So Many Old Dawgs: The 1966 UGA Football SEC Championship Team Reunion

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Once more they gathered between the hedges to remember and celebrate that momentous 1966 year when the University of Georgia Bulldogs reached the pinnacle of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC Championship, and left an indelible mark in the history of college football.

 

 

One Old Dawg has grieved Georgia’s loss to those Rocky Top bandits in the last four seconds of the game on Saturday, but despite that, it was still a great weekend.

It began on Friday evening with an event celebrating the 1946, 1966, and 1976 Southeastern Conference Championships.

 

The lone attendee from the 1946 team and perhaps the greatest college football player of all time was the legendary Charley Trippi.

Jerry Varnado with Charley Trippi

 

After leaving UGA, Trippi played pro ball for the Chicago Cardinals. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is the only professional inducted with 1000 yards rushing, 1000 yards receiving, and 1000 yards passing. An honor to be with him.

Jerry Varnado and Barbara Dooley

 

Here at One Old Dawg, we’d like to know how Barbara Dooley, Coach Dooley's wife, never gets any older. She is ever an amazing, beautiful woman and such a joy.





That evening, there were just so many Old Dawgs to see from the 1966 team. Here are a few. 



Jerry Varnado, Steve Neuhaus, George Patton, Larry Kohn
 

Jerry Varnado, Tommy Lawhorne

Jerry Varnado, Jack Davis, Bill McWhorter, Happy Dicks

Varnado, Brad Johnson, Paul Handmacher

Varnados, Handmachers, Gaines, Dennards

Varnado and Nelson Bowers
 

 

Wayne Ingle and Jack Davis

When the program began, One Old Dawg gave the invocation.

 

The Celebration of the 1966 team included remarks from the defensive captain George Patton and offensive captain, Jack Davis.

A video presentation about the team was curated by Georgia football Archivist, Mark Maxwell, long time friend of One Old Dawg going all the way back to their days coaching YMCA youth league football together.

Mark Maxwell and Jerry Varnado

The evening concluded with remarks by Coach Vince Dooley who pointed out that in the long and storied history of Georgia football, there have been only twelve Southeastern Conference Championship teams.

Varnados and Vince Dooley

 

On Saturday, a special celebration during halftime recognized these same teams. From the 1966 team, twenty-two players gathered in the middle of the field once more with their beloved Coach, Vince Dooley, to be recognized for their part in sustaining and continuing a tradition of sports excellence at the University of Georgia.

Yes, despite the loss, it was a great day.

Later, we found the Varsity in Athens had posted a picture of One Old Dawg on their Facebook page. Such fun.

 

And now about the upcoming game against South Carolina, One Old Dawg says, “Any loss is tough; a loss to Tennessee is doubly tough. However, we played nose to nose with the team favored to win the SEC east. We had it won, fair and square, but a miracle play snatched it away. Our guys played their hearts out and never gave up. Ninety-three thousand attendees and millions in TV land got more than their money’s worth in one of the most exciting games I’ve seen in while. Therefore, I refuse to hang my head and be sad because they got three more points than we did. Good game Dawgs, shake it off and move on, we’ve got some South Carolina chickens to fry.

"I’ve been reminded this week of something Jesus said in Luke 18:1: 'Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.' Yes, pray about football. Ask God to help our team deal with this adversity and not get discouraged. There’s still a lot of football to play and we’re getting better each week. We can still have a great season and post season, if we forget what’s behind, keep focused, move forward and take care of business.

"Well we have the Gamecocks this week and we’re playing in their chicken coop, if Hurricane Matthew doesn’t force some changes. They’ve had a rough year so far, they are 2-3, 1-3 SEC but they’ve been in every ball game. They have a tough Georgia boy and former Dawg at the helm and he will have them ready for a good old-fashioned fight. We can’t take these chickens for granted but I’m convinced we will have them plucked by the fourth quarter. Get the frying pan ready. Gooo… Dawgs, Sic ‘em."

 

We'll be here again next week at One Old Dawg talking about homecoming games against Kentucky in 1966 and against Vanderbilit between the hedges this year. Join us again for more mostly true Bulldog lore.