Andrews nomination read in part: "Andrew has exemplified the true meaning of ‘Sportsman’ for over 20 years in the middle Georgia area. Andrew is a person who exhibits qualities of fairness, courtesy , understanding and grace in winning and defeat at the bridge table. He recruits and teaches new players with the same dedication and devotion he displayed in over 25 years of teaching high school math and science students."

"His ethical standards are beyond reproach and should be viewed as a winning example of how the game of bridge should be taught to our new generation of players. Although Andrew is located in a smaller representative area of our unit his dedication and devotion to promoting the fairness of the game should not go unnoticed. A man with outstanding character, he shares his enthusiasm for the game with everyone he comes in contact with. He also aggressively promotes play at four Middle Georgia bridge clubs."

Andrew was born in Early County, Georgia to the parents of Ruben and Leatha Echols. He is the youngest of seven children. Andrew graduated from Washington High School in Blakely and attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama where he received a BS Degree in Science Education. While at "BAMA STATE" Andrew took bridge lessons from Dr. R. J. Bryson and the rest is history. Andrew later received his Masters Degree from Mercer University.

Andrew settled in Macon, Georgia in 1965 to teach in the Bibb County school system. Andrew reorganized the Middle Georgia Bridge Club of the American Bridge Association in the early 1970’s. He Joined the ACBL and started playing at Christian Towers with the Macon Bridge Club in the mid 70’s. He currently holds memberships and is active in four local bridge clubs: Middle Georgia Bridge club of the ABA, Warner Robins Duplicate Bridge Club of the ACBL. Macon Duplicate Bridge Club of the ACBL and Eatonton Duplicate Bridge Club of the ACBL.

Andrew not only plays the game, he is a Certified Tournament Director in both the ABA and ACBL. Now that Andrew is retired, you will see more of him at Bridge Tournaments.

Please join the Unit 114 Board in recognizing Andrew Echols as The Sportsman of the Year representative of our unit.