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  • MAN WITH A PLAN: Milledgeville legendary sports icon Freddy Layton, far right, is pictured here in an undated photo with Milledgeville's Frank Noland and Walter Johnson. Contributed photo

    Freddy Layton Day approaching as UGA great Loran Smith set to be guest speaker

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August 25, 2010

Freddy Layton Day approaching as UGA great Loran Smith set to be guest speaker

Brent Martin CNHI

MILLEDGEVILLE — A momentous event for one of Milledgeville’s finest is set for Thursday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m.

Anyone and everyone in the community is invited to come out and show their love for Freddy Layton, a Wrightsville multi-sport phenom who went on to great heights in many aspects of team sports, especially here in Baldwin County.

Layton was also a renowned educator and molded many of Milledgeville’s citizens into successful leaders for today.

Thursday’s grand event at Milledgeville’s historic Bonner Park will feature an “Old Timers Classic,” colorful “I Played for Freddy” t-shirts, and other wonderful surprises — plus a whole lot of love.

Another added surprise to Freddy Layton Day will be the addition of UGA icon and sideline commentator Loran Smith. Smith and Layton forged a friendship many years ago as youth growing up in Wrightsville.

Even if you’ve never met Mr. Layton, the opportunity to chat it up with Loran’s soothing sideline voice is tempting to any local Bulldog fan.

But the biggest highlight of the day will be honoring Mr. Layton for several decades of great accomplishments, plus there’s the opportunity to see him manage the Red Team in the Old Timers Classic.

“We need to create an awareness that some of the sporting legends of Milledgeville are passing away. This is one of the first real tributes to a person who has really had an impact on this community,” said event organizer Gary Spillers Tuesday afternoon at Amici. “There’s going to be a lot of laughing going on, and everybody’s got a Freddy story.”

Layton gave his blood, sweat and tears at the Baldwin County Rec. Department and will go down as one of the primary architects of its success. The footprints from his years as chief coordinator (and coach) are still in place, and a high standard of excellence is still in motion at the Rec. Department to this day. If you know any guy over the age of 50 in Baldwin County, odds are he played for Freddy.

“Freddy Layton was not only a great coach and a great inspiration, but he was a worker. He stayed there until every last person left that park,” said Spillers. “He drove home in the station wagon that was used to drag the fields. So, that was his company car.”

“I’ve known him ever since I’ve been associated with the sports community here in Milledgeville,” said Milledgeville Bulldog Club president and former Union-Recorder sports editor Larry Allen. “He’s an icon — he’s just an icon. He deserves all the accolades that are coming his way.”

Bonner Park: Thursday at 5 p.m.

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