By D. Mark Mitchell
Sports Columnist
TINA DEESE NAMED SOFTBALL COACH AT OHS
Opelika High School has hired Tina Deese as new head softball coach. Coach Deese has a long and impressive resume’ as a softball coach.
Deese pitched for Florida State in college and was a pitching coach there from 1985-86. Huntington College hired her to start their softball program in 1988. During her eight-year tenure at Huntington, she compiled a 286-123 record. She led the Hawks to seven straight winning seasons and was named “NAIA Coach of the Year” in 1992.
Coach Deese was hired by Auburn University in 1997 to begin their softball program. Over the next 18 years, she won 532 games, advanced to nine regional tournaments including 5 straight NCAA appearances.
Deese left Auburn in 2012 and was hired by Beauregard High School as assistant softball coach for the past two years.
Deese takes over for longtime Opelika Coach Stephanie Brown, who resigned at the end of this past season.
Opelika Athletic Director, Brian Blackmon, was excited to have Coach Deese join the Opelika Athletic department, “Anytime you can hire a quality person and coach, it makes you proud. It’s a great day for Opelika, Coach Deese has an incredible background and experience that will help our softball program.”
Opelika High principal Dr. Ferrell Seymore echoed similar thoughts: “Coach Deese is going to be a great addition to the Opelika family. Her career speaks for itself. She will be a great fit and I am proud we were able to hire her. This is a good day.”
Deese and her husband, Alan, have a son, Kyler, ( a member of the Auburn University baseball team) and a daughter, Jessi.
Coach Deese, welcome to Opelika!
SPRING
FOOTBALL
Opelika High’s football team completed spring practice last Friday with a game against Park Crossing of Montgomery. The Dawgs won 35-7.
Although a spring game, it was important to play because of the new players that will replace graduating OHS seniors.
Quarterback Jake Bentley looked sharp in his first ever start, completing 20 of 33 passes for 271 yards and four TD passes to four different receivers.
Coach Blackmon and staff were looking at several positions during the spring. Ryan Carlisle moved from tackle to center. Zach Yancey will start at inside linebacker as a junior, replacing Roy Yancey who led the team in tackles last year. The secondary is expected to be the strong point, returning several starters including Charlie Benton at safety.
Kyle Fourtanbary caught six passes at tight end for 104 yards. James Moss, wide receiver and Tanner Blatt, running back, were impressive on the offensive side.
Jack Slay handles the kicking duties: kick-offs, field goals and extra points. He was perfect Friday night.
The scrimmage was impressive for Opelika fans. The Dawgs will only improve and make the 2015 season a good one.
ALL-SPORTS BOOSTER CLUB CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
The Opelika All-Sports Booster Club is in the process of selling sponsorship for the 15-16 school year.
We have several different sponsor plans to choose from. They are:
BIG BOARD SPONSOR: $3000
8 Reserved Seats – All Home Football Games (except play-offs)
4 Passes – All Other Home (OMS/OHS) Sporting Events (except play-offs)
Full Page Color Ad in the Football Program
2 Reserved Parking Spaces – Home Football Games
Sponsor Name on Marquee from 5:30pm until end of game, 5 seconds each time
Sponsor Name or Logo on the Big Board from 5:30 – 6:40 and after game, 15 seconds each time
Live Game Replay Sponsor on the Big Board
BIG DAWGS CLUB: $1250
8 Reserved Seats – All Home Football Games (except play-offs)
4 Passes – All Other Home (OMS/OHS) Sporting Events (except play-offs)
Full Page Ad in the Football Program
Ad on www.thedawgnetwork.com
1 Reserved Parking Space – Home Football Games
Special Recognition – Announced During Home Football Games
CAPTAIN’S CLUB: $700
6 Reserved Seats – All Home Football Games (except play-offs)
3 Passes – All Other Home (OMS/OHS) Sporting Events (except play-offs)
1/2 Page Ad in the All-Sports Booster Program
Ad on www.thedawgnetwork.com
1 Reserved Parking Space – Home Football Games
Special Recognition – Announced During Home Football Games
COACHES CLUB: $500
* 4 Reserved Seats – All Home Football Games (except play-offs)
* 2 Passes – All Other Home (OMS/OHS) Sporting Events (except play-offs)
* 1/4 Page Ad in the All-Sports Booster Program
* Listing on www.thedawgnetwork.com
* 1 Reserved Parking Space – Home Football Games
Special Recognition – Announced During Home Football Games
CLUB EXTRAS:
$250
Sponsor can be on both Marquees at same time from 5:30 until end of game – 5 seconds each time. May be purchased by Big Dawgs, Captain’s and Coaches Club members only.
$25 1 Pass – Any Home Bulldog (OMS/OHS) Sporting Event Except Varsity Football Games. Passes are ADMIT ONE ONLY and may be purchased by Big Dawgs, Captain’s and Coaches Club Members only.
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: $25
Opelika Bulldog Car Tag.
If you are interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor, email me, D.Mark Mitchell at www.foxonthemark@yahoo.com.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
