NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city and county boards have agreed to help fund a shrine honoring Natchez ball teams that have won state championships.
Plans call for “Championship Row” to be placed in the Liberty Park area near the Natchez-Adams County storm shelter and swimming pool. The outdoor site is to be decked with Mississippi state-shaped banners applauding the local state champs.
Natchez has been home to at least 55 championship teams, according to Greg West, who’s leading the efforts for this. His tally goes back to 1953-54, when former mayor Tony Byrne led Natchez High School championship teams in football and basketball.
West has persuaded the Adams County Board of Supervisors and Natchez Board of Aldermen to help fund Championship Row’s development on the publicly owned site.
The county board agreed Monday to provide about $1,400 for the costs of banner posts, and the city board followed up Tuesday with $1,500 for the banners. While West said estimates show 60 banners will cost about $3,000, he expressed confidence private donations will be forthcoming. “We’ll make it happen,” he said.
West said he plans to get representatives from the Natchez schools to provide the information spotlighting their stellar seasons.
“We have a great legacy of excellent athletes in this community,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.
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