Local organizers ask Dougherty County officials to back state track meet, summer youth program

Coach Jesse Massey and local youth-program leaders urged Dougherty County officials on March 10 to attend and help publicize the upcoming Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state track meet and to support the Albany State Youth Enrichment Program (NYSP).

Massey, who described himself as a volunteer, said GHSA events have come to Albany since 1983 and that the state meet generates significant local spending. "If a hotel is full, every restaurant is full," Massey said, asking commissioners to attend the finals and to welcome visiting athletes. He also described a summer youth program that serves children ages 8 to 13 and said the program can accommodate about 350 participants but that organizers would like to expand the cutoff to 400 because funding and feeding that many children is a constraint.

Commissioners asked for details on location, schedules and publicity. Massey directed residents to GHSA's website for event information and said the local organizing team — including meet director Octavia Jones and Coach Johnny Seabrooks — runs the event when GHSA is on site. Several commissioners, including District 4 Commissioner Greg and District 1 Commissioner Newsome, praised the economic impact and encouraged county involvement.

Organizers emphasized safety and hospitality for visiting student-athletes and families, asking residents and businesses to be mindful that athletes often travel on foot between hotels and restaurants. The speakers framed the meet as both a youth activity and an economic development opportunity for Albany and Dougherty County.