BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Faulkner State Community College held the school’s annual media day at Holly Hills. The Sun Chiefs are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the institution's founding in 1966. Amid a number of big changes marking this golden year, the Sun Chiefs passed the torch of leadership for the men's basketball program from head coach Jack Robertson to Robby Robertson over the summer. Jack Robertson led the program for 43-years to 855 victories through the 2015-16 season.

The Robby Robertson Sun Chiefs also got off to a good start Tuesday night and presented the new head coach with a 103-74 Sun Chief win over visiting Pensacola Christian at Jack Robertson Arena.

Robertson said taking the reins from his dad was special and emotional.

"What a great legacy to follow, he built it here with 855 victories and I feel a lot of special emotions about following in his footsteps. But I want to honor him and continue the winning traditions he established of maintaining a strong program.

“I feel a great responsibility to carry his legacy forward and look forward to getting the season off to a good start. We have a very talented group of players and they work together very well."

The Men’s team hits the road next for the two-day Shelton State Classic tournament in Tuscaloosa, Nov. 10-11. They return for a three-game home stand with University of Mobile JV (Nov. 14), Alabama Prep Academy (Nov. 15) and Meridian Community College (Nov. 18, Home-court Tipoff is 7:15 p.m.).

Coach Linda Pitts led the Sun Chief women to the ACCC Southern Division championship last season, but lost seven sophomores in the process.

"We had a good season last year with some very good players with a lot of experience,” she said. “This year we will have a lot of less experienced, but very talented freshmen and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do.

“I believe we will be a faster, higher scoring team this year. And even though we're young, and won't have any returning starters we'll have a lot more depth at every position. This fall has been good for us to get some experience together and I’m excited about what we can do with this bunch."

Pitts team starts on the road at Volunteer State Community College (Nov. 4) in Gallatin, Tenn., then returns for their home opener (Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.) with Delgado Community College; Spring Hill College JV (Nov. 17) and will host Meridian CC (Nov. 18 at 5:15 p.m.) in Bay Minette.

Pending SACSCOC accrediting approval in December, the Faulkner State Community College name is set to be retired as the new regional two-year college system goes into effect. The institution will operate with 12 campuses across Mobile, Baldwin, Monroe and Escambia counties serving about 8,000-10,000 students, according to ACCC president Gary Branch.

Athletically the Bay Minette program will still be the Sun Chiefs, The ACCC, Monroeville campus will continue to field the Eagles and the ACCC, Brewton campus teams will retain their Warhawks mascot.

The Sun Chiefs head baseball coach Wayne Larker, now in his 33rd year at FSCC has taken over as athletic director from the retiring Robertson. Larker said he's excited about adding athletic directors hat to his baseball managers cap.

"Big shoes to fill following in Jack's place,” Larker said. “But I've been fortunate to have been able to work with him and learn some of the ropes from him. Owe a lot to him. I'm looking forward to this season in basketball and all our (spring) programs as well as baseball.

“I think we will be freshman strong in most sports. So maybe more of a learning curve when that's the case, but they will get better in the second half of their seasons. And you just have to work harder with freshmen, but then you have the benefit of more experienced players the next year."

Baseball coach since 1983, Larker’s teams have posted an overall record of 935 wins, 647 losses. The Chiefs under his reign have participated in post-season play 28 of his 32 seasons.

In those years, they have won seven league championships and five state tournaments.

The state community-college mergers were one of the first major actions of the new state board created by legislators to oversee the state's 25 community colleges and technical schools.