Released March 18, 2005

HATTIESBURG – The University of Southern Mississippi continues to benefit from its relationship with Comcast Cable Corporation, following a $5,000 donation from the company to the university recently for scholarships.

Southern Miss senior Matthew Evans, a senior marketing major from Gulfport, also received $500 from the proceeds of the annual Southern Miss/Comcast Golf Classic.

In 2003 the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi along with Comcast launched the Southern Miss Comcast Golf Classic to raise scholarship funds for Southern Miss students and to bring the Southern Miss Division of Student Affairs, students, faculty/staff, alumni, and friends together for a common cause.

"I'm very grateful and humbled by this gift," said Evans, whose parents, Joe and Helen Evans, are Southern Miss alumni.

Mike Davenport of Comcast presented the donation to Southern Miss Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Joe Paul and Susan Bourland, who served on the planning committee for the golf tournament.

'We're very appreciative of the commitment Comcast has made to this tournament and to the students at our university," Bourland said.

Paul also praised tournament participants and Comcast for their efforts. "This (donation) enables us to provide scholarships to worthy students, and provides an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to come together and have a good time," he said.

Players competed in three divisions, including student, faculty/staff, and alumni/community. The Southern Miss Comcast Golf Classic is also supported by the national sponsor Collegiate Golf alliance/NIRSA whereby the winners of the 3 divisions advance to the national championships held each December.

The winners for the October 2004 tournament were:

* Due to a tie in the student division, the team of Shane Rushing and Brett Morris shared first place with the team of Steve Yelverton and Austin Holmes.

* Faculty / staff winners - Kerry Geroux and Dr. David Beckett.

* Alumni/Community division winners -Pat Ryan and Robert Pinson.

All four teams were sent to the national tournament in Las Vegas in December 2004, where the faculty/staff team of Geroux and Beckett won the national title.

Over the past 2 years, the tournament has raised a significant amount of money to support development and scholarships. This year's tournament will be October 1, 2005 at Canebrake Golf Course. For more information or a registration form contact Sid Gonsoulin or Chris McGee at Southern Miss Recreational Sports, Box 5155, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 or call 601- 266-5767.

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