Today’s Bank has a set of directives they call visions. It’s what gives them direction on a daily basis as life and business meet head on. “To be a good Corporate Citizen and provide Community Involvement and Community Service”, is one of the visions Today’s Bank enlists as a daily guide.
Much to Mansfield High School’s good fortune that vision rings as loud as a Christmas bell this time of year. For the second consecutive season, Today’s Bank has presented the MHS basketball program a substantial gift allowing it to host their annual holiday basketball tournament.
The Today’s Bank Bill Frye Classic is a three day senior high basketball tournament beginning on Friday, December 27. Semi-finals continue on the next day on Saturday, December 28 with final games taking place on the third day on Monday, December 30.
“We feel being involved in schools is just one of the ways we can give back to our communities,” stated River Valley Community President for Today’s Bank David Scruggs. “The tournament is just one of the ways we can get involved and participate with the students and families.”
“We are thrilled to be able to sponsor this tournament and love that two of the teams represented are Mulberry and Mansfield, which we have branch locations in both of those communities,” continued Scruggs.
Along with host Mansfield, Mulberry is one of a total eight schools that will be involved in the basketball bracket. Arkoma, Booneville, Hackett, Magazine, Vian, and Waldron will be the other schools competing.
The tournament’s namesake, George W. “Bill” Frye, retired from Mansfield in 2015. Coach Frye left education after 38 years of teaching and coaching as Mansfield’s winningest coach in girls’ basketball and boys’ baseball. He had exactly 400 victories as head coach of the senior girls’ basketball program and nearly as many baseball wins.
Frye is listed on the Mansfield Wall of Fame on two separate occasions. Once as coach of the 1986 Girls Basketball State Championship team, and the other as a record breaking individual coach.
The partnership between MHS, Frye, and Today’s Bank is in its second season despite the tournament roots being established in the early 2000’s.
“We believe community banking is about more than banking,” explained Scruggs. “Today’s Bank channels their loans to the neighborhoods where depositors live and work, which helps local businesses and communities thrive. Being a good neighbor is displayed each day in the opportunities we provide, the money we give back, and the time we commit. All is in effort to help improve the lives of the people, families, and businesses that make this area great.”
According to tournament director Keith Dake, the Frye Classic and Today’s Bank make excellent neighbors.
“Coach Frye is a legendary figure in this part of the state,” noted Dake. “To put his legacy in connection with a caring community bank makes for a winning combination.”
Senior Vice President, President-Huntsville Market and Marketing Director Brittany L. Thompson-Little has been in communication with Mansfield’s athletic department to assist in the tournament process. Kellie Copeland, Vice President and Branch Manager of the Mansfield facility, has participated as a true point guard in the process as well.
Men’s and women’s games will both be on tap at the Frye Classic. Eighteen total contests will tip off during the holiday event. Opening rounds on the first two days will start at 9:00 AM. Successive contests will start approximately 1 ½ hours apart. The final game each night will jump center circle at approximately 7:30 PM.
On the final day, only 4 games will be conducted. The third place matchups will begin at 3:00 PM for the women and 4:30 PM for the men. The championship rounds begin at 6:00 PM for the women and 7:30 PM for the men.
Scruggs will be attending the finals and assist Coach Frye in the presentation of awards. Other associates that work at the Mansfield branch will also be on hand to help in the awards presentation.
Tournament accolades will include championship and runner-up team plaques, all-tournament team individual medals, and tournament MVP awards.
