By Saluda Sam
Do you know what a “Ye Olde Timer Athlete” is? That’s a guy now in his mid-seventies to past ninety who loves to talk about the old textile ball team. He will tell you he could run, bat, throw and field on the baseball field. How he could dribble, shoot and rebound on the basketball court. Each year he gets better and better.
For the third year, the reunion will be held at the Piedmont Community Building, starting at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 16th, and running until 2 p.m. The Southern Textile Basketball Tournament Association and the Greenville Textile Heritage Society co-sponsor the event.
The Textile Heritage Band will start the program with some good old-time tunes. After Opening Remarks, the GTHS will add to their Athletic Hall of Fame with each community adding their former greats. The STBT will induct two former stars whohaven’t been honored before.
The guest speaker this year will be Bob Bolin, native of Hickory Grove, SC, who pitched several years in the major leagues, primarily with the San Francisco Giants. He is a very entertaining speaker.
After a lunch of hot dog plates prepared by the Monaghan Mill Baptist Church ladies (incidentally the only cost at the event), a special panel of “stars” will relate some of their many heroic achievements of past Glory Days. The panel will be anchored by Ron Scarborough of WRIX-FM 103.1 Sports Talk Show.
Special exhibits from ten local mill villages (including Pelzer and Piedmont) will feature old photos and athletic memorabilia. Two special exhibits will be Eckie Jordan’s personal collection of trophies and awards, and one on Champ Osteen.
Another special guest will be one of the all-time great players, Sue Vickers, who played for Slater most of the time. She is from down in Georgia.
A good time is in store for all. Whether you are a former player, coach, referee or just plain fans, there will be something for all. See you there!
