By Bobby Tingle

 

Nothing can unite a campus and a community like a little bit of old-fashioned competition.

As the West Orange-Stark Mustangs football team has progressed through their gridiron schedule this year one must admit they have steadily improved.  At the beginning of the campaign, they looked a bit rough at times.  But week upon week they have applied their blood, sweat and tears in their quest for victory.

Now, they find themselves on the cusp of another run at a State Championship.

You can sense the excitement in the community.  I know they are excited on campus.

By the time you read this, the Mustang Football players and coaches will either be preparing for next week’s match or joining the basketball, baseball or track team; or, maybe thinking about the possibilities for the years to come.

Regardless, one must admit, their quest to prevail and win week after week can be a unifying pursuit within the school and the community.

The same may be said soon of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears softball team.

The word around the office is they will be a force to be reckoned with in Orange County, their district and potentially all the way to state.

Dr. Thomas Johnson has a vision to bring such a unifying and inspiring energy to the campus at Lamar State College – Orange (LSC-O).

“I have a vision and a plan,” said Johnson Thursday morning at the 8^th Annual Granger/KOGT can/food drive.

“When our team wins the national championship we are going to line the boardwalk at the Sabine River front with students, staff and community supporters and honor our fishing team,” said Johnson.

Johnson wants to enter the world of competitive collegiate sports by establishing a fishing team.

His aspirations are high.  His enthusiasm and energy are compelling.  His aspiring spirit is infectious.

“But first we need a mascot, hopefully aquatic,” said Johnson.

The details, as of this writing, are yet to emerge.  But stay tuned.

Could this be a perfect fit?

Champion fishermen regularly make their way to the City of Orange Boat Ramp to launch their boat and venture out into the Sabine River in search of lunker bass or a trophy redfish.

Why not a team of LSC-O student-fishermen competing locally, regionally even nationally to be the best collegiate fishermen in the land?

Orange County has already become a nationally acclaimed venue for such high stakes events as Bassmasters Elite Series, Elite Redfish Series and Bass Champs Open events.

A nationally acclaimed collegiate fishing team at LSC-O performing at a championship level in Orange County could attract more high quality events to our fair county.

Here’s hoping Johnson finds fulfillment in his quest for a national champion as LSC-O.

 

 

Moving soon?

 

The Orange Leader may be moving soon.

You never know for sure until you hang your sign on the door, power up your computer, make that first phone call and help that first walk-in customer.

But soon it could be a reality.

The paperwork should soon be signed.

The preliminaries should be set in motion.

Soon thereafter it may all become a reality.

The Orange Leader should be in its new home at 1008 Green Avenue in the first quarter of 2019.

Long time Orange Insurance agent Larry David retired August 31.  His retirement made the building available.

The Orange Leader claimed first rights to make an offer to purchase the property and building.

The plan is scheduled to come to fruition next week.

We hope it all goes well.

As we progress we will keep you posted.  When we get in, we want you to come by and say hello.

We are looking forward to your visit at our new home!

 

Bobby Tingle is publisher of The Orange Leader.  You can reach him at bobby.tingle@orangeleader.com.