VALDOSTA – The anticipation in the air at the Valdosta State PE Complex Wednesday was so thick it could be cut with a knife as over 200 fans awaited seeing their hometown featured on ESPN.

Then about 20 minutes after 6 p.m. it finally happened, the world saw why the small town of Valdosta was one of the front runners for TitleTown.

The day had started about 2 p.m. when ESPN Classic aired both of Valdosta State’s national championship games back-to-back.

To acknowledge the big day for Valdosta, VSU opened the doors to the PE Complex and set up a movie theater type atmosphere for fans to come and relive their favorite memories.

“We just thought it would be a good community event and that this would be another chance for everyone to come together as one,” said VSU Sports Information Director Shawn Reed.

Fans cheered as if they were at the game again each time the Blazers scored and at just before 6 p.m. the crowd erupted as the Blazers scored to take the lead against Northwest Missouri State University in the 2007 Division II National Championship game.

The National Champion VSU Red Hots dance team took the floor to perform dance routines for the crowd as the final minutes were played out on 15x20 foot screens overhead.

Talk 92.1 FM’s Scott James took over the role of emcee and introduced VSU’s David Dean, head coach of the champion Blazers.

Dean began talking to the crowd, but then paused and looked up to the screen as VSU linebacker William Montford made the game-winning interception.

“I tell you what, that is still awesome,” said Dean to the crowd as he watched Montford’s pick seal VSU’s title.

Then James, along with the hosts of the X’s and O’s radio show, Dustin Swedelson and Adam MacDonald, began giving away prizes for winning raffle tickets and correctly answered trivia questions.

Between cheers from VHS, LHS, and VSU cheerleaders the crowd stayed pumped until ESPN began rolling their TitleTown segment.

Then as the segment began to roll, the gym became so quiet a pin could be heard dropping. But as highlights of last Wednesday’s event and team highlights rolled the crowd rose to their feet and applauded as if they were actually at the games.

The reactions were just another reason why ESPN producers sent emails to those who helped them last week stating that it may have been one of the best moments of their lives, coming to experience Valdosta and all the town had to offer last Wednesday.

“This is Winnersville and TitleTown,” said NFL veteran Randall Godfrey during his interview with Wendi Nix on the TitleTown segment. “I had chill bumps when I walked in (to Bazemore-Hyder). Truly, the tradition here is unbelievable.