseball card (2)
82nd Airborne Skydiving Team autographed photograph
Merchandise
FMU Athletic Apparel
FMU Basketball Stool
FMU Cross Country Drifit Shirt
FMU adidas Blue Windpants
FMU Basketball T-Shirts (4)
FMU Basketball Shirt (long sleeve)
FMU Basketball Shirt (short sleeve)
FMU Golf Hat & one dozen balls (3)
Jacket from Champion
adidas Red Pull Over (All-Star Sports)
Miscellaneous Items
Handmade Bread Board with Napkin Holder (McCumber/Stroup)
Handmade Pencil/Pen Holder (2) (McCumber/Stroup)
Picture Frames (3)
Candle Holder with Candle (KlasseKat)
Red, White, & Blue Wreath (2) (KlasseKat)
Package of 4 Red, White, & Blue Ornaments (KlasseKat)
Package of 6 Multi-colored Ornaments (KlasseKat)
Women's Apron (Zebra patter, rhinestone pocket design) (KlasseKat)
One-Room Carpet Cleaning (C. Jernigan II)
Hand-sewn FMU Quilt (Liz Campbell)
Table Cloths
Spyder Webb FMU bobblehead
Spyder Webb Everett AquaSox bobblehead
Framed Picture of Opening Night Baseball
One dozen Golf Balls
One Free Night Lodging (SpringHill Suites)
2 Oil Changes (Jiffy Lube)
25% off coupons for any word done (48) (Jiffy Lube)
Attractions Dining Guide (Jiffy Lube)
Sephora Gift Basket and Shirt
Gift Certificate for one dozen cupckaes (Sweet Shoppe Bakery)
NCAA Padfolio
Wilson Tennis Racket
Sportsmetrics Program (McLeod Sports Medicine)
3-month membership (Fitness Forum)
3-month membership (Pee Dee CrossFit)
3-month membership (2) (Planet Fitness)
1-month membership (Planet Fitness)
2-month membership (McLeod Health and Fitness Center)
1-month membership (McLeod Health and Fitness Center)
Spa Package (Forum Spa)
Harrington Vision Center Gift Certificate
1-month and 2 T-shirts (Anytime Fitness)
Snow Cone Machine Rental (weekend) (Bravo!)
Patriot Sampler Hair and Body basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
Breast Cancer Awareness basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
Babyliss Professional Flat Iron basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
Relaxation Tea basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
It's A Dog's World basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
All Wrapped Up basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
Paul Mitchell Family Treat basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
The Polish Me Perfect basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
Coastal basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock)
The Irish basket (Expressions by Georgette Vetock
Restaurants
Olive Garden Gift Certificate
Mellow Mushroom Gift Certificate
Sweet Frog Gift Certificate
P.F. Chang's Gift Certificate
Golden Corral Gift Certificate (3 Buffet Dinners & Drinks)
Bazen's Family Restaurant Gift Certificate 2 Buffets
Sports Packages
Four tickets (NY Mets at Atlanta) June 19, 2013
Baseball Hitting Lessons with Robbie Wilson (2)
Traces Golf Course Foursome
Crossings Golf Course Foursome
FMU Baseball Dugout Experience (5-6-13)
FMU Baseball Camp (ages 9-12)
Southgate Bowling Center Family Pack
ITEMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
