ON THE MARK
D. MARK MITCHELL
OPELIKA —
Summer is a tough time for high school sports, other than camps, 7-on-7 tournaments and workouts. As we get close to August, football lovers begin to get the itch. For the past four years, iHeartRadio has held “High School Media Days presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic” at the Bottling Plant Event Center.
This year’s iHeartRadio Media Days are slated for July 26 and 27 at the Bottling Plant Event Center in downtown Opelika. Fans can listen from 8 a.m. to noon on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310, or watch on WOTM TV (channel 80 on Charter Spectrum), home of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Van Riggs and I will host media days along with Jeff Sasser and Eddie Owen. High School Media Day’s presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic begins Tuesday with AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. Wednesday morning begins with AISA Athletic Director Roddie Beck.
At media days, head coaches from area high schools bring up to three players and speak about the upcoming season. Media representatives from East Alabama, Columbus and Montgomery gather to take notes, record audio video and ask questions to players and coaches so they know about each team.
Tuesday’s tentative schedule:
8 a.m. – Alvin Briggs AHSAA
8:15 a.m. – Valley Rams
8:35 a.m. – Beauregard Hornets
8:55 a.m. – LaFayette Bulldogs
9:15 a.m. – Lee-Scott Academy Warriors
9:35 a.m. – Loachapoka Indians
9:55 a.m. – Tallassee Tigers
10:15 a.m. –Springwood Wildcats
10:35 a.m. – Dadeville Tigers
10:55 a.m. – Beulah Bobcats
11:15 a.m. – Eufaula Tigers
11:35 a.m. – Auburn Tigers and 1
1:55 a.m. – Central Red Devils.
Wednesday’s tentative schedule:
8a.m. – AISA Athletic Director Roddie Beck
8:15 a.m. – Chambers Academy Rebels
8:35 a.m. – Southern Prep
8:55 a.m. – Russell County Warriors
9:15 a.m. – Notasulga Blue Devils
9:35 a.m. – Lanett
9:55 a.m. – Glennwood Gators
10:15 a.m. – Benjamin Russell Wildcats
10:35 a.m. – Reeltown Rebels
10:55 a.m. – Bullock County
11:15 a.m. – Smiths Station and
11:35 a.m. – Opelika Bulldogs.
iHeartRadio’s High School Media Days would not be possible without the support of the Orthopaedic Clinic and the Bottling Plant Event Center. The Ortho Clinic has been involved in high school sports since they opened the business. The Orthopaedic Clinic doctors: Trent Wilson, Frazier Jones, Adam Dooley, Ryan Palmer and Todd Shiels are all dedicated to high school athletics along with their regular practice. Ortho Clinic President and CEO Terry Rosenthal along with Director of High School Sports John Rich play a huge part in supporting our local schools. The Orthopaedic Clinic offers a Saturday morning clinic for athletes that were injured during the game on Friday. This allows student-athletes to see an Orthopeadist instead of a regular physician.
You can also keep up with high school games by listening the the “Orthopaedic Clinic wrap-up Show” every Saturday morning (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) on WZMG, FOX Sports the Game 910-1310. The first show will air, Saturday, Aug. 20.
OPELIKA HOST DBB STATE TOURNAMENT
Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball will host the DBB State Tournament at West Ridge Park this weekend. Opelika will play Friday night at 7:50 p.m.
Auburn University head baseball coach Butch Thompson will join Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and other special guest for opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.
The tournament is scheduled to end Sunday evening.
The Junior DBB State Tournament features Opelika and Dothan in a best-of-three game series. First game is scheduled Friday at 5:50 p.m.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.