At more than 400 national, state and regional titles, Valdosta-Lowndes County is without a doubt a TitleTown.
Per capita, Valdosta-Lowndes County likely has more titles than other contending cities, even the big ones like Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, and New York.
But will those numbers, our championships from Valdosta High, Lowndes High and Valdosta State football, as well as championships in so many other schools, organizations, sports and activities, will those championships alone be enough to name Valdosta as ESPN’s TitleTown USA?
They will do a lot toward potentially achieving that goal but so will our participation, our support for all of our championship teams and champions, this week when ESPN comes to town.
An ESPN crew will be filming at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Local organizers have invited everyone in the community to attend to celebrate our claim to becoming TitleTown USA. A tailgate party starts at 3:30 p.m., around Bazemore-Hyder and Drexel park, with everyone asked to be inside the stadium by 5 p.m.
ESPN NFL reporter Wendy Nix is scheduled to report on Valdosta and our nomination to TitleTown USA. NFL linebacker Randall Godfrey, a Lowndes High School graduate, former University of Georgia football player and NFL free agent, is also expected to be a part of the ESPN coverage.
The thing to remember is TitleTown is about all of Valdosta and Lowndes County. It is not just one high school. It is not just one sport. It is about being a community of champions.
Valdosta-Lowndes County is a region familiar with welcoming home champions. Those 400-plus championship titles speak to that familiarity. Let’s welcome ESPN like a town of champions. Let’s show them and the world why Valdosta deserves to be called TitleTown USA.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: A community of champions
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
