Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:02 pm Sunday, September 21, 2008

Jumbotron worth excitement

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Russellville, the number one ranked team in the state, had its biggest game of the year so far on Friday night.
The seventh ranked Hartselle Tigers came into town for what was probably the biggest game in the state this week.
These two teams always battle it out and although Russellville has dominated the series, Hartselle has always been so close to getting over the hump and knocking off Russellville.
But with these two region rivals set to go at it this week, the game seemed to it on the backburner.
The buzz around Russellville this week has been all about the new jumbotron that made its debut.
It is the first of its kind to be used by a high school in Alabama. As a matter of fact, its not even used by some smaller colleges.
But it is an incredible addition to one of, if not the best, high school stadiums in the state.
Shortly after the new track was added at the stadium and the field house was built in the end zone, people around town started joking that Russellville would need to add a jumbotron soon. It seemed like a joke.
But, now it's reality.
There is also much talk about the costs of the board and how the money could have been used on something else. That's not the case.
The board is being bought and paid for by donors and sponsorships.
It is know different than someone buying something for themselves and working extra hard to pay for it.
Supporters of the Russellville program have worked extremely hard to provide a first-class operation for its students and residents.
There is no reason why Russellville, or any other Franklin County school, should not have the best that is available to them.
If it does not cost taxpayer dollars to make it possible, then the students at our schools should be rewarded.
And there should be no apologies made to anyone in other parts of the state for that.
So now that the jumbotron is a reality and there for us all to see, it's time to get working on putting in artificial grass or building an indoor practice facility.

Also on Franklin County Times
Housing authority PILOT is waived
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City councilmembers recently voted to waive a payment in lieu of taxes, often called PILOT, from the Russellville Housing Authority. Pu...
Playground safety concerns are addressed
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City officials say steps are being taken to improve safety at the playground in City Lake Park after parents raised concerns about dama...
Petition: Accountability sought from AHSAA
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
By Brady Petree and Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
RED BAY — A petition created by a Red Bay man calls for the Alabama High School Athletic Association to replay six state semifinal basketball games af...
State’s positive CWD cases nearly doubles
Franklin County, News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
The total number of positive cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) found in white-tailed deer almost doubled in Alabama following the end of the 2025...
Pace crowned Miss RHS
News, Russellville
By María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimew.com 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Lily Cate Pace was crowned the new Miss RHS during the 44th annual Miss RHS Pageant. Pace, a senior at Russellville High School who is ...
Scholars Bowl team competes at nationals
News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Snow and ice kept the Northwest Shoals Community College Scholars Bowl team from attending a January qualifying tournament, but it sti...
The gimmick that became a calling
News
Chelsea Rutherford For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
Rick Revel was just 15 when he stood backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and received career-shaping advice from country icon Roy Acuff — if you want to m...
Read Across America celebrated
Franklin County, News
In the Community
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
Elementary schools throughout the county marked Read Across America Week with activities. At Vina Elementary School, firefighter Justin Epperson and E...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *