Through the generosity of Samford alumnus Gary Cooney, Samford University has launched Project SAMson.
Project SAMson works to incorporate technology and data analysis into modern sports medicine practices to enhance the training experience, improve the recovery process, and intensify the performance of Samford’s 17 NCAA Division I athletic programs.
The project is a collaborative initiative partnering Samford University with Andrews Sports Medicine, the American Sports Medicine Institute, Samford University Athletics, Samford University Brock School of Business and College of Health Sciences and the Samford University Center for Sports Analytics.
Since its launch in the summer of 2021, the program’s funding has been spearheaded by generous donors like Gary Cooney. Cooney is also a former Samford University student-athlete, and played on the 1971 national championship winning football team.
Samford is no stranger to the Cooney family, as the fieldhouse and main building housing the Brock School of Business are both named after Cooney. Cooney attended Samford beginning in 1970, and graduated in 1974 with a degree in business.
Samford Public Relations students Haley Sue Harbison and Caroline Coleman are working with their client, Project SAMson, to bring awareness and publicity to the new program.
Harbison and Coleman have recently received a grant of $5,000 to assist their campaign. The grant was provided through the generosity of the National Millennial Community, an organization that brings millennials and brands together to generate dialogue and facilitate professional development.
The money has been used for an in-person event where the students partnered with the Men’s Basketball Marketing staff to promote Project SAMson at a Men’s Basketball game. The money has also been used to purchase various “swag” items such as stickers, cups, sweatshirts, and spirit towels. The students distributed these items at their second in-person event on March 23.
Harbison and Coleman said they are grateful for the opportunity to gain real world experience before heading into the workforce.
“I have always known Samford was preparing well for life post-grad, but I am truly seeing that brought to life through this PR campaign,” Coleman said.
Harbison echoed Coleman’s thoughts on the experience.
“It has been such a neat experience getting to work with a real, tangible client — Project SAMson isn’t just a theoretical idea, it’s a real program with real benefits to the Samford community, and I am grateful we are getting to play a small part in it,” Harbison said.
To learn more about Project SAMson, visit Samford.edu.
