TURNOVERS

by Alan B. Gibson

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog

The front page article appearing in this week’s Clinton County News giving details of a recent contribution to Clinton County High School from former student (Class of 1989) Kevin Dailey is one of those articles that I get to put together from time to time that is all positive and of the “good news” type.

The planning for the new trophy display case has been going on for some time now, and it’s an addition that I have long wanted to see in our CCHS gymnasium. It’s long been my thought that – 1. All, or at least as many as possible, of the trophies in storage should be brought out into public view, and -2. Putting the trophies on display in such a manner that they are the first things other teams/coaches see when they enter the gym lobby, would add at least just a little to the intimidation factor. Hey, every little bit helps in a close game.

So, while that front page article this week is pretty matter of fact as to how and why the display case donation was made – in this space this week, I’m going to give a little more background about the relationship I’ve long enjoyed with Kevin – since even before the days he served as a team manager in high school.

My family first became acquainted with Kev from our lake weekends at Wisdom Dock on Dale Hollow Lake. His parents, Garry and Bonnie Lattimer were co-owners of the dock and Kevin was always around working during the summers and spending time on the lake whenever he could. After awhile, he just became a part of our family – I often refer to him as “my oldest son” and my wife, Janie, feels the same way. My two boys, Brett and Joe, also look up to Kev as an older brother figure.

From there, we have continued our relationship through his high school days as team manager for the Bulldogs. Already knowing Kevin, it was him that I usually relied on from the Public Address table when some errand was needed during a game. “Kevin Dailey, come to the scorer’s table, please” became a near nightly announcement when the table was situated on the opposite side of the gym from where it is now – and was fairly unhandy as far as game nights would go.

Kevin accompanied me for several years on trips to the Sweet 16 Boys State Tournament when he was in high school, and even in later years, when he was attending the University of Kentucky, he would stay in Lexington despite it being spring break week – and head to the tournament with me and eventually with my oldest “real” son, Brett.

Kev began a professional career working in his chosen field of agriculture economics with Alltech, traveling all over the world as he became one of the best sales persons for that firm. Eventually, Kevin made the decision to go into business for himself, working in the agriculture bio chemical area with the company he and his new bride, Mollie, had founded, making Atlanta their home where they now live, raising their three young boys, Jackson, Mason, and the youngest, Anderson.

Although Kevin has become quite successful in his profession, he has never forgotten where he came from – where home really was and who his Albany friends and family were.

In conversations, he would always get the latest updates about the CCHS teams and he managed to keep up with details through these pages and by talking with old high school classmates from time to time.

When word came a decade or so ago that I was having heart problems and needed open heart surgery, Kevin was the first one on a plane out of Atlanta and stayed by my side with the rest of my family, through the entire ordeal.

Kevin continued to grow his North American Bio-products Corporation in the past decade to the point of now being one of the world leaders in fermentation products and supplies/solutions to the ethanol fuel industry.

Can you tell yet that Kevin is one of my favorite success stories?

This past winter, during a late-night conversation, Kevin mentioned to me that he wanted to “give back” to the school and in particular the athletic programs at CCHS that had meant so much to him during his youth, and from that conversation, came the notion that a new display case for the many trophies and awards would likely be the best way to give to every athletic program at one time.

And just like that – Kevin made it happen.

Stop by and take a look at this new addition that has now been installed, and within the next few weeks, will become home to the collection of trophies – “hardware” – that Dawgs and Lady Dawgs squads of all sports have earned through the years.

And when you run into Kevin – give him a thumbs up.

He’s modest and likely will frown at me for throwing this column out this week, but most importantly, he’s done what we should all strive to do as adults – he’s making it a little better for the youth coming up behind him.

Thanks Kev – Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!