We caught up with Mr. Brent Titus to learn more about his hometown before he steps “Inside the Ring” to sort the breeding show at the 2025 Arkansas Youth Expo. Get to know Brent below!
Hometown?
We live in Alexis, Il. And honestly there’s not much there unless you need the world’s best fire truck. Then we can hook you up.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Charleston, Il. A small town in eastern Illinois. Probably best known as the home of Eastern Illinois University. The Alma Mater of Tony Romo, Jimmy G, and Sean Payton. Either that or the fact that the first ever Jimmy John’s was there.
How many kids were in your graduating class?
226. Was supposed to be 227 but one young man got caught with some contraband at graduation. He didn’t make it.
If we go back to your senior year of high school, what song was “your song”?
Chris Knight “It Ain’t Easy Being Me”
Blackhawk “Stone by Stone”
Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, what?
I played baseball until the sheep showing really got out of hand. And was very involved with FFA.
If you could describe your hometown in one word, what would it be?
Diverse
Were there any local traditions or festivals you loved?
We had a bonfire during homecoming week made with pallets from all the factories outside of town. And the tradition was to find an outhouse to cap the bonfire tower. The older we got the harder it was to find a wooden outhouse!
If someone were visiting your hometown for the first time, what’s the one thing they must do?
Abraham Lincoln grew up outside of Charleston so you could spend a day touring all the Lincoln stuff. His childhood home is a state park with a working farm. There is a Lincoln/Douglas debate sight at the fairgrounds. So there is a lot of history. Cap it off with a Paglia’s Pizza for sure tho!
Are there any people in your hometown who shaped who you are today?
My parents obviously. They weren’t livestock people. But they were encouraging. My dad’s background in racehorses probably taught me the importance of the details. And my high school Ag Teacher, Ulin Andrews. He instilled a great passion for livestock in me.
