VALDOSTA — Fanfare kicked off for the South Georgia Classic Wednesday, as former Auburn head coach and ABC college football analyst Terry Bowden did his Orlando-based radio show from right here in Valdosta.

Bowden talked live from Kinderlou Forest Golf Club after setting up in the upstairs office of club pro Jim Bishop.

“I have not seen this place yet. It’s wonderful and has some great potential,” said Bowden during one of his off-air breaks. “There’s either great wealth or great debt here. Those are some beautiful houses.

“It just reminds me of the great Georgia and Alabama courses. I look forward to the opportunity to play it sometime.”

Bowden was in town to attend The Gathering of Eagles of Valdosta Technical College, in which he spoke about team work and leadership. The meeting was attended by local business owners looking to pick up tips on how to improve their own businesses.

“It’s great, Valdosta getting the businesses together and bringing in speakers to talk about leadership,” said Bowden. “They can take notes and go out and share with each other and the community.”

Steven Little and former Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Andy Russell were also on hand for the event.

“I have enjoyed my time up here. Andy Russell was one of my heroes growing up, and it was a pleasure getting to speak next to him,” said Bowden.

During the college football off-season, Bowden travels the country doing many public speaking events. While on the road, he can still do his radio show that airs in the Orlando and Tampa areas. He also writes a column for the Yahoo sports website.

“As a football coach, it’s natural to talk about teamwork and leadership,” said Bowden. “As an analyst for college football, I find myself writing and doing talk radio as well. I’m the guy we hated.”

As a former college coach and college student, Bowden understands the business world from college to the real world. He applies both in his speeches and seminars.

“Why in the world I got a business and accounting degree knowing I wanted to go into coaching, I don’t know. But it was critical to get a business background,” said Bowden. “I went to law school, but never wanted to be a lawyer. It gave me a lot of communication skills and writing skills I never would have learned with an accounting major.”

With Valdosta State University having such a large business school, Coach Bowden gave his advice to students who might be looking for a career in the business world.

“One, you can never get enough education. It’s just invaluable. You never know how important it’s going to be until you go out there and you either have it or you don’t have it,” said Bowden. “The other thing, the most important thing whether you are in Valdosta or anywhere in the world, is to think big. It takes big dreams, and I think the greatest thing a young business student at VSU or wanting to go to VSU is to make big plans.

“You never know where it’s gonna lead. For myself, from coaching to doing the television show in Times Square on the jumbo-tron in New York. You have to just think big and have big dreams.”