As a kid, I witnessed what it was like to see everyone at Tanks Memorial Stadium cheering on the Fighting Tigers.
The stands of every home game packed with Fighting Tiger fans, and the roar could be heard at my mom’s all the way to Quincy Street.
It’s a memory that if experienced one will never forget.
As an adult, I have another memory of Fighting Tiger pride that I will never forget.
My daughter McKenzie had an amazing collegiate track year.
We expected her to win the national championship in the 200m, but we never envisioned her being a national champion times three (4×100, 100m, 200m).
It was at this point that friends and family back home started to get excited about the upcoming Olympic Trials.
We knew Kenzie had a shot at making Team USA in the 200m, but wasn’t sure if she used up too much gas for the collegiate season.
Fast forward to the Olympic Trials and if you saw my reaction on TV, you could feel just how proud I was.
McKenzie had to overcome a lot of challenges from January to August, but she somehow mustered enough energy to make it to the finals of the 200m in Paris.
I can’t put into words how proud we are of her, but I was also full of emotion with how the Ironton community and Tri-State area supported us throughout the whole thing.
I felt your love and positive energy and it gave Kenzie the fuel to keep going. Seeing everyone give, cheer, have watch parties, etc. reminded me of the Fighting Tiger roar that I heard as a kid.
It reminded me of the community pride that I experienced as a kid and it is a feeling that I will cherish for a very long time.
I said all of that to say thank you Ironton!
I will never be able to put into words my feelings and gratitude, but thank you!

Micheal Long
Hiram, Georgia