McCollum Adds Star Power to Tournament

Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee Head Football Coach Andy McCollum added a little star power on Wednesday when he put country star Vince Gill, Bob Walcott and Jack Sells into his foursome at the Third Annual Andy McCollum and Ole South Properties Invitational to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rutherford County held at Indian Hills Golf Club.

"We didn't really publicize Vince coming to the tournament because I asked him as a friend," McCollum said. "Plus he isn't a bad golfer."

Gill plays in numerous charity golf tournaments and hosts his own "The Vinny." He said he finds nine out of ten times he participates in tournaments like this one because he has made friends with someone in the tournament.

Sporting a Middle Tennessee golf shirt and baseball cap, Gill looked the part of a true Blue Raider. Gill is known as a big supporter of Belmont University and was asked if he could lend that same support to Middle Tennessee since the Bruins don't have football.

"I support as many sports teams in this area as I can," Gill said diplomatically. "I have to admit I may have a more vested interest in Middle Tennessee in the future since my daughter Jenny is thinking about attending the university in the fall."

McCollum leant his name to the tournament when John Floyd, who owns Ole South Properties, approached him about raising money for the Boys and Girls Club. It was a good fit for the charity and for McCollum and the rest is history.

"I approached Andy in his first year at Middle Tennessee about the tournament," Floyd said. "It was a great way to get his name out in the community and support a great cause."

The name has truly gotten out, as the tournament has grown rapidly in the last three years. The two-day event has all the team slots filled to capacity as 184 were scheduled for Wednesday and 192 for Thursday.

"In our third year we are expecting to raise over $100,000 dollars," said Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County Steve McKinney. "We are really surprised at how the tournament has grown, because when you start something like this you never know how the chips will fall."

A big supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs, McCollum also hosts a camp over the summer for the group. It is a way for him to give back to the community and show his support.

"I think the Boys and Girls Club is a great organization," McCollum said. "John Floyd has put together a great event and I am honored to be a part of it."

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