East Cobb Sports & Recreation

Longtime Pope football coach retires after 50-year career

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Longtime Pope football coach retires after 50-year career
Coach Jerry Mahon is honored by Pope High School officials and his family as he marked his retirement in 2025. Photo courtesy CCSD.

Pope’s season-ending win in varsity football was the last game for a longtime coach in the Cobb County School District.

Jerry Mahon, an assistant coach for the Greyhounds the last 10 years, is retiring, bringing to a close a 50-year career in coaching and teaching that included tenures at Lassiter and Wheeler.

He’s been Pope’s offensive line coach, and his players excelled as the Greyhounds won 35–14, rushing for 385 yards against Riverwood.

“His countless hours of hard work and commitment have made Pope Football a better program,” Pope head coach Sean O’Sullivan said in a release issued by the Cobb school district.

“It has been a true pleasure having such a veteran coach on staff. We appreciate all his support and the positive impact he’s had on our team and community.”

Mahon said he had wanted to be a coach since he was in eighth grade, and started in Mississippi in 1976. After also coaching in Alabama, he moved to Georgia in 1997, and was an assistant and head coach at Lassiter.

That’s where he coached his son Jerry, Jr., an offensive lineman for the Trojans in the late 90s, and said “he’s one of the best centers I ever coached, so the opportunity to coach my son was a real thrill.”

In 2005, Mahon moved to Wheeler, where he served for 11 seasons before coming to Pope.

“Coach Mahon’s legacy in coaching will be left with the thousands of players and hundreds of coaches who have encountered his professional, faith-based approach to teaching life lessons,” Pope AD Josh Mathews said.

“I have witnessed a coach who cares for the heart of the athlete significantly more than he cared about the result of a game or match.”

Mahon said his motivational and teaching philosophy came from an adapted rhyme believed to be inspired by the fourth-century Christian priest St. Jerome.

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best. The key to all that right there is to never let it rest. You’ve got to keep working. Being average is halfway from the top, but also halfway from the bottom. You’ve got to be willing to put in the work. Hopefully, that is what I have passed on to my players and students.”

More about Mahon can be found by clicking here.

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Pope cross country runner seeks to defend state championship

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Pope cross country runner seeks to defend state championship

Submitted information and photo:

Pope High School senior Josie Hutchinson is chasing history this weekend as she seeks to defend her GHSA 5A Girls Individual Cross Country State Championship title, one year after leading the Pope Greyhounds to a team state championship.

Known for her grit, leadership, and grounded personality, Hutchinson has built an impressive athletic résumé. The five-time GHSA state champion boasts titles in both cross country and track and field, including the 3200m, 4x800m relay, and team championships. Over the past three seasons, she has finished in the top three in 19 of her last 25 cross country races she has run in Georgia. She holds five school records and multiple county and regional honors.

“She’s the GOAT for Pope High School cross country,” said Coach Cathi Monk. “Josie goes above what’s required in her preparation. She’s a fierce competitor and an even better person.”

Hutchinson’s drive runs deep in her roots. The daughter of Joe and Christin Hutchinson, Josie credits her family’s athletic and faith-filled foundation for shaping her determination. Her father, a former Little League World Series champion and standout at Wheeler High School, recognizes her innate competitiveness: “Some kids just have that desire to work hard — Josie has it.”

Beyond her athletic success, Hutchinson’s leadership and compassion have defined her legacy at Pope. She is known for mentoring younger runners, rallying teammates before races, and cheering competitors at the finish line — a gesture parents and coaches call the “Josie Effect.”

Hutchinson’s personal record of 17:31.49 ranks among Georgia’s best. She plans to continue her running career next year at Samford University, but first, she and the Greyhounds will defend their 5A titles this Saturday in Carrollton, Georgia.

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Walton volleyball team earns ‘Sweet 16’ state championship

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Walton volleyball team earns 'Sweet 16' state championship
Photo and videos courtesy Cobb County School District.

It’s been a long time since the Walton High School volleyball team won a Georgia state championship.

Four years, to be exact, which is an eternity for the Raiders program that has had three head coaches in the last four years.

But first-year coach Ashley Jones inherited a talented roster, and Walton exacted some revenge on Thursday in defeating defending Georgia High School Association Class 6A champion Alpharetta for its 16 state title.

The Raiders lost the first set 25–16, then won the last three sets by scores of 25–23, 25–21, and 27–25 to down top-seeded Alpharetta.

Here’s more from the Cobb County School District:

“Walton’s championship match featured several outstanding performances. Sophomore outside hitter Addison Contestabile led the team with 15 kills. Senior right-side hitter Simone Searles added 12 kills. Senior libero Ella Cobb was credited with 22 digs, and junior middle blocker Scarlett Holden led the team with six blocks. The Championship MVP Award went to sophomore setter Janie Myers, who assisted on 32 kills and had 11 digs of her own.”

Myers added that “I’m just so proud of all of us. I didn’t do this all by myself. This is such a special group of girls. This feels awesome.”

Jones, who was hired from Marietta High School over the summer, said in the CCSD release that “we said from practice number one that this was our year to win it all. To give these seniors, who haven’t experienced a championship and have been with the program for four years, to give them this win in their last season, that’s super special.”

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Town Center CID unveils murals along Noonday Creek Trail

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Town Center CID unveils murals along Noonday Creek Trail

Submitted information and photos:

Last Saturday, the Town Center Community debuted two new murals along the Noonday Creek Trail with a public Art Walk and artist meet-and-greet at the Bells Ferry Trailhead. The event highlighted the work of muralists Kelsey Wishik and Leigh Ann Culver, whose installations will reshape the corridor into a vibrant cultural destination. 

In addition to the Art Walk, the celebration marked the 10th anniversary of the Town Center Community Bikeshare, sponsored by Georgia Power, with a bike pop-up, the announcement of the Bikeshare Anniversary Sweepstakes winners, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can connect with the muralists, see their installations up close, and enjoy an energizing morning outdoors.

About the Muralists

  • Kelsey Wishik, a graduate of UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, explores growth, connectivity, and transformation through painting, sculpture, movement, and music. Her work draws on natural systems and cultural traditions, with exhibitions ranging from neighborhood galleries to international venues. Her newest mural will include wrapping a bridge support beam in bold blocks of color and floral motifs, creating a dynamic and uplifting visual. Her mural will be completed by October 11.
  • Leigh Ann Culver, an Atlanta-based artist, is known for evocative portraits and charcoal works rooted in Southern history. Her mixed-media pieces appear across Georgia, reflecting human stories that connect past and present. Culver will turn the adjacent embankment into a serene setting with stained glass-inspired panels and candle imagery, bringing “light” beneath the bridge. Her mural will be completed by October 20.

“The Noonday Creek Trail has become a place where art, nature, and active living intersect,” said Jennifer Hogan, Director of Community Engagement at Town Center Community. “Marking 10 years of bikeshare alongside these new works demonstrates how shared spaces can inspire creativity, connection, and healthier communities.”

The gathering also marks the 10th anniversary of the Town Center Bikeshare Program, the first CID-led bikeshare program in Georgia. Since its 2015 launch, the program has become a fixture in the area, surpassing 100,000 rides and recently adding e-bikes to make cycling more accessible. 

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Pope HS unveils Matt Hobby Field to honor former student

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Pope HS unveils Matt Hobby Field to honor former student

Friday was the 20th anniversary of a fundraiser to benefit childhood cancer research in the memory of former Pope High School student and football player Matt Hobby.

Before the football game against Lassiter, the school announced that it was designating the sports stadium Matt Hobby Field.

Hobby died of Ewing Sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in 2006, right before his graduation, and a year after the Rally Foundation had been formed to conduct childhood cancer research.Matt Hobby Game

Each year during the football season, a Pope home game is designated as a fundraiser for the Rally Foundation.

At that fundraiser, special t-shirts are sold, and a player is honored who wears Hobby’s jersey No. 70. That player is chosen before the season by coaches who “best exemplifies Matt’s qualities.”

This year, No. 70 is James Burns, and he’s wearing that shirt all season. Here are all the No. 70 recipients, starting in 2012.

“When Matt realized he would not survive cancer, he asked that money be raised for childhood cancer research so younger kids could live,” said Dean Crowe, founder and CEO of Rally Foundation, earlier this week.

“In 2005, he stood in uniform on the gridiron as the Pope community rallied around him, beginning a tradition that became the Matt Hobby Classic. Since then, 4 Quarters 4 Research has raised more than $450,000 at Pope alone and spread to schools nationwide, and it proves that Matt’s legacy of hope and generosity is still changing lives 20 years later.”

In addition to football, Pope’s soccer and lacrosse teams also compete at what is now Matt Hobby Field, along with track and field athletes.

Lassiter won the game 49-7.

To learn more about Rally Foundation, visit its website and follow on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Pope HS unveils Matt Hobby Field to honor former student

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Eastvalley ES student qualifies for Augusta youth golf final

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Eastvalley ES student qualifies for Augusta youth golf final

Eastvalley Elementary School third-grader Finley Nelson recently won the regional qualifier for the Boys 7-9 age division of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

His next step is The Masters course in Augusta for the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals that will be played at Augusta National Golf Club in April 2026.

“I’m very excited to go to the Masters, and see it and actually get to play on it,” Finley said in a release issued this week by the Cobb County School District. “You have to be the best of the best to get there, and it’s very prestigious.”

Eastvalley principal Dr. Whitney Spooner said Finley’s accomplishments were noted on the school’s morning news update: “His classmates and teacher were so excited.”

“Eastvalley Elementary classmates cheer on Finley like a hometown hero after his regional victory.”

Calley Anderson, Finley’s homeroom teacher, said in the release that “as soon as Finley told the class he had won the regional in Florida, the class could not contain their cheers. The whole class was jumping up and down.”

His teacher and classmates also made a good luck card and poster for him.

Finley said that “I was very happy that they were all cheering for me.”

“Finley is a very thoughtful, respectful, and dependable student,” Dr. Spooner said in the release. “He is soft-spoken, but very eager to learn.”

After winning the Regional Qualifier at TPC Sawgrass, Finley secured his place in the 2026 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, held during Masters week.

“Focused and fearless: Young golf prodigy Finley Nelson lines up his shot at TPC Sawgrass.”

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Pope HS to hold 20th Matt Hobby Classic for cancer research

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Submitted information:Pope HS to hold 20th Matt Hobby Classic for childhood cancer

This fall, two milestone anniversaries come together in the fight against childhood cancer. Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research is celebrating 20 years of funding innovative research, supporting families and advocating for better treatments. At the same time, Pope High School will host its 20th annual Matt Hobby Classic football game on Friday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Pope High School, 3001 Hembree Road, Marietta, GA 30062. The annual game has supported Rally Foundation since its beginning. 

The Matt Hobby Classic honors the memory of Pope student and football player Matt Hobby, who was diagnosed in 2003 with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in and around the bones. With the encouragement of his teammates and the Pope community, Matt vowed to “STANDTOUGH” through treatment. He passed away on May 30, 2006, just days after his high school graduation. Before his passing, Matt asked his parents to keep raising money for research so that “the little kids with cancer get a chance to live.”

The Pope community, together with Matt’s family and Rally’s founder Dean Crowe, turned his request into action. In 2005, they hosted the very first 4 Quarters 4 Research (4Q4R) game, which was Rally Foundation’s first fundraiser. Buckets were passed through the stands to collect spare change in support of childhood cancer research. That event later became known as the Matt Hobby Classic. Over the past 20 years, Pope High School has raised more than $450,000 through the annual event, including more than $33,000 last year alone. The 4Q4R idea also spread to schools across the country, multiplying Matt’s legacy and fueling childhood cancer research nationwide.

Rally Foundation was founded in 2005 with the mission to fund the best research wherever it takes place. Over the last 20 years, Rally has awarded more than $40.5 million in research grants through more than 680 projects across the United States and around the world. From its first $5,000 grant in 2006 to a record-breaking $5.5 million in 2025 alone, Rally’s funding has helped advance safer, more effective treatments for kids with cancer.

“When Matt realized he would not survive cancer, he asked that money be raised for childhood cancer research so younger kids could live,” said Dean Crowe, founder and CEO of Rally Foundation. “In 2005, he stood in uniform on the gridiron as the Pope community rallied around him, beginning a tradition that became the Matt Hobby Classic. Since then, 4 Quarters 4 Research has raised more than $450,000 at Pope alone and spread to schools nationwide, and it proves that Matt’s legacy of hope and generosity is still changing lives 20 years later.”

About Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research:
Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer among children in the United States. In 2025, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, proudly celebrates 20 years of impact, dedication and progress in the fight against childhood cancer. Rally empowers volunteers nationwide to raise awareness and funds for research to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures. Rally received the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence and GuideStar Valued Partner seal, and according to independently audited financials’ five-year average results, 93 cents of every dollar raised supports Rally’s mission.

To learn more about Rally Foundation, visit www.rallyfoundation.org and follow Rally Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

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Lawmaker files Title IX athletics complaint against Pope HS

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State Rep. John Carson of East Cobb said he has filed a Title IX sex discrimination complaint against Pope High School’s athletics department for a policy regarding female sports eligibility.Pope softball

Carson said in a release he filed a complaint with the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which enforces Title IX.

That’s a federal education law that bans sex discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding.

In his complaint, Carson said that female varsity and junior varsity basketball players were told they could not participate in other sports at the same time, but that male basketball players were not subject to the same policy.

Carson, a Republican who represents District 46 that includes Northeast Cobb, said the policy was implemented in the spring, and that he sent a written complaint to the Cobb County School District in April after hearing from parents.

“This restriction does not apply to their male counterparts, many of whom are allowed to play multiple sports simultaneously and openly without consequence,” Carson said in the release, announcing the complaint, which stems from some of the girls also wanting to play flag football (a sport in which Pope is a current state champion).

“As I said in my letter to the Cobb County School Board, please let the girls play.”

East Cobb News has left a message with the Cobb school district seeking more information, and received this vague response, which didn’t answer any of the issues raised by Carson in his complaint:

“As the school shared with families last year, athletic practices apply to all of our students, both boys and girls.

Schools across the county and metro follow a clear athletic practice: students should finish one sports season before starting another, unless both head coaches and the principal agree to an exception.

This helps protect the health of student athletes by limiting fatigue and preventing injury, especially when sports seasons overlap. Our goal is to support the health, safety, and success of every student-athlete in Cobb.”

Updated: The conservative Cobb Voice website suggested that Carson “may have cried wolf” with his complaint, and included an excerpt from an April message from Pope principal Matthew Bradford saying that female athletes can play basketball and flag football:

 “In the same way, both boys and girls have the same opportunity, schedule permitting, to try out and/or play in two sports simultaneously when seasons overlap.”

The Cobb Voice—whose contributors are not identified, opined that:

“Some are asking whether Rep. Carson is truly defending fairness or simply meddling in matters best left to educators. Local athletic policies are developed by coaches, principals, and administrators who work directly with students. By injecting politics into a process governed by local control, Carson risks overstepping his role as a state legislator.

But Cobb Board of Education member John Cristadoro, whose Post 5 in East Cobb includes the Pope cluster, posted on his Facebook page Tuesday that “Given the seriousness of such an allegation, I hope a thorough review was conducted prior to its filing. If any concerns are found to be valid, I trust the district will take the necessary steps to address and resolve them.”

He also said that “From my experience, I also believe our coaches and athletic directors across Cobb County and across Georgia, recognize the unique challenges faced by multi-sport athletes and strive to make roster decisions with student safety in mind. Pope High School has made clear to families that this commitment applies equally to all students—boys and girls alike.”

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Former Braves scout and East Cobb resident Roy Clark dies

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A former executive with the Atlanta Braves who helped the team draft and sign of some its most recent stars has passed away.Former Braves scout and East Cobb resident Roy Clark dies

Roy Clark, 68, who lived in East Cobb, died on Aug. 22, and had been experiencing heart issues in recent years.

He was called “the Dale Earnhardt of scouting” for his work with Braves from 1989 to 2008 and from 2015 to 2018. During those periods, he evaluated and signed Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Charlie Morton, Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Jason Heyward, Mike Soroka, Austin Riley and A.J. Minter, among others.

Freeman, Morton, Riley and Minter were key players during the Braves’ World Series championship season in 2021.

Clark joined the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and also worked for the Cleveland Guardians, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers during his career.

A native of North Carolina, Clark played baseball in college and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1979, and played three seasons of minor league baseball.

Survivors include his wife Debbie and their three grown children. A celebration of life service will be held will be held Friday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. at H.M. Patterson and Son-Canton Hill Chapel at 1157 Old Canton Road in East Cobb.

 

 

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KSU gym to become VyStar Arena in $4M naming-rights deal

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KSU gym to become VyStar Arena in $4M naming-rights deal

The Kennesaw State University Convocation Center, where Cobb County high school graduations take place, will take on additional branding soon.

The KSU Athletics Association and VyStar Credit Union announced a $4 million, 10-year partnership Tuesday to rename the interior of the facility after the financial institution.

“The new VyStar Arena will serve as a symbol of shared values and a space where school pride, progress and connection come together,” KSU said in a release Tuesday.

KSU basketball and volleyball teams compete there in NCAA Division I competitions and Conference USA.

The partnership includes ticket discounts for sporting events for military members and first responders, as well as additional game-day events and experiences for students and other participants.

The KSU Convocation Center, which opened in 2005, seats more than 3,800 people.

VyStar is based in Jacksonville, Fla., and has 78 locations Florida and Ge0rgia including Smyrna, Suwanee and Peachtree Corners.

 

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Kell kicks off 2025 Cobb football season at The Stockyard

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Corky Kell Classic, Kell HS Stockyard

Football on a Wednesday night?

The Kell Longhorns will be putting on their pads in the middle of the week for real on Wednesday, and not for practice, when they become the first Cobb County high school to play a regular season football game.

The Longhorns will be the hosts against South Paulding at 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Stockyard (more info and ticket information).

It’s the second game of a doubleheader in the Corky Kell Classic, the annual start-of-season slate of games involving some of metro Atlanta’s top teams.

Kell, No. 10 in the preseason in the Georgia High School Association’s Class 4A rankings, is a mainstay in the Corky Kell Classic, named after the former Wheeler football coach. The Longhorns are coming off a 7-5 playoff season.

Also returning to the Corky Kell Classic again is Walton, which is unranked in Class 6A going into the 2025 season. The Raiders will be playing Saturday at 4 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta against Cobb rival McEachern.

Walton was 7-4 last year but got knocked out in the first round of the state playoffs.

Everybody else kicks off their season on Friday, and the other four East Cobb high schools will be playing on the road.

That includes Sprayberry, No. 7 preseason in Class 5A. The Yellow Jackets will be playing at Alexander in Douglas County, looking to build off an historic 2024 season.

Sprayberry reached the state semifinals for the first time, and posted a school record 11 wins. But head coach Brett Vavra has left for Etowah, and his successor is Pete Fominaya, who comes from Hiram.

Lassiter, which as 2-8 last year, visits Midtown, while Pope, which was 4-6, will be at Cambridge, ranked No. 7 in Class 4A.

Wheeler, which was 2-9 but still reached the Class 6A playoffs, will play at North Forsyth on Friday.

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‘Backyard Brawl’ Pope-Walton volleyball match goes outdoors

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When the Pope and Walton volleyball teams have gotten together in recent years, it’s for East Cobb bragging rights. 'Backyard Brawl' Pope-Walton volleyball match goes outdoors

The powerhouse programs have won multiple state championships, but are in different classifications.

They renewed their “Backyard Brawl” series in 2023, and have split those matches in each of the last two years.

But their early-season showdown this year will be generating attention far beyond the community.

The teams will meet Saturday night at Pope, the reigning Georgia Class 6A champion, but not in the gym.

What’s being dubbed “Saturday Night Lights” will be taking place at the Greyhounds’ football stadium, and forecast calls for clear skies.

Less than 24 hours after the Pope and Walton football teams will meet at Pope in a pre-season scrimmage, a special outdoor court will be prepared for the “Backyard Brawl.”

It’s believed to be the first such outdoor match for Georgia high school volleyball teams.

In 2023, the University of Nebraska drew more than 90,000 spectators to its football stadium for a Cornhuskers’ volleyball, and as spectator sports for girls and women is taking off.

Pope coaches cited the Nebraska event in proposing the event to school officials.

“Some of our parents were energized by the idea of a ‘Friday Night Lights’ type experience for our girls,” Pope Head Community Coach Erica Miller said in a release by the Cobb County School District.

“Since football has most of the Fridays locked up, we went with a Saturday Night Lights. We are hopeful that the newness of the experience will draw a big crowd and that this event will be looked at more like a football game night out for kids and families.”

Walton is a Georgia volleyball juggernaut, with 15 state titles since 1998, but none since 2021. Saturday’s match will be the second for new Raiders coach Ashley Jones, who was previously the head coach at Marietta.

She said in the Cobb school district release that “These are two of the most successful volleyball teams in the state and this is a great opportunity for the community to see high-level volleyball on such a large stage.”

Miller, who is in her fifth season at Pope, said she and Jones “have decided to put more energy into the rivalry and are getting a trophy cup to pass back and forth yearly to the winner. We are hoping to start a new tradition!”

If you wish to attend, you’re encouraged to purchase tickets online by clicking here. The general admission price is $7 with optional donations to benefit the NIAAA St Jude Children’s Hospital and the American Heart Association.

Pope High School is located at 3001 Hembree Road.

“We believe this will be one of those moments that these student-athletes will take with them for years to come. They will be able to reminisce on doing something that had never been done before!” Pope athletics director Josh Mathews said.

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Registration underway for East Marietta Girls Basketball

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Submitted information:Registration underway for East Marietta Girls Basketball

East Marietta Girls Basketball is now accepting registrations for the upcoming 2025–2026 season. Open to girls in grades 3 through 12, this inclusive and community-driven program ensures that every girl who attends evaluations will be placed on a team—no cuts, no experience required.

The registration window is open now through October 10, 2025. Families are encouraged to sign up early to secure a spot and get details on evaluation dates.

“We are proud to offer a positive, confidence-building environment where every girl can play, learn, and grow through the game of basketball,” said a spokesperson from East Marietta Basketball. “Whether you’re new to the sport or a returning player, there’s a place for you here.”

In addition to player registration, volunteer coaches are needed to help lead teams and support the development of young athletes. Parents, guardians, and community members with a passion for mentorship and teamwork are encouraged to sign up.

To register players or volunteer as a coach, visit: EastMariettaBasketball.com

About East Marietta Basketball

East Marietta Basketball is a nonprofit youth sports organization, run 100% by volunteers,  dedicated to providing a fun, inclusive, and developmental basketball experience for girls and boys across Cobb County and the surrounding area.

 

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Walton to hold Raiders Day football jamboree Saturday

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Walton football

The Walton High School football program will hold its annual Raiders Day football jamboree Saturday at Raider Valley.

The gates open at 8 a.m., followed by meeting with the varsity team and members of the Junior Raiders teams, along with a field goal challenge.

At 9 a.m., the 2025 teams will be introduced, with varsity vs. varsity and JV vs. 9th grade scrimmages.

At 10 a.m. is the Junior Raider Handshake followed by a variety of community activities.

Pre-season practice is just getting underway as a new school year begins. Walton

Walton’s football season once again starts off with an appearance in the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

On Aug. 16, the Raiders will play Cobb rival McEachern at 4 p.m. Walton’s home opener is Aug. 29 vs. Roswell.

The Walton Touchdown Club also will be having a fundraiser, the Raider Rhinestone Rodeo Bash, on Aug. 23 at Olde Towne Athletic Club.

There will be drinks, dinner, dancing raffle prizes and auction items, with proceeds to benefitting the club’s efforts to provide financial support, upgrade facilities and conduct game-day operations,

For more information, click here.

 

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Town Center CID expands bikeshare program to include KSU

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Town Center CID expands bikeshare program to include KSU

Submitted information:

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, the Town Center Community is enhancing its popular bikeshare program with new e-bikes, an upgraded pedal-bike fleet and a system integration with Kennesaw State University (KSU). These updates aim to increase connectivity, improve rider experience and support active transportation throughout the district.

In July, 10 pedal-assist e-bikes, powered by Georgia Power, will be added to the existing fleet while the original 35 pedal bikes will be upgraded with a new design. The update builds on a decade of steady growth for the program, which recently celebrated 100,000 total rides since its launch in 2015.

To further improve regional mobility, the Town Center bikeshare system will soon integrate with KSU’s bikeshare program. Once connected, KSU students will be able to rent and return bikes interchangeably between KSU Marietta Campus, Town Center, and new soon-to-open stations on the Kennesaw Campus. Non-KSU users will continue to rent and return bikes at designated Town Center locations only.

“During the 10-year anniversary of our bikeshare program, we’re proud to make it even easier for residents, visitors and students to move around our community,” said Tracy Styf, executive director of Town Center Community. “This expansion is about increasing access, supporting sustainability and enhancing everyday connections within our district.”

Currently, the Town Center bikeshare program operates 24/7 with 45 bikes across six strategically located stations. The addition of e-bikes and upgraded pedal bikes responds to growing demand for efficient, eco-friendly transportation options.

Pricing Structure:

  • Pedal Bikes: Free for the first hour; $3 per hour thereafter
  • E-Bikes: $1 unlock fee; first hour free; $2 per 30 minutes after

Anniversary Events & Giveaways

To celebrate the program’s 10-year milestone, Town Center Community is hosting a series of events and sweepstakes open to all riders:

  • Caffeine & Octane Sunscreen Pop-Up – August 3 at Town Center at Cobb
  • KSU Homecoming Game Activation – September 27 at Fifth Third Stadium
  • Fall Bikeshare Pop-Up – October 11 at Bells Ferry Trailhead on Noonday Creek Trail

Each ride taken from a Town Center Community bikeshare station between now and October 11 automatically enters riders into a sweepstakes to win a RadKick™ 7-Speed Electric Lightweight E-Bike, courtesy of Rad Power Bikes (valued at $1,564). Additionally, all bike owners can enter online at towncentercid.com for a chance to win a bike maintenance package from Conte’s Bike Shop (valued at $225).

Learn more about the bikeshare program, sweepstakes rules, event updates and trail safety tips at: www.towncentercid.com/bikeshare-program.

 

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MLB All-Star Game: Schedule for festivities; traffic; more

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Cobb schools SPLOST vote World Series

The Atlanta Braves are not having a banner season, but the area around their home ball park in Cobb County is already lighting up with festivities leading up to Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Events began on Friday around Truist Park and The Battery and beyond, to include Budweiser Clydesdale horses in Smyrna and a family fun event Saturday at the Kroger at Terrell Mill MarketPlace sponsored by OxiClean.

From now through Tuesday, the Capitol One All-Star Village will take place at the Cobb Galleria Centre, featuring entertainment, interactive games, ballpark fare and All-Star Week atmosphere that includes former players, photo ops and a Gaming Zone.

The Village will be open from 12-8 Sunday and 12-6 Monday and Tuesday; tickets are available at this link.

On Sunday is the 4.4 Miler, a fun run in honor of Braves great Henry Aaron’s jersey No. 44, at Center Parc Stadium in downtown Atlanta (formerly the Atlanta Olympic Stadium and Turner Field).

The MLB Draft takes place on Sunday and Monday at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre.

Monday is the Home Run Derby at Truist Park, and the participants include Matt Olson of the Braves, who is replacing Ronald Acuña Jr. The event starts at 8 p.m.; info here for tickets and parking.

Tuesday starts off with an All-Star Red Carpet Show at The Battery, starting at 2 p.m., and will be shown live on the MLB Network.

The All-Star Game itself starts at 8 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m. There is some ticket availability remaining, with prices starting at $220; parking will cost you at least $76 per vehicle.

More information about official events can be found here and here.

Traffic Info

From Cobb government:

The All-Star Game events will be spread around Truist Park, The Battery Atlanta, and the Galleria Centre.  Lane closures and detours will impact roads around the Battery complex and the Galleria.

CobbLinc is stepping up to the plate for All-Star Game weekend, offering dedicated shuttle service at least every 30 minutes during peak hours to help fans easily reach the festivities. Beginning Friday and running through Tuesday, the expanded service will connect the Marietta Transfer Center to Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, where thousands are expected to gather for the All-Star game and fan experiences.

The additional CobbLinc shuttles aim to ease traffic congestion and provide a reliable, free option for attendees looking to avoid parking headaches. Fans can focus on enjoying the action, not fighting traffic. Riders can track buses in real time using the CobbLinc mobile app or by visiting the CobbLinc website.

Georgia DOT will suspend work and lane closures on interstates and state roads near the Truist Park area throughout the duration of the All-Star events.

Traffic and travel disruptions around the Cumberland area are expected to be minimal during this event. However, please keep an eye on this page for any updates.

And Cobb Travel and Tourism has put together this guide with suggestions on other things to do in and around Truist Park/The Battery and the county during the next few days.

 

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East Cobb Kroger event part of MLB All-Star Weekend kickoff

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East Cobb Kroger event part of MLB All-Star Weekend kickoff

Submitted information and photos:

On Saturday, July 12, OxiClean™ and Kroger kicked off MLB All-Star Weekend with a high-energy, family-friendly event at the Kroger Marketplace Terrell Mill in Marietta. Over 300 community members gathered for live stain-fighting demos by OxiClean’s own Anthony “Sully” Sullivan, participated in family games, and enjoyed free food and giveaways.

The event also had a meaningful community impact, collecting over 200 non-perishable food items, which will benefit the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy through MUST Ministries and support local families facing food insecurity.

“We would like to thank our high-powered partner OxiClean for using their power to make lives a little brighter and lighter for students in need at Marietta’s Sixth Grade Academy,” said Victor Smith, president of Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “OxiClean is helping Kroger and MUST Ministries silence the hunger in the community, ensuring our children can get up and go to school hungry for knowledge – not hungry because they don’t have access to fresh, nutritious food. We truly appreciate the power OxiClean brings to the fight against hunger and to Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission.”

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Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

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Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

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East Cobb Park upper playground closed for maintenance

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Cobb PARKS has closed the upper playground at East Cobb Park through Aug. 15 for maintenance. According to a message relayed by Friends for the East Cobb Park, the upper pavilion remains open, as does the lower playground behind the main quad.

On July 17, East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) will have a Cobb PARKS Roving Rangers event from 9-11 a.m. It’s a free event for all ages to learn about animal bones, feather, shells and engage in outdoor recreation activities including archery and nature games.

The event is free and you can register at this link.

A couple of other East Cobb Park-related notes: The next meeting of the East Cobb Park Garden Club is Aug. 2 at 10 a.m., and the fall series of Music in the Park begins on Sept. 14.

For more information click here.

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‘Play Ball!’ exhibit opens at Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art

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'Play Ball!' exhibit opens at Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art

Submitted information and graphic:

The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art celebrates Major League Baseball’s 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta with a summer exhibition of works by Hall of Fame and Upper Deck artist Mike Schacht (1936-2001). Based in New York and Atlanta, Schacht created stylized romantic images of baseball’s heroes, legends, and classic moments. The exhibition will run June 28 through August 31, 2025.

MLB All-Star Week is July 11-15, 2025. The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is located 20 minutes from Truist Stadium at 30 Atlanta Street SE in Marietta Square.

A few more details about the exhibit:

There’s an opening reception Saturday at 6 p.m.; admission is free to MCMA members and $10 for everyone else. MCMA hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; it’s closed on Monday.

For more information, click here.

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East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event

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East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event
Nassir Boukari of Wheeler High School with Gail Devers and Champ Bailey. Photos courtesy of Cobb County School District.

Three students and a coach at high schools in East Cobb were among the honorees this month at the 2024–25 Positive Athlete Georgia Awards at Piedmont Church.

According to its website, “Positive Athlete is a recognition program that celebrates high character, high school student-athletes and coaches who have overcome difficult circumstances, given back to their schools and communities in a significant way, or just have an infectious positive attitude that makes everyone around them a better person.”

The banquet featured three-time Olympic track and field gold medalist Gail Devers and former UGA and NFL football star Champ Bailey.

The honorees include:

  • Wheeler High School’s Nassir Boukari, who was named the state’s most positive wrestler;
  • Ty Brown, a senior and four-year varsity soccer manager at Lassiter High School, the state’s Most Positive Special Olympian;
  • Elizabeth Michalek of Walton High School, who received the Northside Hospital Leadership award;
  • Chris Marcusky, Kell High School boys golf coach, who received the Most Positive Boys Coach award.

“These accolades highlight the dedication of Cobb’s student-athletes, coaches, and schools to not only athletic excellence but also to character, leadership, and community involvement,” Cobb County School District Athletic Director Don Baker said in a release.

“Positive Athlete is an outstanding program, and it is an honor to have so many of our own recognized at this banquet.”

East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event
Ty Brown of Lassiter High School with Champ Bailey.
East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event
Elizabeth Michalek of Walton High School with Positive Athlete CEO Scott Pederson.
East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event
Chris Marcusky of Kell High School being interviewed as the Most Positive Boys Coach award recipient.

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