Club Business
Past President Pete Beck filled in for Bonnie Whitaker who was filling in for current President Jim Cartner. You will need to ask Bonnie how she broke her leg. Get better, Bonnie. Trip Durham led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance to the US flag. Using Jim’s notes, Pete shared some important historical trivia before introducing our guests. Brooke Carpenter was back again and was seen being given a membership application. That’s very good news. Former member Philip Stewart was also present. He said he is considering rejoining the club. Philip Smith was glad to have his son, Cory, at his table. Thomas Phelps introduced his three guests: Dan Baranik, Director of Football Operations at Elon, former member and now Dr. Mark Cryan, who also works at Elon on the sports side of things, and Coach Trisciani. Pete mentioned that we just missed John Beshel’s birthday. Check below for the other birthdays and anniversaries in February and the upcoming program responsibilities. Next week Debbie Porch is on tap.
Micah Fox announced that our club will have its second Membership Information Session on Tuesday, February 26, an hour before our lunch meeting. Please be thinking about who you can invite to this important meeting. We can break the fifty mark really soon, if everyone will get on board. Inviters and invitees are both welcome. This is a really good thing and worth supporting.
Click here to see all scheduled program dates and responsibilities.
February Birthdays and Anniversaries
2 | John Beshel | 12 | Jason and Shea Crutchfield |
14 | Pete Beck | 18 | Dick and Bebe O’Donnell |
15 | Maribeth Delfs | 24 | Lloyd and Ethel Ann Carter |
22 | Chuck Stedman | ||
24 | Jason Crutchfield |
Happy Dollar Announcements
- Thomas Phelps paid one dollar to tell us that his former neighbor, Bill Belichick, won the Super Bowl.
- Carolyn Rhode reminded us that Girl Scout cookies are ready to be purchased and devoured.
Program: Tony Trisciani, Head Football Coach at Elon University
Thomas Phelps was responsible for today’s program. Before introducing Coach Trisciani, he told us a little about himself. He was named Elon University’s Director of Ticket Operations for Athletics on June 12, 2017. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Elon Athletics Ticket Office, managing season ticket accounts, group sales, and more. Prior to his time at Elon, Thomas spent eight years at Navy as the Executive Sales Associate for External Relationships & Group Sales. Prior to Navy, he worked with the National Basketball Association’s Development League and the former Washington Bullets. He has also worked in Minor League Baseball, Hockey and Soccer in various capacities. Thomas graduated from Elon in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in history and he graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a master’s degree in sports management. An Annapolis, Md., native, Phelps and his wife, Lea, have three children: Kai, Declan and Tarryn. Thomas has been in Rotary in three locations: Fayetteville, NC, Annapolis, MD, and good ole Alamance County.
Coach Tony Trisciani
Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank introduced Tony Trisciani as the 23rd head coach in the history of the Elon football program on Monday afternoon, Dec. 17, inside of the Walker Room in Alumni Field House. Over the past two seasons, Trisciani helped lead the Phoenix to back-to-back FCS Playoff berths for the first time in program history, with Elon holding a consistent position in national rankings. He assumed the head coaching position with 23 years of coaching experience – including 13 years at CAA football programs. Throughout his career, he has won championships, led the nation in multiple defensive categories, and coached numerous all-conference and All-America student-athletes.
This is Trisciani’s second coaching stint at Elon; in 2006 he was a defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He returned to Elon ahead of the 2017 campaign and has helped the Phoenix defeat six top-25 programs over the last two seasons. The signature victory was the Oct. 6 defeat of No. 2 James Madison in its home stadium, a game in which Trisciani’s defense held the Dukes running game to just 103 rushing yards.
Tony is very high on the program he inherited and the coaching team he has assembled. Five coaches stayed on after Coach Cignetti departed the program for James Madison University. Another six were hired to round out his staff.
From Cignetti’s Staff:
- Clay Browning – Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
- Drew Folmar –Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Jerrick Hall – Defensive Line
- Dillon Lucas – Defensive Assistant
- Nick DiMarco – Strength & Conditioning
New Hires:
- Billy Crocker –Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- Tony Lucas – Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
- Andy Marino – Offensive Line
- Ryan Anderson – Safeties
- Chris Young – Wide Receivers
- Chris Bland – Cornerbacks
Tony said that signing day is tomorrow and Elon will add 19 kids, many of whom are local, but others are from as far away as GA, FL, IN, OH, and MA. Coach said he looks for players who have talent, character, and a passion for the game. As the staff transitions from recruiting to player development, Coach will emphasize what he calls the big three: attitude, effort, and discipline. Above all he wants to produce a program that wins and develops people.
Conclusion
Representing the front table, Carolyn Rhode rode a wave of high expectations before being dashed into the sands of disappointment, when she failed to draw the ever elusive Ace of Hearts in our raffle. There are only 9 cards left now. We now have over $1100 in the pot. Somebody is going to win a bundle! Pete adjourned the meeting with the four way test.