Published on February 10, 2008 at 6 p.m. by Philip Poole  

Scores of Samford University students and employees cheered runners in the annual Mercedes Marathon Feb. 11 in Birmingham. The university sponsored mile 15 along the full marathon route, which passed in front of the campus on Lakeshore Drive.

Among the volunteers were Jay Yelton, assistant coach, and members of the Samford soccer team; faculty member Patrice Donnelley and students from the exercise science and sports medicine department; and members of Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Omicron Pi; Chi Omega; Zeta Tau Alpha; Phi Mu; and Alpha Delta Pi.

Additional employee volunteers included Phil Breiner, accounting services; Tina Chaffin, education; Gary Chaffin, campus safety; Lauren Taylor, student affairs; and David Goodwin and Philip Poole, university relations.

Samford administrators Peter Neuberger and Alan Hargrave completed the full marathon.

"It always is encouraging to see so many Samford folks who are willing to brave chilly weather, the early hour and getting sloshed with water and PowerAde in support of those who are running the marathon," Poole said. "And, every year we get expressions of appreciation from the runners for being to cheer them on."

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.