Vision Nation!  First and foremost, thank you for visiting the Atlanta Vision.  We hope that ATLVision.com becomes one of your favorite local websites for sports entertainment and community activities.

My name is Quentin Townsend, and I am part of the Atlanta Vision ownership group.  I will be one of the writers that will be sharing various experiences of this journey and opportunity we call Vision.  Here you will meet players, dancers, staff members, corporate partners, and even hear from you, the fans.  We look forward to making this one of the most popular sections of our website.  You will be able to get a feel of what it takes to operate a sports franchise, you’ll identify the passion that our players have, you will relate to our staff members goals of moving up in the sports industry, and you will see the importance of a community based team.

“Local players, hometown fans” that’s our motto.  The talent base in Gwinnett County is enormous.   Gwinnett County is at 750,000 residents and counting.  If Gwinnett were a city, it would be the 14th largest city in the United States, larger than Fort Worth and Las Vegas.  With powerhouse, nationally ranked high school boys and girls teams in various sports, impressive facilities, and outstanding parks and recreation centers, Gwinnett was recognized as a Sports Illustrated top 50 Sports Town.  Currently, Gwinnett does not have a college sports team that it can call its own. 

With that in mind, what better place to have a sports team that provides developmental opportunities for players looking to go to the NBA?  Here’s an opportunity to showcase the talent that was raised in Gwinnett and in the great state of Georgia. Players like B.J. Puckett who graduated from Dacula High School and South Gwinnett graduate, Marcus Sims are both featured on the Vision's roster.  Families now have an affordable outlet to experience high flying basketball action in their own backyard.

As the doors opened at 2:30pm for a 3:30pm tip-off at the Gwinnett Center, I was so excited about what was about to take place this afternoon.  The basketball court was in place, the basketball goals secured, the scoreboard and shot clocks were on, the players were dressed, staff members in position, the visiting team was warming up, game officials were in their locker room, the merchandise table was set-up, the DJ was spinning tunes, A-Vee the Eagle was in his dressing room, the Vision Ladies were in motion, the hot dogs and popcorn was ready, security was all around, our corporate partners were in place, the video crew was on assignment,  the announcers had their microphones, our game day operations crew was ready at the table, the Gwinnett Center Box Office was selling seats, the ticket takers were at the door, and the lights were on and bright.  It’s Showtime!  One of my favorite quotes is from Whitney Young, “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”

We were prepared for a great crowd and a platform to display the many talents of our community.  This was our Youth & Community Night.  The Boys of Laurel Springs purchased a courtside group package and were able to warm-up, shoot around, and stretch with the pros prior to the game.  They also got to be in the starting lineup parade and participate in some very close half-time contest.  A local Girl’s Scout troop presented the flag and stood at attention during the National Anthem.  The Junior Vision Dance Team showed there moves at half-time with an outstanding performance. 

Amongst those in attendance where church groups, youth groups, and several business groups.  The Vision showed why they are #1 in the south, defeating cross state rival, Georgia Gwizzlies, 130-79!  It is obvious that the bigger the home crowd, the better the Vision will play. We look forward to seeing you at our final home game on March 11th at 7:30pm vs. #1 Vermont Frost Heaves.  Thank you for your continued support.