Morgan and Cooey soon had other businessmen committed. Help was needed the most in providing a quality camp without the players having to pay for it. “But for a young student back then it could be some good money.” Thus Morgan and Cooey approached Thomas offering help because they felt the community should help the team. “It was not a lot of money, three or four dollars each I think,” Thomas said. Because of that each player had to pay a fee to attend camp. But even in those days to house and feed a team for two weeks takes a lot of money. Holcombe would help defray camp costs by soliciting area businesses for donations or discounts on food and supplies. According to Coach Thomas, local businessman Nelse “Papa” Holcombe, who was also Captain of the National Guard, would make all the arrangements to feed and house the team for the two weeks of camp. The camp consisted of some old barracks and a kitchen. The Guard Shack was located off Staten Road and was part of the local National Guard Armory. By the 1940’s camp had settled in at a location known as the “Guard Shack”. VHS camps have been held at various sites including an area known as, “Blue Springs”, located near Quitman. Just as today’s camps are revered as benchmarks to a successful fall campaign, the camps of old were instrumental in preparing for the upcoming battles. It is during these grueling camp days that the “team” is born. And with the players eating, sleeping, and working side by side those that survive camp, developed a bond. During these long hot, two-a-day practice sessions, players learn quickly if they have what it takes to be a Wildcat. Football camp is the annual pilgrimage that lasts for two weeks prior to the start of school. Summer football camp is as ingrained to the Wildcat program as the colors black and gold. Long before the 1944 season, “Football Camp” had cemented its way into Wildcat history. “Well it was certainly fine with me and I knew the team would like it because players had to pay their own way for camp in those days.” Cooey asked me if they could help raise money to pay for football camp for the team,” Thomas said. “Buck” Thomas was making plans for the 1944 season when two area businessmen approached him about gathering support for the Wildcat program. The Touchdown Club was an idea first born after the 1943 season. As fans enjoy watching the Wildcat action, behind the scenes Touchdown Club members have been hard at work all year preparing for the few months of the season. And each season hundreds, even thousands of fans show their support of these combatants by joining the Valdosta Touchdown Club.įor 68 years the Valdosta Touchdown Club’s sole purpose has been to support and help perpetuate the Valdosta football program. Each football season hundreds of Wildcats take to the gridiron as they help to continue a 100 year tradition.
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