Minutes of the Rotary Meeting
January 25, 2018
By Kathy Miller
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by John Dukes at 12:00 pm. Todd Drummond offered the invocation and Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Program: Tom McGehee introduced Phil Savage, Executive Director of the Senior Bowl. Mr. Savage made brief remarks to the club including comments about Robert Brazile’s remarks earlier in the week about the Senior Bowl. Mr. Savage discussed several other Senior Bowl players including Shaquille Griffin. Mr. Savage introduced Bill O’Brien, Head Coach of the Houston Texans. Mr. O’Brien spent 10 years as an assistant coach in the ACC including working with Georgia Tech, Maryland and Duke before becoming head coach at Penn State after Joe Paterno. After two seasons at Penn State, Mr. O’Brien joined the Houston Texans. Mr. O’Brien updated the club about the status of Deshaun Watson. He talked about Alabama, Auburn and local Senior Bowl players he had met this week. Mr. O’Brien discussed the issues relating to players remaining in college versus turning pro. He saw the positive of remaining in college being further growth as a player. John presented Mr. O’Brien with recognition of the Club’s appreciation for his speaking to us.
Guests: After Mr. Savage and Mr. O’Brien departed for Senior Bowl commitments, we returned to the regular order of business and Mr. Martenstein introduced guests and visitors.
Student Guest: Jeff Luther introduced Dr. Becky Murray, the Senior Assistant Principal of Theodore High School, who introduced Cathlene Quizon, a Senior at Theodore High School. Ms. Quizon spoke to the Club.
New Members: Nick Holmes introduced new member William Latta who is a graduate of St. Paul’s and Auburn. Mr. Latta is an engineer with Clark, Geer, Latham and Associates.
Announcements: Joe Mareno reminded members of the Mardi Gras event on February 8th at the Carnival Museum from 5:30 to 8:30 and asked that members confirm their attendance with Peggy. He thanked the sponsors of the event.
Mr. Dukes announced to Club members that the Club had made contributions to Dumas Wesley for gym renovations, to Prichard Prep School for a theater and to Mobile Bay Keepers for the purchase of kayaks. A $5,000 district grant has been made to Light of the Village for a literacy project and the Club has contracted to repair the Rotary clock located at the corner of Royal and Dauphin Street.
Adjournment: After announcing members’ birthdays, John adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.