Thursday, September 20, 2007

Sportsmanship Banquet

The Representative John C. Tilley Sportsmanship Banquet was held this evening in Hopkinsville. The event hosted the Hopkinsville High and Christian County High Football Teams. Rep. Tilley along with Coach Dixie Jones and Coach Steve Lovelace each spoke on the importance of sportsmanship and character.

Everyone enjoyed a buffet of Bar-B-Q, Chicken, slaw, potatoe, burgoo, and cake from Rutland's Bar-B-Q. This was the first time in history that both teams had participated in an event together since the rivarly began in 1962.

WHOP radio along with TV-43 were in attendance to cover this historic event. Hopkinsville which arrived first applauded Christian County as they entered. Each coach explained the importance of wanting to win and playing your hardest but both added that sportsmanship was about respect and that athletes gain respect by how they conduct themselves on and off the field.

Rep. Tilley annouced that he would be sponsoring a Sportsmanship Award to be awarded to a player from both teams. The award would be named in honor of Tilley's father, Charles Tilley, who died in May. Charles Tilley played for Hopkinsville and Vanderbilt in the 50's. Rep. Tilley played for Christian County and UK in the 80's. The recipient from each team will be chosen by the opposing team after the game on Friday. The event was a success and a nice step forward for the youth in the community.

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