The city of Rossville will host a Town Hall meeting tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 6) at 7 p.m. to discuss the city’s new athletics program.

New Rossville Director of Athletics Marvin “Stump” Martin will host the meeting at the City Annex.

Martin was hired by Rossville in November and started work New Year's Day in an effort to run, market and promote the citywide athletic facilities and programs.

Mayor Johnny Baker said the city had been talking about hiring a fulltime director of athletics for more than a year.

Martin will oversee the seven-field complex at the Rossville City Park that includes a playground, walking track and a radio-controlled racetrack.

The city also plans to build three more fields in the near future and make other improvements on the existing fields.

Rossville will also be using the gymnasium, community center and football field that once housed the Rossville High and Rossville Middle School athletic programs.

“It’s exciting to be able to have these type facilities for the families in the area to use,” Martin said. “The gym and community center provide a rare opportunity for Rossville.”

Hutcheson Memorial Field and the fields where the Rossville Bulldogs once practiced will provide the city with facilities for the football and soccer programs.

“I plan to start a Friends of Hutcheson Memorial Field and we will work together to keep the facility as close as we can to the days when crowds in excess of 6,000 turned out to cheer for the Bulldogs,” Martin said. “I want the field and facility to remain like it was and will work to have it put on the Georgia Historical list. There is also enough space next to the gym for as many as eight soccer or football teams to practice.”

Martin said the city will start a new volunteer athletics association to provide recreational activities for all ages.

“Rossville was built on the mills and athletics,” Martin said. “I can’t do anything to bring the mills back, but I can utilize the lessons learned from (former recreation director) Walt Lauter and (Rossville High football coach) Lynn Murdock to provide the city with a strong athletic program.

“This is not going to be easy, but I fully understand that,” Martin continued. “We want to bring fun back to Rossville through athletics and we’re reaching out to the area to do that. It can be as special as the people want to make it.”

Martin asks that those interested in Rossville and the athletics program turn out for the Town Hall meeting and offer suggestions.

“We need help,” Martin said. “This is not about me. It’s about doing something special for people who can learn valuable life lessons through athletics.”