Colwell a 'Top Venue'
Stadium recognized in Georgia Sports Monthly
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam This photo, published in a Georgia Sports Monthly magazine feature on "Georgia's Top Stadiums," shows a portion of the spectacular view from the top of the home stands at Union County High School's football field, Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium.

For almost four decades, Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium has been much more than a run of the mill high school football field.

Over the years it has played host to many noteworthy events, including football games, soccer games, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, and graduations. This Friday, it will host Union County High School's 2007 graduation ceremonies.

While the scenic beauty it offers has been appreciated by locals for quite some time, the stadium has also been recognized across the state thanks to Georgia Sports Monthly magazine.

"The editor knew that I had been here for 36 years and wanted the history of the stadium," former UCHS Athletic Director Terry Rogers said. "They were listing what they considered the top venues in the state of Georgia. The magazine had heard that the setting for our football stadium was one of the prettiest in the state and they wanted to do an article."

Rogers supplied the information, and Union Sentinel Editor Jared Putnam supplied the photo. They were published in a recent issue of the magazine in a feature chronicling "Georgia's Top Stadiums."

The article stated:

Friday night in the fall can mean only one thing in Georgia and that's high school football. All the rivalries, traditions, marching bands, cheerleaders, coaches and fans converge each week to participate in an event that has become part of the subculture of our state.

Regardless of the teams, sometimes its the location that gives the game an atmosphere that adds to the experience. Whether it is the stadium layout, the size and fervor of the crowd, the view from the stands or a time-honored ritual honored by the home team, each venue has its own special properties. This month, Georgia Sports Monthly explores some of the best our state has to offer.

Union County's own stadium was listed second in the article.

Mike Colwell Stadium, Union County High School: For those who really enjoy a scenic view along with the football game, Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium is the place to be. Built in 1969 and named after the late son of former state representative Carlton Colwell, the stadium sits in the middle of the north Georgia mountains.

The view of the Appalachian Mountains is spectacular in all directions but is best experienced by those sitting in the home stands. Facing east, the home crowd (or any visitors who slipped over to the home side) is treated to a breathtaking view, accentuated by those special evenings when a full moon rises over the hills. The stadium seats 4,000 and also has field houses on both ends.

While the stadium has had it's fair share of memorable games, Rogers said one that sticks out in his mind is a 1983 game between Union County and White County. The two teams were tied for the Subregion title at the time.

"We had led most of the ballgame, but were behind 14-13 with less than a minute to go," Rogers said. "We had worked on a double pass all year where the quarterback would raise up and the flanker would fake and come back behind and we would send the tight end down on a post." The play resulted in a touchdown, giving the Panthers a 20- 14 victory and the Subregion crown. "We have had a lot of good games and a lot of good memories," Rogers added.

As more people become aware of the place where those memories were made, it seems to only make things sweeter. "Ours is listed with the top football settings in Georgia," Rogers proudly stated. "I thought that was worthy of our people knowing that."