Rep. Smyre, Riverdragons to Honor Civic Leader A.J. McClung

January 16, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., (Jan. 16) - In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre of Columbus will pay tribute to Columbus city leader and civic icon, A.J. McClung in a ceremony to be held prior to the Columbus Riverdragons NBDL game against the Huntsville Flight Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20 at the Civic Center.

Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff will also address Riverdragons fans shortly before tip-off and deliver the game ball to the officials at center court. Tip-off is 2 p.m.

McClung devoted most of adult life to civic duties in Columbus until his death last November. The YMCA on Martin Luther King Blvd is named after McClung in honor of his service as Executive Director of that organization in Columbus.

The are also plans to rename Memorial Stadium after McClung - who was intstrumental bringing the annual Morehouse-Tuskegee football game to Columbus.

McClung was the first African-American to serve on the Columbus City Council and the first appointed African-American mayor. McClung assumed mayoral duties in Columbus following the death of J.R. Allen. After his term as mayor, McClung served as Mayor Pro-Tem for 28 years.

Smyre, the chairman of the Rules Committee in the Georgia House of Representatives, played a vital role in the passing of legislation to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a state holiday.



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