Tonight, Brad Usry of Fat Man’s Hospitality will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He’s also a Hall of Fame inductee in the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame and is excited about the BG&C special anniversary this year.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta is celebrating 75 Years of serving local youth with a campaign called “A Promise Kept: 75 Years for Augusta’s Kids.”
Usry went to the Boys Club from 1970 to 1975 on Division Street near what is now the Kroc Center. The club, which was remodeled years ago, is still active with other locations.
“Mr. Cooper was the director of the Boys Club, and Coach Howard and Coach Nelson directed the sports programs. If the gym was open, I was there, recalled Usry.
Usry said that back then, the Boys & Girls Club was separate.
“Mr. Cooper Howard and Nelson ran a tight ship. You did not misbehave at the Boys Club, or you would be kicked out for days at a time. There were some great athletes that went through that club,” added Usry.
For generations of Augusta families, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta has provided a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow, and develop the skills needed to succeed in life. From its earliest days, the Club was founded on the belief that when children are given structure, mentorship, and opportunity, entire communities benefit.
“This anniversary represents a promise our community made to its kids 75 years ago—and one we continue to keep every day,” said Kim Evans, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta.
“This is not only a celebration of our past, but a commitment to our future. We are proud of the lives changed, deeply grateful to the supporters who made this impact possible, and more determined than ever to give Youth and Teens the Optimal Club Experience – preparing them for life and work by helping them climb the career and economic mobility ladders to a future where they thrive in the workplace, become homeowners and economic contributors, and have the option to become an entrepreneur – making the American Dream real and attainable for themselves and their families.”
There are several business, community, and sports leaders in the CSRA who are alumni and spent time at one of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Some notable local alumni include:
- Will Avery, former NBA Basketball player, Founder, Will Avery Basketball Academy
- Luciana Robinson, Commissioner, Augusta Housing Authority
- Daniel J. Craig, Chief Judge, Augusta Superior Court
- Ronnie Strength, Sheriff, Augusta-Richmond County
- Jordan Johnson, Commissioner, District 1, Augusta-Richmond County
- Brad Usry, President, Fat Man’s Mill Cafe
- Clyde Pilcher, Founder, Augusta Industrial Services
- Johnny Hebbard, Founder, Hebbard Electric
- Vernon Forrest, Professional Boxer and Olympic Athlete
- Maurice Johnson, Actor (TV/Film)
- Keith Robinson, Singer, Actor, and Producer
Usry credits a few traits of his for continuing the “Fat Man’s” tradition from the early 1980’s until today.
“I think the discipline I have and competitive spirit were honed at the Boys Club,” he said.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta serves nearly 7,000 youth annually across the Greater Augusta area in Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Hancock, and Washington Counties. If you’d like to support the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Augusta in honor of the 75th anniversary, please visit www.BGCGA75.org.
