Community celebrates Golden Tiger baseball success
The Russellville High School baseball team was honored with a celebration May 23 for the third consecutive AHSAA Class 5A state championship.
The festivities, held at the Russellville Baseball Stadium, were open to the community and served as a way for the team and coaches to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. Members of the Russellville City Schools Board of Education were on hand, as well as the Russellville City Council and Franklin County Commission.
RCS Superintendent Heath Grimes welcomed the crowd to the celebration and was followed by RCS Board of Education President Greg Trapp. Russellville High School Principal Jason Goodwin also spoke to the team and crowd. Mayor David Grissom and Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore each read resolutions on behalf of the Russellville City Council and Franklin County Commission.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Grissom said of the team’s accomplishments. “This has been another great year, and it’s extra special for the entire community. We certainly appreciate the hard work of all the team members and their families, the coaches and their families and the entire Russellville community. It’s just huge for us.”
Grimes also spoke highly of the team and coaches. “We talk a lot about excellence, and our motto is ‘A Tradition of Excellence.’ To say we are the best baseball team in the state of Alabama three years in a row – we get to say there is something to what we’re talking about. It’s not just a motto; it’s real. I think the way this team has been coached, they’ve been taught excellence. They’ve been taught to perform at a level of excellence, and it showed in the state championship. They’re just a beacon for us right now.”
Members of the team and coaching staff received framed gifts for their accomplishments, and head coach Chris Heaps presented the mayor with a batting helmet autographed by the entire team and coaching staff. After the presentations, fans were encouraged to meet and greet the team on the playing field for pictures, and young Golden Tiger fans got autographs from some of their baseball heroes.
