• Old gym takes its final bow

Progress is a wonderful thing but sometimes it’s a little painful. Case in point, it was tough this week to see the destruction of the original gymnasium at VSU. As I passed by there and saw the backhoe’s digging and clearing to make way for the new student union, I couldn’t help but to flashback to some great memories created in my life by the activities in that building:

-- Watching the Rebels (yes, they were the Rebels before the Blazers) play basketball against the likes of Berry, Shorter and Piedmont colleges when they were in the NAIA division.

-- Seeing “Downtown” Eddie Brown and Tim Dominey hitting long bombs from the outside, way before there was a 3 point line.

-- Coach Gary Colson, then James Dominey yelling out instructions to their players while working the refs. Speaking of refs, who can forget Dr. John Miller, in his red blazer, and Red Cross riding the refs!

-- The Albany State Rams led by the Jones brothers.

-- West Georgia led by future NBA star “Foots” Walker coming to town and never defeating the Rebels/Blazers on their home court.

-- The fans, there was nothing like a packed house cheering on the home team!

-- Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes in concert burning up the stage like no one else ever could!

-- Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge in concert.

-- Marshal Tucker in concert with Toy Caldwell on lead guitar.

I am sure there are many Valdostans that have these plus many more memories about the “old gym” they could share with us. These are just a few that came to mind to me as I saw “The Old Gym” take its final bow this week.