VALDOSTA —
The Georgia Firebirds are coming to Valdosta. Maybe.
A semi-professional football team currently located in Tifton, the Firebirds are looking to play their upcoming season out of Valdosta, says owner Darrien Teals.
“We will play out of Valdosta once I find us a stadium to play from,” Teals said Tuesday.
Currently, Teals said he has reached out to Valdosta, Lowndes, Valwood and Valdosta State about using their facilities for Firebird games, which drew an average attendance of 300 to 500 people in Tifton, according to Teals.
With the season beginning May 4, Valwood’s stadium won’t be available because of a renovation project and the likelihood of utilizing Valdosta’s and Lowndes’ facilities doesn’t look good, says Teals.
One option the Firebirds are hoping for is being able to use the practice field at Valdosta State, which Teals said would be “perfect” for his team.
“We would love to play there,” he said.
The Firebirds are entering their fourth year of existence. They played all three of their previous years in Tifton’s Brodie Field.
Low attendance numbers has forced Teals to look for other places to play. Valdosta is where he wants to relocate.
“We have guys from all over,” Teals said. “We are a community development organization. We give people a chance to develop their jobs.”
The Firebirds will play out of the Gridiron Developmental Football League in 2013. They will play teams from the Jacksonville, Gainesville (Fla.) and Atlanta areas.
In 2011, the Firebirds were members of the United Football Federation and won a bowl game in Miami, Fla.
Last year, the Firebirds competed as an independent football team, playing various teams from various semi-professional leagues.
Valdosta is already home to a semi-pro football team, the Valdosta Hawks, who actually play their home games in Hamilton County, Fla.
Local Sports
Georgia Firebirds looking to relocate to Valdosta
- Local Sports
-
-
All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
-
Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
-
Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
-
Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
-
Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
-
Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
-
Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
-
Blazers take 1-0 series lead
Angela O’Connor launched a pinch-hit two-run home run over the left-field fence, tying the game against Alabama-Huntsville in the bottom of the sixth inning, and sparking the Blazers and their fans along the way.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
