They used to drive him out a new car at the end of the season most every year,'' recalled Tommy Guillebeau, executive director of the Georgia High School Association. The Wildcats are the winningest high school program in the nation. The Valdosta program has been the model for any high school looking to build a football juggernaut. The touchdown club claims nearly 1,300 members. Valdosta is famous for its football program, and the kids grow up knowing that and work to continue the tradition.
Many traditions live on, including the coach's car.
All the coach has to do is buy the gas. Although the preseason camp is now held on school property for two weeks, the club still picks up the tab. John Nitschke, president of the touchdown club, says there are two traditions for which the locals make time on fall weekends Valdosta football on Friday nights and church service on Sunday mornings. Nick Hyder, an ordained minister, died of a heart attack in 1996, and two days later a football-sized turnout converted the old stadium into a shrine to eulogize the coach. I think we finally bought a house after our fourth year.