May 23, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to announce that this year's Dot Martin Scholarship Classic, one of the primary fundraisers for the Department, was the second-most successful in the event's fourteen-year history, raising over $36,000 to help fund student-athlete scholarships.

The annual tournament, named after long-time supporter of KSU Athletics, the late Dorothy "Dot" Martin, was held at the BridgeMill Athletic Club in Canton. Martin was the co-founder of both the KSU Athletics Booster Club and the KSU Scholarship Golf Classic, which was renamed in her honor after her death in 1999.

"We are tremendously pleased with the turnout again this year, especially under the tough economic conditions that we are currently facing in this country," said KSU Director of Athletic Development George Olney. " Our deepest thanks go out to all of the local businesses, the community sponsors, the players, the BridgeMill staff, and all of the volunteers and alumni who continue to help make this event such a success."

An all-woman team took home the title for the first time in the tournament's history as the "Chicks with Sticks" team of KSU women's golf head coach Rhyll Brinsmead, Barbara Olney, Anne Corbett, and Pat Finegan recorded the lowest-ever score at the event with a 22-under par 50.

The Papa John's Pizza team of Kevin Vineyard, Jim Kemp, Joe Summerour, and Phil Hoddy came in just behind in second place, while the E Freight Solutions team of Spencer Askew, David Booth, Jeff Elliot, and Jeremy Smith finished third.

"This year's event was a roaring success," added Kennesaw State Senior Associate Athletics Director and head softball coach Scott Whitlock. "It only seems to get bigger and better every year which is a testament to our supporters and our staff."

Athletic scholarship costs represent roughly one-third of the annual departmental budget, and the money raised during the Dot Martin Scholarship Classic helps to offset some of the financial pressures of funding those scholarships. In total the event has raised over $200,000 for athletic scholarships, including an impressive $132,000 over the past four years.

"We hope to continue this high level of success for many years to come," added Olney. "The move to Division I has opened up many new doors for our department, and the ongoing support of our very generous community and alumni association as well as the hard work put in by the members of our staff and student-athletes should continue to improve the University's standing on the national stage and help our teams reach the high level of success that they have enjoyed at all of their previous levels of competition."

The 2009 tournament is scheduled for Monday May 18th at the BridgeMill Athletic Club. For more information contact George Olney at 770-499-3459 or via email at dotmartin@kennesaw.edu. Information, including registration and sponsorship forms, is also available by visiting the tournament's website at www.kennesaw.edu/dotmartin.