New signs are going up in Ragland to honor the four state softball championships the Lady Purple Devils have won. They won their first title in 2004, and have won the past three. Pictured are members of the teams, the coaches, along with the mayor and town council.
The Ragland council recognized the town’s state champion softball team last week during its regular council meeting.
Members from the past three state championship teams (2010, 2011, 2012) were on hand, and one member from the state championship team of 2004 was on hand (Malea Talley Kay).
“We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge how proud we are of these girls,” Mayor Lanis White said. “It’s a great accomplishment. I know you have had several different opportunities to be recognized, and it’s all been worthy, but I am so thankful that the town has this opportunity to recognize you as well. We are going to place these signs on all of our main streets coming into Ragland.”
White said the one sign that was present at Town Hall during the meeting was going to be signed by all the girls and coaches from the four state championship teams, and then placed in the archive room at the new town library.
“Who knows, maybe 75 years from now, your great-grandchild may come and visit the archive room, and see your name on this sign,” White said. “We also want principal Roger Wilkinson and assistant principal Tammy Echols to autograph the sign. We are so proud of these girls. You just don’t see this that often.”
White said many city workers that go off to other parts of the state run into people who say, “Oh, you’re from Ragland, that town that has the great girl’s softball team.”
“So you all have brought us a good, positive image to Ragland, and for that, we thank you,” White said.
