Pull out your green Delta State University golf shirt and getready. The DSU South Central Alumni Chapter is extending aninvitation to all area high school coaches to play in an 18-holegolf tournament on Tuesday, July 17. A large group of Delta Statecoaches will be present at Co-Lin’s Wolf Hollow Golf Club for thescramble.

The basic idea is to talk sports and promote local athletes in acomfortable setting. However, portable air conditioners will not beinstalled on the golf carts. On the cooler side, on-courserefreshments will be available.

This assembly of prep coaches from southwest Mississippi willhelp them get acquainted with the DSU athletic department and viceversa. Coaches also are invited to the evening meal and alumnimeeting which will be held at the Brookhaven Parks & RecreationDepartment headquarters on Highway 51 north.

The local alumni chapter is seeking sponsors to assist with thetournament and the day’s activities. Plans also are under way toestablish a South Central Alumni scholarship fund at DSU.

For more information, contact Bradley Smith at 601.835.3456,Sandi Ray at 601.643.0197 and chapter president Dr. Bob Watson at601.833.1223. The chapter’s secretary/treasurer is Mike Wimberly ofMcComb.

Sniff, sniff!

You can smell those delicious Boston Butts roasting on thegrill. It must be time for the Co-Lin football program’s thirdannual butts fundraiser.

According to Co-Lin head football coach Glenn Davis, the coacheswill begin cooking the butts next Friday, June 29, adjacent to theFrank Pitts Field House. Butts can be picked up that weekend andthe cost is $25 per butt.

“We have sold an average of 600 to 800 (butts) each year,” saidDavis.

Patrons can place orders with any Co-Lin football player orcoaching staff member. They can contact Coach Davis at 601.643.8347and 601.757.1007.

Davis said the annual sale has benefited the Co-Lin footballprogram. “This is a big fundraiser for us. It has enabled us to topurchase windsuits for our players when we travel.”

The sale also helped refurbish Co-Lin’s dressing room with newfoot lockers and dressing stalls.

Davis and the Wolfpack are coming off Co-Lin’s most successfulseason in 20 years. Co-Lin was runner-up in the South Division andthe state championship game to Pearl River. The Pack received aninvitation to the Sea Island Golden Isles Bowl Classic inBrunswick, Ga. and shut out Georgia Military College 21-0.

Co-Lin finished 9-3 overall and was ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA’sfinal national poll.

Davis, the state and regional coach of the year, certainlydeserved that honor. As a reward for his players, bowl championshiprings are on order. Co-Lin is seeking funds to pay for therings.

Certainly, funding for athletics can be a major hurdle at alllevels. Co-Lin is no exception.

Plans were under way to build a new and larger press box atCo-Lin’s Stone Stadium but projected costs have nearly tripled.That project has been put on hold. In the meantime, plans aremoving forward to construct new restrooms on the home side of thestadium before the 2007 season kicks off in September.

For sure, there are many needs at Co-Lin. In this column’sopinion, there is a desperate need for a new outfield fence atSullivan Stadium, home of the Co-Lin baseball team.

From 300 feet away, the 8-foot tall green fence appears to be ingood shape. Upon closer inspection, mass deterioration of the15-year-old wood boards is obvious. Several support posts behindthe fence are either cracked or broken.

What happens when an outfielder crashes into the fence whilechasing a fly ball?

We remember last season when Co-Lin outfielder Taebyus Smith hitthe fence and broke some boards. Fortunately, Smith avoided seriousinjury from splintered boards and rusty nails.

How much does a new wood outfield fence cost?

Probably close to $50,000.

Ouch!

Is there a benevolent lumber company in the Co-Lin district?

For an alternative, how about allowing individuals to purchaseboards and have their name either carved or stenciled on theplanks?

For a campaign slogan, consider, “Buy A Board. Build AFence.”

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com