The Peachtree City Rotary Club celebrated the 21st annual Crying Towel Luncheon, one of our most entertaining and anticipated traditions of the year.
What exactly is the Crying Towel?
Each coach gets the opportunity to jokingly explain why their team could be in for a very long football season. We heard stories about missed tackles, costly penalties, questionable play calling, and plenty of other reasons a coach might need a towel to wipe away the tears at the end of the season.
The coach who delivers the funniest and most convincing tale of football misery takes home the coveted Crying Towel Award.
Rotarian George Martin once again hosted the event and kept the coaches, players, school leaders, and Rotarians entertained throughout the program. Club President Tammy Soulakos presided over the meeting and welcomed coaches from McIntosh, Starr’s Mill, Whitewater, Sandy Creek, and Fayette County High School.
The coaches were joined by several outstanding student-athletes who will continue their football careers at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, Nebraska, Cincinnati, and other Division I programs. Their talent and accomplishments made it clear that the coaches’ stories of doom and gloom may have been slightly exaggerated.
Representatives from Fayette County Public Schools also joined us, including Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Patterson, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gray, district administrators, athletic directors, and principals from the participating high schools.
After the final story was told and the last imaginary tear was wiped away, McIntosh High School Head Football Coach Derek Smith was named this year’s Crying Towel Award winner.
President Tammy Soulakos also recognized members of the Rotary leadership team, including Charles Felix, 2026–2027 Sergeant at Arms, and Andy Borders, 2026–2027 Public Image Director.
Congratulations to Coach Smith, and thanks to all the coaches, players, educators, administrators, Rotarians, and guests who made the 21st annual Crying Towel Luncheon another memorable Peachtree City Rotary tradition.