On Thursday night, the Straughn faithful gathered together in the “Best” prep stadium in Alabama for a chance to meet the Tigers before the season kicks off.

Several hundred Straughn supporters packed the stands in the newly renovated stadium to show their support for the Tigers high school and middle school football teams and cheerleaders, as well as the Sound of Gold marching band.

“I believe that was one of the best turnouts I have ever seen,” Tiger supporter Tabitha Linzy said. “My family and I are so thankful to be part of the this wonderful school and community.”

Many fans of the Tigers expressed their feelings about the event.

“One of the best Meet the Tigers we have been to,” Christy Cartwright said. “It was organized, inspiring and so much fun. What a way to kick off the season.”

Principal John Evers was the first to greet the crowd, and wish every one a successful 2015 season.

“I love this community, and I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to come back here,” Evers said. “There is no place I would rather be. It’s special because of these kids out here, the coaches, the teachers, the administration, the parents and the community. I can tell you one thing, I will never leave again.”

After Evers spoke, members of the Straughn Alumni Club and the Quarterback Club spoke about the new additions to the stadium, including 80 new seats, new bathrooms, and signs, and expressed how none of it would have possible without the support of the Straughn community.

Clayton Wood also spoke briefly on Straughn being named “Best” prep stadium in the state of Alabama in a recent AL.com poll.

“When the people from AL.com came down and I showed them around they asked where is the town,” Wood said. “I just said, ‘this is it, we have a caution light,’ they got a kick out of that.”

Wood’s point was that it wasn’t the amenities that Straughn has that make it a special place it’s the people in community that do.

Following that, the Sound of Gold played a few songs and then the varsity football team split into two teams and put on a scrimmage for the fans to get a sneak preview at what the Tigers have in store for this season.