West Jax Rotary

Dan Hicken
First Coast News Sports Director

Dan began working at 12 News (now known as First Coast News, airing in Jacksonville on both NBC12 and ABC25) as an intern immediately after graduating from the University of Florida. He was promoted to sports producer in September 1986, weekend sports anchor in June 1988, and sports director in March 1991.

Dan has won several awards for his work at First Coast News News, including an Emmy for his series on Jacksonville’s quest for a NFL team, and an award for the best sportscast in the state in 1992.

Since the arrival of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dan’s already busy schedule has become even more hectic. As sports director of the Jaguars’ official television station during the team’s first six years of existence, Dan had been involved in countless Jaguars shows and reports. He is now host to numerous sports related specials and First Coast News Sunday Sports Final.

Dan is married to Reagan, a local school teacher, and has 3beautiful children, Danielle, Drew and Brooks. His community affiliations include Church of the Redeemer, Tom Coughlin’s Jay Fund and the Otis Smith Foundation. In what little free time he has, Dan enjoys all sports (of course), and reading.

Notes
President Runion called the meeting to order asking Randy Thornton to give the Prayer and Bob Kidd to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bill Howie let the club know that Jag Tickets are available and the price has been reduced a little. You can have the cost added to your quarterly bill.

Phil Murphy received a sponsorship pin for our new member.

President John noted that the Foundation Seminar was a success and that several member of the West Jacksonville Rotary attended.

Family of Rotary
Bob Kidd noted that Charlie Wilson (not the same as the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War) but our own has just celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary.

Will Croft new baby girl is named Beatrix Gay Croft and the into the world 21 inches in length with boxing weight of 8lb 4oz. All are doing fine.

Irby Exley who was club president 35 years ago just celebrated his 88th birthday and now resides at St Catherine’s. Bob was sadden to announce he suffers from Alzheimer’s, but his wife Virginia said Irky would love to have visitors. Go by to see him, but he may not remember you, but that is okay.

Marty Sack presented our club Memorial Plaques to Gary Fletcher for his father Julius Fletcher and Julian Benjamin III received a Memorial Plaques for Julian P Benjamin.

Jim Kelly introduced Bill Hughes, General Manager of the TPC. Bill talked about how the PGA of America and the PGA Tour came about. PGA of America began in 1900 and in 1969 the PGA Tour separated by players was formed to represent the players more. The destination between the tour is that PGA of America is mainly Golf Professionals, those who work in the industry of golf while the PGA Tour is comprised of Professional Golfers who work on the tour as if you were working in your office. The PGA Tour as a division of PGA of America was established to represent the actual golfers and has worked with local and national organization to increase monies for charities as well as increasing purses for the players.

Golf as it was known in the early days presented problems for spectators to view golf. Dean Beman brought a big change to the arena with Stadium Golf. People could stand on the side of hills which lined the fairways getting an excellent view of what was going on. Tiger Woods has not increased the number of new players, but has been a wonderful asset in bring spectators to see golf. There are 4 majors and although not so designated the Players Championship is considered the 5th major.

Over the years golf has contributed $1.4 Billion to charity and $3 Million to local charities. Each year over 2000 volunteers help the Players Championship. This is major asset the North Florida Area.

Visiting Rotarians:
Buck Autrey — Downtown club
Ron Autrey — Downtown club
Ed Witt — Downtown club

Rotary Guests:
Andy McNeil — Guest of Don Ward
Jack Schultz — Guest of Eric Schultz (Eric’s dad)
Cate Cheevers — Guest of Jimmy Kelly
Jessica Manvey — Guest of Jimmy Kelly
Gary Fletcher — Guest of Club
Julian Benjamin III — Guest of Club

Birthdays
Jeff Collins — August 27
Bill Gladney — August 30
Putt Wetherbee — September 1
Vince Coyle — September 2
Homer Dunnmon — September 2

Next Meeting - September 9, 2009
Speaker: Kirby Green, Executive Director, St. Johns River Water Management District
Greeters: Robert Conolly and Phil Voss
Invocation: Ham Cooke
Pledge: Cheryl Ellingson
Four-Way Test: Joel Dantzler

Quick Links:
You can now report make-ups online.

Submit “Family of Rotary” information online.

Please review the 2009 - 2010 Duty Roster and mark your calendar with your responsibilities for the upcoming year.