On a beautiful cold, but pleasant, day outside Poppa’s Family Restaurant last Thursday. The Co-Lin and Southwest baseball coaches and players gathered inside the warm building with great excitement for the kickoff of the Tenth Annual Coca-Cola Classic/Powerade Challenge luncheon.

Chasing Foul Ball chairman Robbie Hamilton of Summit. served as master of ceremony and welcomed the media to the luncheon. “I want to thank all of you for turning out for this event.”

Hamilton thanked the title sponsor, the McComb Coca-Cola Bottling Co., for their contributions to the Classic’s success over the years. “You have helped us continue this great tradition for the community and the schools. Coca-Cola Classic/Powerade has given a cash donation of $20,000 to these two great programs, which means a lot to both schools.”

The 4-game series begins Sunday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Southwest Community College. Co-Lin, designated winner of the last three Classics, since 2012, will host the Bears for a twinbill Wednesday March 11, starting at 4 p.m.

In the event of a tied series, the previous year’s winner keeps the trophy.

All four games will be live on the Internet at colinathletics.com or southwestbearathletics.com. There will also a live radio broadcast on K106 and B92/104.3 the boulevard.

Hamilton introduced McComb Coca-Cola Bottling Co. On Premise and Sales Manager Gary Nelson. “I would like to thank everyone for coming,” said Nelson. “Co-Lin and Southwest has a great tradition and we are glad to be part of it. We are looking forward to another great series.”

Hamilton recognized Southwest new head baseball coach Ken Jackson to speak next. Coach Jackson stated, “Co-Lin and Southwest has a long, rich tradition among the two schools and I am glad to be a part of the Coca-Cola Classic/Powerade Challenge. This is a big deal for both schools and communities.”

Jackson’s Bears are off to a 5-2 start this season. “WE are looking forward to a great series,” he added. “Hopefully, we can take away the trophy from Co-Lin and bring it home to Southwest.”

Coach Jackson introduced three starting players: Cliff Hurst, Sam Richard, Brady Badon and assistant coach Justin Hay at the luncheon.

Randall welcomed Co-Lin’s head baseball coach Clay Smith as the next speaker. Coach Smith thanked the Coca-Cola Classic/Powerade and Chasing Foul Ball for their tremendous support.

“This series brings a lot of community supporters around to watch these two schools battle hard in a very tough rivalry,” stated Smith. “I appreciate everyone contributions to this huge event.”

“Southwest and Co-Lin know each other real well,” added Smith. “We are all friends here and most of our players grew up here, so this is an very interesting rivalry. Overall, we are looking forward to the challenge and keep the trophy another year.”

Coach concluded his speech by introducing his assistant coaches Bryan Noble and Ronald Sims including two members of the Co-Lin baseball team: Adrian Brown and Shane Brown. The Wolves are currently 4-4 on the season.