Tate Softball Coach, Nine Others Inducted Into PSC Athletics Hall Of Fame

February 18, 2019

Pensacola State College inducted 10 charter members into their Athletics Hall of Fame, including a current Tate High School softball coach.

Pensacola State has a long and storied sports and athletic tradition. The Hall of Fame has been a long time coming with such rich heritage,” said PSC Athletic Director Bill Hamilton. “This Hall of Fame will stand as a reminder for all time that these awesome individuals got their start here.”

The inaugural Hall of Fame class includes student-athletes, advisers, coaches, game officials and volunteers:

Dana Gilmore is the most-decorated female athlete in Pensacola State history. She was a First Team All-Conference for two years in softball and volleyball, a two-time First Team All-State in softball and First Team All-State her sophomore year in volleyball. She also was a two-time Academic All-American and the winner of the FCSAA’s Softball Jean Williams Award for scholar-athletes. She holds six softball records at Pensacola State and is the College’s all-time leader for volleyball aces. Gilmore was named to the 2003 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division I All-America Team and went on to play softball at University of Central Florida for one season. She transferred to University of Mobile where she was a member of the 2006 NAIA National Champion team. She’s now an assistant softball coach at Tate High School where she helped coach the 2015 State Champion team in girls’ softball.

Joel Anthony, a native of Canada, was recruited by Pensacola State and played basketball for the Pirates from 2002-04. He transferred to University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He signed with the Miami Heat, helping the team win back-to-back NBA Championships. He also played for the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks. He now plays for Argentina’s San Lorenzo de Almagro basketball club league.

Mary Bailey established the softball program at Pensacola State in 1982. A 1967 Pensacola State graduate, she was head softball coach from 1982-94. In 1988, Bailey led the Lady Pirates slow-pitch softball team to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship and she was named the 1988 NJCAA Division I National Softball Coach of the Year. During her time at Pensacola State, she compiled a 498-166 record. The Panhandle Conference Softball Championship trophy was named in her honor.

Bill Brantley taught in the College’s Physical Sciences Department from 1965-95. After retirement, he taught as an adjunct professor until 2009. He generously contributes to the PSC Foundation and PSC athletics and created the William T. Brantley Scholarship Endowment for Physical Sciences. A former basketball player, Brantley attends a majority of Pirate basketball games with his wife Patsy and is a member of the Pensacola State Booster Club.

Jim Donovan was the College’s golf coach from 1987-1993. After serving in the U.S. Navy for 32 years, he coached golf at Catholic High School from 1985-87 before joining the coaching staff at PSC. He led the Pirates golf team to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in 1993 while winning the 1993 NJCAA Division II National Golf Coach of the Year, and missed a second title by one stroke the following year.

Charles Fairchild was a charter member of Pensacola State College Athletic program’s first boosters. He played basketball at Pensacola State from 1962-64 and was a member of PSC’s first state championship basketball team in the 1962-63 season. He was the MVP of the team and the leading scorer and second leading rebounder in both years that he played at PSC. He went on to play at Florida State for two years. Always a basketball fan, he was a member of the group that brought the Pensacola Tornados professional basketball team to the city. He served as color commentator for WCOA radio and later WSRE-TV when those stations broadcast the PJC basketball games.

Dennis Lindsey was Pensacola State’s first full-time assistant coach, coaching men’s and women’s basketball, from 1994-96. He joined the Houston Rockets organization in 1996, and eventually worked his way up to become the franchise’s vice president. He also served as vice president and assistant general manager of the San Antonio Spurs. He has been the general manager of the Utah Jazz since 2012.

Greg Litton played baseball for the Pirates in 1983-84 and signed to play at Mississippi State University, however he was drafted in the first round of the 1984 draft by the San Francisco Giants. After five seasons in the minor leagues, Litton moved up as a rookie and hit a home run in Game 4 of the 1989 World Series. Litton played with the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1995. A true utility player, Litton played every position on the field during his Major League career.

Bob Marlin was a Pensacola State basketball coach from 1990-95. In 1993, he led the College to the NJCAA Division I Basketball National Championship and was named the 1993 Division I NJCAA National Basketball Coach of the Year. In his five seasons at Pensacola State, Marlin compiled an astonishing 123-35 record.

Bill McArthur, a youth sports advocate, was a longtime supporter of Pensacola State basketball. He played basketball for Pensacola High and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He graduated from Pensacola State in 1953, and transferred to Florida State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also earned his master’s degree from Mississippi State College. During the Korean conflict, McArthur served in the U.S. Army, returned to Pensacola and worked with the Escambia County School District for many years. He worked the table at basketball games for several local high schools, the Pensacola Tornados professional basketball team and the News Journal and Blue Angels tournaments. As a table coordinator at Pensacola State for 42 years, he enjoyed a relationship with every president, athletic director and coach who served at the College.

Pictured: Tate High softball assistant coach Dana Gilmore at her induction into the PSC Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Tate Softball Coach, Nine Others Inducted Into PSC Athletics Hall Of Fame”

  1. Bonnie Exner on February 19th, 2019 4:15 pm

    I HAD THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF TEACHING DANA GILMORE IN MY 8TH GRADE CIVICS CLASS..SMART,KIND,HUMBLE AND ATHLETIC..A EINMING COMBINATION..SO GLAD SHE IS STAYING LOCAL AND GIVING BACK TO HER COMMUNITY!

  2. Coach B on February 18th, 2019 3:53 pm

    For those of you out there who do not know Dana, she is one of the most humble person I have ever met, who always strives to become the best at what she pursues. Congratulations Dana… well deserved.

  3. LuckyMe on February 18th, 2019 1:22 pm

    Wow, congratulations, Dana! Your list of accomplishments is amazing. I am not surprised, however, because I have known you for a long time and am aware of the all-around great person that you are. Keep up the good work!

  4. Sgm on February 18th, 2019 12:24 pm

    Congratulations, Coach Gilmore! You’re awesome!