
THE 100TH ISSUE OF THE SOUTH CHARLOTTE SPORTS REPORT
By Tripp Roakes, Publisher
Wow! It's so exciting to reach the landmark of 100 issues of The South Charlotte Sports Report. Without the incredible support of our advertisers and readers here in South Charlotte this dream would have never become reality. I want to thank all of you for helping us make it to 100 issues. It has been so exciting to become a part of the wonderful South Charlotte community.
From day one, the best part of my job has been hearing kids talk about seeing their photo inside the South Charlotte Sports Report. It brings back the same memories I had as a youngster growing up in Salisbury, NC. As I have mentioned before, I still have many of the newspaper stories and photos from my childhood. No matter how we grow or which direction we take in the future, my number one priority will always be to provide this same opportunity to as many good kids as we can.
In looking back at the path I have traveled from issue 1 to issue 100, it has been quite a ride. What started out as an idea of having a youth sports newspaper has grown to include 15-20 sports camps throughout the year, a professional youth sports photography company, an events company that hosts the following; The Carolinas Gridiron Classic Pop Warner Football Bowl Game, The Battle of the Border All Star Baseball and Softball Showcase, three youth basketball tournaments, The Ladies Sports Summit, The Winter Training Baseball Academy, an Arm Care Clinic for baseball players and my pride and joy, The Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner. I have had some wonderful partners with all these events and my thanks go out to each of them as well.
None of these things would have been possible without your support. It's especially important to note that without all the important members of our Family of Advertisers, we may not have made it past three or four issues. Please give every advertiser you see in The South Charlotte Sports Report the opportunity to earn your business.
I am very proud of the direction the paper has taken. We have maintained our original commitment to print positive news that is suitable for every member of the South Charlotte family. We have done our best to only publish stories on student-athletes that are committed in the classroom and more importantly on the field of play. Our philosophy has been from day one, if someone can't work hard in the classroom, then our paper isn't the place to highlight their efforts. We believe and will continue to believe very strongly in the concept of student first, athlete second.
I have also enjoyed taking on the role as an advocate for saving middle school sports in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system. At the very first hint of middle school sports being eliminated, I went to work to offer solutions. It was very exciting to see two of my original ideas; $1.00 surcharge on high school admission and the athletic participation fee finally be accepted by the CMS School Board. It's very exciting to know that come September, the middle schools will once again have athletic programs.
In closing, I can't say it enough, thank you for all of your amazing support. Thank you to my wife Grace, and children Hannah, Will and Tyler for their help and support along the way. I promise I will keep working hard to showcase many of the outstanding student-athletes and teams in the South Charlotte community. If I can every be of assistance to you, your school or your athletic association, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 704-906-5466 or send an email to Tripp@southcharlottesports.com
If your company or service would like to be a part of The South Charlotte Sports Report, I would certainly appreciate the advertising support. Our rates are ultra-affordable and we would love to make a space for you inside our paper.
Thanks again for everything.
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