ECHS Gym Will Add Large Video Board Thanks To Alford's Pharmacy

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
More improvements are coming to the Edmonson County High School gym, thanks to a generous donation from Kasey Alford, owner of Alford's Pharmacy in Brownsville. 

In a special sponsorship agreement that will allow Alford's Pharmacy to partner with Edmonson County School programs for the next 10 years, ECHS will be adding a 10-foot video board to their gym. 

While the video board itself may only be one large screen, working out all the details had many moving parts, according to ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams, who said it involved the school, the superintendent, athletics, and Alford's Pharmacy. Those moving parts, he said, will hopefully bring many positive aspects to local school programs.

"We really appreciate Kasey giving back to our school system and our kids like he does," said Williams. "That’s what’s special about being home, and how this agreement came together. "Kasey and I graduated together, played basketball together, Superintendent Alexander was a teacher at the high school when we were here, Athletic Director Kyle Pierce was our teammate and then our coach, and now we are all trying to give back and build our schools for the next generation, it’s very special."

Kasey Alford discussed the decision to sponsor the project with the Edmonson Voice.

"As a 2001 graduate of ECHS where I played basketball with both Jonathan and Kyle, and football where I was coached by Mr. Alexander, having the opportunity to give back to our schools is pretty special for me and Alford's Pharmacy," he said. "I've always been proud of my hometown, our school system, our teachers, staff, and administration, and of course, our kids."

Alford said he's proud to be part of a locally owned, hometown business that is able to give back in this huge way and that the leadership of Williams and Alexander led the way for this deal to happen. 

"Our school system is being led by awesome individuals that are local," said Alford. "When you have that, and local people who support local businesses, you present opportunities to improve our local communities. This is really happening because of the local supporters and patients of the pharmacy.

Athletic Director Pierce discussed the video board itself and how it will add to experiences for programs that take place in the gym. The board will feature local advertisements, crowd interaction spots, graphics, and photos pertaining to games and programs.

"We are excited about the addition of a new state-of-the-art video board to put in our gym," Pierce said. "This board delivers cutting edge technology that will enhance the pregame, in-game, and post game atmosphere at our events. From ball games to graduation, this board can be used in multiple ways to make the experience better."

Pierce said it's just another example of how Alford's Pharmacy continues to give back to local programs.

"This is another major impact piece that our students will see every day here at the high school. We are thrilled to partner with Alford's Pharmacy in providing this for our kids."

Alford said that when Williams showed him photos of similar video boards at other schools, he thought "why not us?"

"It seems like we often hear the things Edmonson County can't do, but we should be focusing on the things we can," Alford said. 

The Edmonson Voice will be part of the project by assisting with video production and media creation to integrate with the board.

Kasey first opened Alford's Pharmacy in 2009 in the Main Street Center and co-founded A+ Family HealthCare in 2017, which is located next door to the pharmacy. The clinic recently partnered with Edmonson County to help provide health care in each school for the first time ever.

Pierce said the installation of the video board is supposed to take place sometime this winter.