Author: Reese Johnson

How many transfers are too many? Why college athletes need a transfer limit

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By Reese Johnson
Tombs County High School

For centuries, college athletics have been built on loyalty, but the transfer portal has decided to throw away the culture athletes across the country have dedicated their lives to creating. While athletes should have the opportunity to find the best fit for their academic and athletic careers, there should also be a line drawn on the number of transfers allowed. Without restrictions, it creates an environment of distrust and disloyalty .

Team bonds take time to be developed, and teams are unable to do that with the transfer portal. The culture of different athletic departments is beginning to be lost due to a lack of stability provided by the athletes. Coaches spend countless hours investing in athletes only to watch them leave after one season. Teammates who have bonds require chemistry and time spent together, but the transfer portal creates a space of wondering what your teammates’ next move will be. College teams were once about overcoming adversity united as a team, but now, once a conflict arises, the team scatters.

Photo by Jack Biddinger on Pexels.com

Another aspect of the game that the transfer portal has created is uneven playing fields. Larger schools have more influence over where a player goes due to having more resources and a greater opportunity for exposure. Smaller schools often become used as stepping stones for athletes to find their footing as they experience the college sports world for the first time. This creates harder playing situations for the smaller schools that are constantly having to rebuild their rosters during the offseason.

Supporters of an unlimited number of transfers for athletes argue that athletes should get the same access to transferring schools as academic students do. While that can be viewed as a fair point, Athletes have different privileges than regular students, such as, scholarships, training, and unique opportunities.

A limit of one to two transfers still allows athletes to seek better situations while still keeping the integrity of college sports.

College Athletics should consist of development, commitment and stability. The transfer portal has granted athletes with valuable opportunities, but unlimited transfers create unintended consequences. Setting boundaries with the amount of transfers per athlete can give athletes the freedom to find better opportunities while also keeping the culture of college sports. Finding the right balance is essential to preserving the future of athletics.

Georgia baseball paving their way to Omaha after years of championship drought

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By Reese Johnson
Tombs County High School

For the first time in almost two decades, Georgia punches their ticket to Omaha. The 3rd seeded Bulldogs beat 14th-ranked Mississippi State in a two game thriller in front of sold out Foley field.

Photo by Christopher Gaines on Pexels.com

“I tell our guys all the time, I think toughness gets a bad rap. People think it’s some kind of physical element, and it’s not. You have to learn to be capable of great endurance and understand that our game is really long,” said head coach Wes Johnson after two close ball games. “And you just saw a bunch of resilient guys, and you saw the fruition of all that work come through.”

Game one was held on Saturday, ending in a close win for the Georgia Bulldogs. Mississippi State came out swinging, earning them a 7-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Georgia started climbing back to earn a 2-run lead. State and Georgia battle back and forth for the next 4 innings. In the bottom of the 8th, Micheal O’Shaughnessy – filing in for suspended third baseman Tre Phelps- hit a 3-run homer, sending it over the scoreboard. To end the game, closing pitcher Justin Byrd held the Mississippi State Bulldogs scoreless in the ninth inning, helping Georgia take game one of the Athens Super Regional.

Going into game two, Georgia just needed one more victory to punch their ticket to Omaha. The UGA Bulldogs quickly asserted dominance, keeping a steady lead for most of the game. With pitcher Caden Aoki setting the tone, pitching 5.2 innings, striking out 9 batters. State had a furious comeback attempt, which led to the game going into extra innings. Georgia star catcher Daniel Jackson blasted a go-ahead 2-run homer in the tenth. Justin Byrd took the mound yet again to secure the Bulldogs trip to Omaha.

“I remember going to bed that night knowing we were going to Omaha, we are going to win this game, and it just didn’t work out,” said Senior Kolby Branch. “And now we are on to Omaha, it’s kind of a full circle moment.”

Veterans, like Branch, having experienced heartbreaking endings the last two seasons, say the trip to Omaha is proof of their hard work paying off.

Head Coach Wes Johnson got emotional in the post-game interview, talking about the former players who helped the team get to where they are today and how the current team’s resilience is how they fought until the end to score their spot in the College World Series.

National Player of the Year finalist, Daniel Jackson, stated how seemingly little things as the “sour power” can unite their team like it has. The sour power trend started out as a simple celebration after scoring a run and it has turned into a fan wide tradition.

He ends his interview saying, “The chemistry on our team, it’s hard to talk about. I mean, it’s just incredible. I think a big factor of that is, as silly as it sounds to say, winning. When you’re winning together, it’s fun, and it’s true. The locker room is a much happier place after a win.”

Reese Johnson

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Hey y’all, my name is Reese Johnson! Growing up, life has taught me many valuable lessons which have shaped the person I am today. The lesson I still carry today is to focus on the ones who clap so loud for me that I don’t notice the ones who do not. I can become easily discouraged by the ones who willingly choose to walk out on me, but I have learned the importance of the ones who choose to support me.

Throughout my life, I have faced family problems that taught me resilience and independence . While I would never wish for anybody to go through what I did, I am thankful for the person I became due to my circumstances. I learned the importance of the people who show up for me, even when they have their own struggles.

Another major change that I am going through is my decision to transfer to a different school. It is nerve-wracking to leave the only place I have ever known to move with new people, new places and new experiences. This is pushing me to branch out from my normal. I have had the opportunity to make the cheer team, and once I transfer, I hope to join the media and journalism programs that they offer to help benefit my future. In the spring I plan to intern for my local news paper.

Looking to my future, I have a goal of attending the University of Georgia and pursue a career in sports reporting. Anybody who knows me, knows how big of a Georgia fan I am. Over the past six years, I have developed a passion for sports, which has led to many doors being opened to the broadcasting world. I have been blessed to shadow a sports reporter in Savannah and that connection landed me an interview with the news to talk about Georgia baseball going to the College World Series. I have a deep love for people and sports, which has led me to the dream of reporting on the most important part of the game-the athletes on the field.

Through every failure and every success, the one thing that has carried me through is my faith in Jesus. My faith has brought me out of the darkest of time., I truly believe if it weren’t for Jesus I would not be here today. He gives me purpose and brings light to any situation. Through every trial, I am reminded to trust Him in the season that I am in, even if I don’t know the next step. He leads me to peace and teaches me the stillness of sitting in His presence. Whether it be a win or a loss, I choose to praise the Lord for where I am, because my worth is not in an outcome, it is in Him.