Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2026
While its gameplay is unconventional, Banana Ball cracked the formula on brand loyalty through its Fans First approach. During a stop on the Banana Ball world tour, Sports Management students implemented this model firsthand while working with Fans First Entertainment at the Firefighters vs. Indianapolis Clowns game series March 20-22 in Montgomery, Alabama.
“Their motto is Fans First, so we helped them be able to create that image for the weekend,” said junior and Sports Management Club President Haleigh Redden. “I had a lot of fun with the Banana Ball staff and getting to work with some great hardworking students in our major.”
The history of Banana Ball started with the Savannah Bananas, owned by Jesse Cole and his wife. After playing as a collegiate summer team for seven seasons, the Coles and their organization Fans First Entertainment developed the Banana Ball Championship League, which includes six independent professional teams: The Firefighters, Party Animals, the Texas Tailgaters, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns.
“Their rules and show are a hit with fans all over the country with only two-hour games and crazy rules like fans catching a foul ball is an out,” said Dr. Clay Bolton, Associate Professor of Sports Management. “The Bananas typically play Party Animals in very large stadiums while the other four teams play each other at small minor league ballparks.”
The LC group, made up of 14 students, served round-the-clock from set up to tear down.
“The weekend started with unloading trucks from the teams,” said junior Henry Brodnax. “We also spent time with fans, greeting them into the stadium and making sure their experience was great from the beginning.”
Sophomore Ian McLargin said he experienced a memorable moment after the Saturday game.
“All the crew members made a human tunnel for fans to run through on their way out of the stadium,” he said. “Seeing the joys from kids and even adults getting to run through the tunnel and high-five people was pretty cool.”
Freshman Seth Horne, who helped with merchandise and ticket sales, said the Banana Ball employees created a positive and engaging environment to work.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere because it was always high energy and the staff was very good at making sure that we had everything we needed,” he said.
Junior Henry Brodnax said his Banana Ball experience was one for the books.
“I have had the opportunity to work many events but none like this one,” he said. The way that the players and workers interacted with fans was amazing to see.”
Dr. Bolton said these are the kind of opportunities that do not come around every day.
“This was a rare experience to witness a major event like this from start to finish and participate in all aspects,” he said. “We look forward to building this partnership.”
Creative Prayer Practices
Monday, March 30
Noon, Smith Hall Den
SGA Service x Zeta Phi Beta Blood Drive
Tuesday, March 31
11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Have You Thought About Library Science?
Tuesday, March 31
11 a.m., Multimedia Room, Lewis Library
Interview Workshop
Tuesday, March 31,
11 a.m., Bailey Room
Unspoken Professionalism as a College Student
Wednesday, April 1
7 p.m., Bailey Room
3-Justin Muller, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
9-Drew Cantrell, Athletics (Tennis)
10-Richard Soash, History
14-Lisa Cornell, President’s Office
14-Vishwa Shah, Mathematics
16-Carter Brand, Athletics (Lacrosse)
19-Samantha Sick, Accountancy
21-Sandy Blair, Nursing
22-Lacey Moore, Sociology
24-Ryan Dickson, Athletics (Men’s Soccer)
27-Latanya Buckner, Business Office
29-Chris Jerry, Athletics (Football)
Women’s Basketball
Senior Skylar Edwards and sophomore Hope Harrell earned College Communicators Women’s Academic All-District selections.
Men’s Basketball
Seniors Trenton Dillard, Devin Dowell, Jace Herrell and Brodie Scott earned College Communicators Men’s Academic All-District selections.
Lacrosse
LC will face Brevard College (Brevard, North Carolina), one of its major competitors, in a matchup on Saturday, March 28, at 4 p.m. in Callaway Stadium. Senior Nicholas Murciano leads the team with 20 goals while senior Tyler Abrams has posted nine goals and nine assists. Freshman goalkeeper Alex Mann is currently ranked eighth in the nation in saves per game.
Beach Volleyball
The Panthers are coming off their biggest win in school history on Wednesday, March 25, when they bested Truett-McConnell (Cleveland, Georgia) in the second end of a doubleheader in their first home match of the season. The team will compete against Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia) on Saturday, March 28, at the Strack Beach Volleyball Courts in a doubleheader. The first match begins at 1 p.m.
Men’s & Women’s Tennis
The Men’s team took a narrow 3-4 loss to Brevard College last Sunday. The Women’s team came up just short in a 3-4 loss at Agnes Scott (Decatur, Georgia) this past Monday. LC will host Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte, North Carolina) on Friday, March 27, and Maryville College (Maryville, Tennessee) on Sunday, March 29.
Baseball
The Panthers will travel to Covenant College this weekend for a three-game CCS series against the Scots. Senior Colin Jones has provided the pop to the LaGrange lineup, hitting .313 / .518 / .450 with 11 doubles, two home runs and 32 RBI. First pitch of game one is on Friday, March 27, at 3 p.m., in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
Graduate Student Jorge Fragoso was named CCS Player of the Week. He ended the week with a .688 slugging percentage and contributed defensively with a perfect fielding percentage, recording six putouts in the outfield.
Softball
LC will head to Agnes Scott College on Saturday, March 28, for a noon doubleheader against the Scotties. Senior Claire Chamberlain is leading the team this season, hitting .320 while pitching 55 innings thus far. Senior Jenna Yeary leads the pitching staff with a 3.00 ERA and a 4-6 record.
Track & Field
The Panthers will compete at the Emory Thrills in the Hills competition in Atlanta for a three-day event March 26-28.
Freshman Ryheem Mighten was named CCS Rookie of the Week. He turned in a pair of competitive sprint performances at the Emory Spring Break Classic this past weekend. Mighten posted a time of 10.67 in the 100-meter dash to finish 10th out of 24 competitors and added a 21.66 in the 200-meter dash, placing 11th among 116 runners.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, March 27 – Track at Emory Thrills in the Hills, Atlanta, Georgia
Friday, March 27 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte, North Carolina), 10:30 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, March 27 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson & Wales University, 10:30 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, March 27 – Baseball at Covenant College, 2 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, March 28 – Track at Emory Thrills in the Hills, Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, March 28 – Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia), 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts
Saturday, March 28 – Baseball at Covenant College, noon and 3 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, March 28 – Softball at Agnes Scott College, noon and 2 p.m., Decatur, Georgia
Saturday, March 28 – Women’s Flag Football at Florida Gateway College, 2:30 p.m., Lake City, Florida
Saturday, March 28 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. Brevard College, 4 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Saturday, March 28 – Women’s Flag Football vs. College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, Illinois) @Florida Gateway, 4 p.m., Lake City, Florida
Sunday, March 29 – Men’s Tennis (Home) (Exhibition) vs. Millenia Atlantic University (Doral, Florida), 9 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Sunday, March 29 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Maryville (Maryville, Tennessee), 2:30 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Sunday, March 29 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Maryville, 2:30 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Monday, March 30 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Central Alabama Community College (Alexander City, Alabama), 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Monday, March 30 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Central Alabama Community College (Alexander City, Alabama), 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Thursday, April 2 – Softball at Piedmont University, noon and 2 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Category: Students, Service, Academics
Keywords: Business, Athletics
