MOBILE, Ala. – Former University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Joe Gottfried was honored last week when the school’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution authorizing the naming of a street on campus in his honor.

The Board gave University President Gordon Moulton the authority to name the road that passes by the intramural fields on the west side of campus leading to the football field house Joseph E. Gottfried Drive.  The naming of streets is a way for the school to recognize persons who have contributed to its growth and development, as well as offer opportunities to honor and memorialize such individuals for their significant roles in the history of the University.

Gottfried came to the school as an assistant athletic director in 1981 and was promoted to athletic director in 1984.  Under his direction, Jaguar Athletics experienced success in competition as well as the classroom, and he had a profound impact not only on the school’s architecture with the development and improvement of numerous athletic facilities, but also on the community with the school’s addition of the football program in December 2007 — Gottfried was one of the key people involved in the process to make the sport the university’s 17th program.

During his tenure, the school claimed the Vic Bubas Cup — presented to the program that demonstrates excellence in the league’s now 19 sports — 10 times in a 13-year span, as USA squads won 104 league titles.  Overall, USA had 54 teams compete in NCAA Championship events as well as individuals qualify for NCAA postseason action 123 occasions, including a pair of national champions (David Kimani, cross country/track and field, 1999-00; Vincent Rono, track and field, 2006).

Gottfried retired in August 2009 after serving the university for 28 years.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—