Upson-Lee's Tye Fagan goes national in Sports Illustrated

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          Tye Fagan’s dream senior year has added another aspect.

          Some national publicity.

          The Upson-Lee basketball standout is featured as a “Faces in The Crowd” member in the latest Sports Illustrated.

          That honor joins assorted state player of the year honors for helping the Knights to their second straight undefeated season and state Class 4A title.

          Fagan was given his release earlier in the week from Middle Tennessee State and has reopened his recruiting, with a slightly bolstered resume.

          The item, under a picture of Fagan: “Tye, a 6’3” senior at Upson-Lee High, had 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Knights to a 70-54 victory over St. Pius in the Class AAAA state final. It was their second straight title and 63rd win in a row. The school’s all-time leading scorer, Tye averaged 26.o points.”

          The Thomaston-Upson Schools Facebook page explained Thursday how Fagan went national.

          “The story behind Fagan being featured in Sports Illustrated is interesting: On March 9, Fagan was at the ribbon cutting for the Quad/Graphics Graphic Design Lab at Upson-Lee High School. This was the day before the state championship game; everyone was excited and talking about the UL Running Knights and the probability of back to back state championships.

          “One of the Quad executives from their New York office, who works with the Sports Illustrated account, met Fagan and caught the ‘Knight fever’. Following the team’s victory on March 10, he contacted Sports Illustrated, and they suggested the Faces In The Crowd feature. This story’s finale is printed and preserved on page 28 of the latest issue of ‘Sports Illustrated’.

          “On Thursday, April 5, Quad/Graphics, The Rock, Plant Director Jeff Stribling assisted ULHS Principal Tracy Caldwell with the big reveal to Fagan at the high school. Stribling also presented Fagan with a box of magazines, just printed and sent overnight to Stribling from the Quad/Graphics New York Plant, which prints the popular ‘Sports Illustrated’ magazine.”