Gordon State College Club Football Receives Two Additional Proclamations for the Team’s 2022 NCFA Championship Title
(L-R) Top row: Wayne Niles, Christian Lane, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones Bottom row: Kevin Adkins, Dr. Tonya Y. Moore, President Nooks, Sen. Marty Harbin
By Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager
On Monday, March 6, the City of Barnesville issued a Proclamation to Gordon State College for the Club Football Highlanders and their 2022 National Club Football Association (NCFA) National Championship title. In addition, on Tuesday, March 14, GSC visited Atlanta’s gold-domed visual landmark, the Georgia State Capital where Sen. Marty Harbin presented its Proclamation for the team’s title win.
Mayor Peter L. Banks presented Barnesville’s proclamation to GSC President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks in the courtroom of the Barnesville Police Department.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a local team that has won a national championship,” Banks said. “I’m mighty proud of the Club Football team and Gordon State College for its lasting impact on its students and the community.”
In Atlanta, Sen. Harbin presented the proclamation to President Nooks, GSC Chief of Staff and Director of Athletics Dr. Tonya Y. Moore, head coach Kevin Adkins, assistant head coach Christian Lane, and running back coach Wayne Niles.
“We are honored to receive this recognition for our Club Football Highlanders. The team, under the guidance of coaches Adkins, Lane, and Niles, played with grit and zeal throughout the season. Our players are deserving of this championship title and know what it takes to represent Highlander Nation. This truly is The Power of WE,” Nooks said.
GSC Club Football Highlanders began in 2020 under the leadership of head coach Kevin Adkins. The Highlanders won back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. After the team’s 2021 South Atlantic Conference Championship win, the Highlanders contended for a national championship and became the 2022 NCFA National Champions after a 35-15 defeat over Ohio State University Buckeyes in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. NCFA announced individual awards to four Highlanders including Bowl Game MVP, Defensive POY, Assistant of the Year, and Freshman of the Year.
“Our players and coaches’ willingness to pursuit greatness using our Highlander Edge empowered us to win the school’s first National Championship,” Adkins said.
Adkins led the Highlanders to victory with the help of assistant coaches Lane and Niles. Club Football Highlanders from Henry County include Michael Johnson, Mitchell Smith, Pacer Kincaid, and Isaiah Johnson who Adkins recognized for his outstanding performance at the national championship game with eight tackles and one interception.
Both proclamations recognized and commended GSC for cultivating an enriched and supportive environment that prepared students and continued their educational career through a variety of baccalaureate, post baccalaureate and professional degrees.