Commentary: Not your typical recruiting event

SPARTANBURG

There was much rejoicing in the congregation.

Byrnes High running back Marcus Lattimore, considered by many to be a once-in-a-lifetime college football recruit, had a celebration to match Tuesday night, the eve of National Signing Day, at Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church as he announced he had chosen South Carolina over Auburn.

For most, it seemed, Hallelujah. They weren't dancing in the aisles, but they were close.

Lattimore wanted to share the big moment in the spotlight with his friends and family in their church. Good for him. It says a lot about his character. The event was classy and organized and respectful.

It was also a little odd. You don't often see people in sweatshirts cheering and high-fiving in a sanctuary as if their team had scored a touchdown.

The whole time, I felt kind of like I do when I'm driving home and I'm almost there and the all-sports FM radio station gets crossed with a gospel station. The two fade in and out and back and forth.

At the Lattimore event, I thought I was watching a TV caught between two channels, ESPN and CBN.

Edward McDowell, the pastor at Silver Hill, said it was all fine with God. That made me feel better. He would know better than I.

For one thing, Silver Hill could use a bigger parking lot. I'm not sure what it's like for church service there, but I had to park down the street between a launderette and a pawn shop. When I entered, they had to check to see if my name was on the list. I was then given a laminated media-pass necklace in blue and red with Lattimore's picture on the front. On the back, it said "No. 334." I thought maybe there would be a drawing for a ham.

There were programs, too. Yes, programs for a college intent announcement. That is the world we live in now. The programs looked like something from a Broadway show. Lattimore had used a marketing consultant and a graphic design company.

The "Order of the Evening" had three sections (welcome, acknowledgments of coaches and the introduction of family) before the big moment, the "Speech of Intent" by "Mr. Marcus Dee Lattimore." That would be followed by a Q&A session with the media, timed perfectly to go live on local TV stations during the sports segments.

On the back of the program was the same picture with a quote from Nelson Mandela and a few words from Lattimore's family: "May God bless you wherever you go, Marcus."

Dozens of media members from across the state and even one from The Sporting News (an Auburn fan; too bad) were crowded near the front. The piano man began lightly playing a few minutes before the start time of 6 o'clock. The pastor stepped up the podium and the camera crews tried not to be too distracting.

"We gather in God's name today," he said, "because something special is going to happen."

We were there to celebrate Marcus, he said. We thank God for Marcus, he said.

Marcus himself soon came to the podium, a cross hanging from his chest. A rarity in church, people were encouraged to leave their cell phones on. Those who didn't have their phones pointed at Lattimore to take his picture had them to their ears so they could immediately tell someone of his decision. Laptop computers were open and there was some live blogging going on. During a prayer, you could hear a TV newscast on the headphones hanging off a cameraman's shoulder.

Then Lattimore revealed the great truth, that South Carolina is the Promised Land. A roar went up. Lattimore put on a Gamecocks hat. People would have done back flips if there had been room.

South Carolina fans hope Lattimore is an answer to their prayers. I don't know about that, but he sure can throw a righteous party.