continued from page Mandrell ….

continued from page

Mandrell Glenn (Cedar Shoals) and Michael Campbell (Clarke Central) were recognized for their academic and football achievement in association with the Play-It-Smart program and will receive a scholarship grant provided by the Georgia NFF chapter and Synovus Bank.

Abit Massey, a distinguished Georgia graduate, and entertainer Jeff Foxworthy were honored with the Chapter’s “Distinguished American Awards.” Massey is known as the “dean of the poultry industry” in our state and has been a loyal Bulldog alumnus and supporter since graduating from Georgia in 1947.

In its history, the UGA chapter, has never had a more entertaining speaker than Foxworthy who has been a Bulldog fan all his life. “Nothing beats a day between the hedges,” Jeff says. “You can’t believe the joy in my heart the last two years with winning backto back national championships. Foxworthy’s class, keeping his humor clean, resonated with the audience.

The J. Reid Parker, “Post Graduate Achievement Awards,” went to Mike Cavan, Terrance Edwards, Travis Stroud, Todd Wheeler and Eric Zeier. These awards are showcased by John Parker in memory of his parents, Reid, and Cynthia Parker. Reid Parker was a longtime member of the UGA Forestry School faculty and served as UGA athletic director for administration in 1978-1980.

Matt Brinkley, incoming president of the Touchdown Club of Athens, presented the chapter’s Contribution to Amateur Football Award to Craig Silver, longtime producer of SEC football on CBS. A connoisseur of good food, Craig loves the Athens restaurant scene. He is fascinated, like many, with “life between the hedges.” Also receiving the Contribution to Amateur Football was Coach Sonny Smart, father of the Bulldog’s ultra-successful coach, Kirby Smart. Kirby was on hand to help honor his father saying how much his dad’s influence has impacted his career.

The chapter has instituted a new award, “The Mark Richt Altruism Award” which was presented to Ben Brandenburg, a member of the UGA administrative staff.

Darrice Griffin, senior deputy director of athletics at UGA, was on hand to help honor the Frances Wood Wilson high school scholar athletes: John Dorris, Athens Academy; Gregg “Billy” Williams, Oconee County; Copeland Grantham, Clarke-Central; Will Sampson, Oglethorpe County and Dominic Walker, Athens Christian School. Each recipient will receive a tuition grant from the Wilson Foundation; Joining in presenting these awards was Judge Lawton Stephens of Athens and a member of the Wilson Foundation Board.

This event came off as the chapter’s best banquet in three decades.