Lew Blackman

I was a student athletic trainer at the Univ. of Georgia from 1990-1995 working with the football, tennis, and baseball teams. I actually was able to talk with classmate Eric Stewart who was a cheerleader for Ga Tech after the 1991, 1992, and I think 1993 games. I passed the certification test for and received my license in Athletic Training in 1995. I married Christy Nave in 1996 (she's from Marietta and graduated from Lassister High also in 1990). She's a pharmacist and works at the Medicine Shoppe right there on Church Street in Douglasville. I received a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia in 1998. I moved to Carrollton in 1999 and started working for Southern Therapy Services, where I am still working today. I cover high school sports for Central of Carrollton High School. My wife and I have 2 daughters - Bethany and Madeline. Bethany was born in 2000 and Madeline in 2003. Both girls swim with the Carrollton Bluefins. Madeline also plays soccer, which I played as well for 13 seasons on Fowler Field on Chapel Hill Rd. Madeline is also a LOT like her Daddy - strong-willed, feisty, stubborn, and very competitive. She's a lot of fun to watch at sporting events. She REALLY gets into them. Bethany is VERY creative and creates outstanding artwork; something her Daddy could NEVER do. Both girls attend the Carrollton City Schools. My parents are doing very well and still live on Price Avenue in the same house where I grew up. My sister Elizabeth just received her Master's Degree from Georgia State and she's a teacher at North Douglas Elementary. She married one of her classmates, Nick Miller, and they live in Smyrna. For fun, my Dad and I have season tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers. If anyone is ever interested in going to a game with us, let me know. I have had Georgia football season tickets since I graduated in 1995, but shocking to some of you, I gave them up this year. It's just too busy with my girls to justify the time and money to go. We'll still go to a couple of games a year, just not have the season tickets.

I can't help but laugh at all of the antics and fun that we had in my freshman citizenship class. Michael Buchanan, Tony and Eddie Holley provided so much entertainment in that class that I still laugh about it today. I loved playing tennis for the school team. Jay Loftin, Tommy Tufts, Michael Buchanan, Trey Dettemering, Greg Garmon, Michael Johnson, Eddie Otwell, Chris Andrews, Michael Moore, Lyle Woodall, Ryan Atcheley, etc, it was a great honor and pleasure to play with a lot of talented guys, thanks! I don't play anymore, but I do play golf. Thanks to Brian Stubbs and his Dad for teaching me to play at West Pines way back when. I really enjoyed that 1988 football season.