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Ways to Support the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation

Track and Field
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An occupational medicine professional, Leonard Bevill has served as president and CEO of Macon Occupational Medicine in Macon, Georgia, for nearly two decades. Alongside his professional activities, Leonard Bevill has worked to give back to his local community by supporting various organizations. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation.

As the main fundraising arm for Georgia Southern Athletics, the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation works to provide the funds necessary for student-athletes to attend the university. Many of the Foundation's activities focus on raising scholarship funds via various programs. Those who would like to support the Foundation in this work can do can get involved in several ways.

The Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation's main fundraising arm is the Eagle Fund, which provides scholarship support for nearly 400 Georgia Southern student-athletes. Eagle Fund members contribute to the university's athletics program at one of eight giving levels. The levels range from True Blue with a minimum donation of $120 to Champion Society with a minimum donation of $50,000.

Along with contributing to the Eagle Fund, supporters of Georgia Southern Athletics can help student-athletes by making a planned gift, establishing an endowment, or donating money directly to a specific sport. The Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation also manages the Coaches' Continuity Fund, which helps retain quality coaches at Georgia Southern by providing them a bonus structure.

More information about supporting the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation is available at www.gseagles.com.

Three Interesting Facts from Golf History

Playing golf
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A master of science graduate of Georgia Southern (GS) University with a degree in exercise science, Leonard Bevill serves as the president and CEO of Macon Occupational Medicine. Leonard Bevill also participates in athletics as a member of the GS Athletic Foundation and enjoys playing golf in his free time.

Golf is an engaging sport that provides many physical, social, and mental health benefits. It is also a game with a very long and interesting history, as the following three facts illustrate:

1. The first golf balls were made using feathers
Until the mid-1800s, players used balls formed from leather wrapped around goose or chicken feathers. A single ball could cost between $10 and $20.

2. The original golf tee was a pile of sand
Before the tee was invented in 1899, golfers were required to carry a bucket of sand around the course. They would build the sand into mounds and strike the ball from atop the pile.

3. Golf was banned by King James II
During the early years of modern golf, King James II banned the sport because it distracted men from military training. Scotland was involved in an ongoing war against Europe at the time and the forbiddance of golf continued until the reign of King James IV. He initially reaffirmed the ban but lifted it after the Treaty of Glasgow and subsequently obtained his own clubs in 1502.

Leadership Macon Equips Community Leaders

Leonard Bevill founded Macon Occupational Medicine in 2001. The nationally certified Georgia-based occupational health company offers comprehensive services including the treatment of work related injuries, drug and alcohol screening, and physical therapy. An active member of his community, Leonard Bevill has served in a leadership capacity for several organizations including the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation and Children’s Hospital Navicent Health. Mr. Bevill is also an alumnus of Leadership Macon and subsequently served on its board of directors.

Established in 1979, Leadership Macon is a leadership training program that focuses on developing community leaders in Macon and Bibb counties. Since its inception, over 1,500 people have completed the Leadership Macon program. Each year’s class is chosen through a competitive nomination process that evaluates each candidate’s leadership traits and potential.

The year long Leadership Macon program begins with a weekend retreat and continues with monthly seminars. Speakers and facilitators lead the seminars, discussing complex problems and various approaches to issues facing the area. Topics include housing, education, economic development, race relations, tourism, and local government. Discussion points may change year to year, depending on current concerns facing the community at large. Participants are spurred on to dig deeper into these and other issues by sharing their viewpoints and engaging in productive discussion. 

Graduates of Leadership Macon are encouraged to become active leaders in Macon and Bibb counties. The skills and lessons they learn equip them to be informed advocates for solutions to the challenges facing their communities and neighborhoods.