for 24 DEC 07: CARVER'S SUNDAY

"We thank you for making Carver High School a football powerhouse for years to come!" This statement Sunday was directed NOT at the Carver football coach - but to God, in a prayer of invocation at a "spirit rally." Perhaps Pastor Marlon Scott misunderstood this, as a HOLY Spirit rally.

The invocation fired up the crowd Sunday afternoon, at a half-filled Columbus Civic Center. They were on hand for a "citywide celebration" of Carver High School's AAA football title. Newcomers who stopped by might have concluded they were in 1970's South Africa - majority African-American, but with a lot of white leaders.

Since I attended the celebration, I can say this with authority - if we're developing "One Columbus," why was the crowd at Sunday's Carver celebration at least 98-percent African-American? Should we conclude the white people were too busy finishing their shopping? Or are they holding their enthusiasm, in case a Little League baseball team wins big next year?

To be fair: a "spirit card" distributed at the Civic Center had a Carver High School team picture - and every player on the team is African-American. At least there are three white assistant coaches. And at least they don't have to be bused in, for racial balance.

The focus Sunday was supposed to be on the Carver football team winning the state title - and for the most part, that happened. The only person to make things political was the most unlikely speaker. Carver Principal Chris Lindsey told the crowd: "We need this sort of turnout, voting for a SPLOST." There's that one-cent sales tax again - but how many more police officers does Carver need?

Wait, hold on: Chris Lindsey wants a one-cent sales tax for education, not public safety. In fact, he said he wants the money "to build a new Carver High School." Uhhhh - shouldn't Columbus High School be first in line, because it's older?

Carver's Principal was the eighth in a series of speakers at the spirit rally. Whoever organized this must not have read the reviews of the Northern Little League rally 16 months ago....

The principal was followed to the stage by Carver head football coach Dell McGee. He provided the most touching moment, when he broke down and couldn't continue his speech. Several players climbed up to surround McGee for moral support - since this was really the only time a Tiger had choked all season.

Dell McGee praised his Carver players for "destroying stereotypes of our school." I'll believe all the stereotypes are gone when Carver contends for the district baseball title.

It was also touching to see Dell McGee carry his young child into the Columbus Civic Center during the rally, and walk that child up to the stage once or twice. OK, you critics -- let's see the evidence that youngster was recruited.

The program at the spirit rally began with each of the Carver football coaches, team managers and players being introduced and walking into the arena. It seemed like the Tigers had three "team managers" for every class. But if the team has 100 players, that makes for a lot of dirty uniforms to wash.

The biggest roar from the crowd came for the last player to be introduced - and of course, that was Carver quarterback DeRon Furr. His family was very sneaky years ago - because little brother LeRon Furr is also on the team, and his introduction faked out some fans.

DeRon Furr never spoke at the spirit rally. In fact, none of the players did - while several politicians did, including the mayor and two members of the Muscogee County School Board. You may be a state champion, but you're not old enough to lecture grownups until commencement night.

Mayor Jim Wetherington spoke first, and held up the animal he offered in a bet with the mayor of Cairo about the AAA finals. Only he called it a "teddy bear," not a stuffed tiger -- once again inviting distrust with city government.

Jim Wetherington announced several "friends of the mayor" have agreed to buy billboard space around Columbus, saluting Carver's state title. Hmmmm - how much surplus money does he still have from last year's campaign?

Let the record show Superintendent John Phillips attended the spirit rally. In fact, he gave a speech - and showed off a state high school championship ring he won years ago. Imagine what he's doing for being named Georgia Superintendent of the Year....

Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop had one of the funniest lines of the day, as he discussed attending the AAA finals. Both Carver and Cairo High School are in his district. "I have friends who root for Carver, and I have friends who root for Cairo" -- and he decided to root along with some of his friends.

State Rep. Calvin Smyre recalled how he was a substitute teacher at Carver High School in 1971, when the Tigers won a state basketball title. Aha! Take that, Jordan fans - that championship basketball team didn't get a sign at the city limits, either.

Calvin Smyre put on his work hat, and announced Synovus will help pay for championship rings for the Carver High School players. Now why should Synovus have to do this? Isn't Wild Bill's Jewelry right down Buena Vista Road from the school?

The speaker who most seemed to lose his audience was Columbus Councilor Jerry Barnes. He talked about the Carver team's "commonalities," had multiple points in his presentation - and this nurse sounded too much like he was selling health insurance.

The ceremony ended with the presentation of the AAA championship trophy. An official from the Georgia High School Association admitted they stopped handing out trophies at football games about five years ago, because it became "a madhouse." Not to mention players kicking mud all over them at midfield....

The tributes will continue for the Carver Tigers. A championship sign will go up at the city limits, near Shaw's sign for the 2000 football title. The team will be honored by the Georgia General Assembly in January. And the senior players may get free drinks at Skipper's Fish Market until graduation day in May.

Before we depart this happy scene, here are some other notes from a celebratory Sunday:

+ A victory parade began the day, going down Broadway - and it even included the marching band from Carver's rival Spencer. The bands from other Muscogee County high schools obviously didn't want to tip their hands, before the Shaw Basketball Tournament begins this week.

+ At the end of the parade, two fire trucks were parked outside the Civic Center to welcome the team. I asked a firefighter if a celebratory water spray was planned, and he said: "That would make for some cold football players." Yes, it would -- not to mention a violation of state water restrictions.

+ A special DVD was played inside the Civic Center, combining game highlights with messages from local officials. Whoever prepared this needs to listen to the speakers' messages about the importance of education - because they misspelled Alonzo Whitaker's title as "Judge of Enviromental Court." [True!]

+ State Rep. Carolyn Hugley spoke at the spirit rally. School Board member Pat Hugley Green spoke as well. But City Manager Isaiah Hugley did not - as if the crowd would see him, and start calling for the firing of the fire chief.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now for another Civic Center event, where the crowd probably is a lot whiter....

wanna see dead people come to life?

Be at a Cottonmouths game - it is as quite as a bad party - and when they score - arms start to move then, bodies start to stand up - some noise comes out of them,,, then,, then, they all go back to the way they were...interesting.

This seems to be true of pro hockey, on many levels. Several years ago, I decided the crowd at the old Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto was the quietest in all of sports. Fans only seemed to make noise when the Maple Leafs scored, or a big fight broke out. It's as if they were deprived of doughnuts at the concession stands.

Yet the last time I watched the Cottonmouths, the Civic Center was a noisy place. An ice problem required the third period of a night game to be played at 11:00 the next morning [1 Apr 04]. I was with a group of fans that chanted and clapped from start to finish. And in my case, I can't blame it on drinking too much coffee....

2007 IN REVIEW, CONTINUED: June began with stunning news, as Russell County School Superintendent Vivian Carter. Have you noticed the school board still hasn't finalized an agreement with a replacement? I'm starting to wonder if some board members plan to propose abolishing the job, to save money.

The F.B.I. issued a report in June, showing violent crime in Columbus jumped 20 percent in 2006. But really - we did NOT mean to encourage criminals to try for something bigger during the summer.

The big issue for Columbus Council in June was whether to approve a plan for land around the central library. It was the great debate over "greenspace" - and it was a bit surprising that Al Gore didn't come to town to speak in favor of it.

As the debate raged, Muscogee County school board member John Wells prepared to go on vacation in Spain - and join in Pamplona's "running of the bulls." For some reason, Wells did not invite Josh McKoon of the Education Park Coalition to help him practice.

A Columbus TV commercial caused controversy in June. It warned a proposal to allow live music outside on Broadway would bring immorality. That's funny -- no soldiers seemed to riot, when bands played at "God Bless Fort Benning."

Fort Benning warned soldiers in June against having financial dealings with a firm called "Three Hebrew Boys." It's already bad enough that the official Jewish service on post occurs on Sundays....

For some Alabamians, June's most memorable moment occurred when two state senators got into a fistfight. Why they haven't been invited to appear at a Columbus Cottonmouths game for a rematch, I have no idea....

It wasn't quite a fistfight, but this blog found itself in the middle of an ugly Little League spat during June. I haven't heard from anyone involved with Pioneer Little League in months - so either everyone settled their differences, or they're waiting for the bowl games to end before starting the argument all over again.

A different sort of feud occurred in June, when word leaked that the Phenix City Manager ordered a Russell County SWAT team member to leave a firing range. It's a wonder Bubba Roberts's house on Second Avenue didn't become a target instead.

Aflac announced in June it would become involved with NASCAR racing. That's certainly better than a partnership with the Atlanta Falcons - because at this point, the duck might be rumored as a candidate for head coach.

Flat Rock Park held a different kind of race in June - the Georgia championship of mountain bike racing. Residents of Pine Mountain are still kicking themselves, for not knowing this existed....

The end of June brought several milestones for famous people in the area. Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman was sentenced to prison. Frank Thomas hit his 500^th major league home run. And Atlanta baseball manager Bobby Cox tied a record for walk-off.... well, uhhh.... for simply walking off, from ejections.

COMING THIS WEEK: Which Columbus man is in line for a very nice new bathroom....

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