By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
Being involved in football and watching football are two different things. It is also a switch Lawton Shipp is ready to make.
Shipp is stepping away from the W.S. Neal sideline this fall after 20 years of involvement with the program, five as photographer and videographer and the last 15 as the team's statistician.
Shipp's work with the program began with a four-year stint as team photographer.
Former W.S. Neal coach Hugh Fountain directed Shipp to his current role with the team as statistician.
Keeping stats is a challenge, he said.
Shipp said his biggest challenge is when it rains.
Shipp's statistical work includes doing halftime and postgame work in addition to his in-game activities.
Reporting the games on road trips can be difficult,” he said.
Shipp has worked with four different head coaches during his stint with the W.S. Neal program, which includes Hugh Fountain, Jim Fountain, Shane Smothers and current coach Blaine Hathcock.
Shipp said he has seen a lot of memorable team and individual moments.
Shipp plans on a couple more nights on the sidelines before he turns over his clip board for good.