Weekly Update 10/07/2016

From Bob Schwartz, City Manager


Lyn Pace’s - Lyn Pace is teaching a class at the College called: Understanding Community: Oxford Encountering Oxford. Ms. Abigael Maldonado-Figueroa was assigned Mayor Roseberry to interview. Here they are in the Mayor’s office.

Hoyt Oliver – Here’s a photo of Hoyt receiving the 175th banner Monday night.

Mount Zion 1st Baptist Church – Scottie Croy, Jody Reid, and Jonathan Benton fixed the leak in the church parking lot Tuesday. They found the first old pipe, the second old pipe, and finally the third old pipe which was the one still under pressure and leaking. In 130 years, there had been several connections made to the church. You will notice in the pictures that the water tank on the golf cart which is normally used to water our trees comes in handy to keep the concrete saw wet and cut down on the dust.

Oxford College – Here’s some sports news from the College:

Oxford adds new varsity sports

October 6, 2016

Oxford College Eagle fans have two new varsity sports and four new teams to support for the 2016-2017 season. Men's and women's golf and cross country running were added this fall to the lineup for intercollegiate competition within the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Both golf and cross country were previously offered as club sports only.

“We’re excited to welcome runners and golfers to the group of student leaders we have within athletics,” said Amanda Yu, Center for Healthful Living Director. “The CHL considers all student athletes as leaders on campus and the addition of these sports teams allows us to have a greater positive impact on campus.”

Brian Schiffbauer, head coach of the golf program, previously served as golf club coach.

“For the last two years, we’ve tried to set a varsity tone by playing in tournaments against existing varsity teams and never using the ‘we’re just a club team’ excuse,” explained Schiffbauer, who is in his third year at Oxford. “My sophomores worked very hard last year and they finally get their chance to play for a national championship bid.”

Sophomore Conner Wilkinson leads the men’s golf team as captain while sophomore Ali Granzotti serves as women’s captain.

Schiffbauer has confidence that both teams can achieve national championship bids. He hopes to set a winning foundation and tradition for the future. He credits Oxford leadership including Athletic Director Roderick Stubbs, CHL Director Amanda Yu and Dean of Campus Life Joe Moon for helping the club teams make the transition to varsity.

“Both new programs have outstanding coaches who have both vision and perspective that coincides with Oxford's goals of academics first and creating a great experience for the athlete,” said Stubbs, who is also head men's basketball coach. “The distinction from club to varsity sports enables Oxford to reach into a high academic and athletic-minded pool that otherwise we would miss out on.”

The Eagles had their first outing as a varsity golf team at Truett McConnell University. The Oxford men finished in fifth place out of 10 teams with two freshman finishing in the top 15 as individuals. The women finished in 10th place with freshman Katie Hochhausler finishing 13th individually. The golf teams play again October 9-11 at Lindsey Wilson College.

Ella O'Kelley coaches Oxford’s cross country teams

"Sometimes I have to pinch myself and say, 'you were chosen to be the inaugural coach to bring two sports from club to varsity level,’” O’Kelley admits. “We've always trained and competed like a varsity team, it just feels so good to carry that label now.”

The Eagles cross country teams competed in their first ever meet as a varsity program at the Furman University Invitational. Sophomore Heather Beavers had a strong run with teammate freshman Emily Rexer for the women finishing right behind her in the 6K run. The men's team ran an 8K race with freshman Jack Stewart finishing just two minutes short of 30 minutes – which would automatically qualify him for the national championships.

The cross country teams compete again at Jacksonville State University on Oct. 1.

Stubbs estimates that 10 percent of Oxford students will participate in the college’s nine varsity sports programs this year – including cross country and golf. Oxford’s other varsity sports include: men’s basketball, women’s and men’s soccer, and women’s and men’s tennis.