Choose Wisely Young Men of Middle Georgia

As we begin to welcome the month of February, many young men across Central Georgia, the Peach State and this great nation will make decisions that will impact their lives forever.

These young men, in the form of successful prep student athletes, will select their place of higher learning to continue their football career on National Signing Day on February 2, 2010.

Just 16 short years ago, like many of these young men, I spent my January being courted by college coaches, visiting university campuses on recruitment trips and contemplating where I would spend the next chapter in my life pursuing a degree and experiencing college football.

It was not an easy choice. In 1994, there weren't many cell phones so I didn't have to avoid text messages from coaches or potential suitors. Internet was just starting, so no e-mails or YouTube video clippings either. No Facebook friends, MySpace pals or tweeting Twitter twits trying to influence my decision night and day, day and night. Of course I didn't have the Southern Cals, or the Notre Dames or even the Bulldogs busting down my door. But I did have the attention of Middle Tennessee State, Clark-Atlanta, Valdosta State, West Georgia and Georgia Southern University. Either way it's a lot for a 17 year old to handle. A lot of pressure and stress to make a choice on where to continue playing the game you love while getting the education of a lifetime without cost to you or your family.

My final choice was Georgia Southern University, where I spent the best 5 years of my life traveling across the country playing the game I love, winning championship rings, partying with lifetime friends, meeting my wife, partying some more and graduating with my degree. It's the time where the foundation of my journey to manhood was built. I fostered relationships there with coaches, friends, professors and fans that will last a lifetime along with an allegiance and pride in a university that is second to none.

So as seniors Jeffrey Whitaker-Warner Robins, Brison Williams-Northside, Lamar Zanders-Peach County, Keith Humphries-Dooly County, Dartez Dennard-Twiggs County and Lonnie Outlaw-Wilcox County...to name just a few Central Georgia graduates, prepare to sign their letters of intent and select their future, I want you all to realize that you are not just trading in your Football Friday Nights for Saturdays but instead building a bridge to years and years of your future.

It's more than choosing a ball cap, a mascot, a conference or school colors. It's choosing the place you'll spend your weekends, holidays and celebrate your new milestones.

A city or town that will help redefine you.

I wish you gentlemen all good luck and hope you choose wisely.

Marvin James