Annual Olympic Development Program Set for March 28-29 at JARC

The Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) will hold its Olympic Development Program Sub-Regional Evaluation at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex March 28-29, 2015. Approximately 65 youth teams are expected to travel to Decatur to participate in the annual event.

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) has a primary mission to identify elite level players and facilitate their selection to the U.S. National Team programs. The primary benefit to the player is to be able to try out, train, and play against be best players in their age group, and to further develop as soccer players. During the two-day showcase, there will be educational lectures and opportunities for players and their parents to talk with Region III ODP coaching staff.

According to the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, this will be the event’s ninth appearance in Decatur and is expected to generate an economic impact of approximately $300K for the city of Decatur and Morgan County. Participants in previous ODP Showcases include boys’ and girls’ U00, U01, and U02 ODP programs from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

For more information on the ODP Showcase, visit www.alsoccer.org and click on ODP.

Fishing Tournament Benefiting Wounded Warriors Set for March 28 at Ingalls Harbor

Rising Sun Lodge #29 of Alabama presents the fourth annual Hooked on Decatur Team Bass Fishing Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur. The all-volunteer tournament provides wounded veterans with a boat captain and sponsored entry fee to compete against other amateur anglers. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America and the Purple Heart Foundation.

Wounded veterans are invited to spend a day on the water with a boat captain to compete for cash prizes. Amateur anglers who would like to take a veteran on their boat for the tournament can contact tournament organizers at www.HookedOnDecatur.com and the entry fee will be covered. Supporters can make a donation of $100 to the tournament to sponsor a wounded veteran and boat captain. In addition to wounded veterans, amateur bass tournament angler teams are encouraged to compete.

Hooked on Decatur is a two-person per boat bass fishing tournament. Only largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass will be weighed, and the official tournament bag limit will be five fish per team. Team entry fee is $100 per boat with a $20 per team big bass option (100% payback). The top five winners receive trophies and cash prizes with first place taking $2,000 in cash.

Ingalls Harbor, located at 802 Wilson Street NW in Decatur, will host the take-offs and weigh-ins. Check-in begins at 5 a.m. and weigh-in is set for 2 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase to help raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America and the Purple Heart Foundation.

According to tournament volunteers, the tournament has grown from 20 boats four years ago to 71 boats and 142 fishermen registered in last year’s event. Forty-one veteran teams competed last year and Congressman Mo Brooks was on hand to present the first place award. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also offered support by having the Mobile Vet Center and staff members during tournament hours to assist and offer information to veterans. To date, the all-volunteer tournament has donated $38,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project.

For more information or to register, visit www.HookedOnDecatur.com or www.facebook.com/HookedOnDecatur.

A Meeting of Alabama and MTSU Softball Teams in Decatur in honor of Priceville Native Danielle Richard

The softball teams from the University of Alabama and Middle Tennessee State University will meet in Decatur to play a game in honor of Priceville native Danielle Richard, a senior on the University of Alabama team. Hosted by the Decatur Parks and Recreation and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the game is set for Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex located in Decatur. The first pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m.

Each season, the University of Alabama Softball team plays a game in or near the hometown of each senior. The April 8^th game will honor Danielle Richard, a senior from Priceville, Ala. “This game is so special to me. It’s a great opportunity to show my family and people all around Priceville how awesome Alabama softball is,” said Ms. Richard. “Playing for the University of Alabama has been such a blessing. The coaches and my teammates have taught me so much more than just softball. They have taught me how to be a hardworking, selfless servant leader and I have learned many things I believe will help me be successful in the real world. Playing softball for Alabama has far exceeded my expectation of college softball. It has truly been an amazing experience.” Danielle is the daughter of Michelle Richard and Harold Richard.

“We are looking forward to bringing Alabama softball up to the Decatur/Priceville area in April. I know how much work has been put into this event by a bunch of people. It should be a really fun homecoming for Danielle,” said Head Coach Patrick Murphy.

Alabama returns 13 players from last year’s team that made it to the Women’s College World Series championship just two years after winning it all in 2012, the first for the school and the SEC. Five of the 13 returnees are seniors while the Crimson Tide also welcome five freshmen to the squad. Head Coach Patrick Murphy, returning for his 17^th season at the helm, has overseen an incredible run of success at Alabama including 10 SEC titles, nine Women’s College World Series trips and 16-straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one players have combined to earn 45 NFCA All-American awards in program history, including current junior Haylie McCleney, already a two time All-American. The Tide have also been equally as successful off the field, garnering 18 Academic All-American nods. At least one Tide player has been named an Academic All-American every season since 2008, including a program-record four in 2014.

The Middle Tennessee softball team, led by third-year head coach Jeff Breeden, is made up of 19 players. The team returned six players from last year’s squad and 13 newcomers on this season’s roster. MT finished last season 10-45 overall while over 60% of its offense left due to transfer or graduation. This season, the Blue Raiders started 7-3 for their best start since 2004 and defeated Louisville in the Dot Richardson National Invitational.

Tickets are $10/person general admission and may be purchased beginning Monday, March 30 at Fort Decatur located at 610 4^th Avenue SE in Decatur and will remain on sale until all are sold. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can also order and pay for tickets by calling 256.341.4588. Certain rules will apply to ticket purchases.

On Monday, March 16, 2015, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a “Lunch with Champions” at noon at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion. The luncheon will feature Patrick Murphy, head coach of the University of Alabama Softball Team, and Danielle Richard. Cost to attend the luncheon is $10 per person. Seating is limited and anyone interested in attending must RSVP by March 12^th by calling 256.350.2028.

Let’s Paint the Town Green

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, downtown Decatur will begin its St. Patrick’s Day celebration that is sure to leave the town green. The main celebration, Paint It Green, is set for March 14^th with activities continuing through St. Patrick’s Day. Many restaurants and retail establishments will offer discounts and door prizes and there will be several St. Patrick’s-themed activities lined up for the day.

Beginning Saturday, downtown Decatur will be glowing green from thousands of lights hung from storefronts to the streets. Activities include a Leprechaun scavenger hunt with prizes and a Leprechaun mascot will be making its way around the downtown area for festivalgoers to take selfies for an Internet contest. After 6 p.m. on Saturday, a portion of 2nd Avenue will be closed for traffic and a drumline will get the crowd fired up for the evening.

For the scavenger hunt, leprechauns will be hidden in downtown businesses located on 2^nd Avenue and Bank Street. The leprechauns are laminated cards approximately five inches in diameter with a green leprechaun on the front with the Experience Downtown Decatur logo and each one will be associated with a money prize or specialty item. Clues will be given out on https://www.facebook.com/events/627963200666312. The scavenger hunt begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Every business with a certified shamrock displayed in its window will give green-wearing patrons a discount beginning Saturday and ending Tuesday, March 17^th.

Paint it Green is set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 14^th. The lights and specials will continue through the close of business on March 17^th.

For more information, visit the Downtown Decatur Merchant and Business Association’s Facebook page or the Facebook page listed above.