Freeman, Judge Davis - 1968
Judge Freeman’s distinguished judicial career was further enhanced by his keen interest and devoted service to athletics in Savannah. In the mid 1920’s, when high school football was still in the sandlot stage with teams using poor equipment and having only Forsyth Park Extension as a playing field, Judge Freeman conceived the idea of starting the Savannah High School Athletic Association. This was done, full time coaches were secured and football and other athletics were put on a much higher basis. Judge Freeman was the first president of the SHSAA, a position he served in for 10 years. He was a familiar figure on the SHS practice field, comfortably seated in a folding chair, and knew the players by their names. Judge Freeman missed very few games and was equally downcast as the players after a loss. Then-head football coach John Varnedoe testified that the Judge never failed to arouse a new fighting spirit even in the most phlegmatic boy.