News Flash

The 2025 Magnolia Classic was a tremendous success, bringing together nearly 100 ultimate frisbee athletes and supporters for an exciting day of competition.

Union University claimed the championship in a thrilling 13–11 victory over Jacksonville State. JSU held an 8–7 lead at halftime, but Union rallied in the second half to secure the win and take home the title.

Final Standings1st – Union University2nd – Jacksonville State University3rd – Mississippi State University4th – Berry College5th – University of Alabama at Birmingham

This year’s tournament also featured the first women’s ultimate event held in Mississippi since 2019, marking a major milestone for the sport’s growth in the region. We are incredibly proud of the turnout and the energy shown by all participating teams.

A special thank-you to Munson and Brothers and the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau for their outstanding partnership and support in making this event possible.

We look forward to continuing the momentum and growing the Ultimate Scene even further next year!

Lowndes County Recreation is excited to welcome Derrick Westbrooks as our new Maintenance Technician!

Derrick brings a strong work ethic and hands-on experience that will help keep our parks, facilities, and equipment in top shape for the community. His dedication to quality and teamwork will be a great addition to our department as we continue improving our spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Please join us in giving Derrick a warm welcome to the Lowndes County Recreation family — be sure to say hello when you see him around our facilities!

This landmark event is especially meaningful as it will be the first women’s ultimate tournament held in Mississippi since 2019 — a major step in growing competitive opportunities for women in the sport across the Southeast.

The Magnolia Classic will welcome five collegiate women’s programs:

• Berry College – Valkyries

• Mississippi State University – Nightmare

• University of Alabama at Birmingham – Ember

• Union University – Jillz

• Jackson State University – Fuego

Built on competition, community, and inclusion, the Magnolia Classic is more than a tournament — it’s a celebration of progress and a new beginning for women’s ultimate in Mississippi.

Weekend Experience Highlights

• Pilates After Dark – Glow Pilates SessionRecovery + vibes on Saturday night with Studio Pilates.

• Munson & Brothers Pizza PartySaturday evening social event for teams and fans.

• Hot Rods & Cookies Bake SaleFuel up Sunday afternoon and support event fundraising!

Special Thanks

This event is made possible through strong local partnership. Special thanks to Lowndes County Recreation for serving as our facility host and to Visit Columbus for supporting event promotion and tourism in the Golden Triangle.

Stay tuned for schedules, vendor announcements, volunteer sign-ups, and event merch!

#MagnoliaClassic #GTUltimate #GrowTheSport #WomensUltimate #MississippiUltimate #CollegeUltimate

Click here for the link to the WCBI Article!

Lowndes County Recreation is excited to announce the hiring of Dawson Archer as our new Operations Coordinator and Event Management.

Dawson steps into this role after already making a meaningful impact with us over the past two years. Since 2023, he has partnered with our department to host multiple Ultimate Frisbee tournaments, and in 2024 he founded Golden Triangle Ultimate, now an official affiliate organization of Lowndes County Recreation.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Dawson earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 2024 and his Master's in Business Administration in 2025, both from Mississippi State University. His background in leadership, program development, and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission to provide quality recreation opportunities for all.

In this new role, Dawson will oversee operations logistics, event planning, and league coordination, and will also be taking the lead in organizing Recreation Baseball and Softball for Spring 2026.

Please join us in welcoming Dawson to the full-time Lowndes County Recreation team — we are excited for the energy, vision, and dedication he brings to the future of recreation in Lowndes County!

#LowndesCountyRecreation #CommunityFirst #GrowWithUs #RecreationLeadership