TROUP — The 2011-12 school year will be remembered as one of the most successful seasons, athletically speaking, that the Troup Tigers and Lady Tigers have had in a long time.

With 15 of its 16 team sports earning a spot into the state Class 2A playoffs, success completely engulfed Troup athletics this past year.

A quick recap indicated that Troup squads won five district titles, two bi-district championships and a pair of area championships.

Sports like golf, tennis, power lifting, and track and field flourished as student-athletes from Troup racked up nine individuals titles and three individual regional titles.

Around 50 student-athletics proudly represented Troup at the regional level throughout the school year.

Highlighting the year was a state tournament appearance by the Tiger golf team, which finished third in the state.

In addition, five boys and two girls competed in their respective state power lifting meets.

"We're extremely proud of our kids and our coaching staffs for the great things that they accomplished this year," Chuck Griffin, Troup athletic director/head football coach said.

Griffin said that for all intents and purposes things got rolling in the 2010-11 school term when the boys' basketball tam earned a state playoff berth.

"I think that we actually attribute much of this year's success to last year's (boy's) basketball team," Griffin said. "They made the playoffs and enjoyed success and from there that success seemed to carry forward to our football team this year as well as with most of our other sports."

As one hurdle is successfully cleared (and many have been at Troup), the next one is raised a little bit higher, and with that being said, there still seems to be no decline in achievements by the Tigers and Lady Tigers.

"Last year our challenge was to  just make the playoffs," Griffin said."This past calendar year we challenged ourselves to win some of those games and we did that.

"Our new challenge is just to get better and better each day in every."

While there are several factors that have contributed to Troup's success, Griffin said that there are two that sit atop the list.

"Our kids have been working hard in the off season in our strength and conditioning programs and I think that their efforts are showing when their seasons roll around," he said. "Also, a lot of our success can be attributed to the dedication of our coaching staff, no doubt.

"The bottom line is that our coaches have asked our kids to do a lot and the kids have really responded well and have often exceeded the expectations of our coaches."

With new district foes such as Tatum, Jefferson and White Oak awaiting when the 2012-13 school year begins in August, the road to success will continue to be filled with bumps and rough spots, but the Tigers and the Lady Tigers should continue to be in the thick of things.

"I think that we have raised the bar this year," Griffin said. "And I think that you will continue to see us do that from year to year.

"We know that there will be setbacks from time to time, but we will continue to have a lot of confidence in our kids to excel and achieve."