Author Loran Smith of the Georgia Bulldog Club will be the guest speaker at the Darlington Athletic Booster Club's second annual Raffle & Steak Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Huffman Athletic Center’s Johnson Field House.
"We are thrilled to welcome Loran Smith to Darlington," said Athletic Director Bob Stinchcomb. "He is a true sports enthusiast and a great ambassador of athletics in general. Whether you are a UGA fan or not, you will definitely want to come hear his words of wisdom."
Smith works for the University of Georgia Athletic Association, where he has served as executive secretary of the Georgia Bulldog Club. Co-host of the Georgia Bulldog "Tailgate Show," he was also the university's sideline reporter for radio broadcasts for 36 years. A loyal supporter of his alma mater, he has had two UGA mascots named after him; Uga VI was "Whatchagot Loran" and Uga VII was "Loran's Best."
Smith has written numerous books, including "The University of Georgia Football Vault," "Between The Hedges," "Glory! Glory!" and "Wally's Boys." He has also published a book about The Masters as well as a cookbook called "Let The Big Dawg Eat." Not only is he a celebrated author, but he writes a weekly column that appears in various newspapers throughout the State of Georgia. A cancer survivor, he is also the namesake of Athens Regional Medical Center's new cancer center, Loran Smith Cancer Center.
Barnes & Noble will be on site the night of the event with several of Smith's books for sale. Darlington's Athletic Booster Club will receive 15% of all books sales that evening.
Tickets to the Raffle & Steak Dinner are $150 apiece, which includes dinner for two and a chance to win $10,000. Second prize is $2,000. Additional door prizes and team baskets will be given away and auctioned throughout the evening. Proceeds from the event will benefit Darlington’s athletic programs, with $5,000 a year for the next 10 years going toward faculty endowment.
“With this $50,000 gift to the Second Century Campaign, the members of the Athletic Booster Club are showing their support for Darlington's wonderful faculty," said co-organizer Mike Lawrence. "We know that recruiting and retaining top-notch teachers and coaches is critical to Darlington's success, both now and for generations to come, so we want to do our part to ensure that it continues to be possible. This raffle offers us a great opportunity to pull together the entire Darlington Community pre-K to 12 in support of our faculty and our athletic programs."
The Athletic Booster Club is comprised of an executive committee, the athletic director and a delegate representing the needs and interest of each varsity sport. Tickets can be purchased in the Huffman Center Athletic Office during business hours or by contacting Kevin Evans (706-252-4371), Mike Lawrence (678-234-5747) or any of the following varsity sport delegates:
Anne Paige Wilson – Baseball
Steve Turrentine and Andy Davis – Basketball
Dina Vick – Cheerleading
Brad Dobbins – Crew
Forrest Collins – Cross Country
Mike Lawrence – Football
Brian Albertson – Golf
Rich Flournoy and Barrett Gilbert – Lacrosse
Barry Hurley and Linda Jennings – Soccer
Pam Swafford – Softball
Susan Herring – Swimming and Diving
Liz and Charles Williams, Cristy Freyberg – Tennis
Phil and Patti Baker – Track
Denise Tillman – Volleyball
Scott and Lisa Jones – Wrestling
