Okay, so another change again.
www.aikenstandard.com/2007redesign/news/306152064730039.phpAugusta Spartans change name to Augusta Colts
By KENTON MAKIN
Staff writer
To the casual Aiken sports fan, a change of nickname for an Augusta-based arena football team might not mean much, unless that moniker is equine-based.
That was exactly general manager John Sisson and the team's intention when informing the public of the team's new nickname — changing from the Augusta Spartans to the Augusta Colts — a change that was the headliner Tuesday on a list of major adjustments made by the football franchise.
"We thought about (the fact that) there's a lot of horse and equine interest in the area," Sisson said. "We thought that would be a good way to (name the team).
"There's so much going on in Aiken with the horse industry, and Augusta has the Augusta futurity," Sisson added. "The Arts in the Heart festival even featured a horse and carriage race."
Fear not, faithful fans of the franchise — no changes have been made as of yet concerning the players or coach Bubba Diggs.
After all, the team formerly known as the Spartans did win a championship last season, knocking off the Columbus (Ga.) Lions 63-60 to win the inaugural World Indoor Bowl June 30th.
"I want that to be clear ... Bubba is our coach," Sisson said at Tuesday's announcement.
The Colts will actually meet the Lions March 13, 2008 at the James Brown Arena in Augusta for a game that will not only serve as the home opener for the Colts, but will also be a season-opening affair that will commemorate the franchise's accomplishments.
A name change wasn't the only adjustment for the Colts, though; in fact, the team that wants to incorporate both sides of the river in not only player participation but fan attendance has also changed leagues.
Formerly a member of the World Indoor Football League (WIFL), the Colts and the Lions will compete in the Southern Division of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA), a league that will hopefully be comprised of 16 teams before the start of the 2008 season.
The team's success despite all of these changes seems to be a testament to the coaching ability of Diggs, a Butler High School (Ga.) graduate who also played on Clemson's national championship team in 1981.
Still, Diggs can't deny that the long and strange journey has been akin to a roller-coaster ride.
"It's like being at Six Flags ... we've been on so many different rides, but I'm excited (about these changes)," Diggs said. "Off the field is the business side, though ... on the field, we just want to work together and focus on one common goal."
That goal is to take players from the Aiken-Augusta area and cultivate their collective talent, and last year's championship group included local natives like former North Augusta High School standout Anthony Young and former Midland Valley High School standout Willie Butler.
"I'm just looking for the players to come out and showcase their skills," Diggs said. "There's a lot of good talent in this part of the country, and I'll put that (talent) up against anyone.
"I'll do my best as a coach to get the most out of that ability."
The Colts will hold tryouts at Butler High School in Augusta, Ga. at 10 a.m. Saturday. Registration is $50, and for more information, contact Diggs at 634-1807.
The CSRA Showgirls, a dance team that will also serve as entertainment at future Colts games, yet is separate from the Colts entity, will also hold tryouts in the near future. For more information, contact Tammie Newman at 215-0034.
