Holgate Speaks to No Longer Bound in Atlanta

SEC sports writer and motivational speaker Jay Holgate was a guest speaker for No Longer Bound in North Atlanta last week. The event was held on campus in the dining hall which became a SEC decorated facility with pre-game music and a promotional video highlighting Holgate’s journey following SEC football.


The theme of the night was a Champions Club Meeting, and the men were treated to a steak dinner by the parent organization. There was a sign at the door with big letters indicating Champions Club Meeting and each man had to walk across a winners line taped to the floor.


The success of No Longer Bound has been phenomenal and is ten times better than the national average for recovery centers. The focus at No Longer Bound is not just a man’s sobriety but making him into a disciple of Jesus Christ. The organization is funded primarily by citizens donating their cars, trucks, boats and RV’s. There is a major advertising effort on the radio to encourage people to give away older vehicles to the charity. Donations are accepted year around.


The non-profit organization also has a community closet, a greenhouse and printing services which all help pay the expenses of a full time men’s ministry dedicated to the rehabilitation of alcohol and drug addicts. For more information about No Longer Bound or to make a donation, call Mike Harden at 770-886-7873.


Jay Holgate is an SEC sports writer and motivational speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. As a credentialed member of the SEC, he reports exclusively on SEC football and basketball. His column is published in over 200 on-line newspapers in the Southeast and he can be heard weekly on sports radio stations across the South.

No matter the size of the organization, Jay’s encouraging and message about hope, focus, goals, and perseverance is both motivating and inspiring. For more information about Jay’s speaking engagements, call Todd Greene at FootballSpeakers.com at 1-866-977-6787.

SEC Recruiting-How I Got Involved with #1 Running Back in America

I wrote the story about Marcus Lattimore, making my points that recruits should stay in-state if given the choice. The closer to home, the more parents can be involved. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/330742-marcus-lattimore-big-decision-auburn-or-south-carolina.

I had never written about a recruit before, but something pushed me to single him out. I knew what he would do for his home state if he chose the Gamecocks. I also knew Auburn’s rich history of putting running backs in the NFL.

I wrote a story, talked about it on a couple of sports radio programs, and uploaded my interviews to YouTube. My story and videos got a lot of traffic and comments, both positive and negative.

One night, the phone rang. “This is Marcus Lattimore’s step father. Can I talk to you about your article?”

Marcus is the top running back recruit in the country. Every major college wanted him, and coaches were calling around the clock. The family had issued a freeze for the media, but the coaches were still calling.

Even the teams that had been eliminated were still calling Marcus, his Mom, his step dad, and his sister.

I found myself in the late hours of the night talking to a father, not as a sports writer, but as a father. He said he had seen my videos and he felt he could trust me, and that I would shoot him straight.

I knew both schools well. The next few hours, two fathers discussed all the positives and negatives of two great schools—Auburn and South Carolina.

My article had resonated with the step-father. My videos touched him and Marcus. A lot hung in the balance. Marcus’ decision would greatly impact two coach's careers.

Steve Spurrier would have been criticized for losing an in-state star. For Gene Chizik, signing Marcus could move his class to No. 1 in the country.

Over the next few days, both coaches came and went for their last home visits. The father would again call me and talk about the experience. Sometimes we talked football, other times we just talked.

On Sunday, he invited me to come down and spend Monday with the family, the same day Marcus would be announcing his school of choice. I knew having some time with a big recruit would be memorable.

When I arrived in Duncan, South Carolina, I knew two fan bases were dying to know which path Marcus would take. I found a house full of trophies and memories of a loving family.

Two hours before the announcement, Marcus was cool and calm. He played a game on Playstation.

I asked if he was playing South Carolina vs Auburn and and the winner would be his choice. He just laughed. A great, humble guy, but a competitor who has big dreams. I knew he had a great future.

We joined hands in the middle of the living room for prayer. I prayed for this family and Marcus, and that every step forward would be successful. We went to the church, which was half full two hours before the announcement.

So people ask me, why did Marcus go to South Carolina? Marcus told me every time he went to Columbia, he really enjoyed his time there. It just felt right.

Secondly, Steve Spurrier and staff worked very hard to have a relationship with his entire family. The entire family had to be in agreement on this one.

And finally, Stephen Davis told Marcus that he loved playing at Auburn, but his only regret was his family and friends didn’t get to share it with him in person.

His reasons confirmed why I wrote the story.

Until next time, I will see you on the ball field.

Jay Holgate is a sports writer and motivational speaker talking about SEC football. Jay is listed with www.FootballSpeakers.com

Here is my link to the Marcus Lattimore announcement taped from my camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY_Meczd-18

#2 Alabama Will Beat #1 Florida in SEC Championship Game

ATLANTA, GA —Last week, I predicted an upset weekend for Thanksgiving. South Carolina and Georgia knocked off the two best teams in the ACC, Miss. State stuck it to the Ole Miss Rebels, and Kentucky and Arkansas were a field goal away from celebrating upsets.

This past week was clearly full of upsets.

Now we are down to the rematch that everyone wanted: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama, Meyer vs. Saban, and Tebow vs. Ingram. Two undefeated SEC teams playing for what could be the national championship on a neutral field with a 50/50 ticket split for the fans. One play could determine the outcome of this game; it doesn’t get any better than this.

Last week, Florida handed their in-state rival Florida State a huge defeat and may have tipped the scales on the decision for moving Bobby Bowden closer to retirement.

Either way, the Gators ran over the Seminoles and definitely looked like the championship team we came to know last year. Perfect timing for a peak performance against the SEC West champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama became focused after Auburn put up two big scores. The Tide finally closed the deal, but it went deep in the fourth quarter before any fan could breath. Regardless, Bama won, stayed undefeated, and lived another day to play one of the greatest Florida football teams in history.

Everything points to another Florida victory on Saturday. Tim Tebow is playing his last SEC game, and he doesn’t lose when he sets his mind on winning; i.e. “The Promise.”

The Gators have momentum that carried over from last season’s BCS championship and they are healthy and playing at a top level again. Coach Meyer has been preparing for this game since last spring and the man is a football genius.

But not so fast. Coach Saban has replayed the second half of last year’s SEC championship 1,000 times in his head. After the 10th time, he figured out how to win it by a field goal. Alabama is tough, battle tested, and undefeated. They are also feeling disrespected, which always plays in Saban’s favor.

How This SEC Championship Game Will Play Out

Alabama Offense vs. Florida Defense
Alabama will try to control the clock with a dominant ground game, short passes, and a clock that continues running. The more the clock runs, the more Meyer feels constricted.

Saban wants to grind it out. Bama will try to keep Tim Tebow and company off the field as long as they can, because they know he is the heartbeat of this team. A low scoring game favors Alabama.

The Florida defense will stack the box and challenge McElroy to throw the ball because they believe their corners can play man to man all day long with Bama. Florida is looking for some interceptions to capture the momentum and swing the game their direction.


Florida Offense vs. Alabama Defense
Florida will spread the ball out and give Bama another taste of the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Look for some trick plays, misdirections, and opportunities for Tim Tebow to shine.

Meyer always goes for the biggest playmakers in the big games. Tebow, Cooper, Hernandez, James, Demps, and Rainey will see all the action on Saturday. Meyer lives off adrenaline rushes with his team making the big plays. An early score by Florida would tip the scales to the Gators.

Saban will be committed to stopping Tebow first and foremost. The only way to kill a snake is to cut his head off. Everything starts with Tebow in this offense, and Alabama will blitz someone on Tebow on every play.

Coach Saban will not let Florida win this game on Tebow’s back. He will force someone else to win it. I believe the Alabama defense will figure out a way to give Tebow plenty of trouble, which would this game wide open.

Who Wins?

Florida is the obvious choice. The Gators are defending their turf, but Alabama feels disrespected and is hungrier. This game could come down to two plays, and only God knows when they will happen. This game is truly a coin toss. I believe Alabama pulls the upset 24-21.


What Tipped the Scales?
The arrest of defensive end Carlos Dunlap was shocking. One of the leaders of the Florida Gators was out late drinking the week of the SEC Championship game?

Dunlap was the MVP of the 2008 SEC Championship game; I’ve never seen a winner celebrate until after the fight. A leader’s actions are always clues to the bigger picture. What is the mindset of this Florida team the week of the big game? Distractions kill focus and I guarantee you Alabama is getting ready for a ferocious battle.

Until next time, I will see you on the ball field.



Original Article Published on SEC Sports Report.

Jay Holgate is a sports analyst, freelance writer, and life coach based in Atlanta, Georgia. Jay can be heard on sports radio around the South.