The Georgia Center presents “1980 Championship Year Revisited” photography exhibit

A pictorial exhibit of University of Georgia football by photojournalist Wingate Downs, “1980 Championship Year Revisited,” will be on display in Hill Atrium at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel, Sept. 1 – Jan. 7. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Georgia Center is located at 1197 S. Lumpkin Street.

This exhibit profiles UGA’s 1980 National Championship football team. The collection tells the story of that successful football season and the players who made it possible. Downs captured the excitement of this legendary year of UGA football including Herschel Walker’s first day of practice, Walker’s touchdown at the Sugar Bowl and fans watching home games from the railroad tracks.

Downs is an Oglethorpe County resident and a graduate of UGA’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He was chief photographer for the Athens Banner-Herald and Athens Daily News for 18 years, photo director of Athens Magazine for nine years, and stringer for the Associated Press and United Press International for 20 years in Athens. He earned more than 30 state and national awards for his news and advertising photography throughout his career, including an Instant Citation from the Associated Press. Downs’ photography has been printed by Life, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and People magazine, and many books on Athens and UGA sports, including Glory! Glory! Georgia’s 1980 Championship Season: The Inside Story by Lewis Grizzard and Loran Smith, and Dooley’s Dawgs: 25 Years of Winning Football at the University of Georgia, by Loran Smith and Vince Dooley. Downs currently operates a freelance photography business.

The Georgia Center is a unit of the University of Georgia Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. On UGA’s campus, the Georgia Center includes a full-service hotel with 200 rooms and suites, restaurants, ballroom, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab — all under one roof. For more information, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.


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UGA to break ground on football training facility expansion

The University of Georgia will break ground on a cutting-edge renovation and expansion of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, the everyday home of the University’s Athletic Association and football team, at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 11.

“Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall has been a benchmark of excellence,” said Damon Evans, director of athletics at UGA. “Our goal with this expansion that is under way is to build upon that foundation and create the very best football training facility in America. Our university, our fans, and our team deserve nothing less.”

The $39.5 million project will update the 85,000-square-foot complex located at 1 Selig Circle with a synthetic turf-floored multi-purpose room, a student-athlete lounge and a sand-based practice field that uses sustainable design practices.

Completion is expected by May 2011.

Overall, 53,000 square feet will be added to the facility. All new offices will be outfitted with modern technology like a digital video editing suite.

In addition, the expansion will enable Butts-Mehre to house four new Hydroworx therapy pools, an ortho-radiographic digital X-ray system, and two new physical exam rooms.

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UGA offers guaranteed Gameday parking on campus for $120

University of Georgia Parking Services is selling season long parking permits in the Carlton Street Parking Deck for all six 2009 home football games.

Passes cost $120 plus shipping and handling and are sold exclusively at http://gamedaygameplan.com/ until 5 p.m. Sept. 1. They will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

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UGA Women’s Club Volleyball Team wins national championship

The 2009 University of Georgia Women’s Club Volleyball Team recently won the National Volleyball Championships by defeating Ohio University in the Division II finals.
“Opportunities for regional and/or national competition for club sports are sometimes difficult to find, or when available, difficult to fund,” said Kent J. Blumenthal, executive director of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. “We appreciate the dedication of the University of Georgia… and the support of the Department of Recreational Sports.”

Members of this year’s championship team are: Elise Cashman, Marietta; Alex Condy, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Amanda Crawford and Danielle Crawford, Moreland; Lisa DeCarolis and Bethany Houser, Roswell; Anna Ewing and Kathryn Ewing, Marietta; Lauren Ford, Decatur; Katherine Poss, Newnan; Casey Stoll, Kennesaw; and Valana Vannoy, Stone Mountain.

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Enter for a Chance to Win the Ultimate VIP Fan Experience to the Georgia Tech/UGA Rivalry Game

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Path2College 529 Plan’s VIP Fan Experience Sweepstakes is still open for a final chance to win the Georgia Tech versus University of Georgia ultimate game package to the rivalry game played this year at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on November 29, 2008. Entries must be received online by November 16.

The Ultimate VIP game package includes four tickets to the rivalry game on November 29, limousine transportation to and from the game, pre-game hospitality and sideline passes, two game programs, four game t-shirts and a football autographed by either Head Coach Paul Johnson or Head Coach Mark Richt.

Anyone who has already registered for the Vanderbilt/UGA or Duke/Georgia Tech game packages will automatically be entered for a chance to win. Georgia Tech and UGA fans that have not registered still have until November 16 to enter for their chance to win. The winner of the Ultimate VIP Fan Experience will be announced on November 17.

The sweepstakes, sponsored by the Path2College 529 Plan, Georgia’s official 529 college savings plan, is open to all Georgia residents*. The contest is free and no purchase is necessary. Visit www.path2college529.com for sweepstakes rules and to register for the drawing.

The launch of the sweepstakes coincided with September’s designation by Governor Sonny Perdue as College Savings Month in Georgia. To kick off College Savings Month, the Path2College 529 Plan teamed up with the football programs at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech to help raise awareness about Georgia’s 529 college savings plan.

Any funds in a Path2College 529 Plan account can be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified college expenses at virtually all colleges in Georgia and nationwide. Contributions made to an account in the Path2College 529 Plan are eligible for the Georgia state income tax deduction and any earnings grow federal and state income tax free. Withdrawals are also tax-free when used for qualified college expenses.

For more information on the Path2College 529 Plan, or to register for the VIP Fan Experience Sweepstakes, visit: www.path2college529.com. Void where prohibited.

* Sweepstakes is also open to all who were Path2College 529 Plan account owners as of 8/25/08, regardless of state of residence.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Path2College 529 Plan. Please visit www.path2college529.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your Beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

Account value in the Investment Options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

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Erik Compton Champions the Cause of Organ Donation As He Competes This Week to Win PGA Tour Card

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just four months after his second heart transplant, Professional Golfer Erik Compton is back on the course this week, competing to achieve his lifetime goal—a card to play on the PGA Tour.

Perhaps cheering loudest for Compton will be the 90,000-plus Americans waiting on organ donor waiting lists. An average of 17 people die each day (over 6,000 each year) waiting for a transplant.

Though golf will be his focus this week as he competes in the first of three qualifying tournaments starting on Tuesday (October 21st) to earn the right to play with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Compton will also be promoting a cause, literally near and dear to his new heart.

“Organ donation is literally the gift of life,” said the 28-year-old former University of Georgia All-American, who suffered a massive heart attack in October 2007. “I owe my life to two families and two donors, who made the decision to make available life-saving organs for transplants. I’m honored to be able to give back by supporting the Transplant Foundation in Miami and their effort to build awareness through the sale of a specialty Florida license tag—“Donate Organs. Pass it On.”

Both causes are generously displayed on Compton’s golf bag, shirt and hat. Compton also carries a special gift from a young athlete killed in a motorcycle accident—a strong and healthy new heart.

“I’m here today because of him,” said Compton, who hopes someday to meet the young donor’s parents.

Compton, who received his first heart transplant at the age of 12 as a result of heart disease, will be competing with 1,100 golfers competing across the country at 11 courses in the stage one qualifying round to ultimately earn a PGA Tour card. The PGA has granted Compton the right to use a cart during qualifying stages.

Slowly regaining his strength from a life-saving heart transplant, Compton’s golf swing is in top form, however, stamina is an issue, where walking four to five miles a day during a typical tournament has proved to be too taxing.

Recently in a warm-up tournament on the same Crandon Park Golf Course where he will compete in stage one Q School this week, Compton scored a sizzling 65, winning the Key Biscayne Open by six strokes. In fact, in three tournaments in which Compton has competed since his near fatal heart attack, he has played well, shooting 66, 67 and 65 respectively.

“It’s like throwing darts,” said Compton. “Golf is a game of skill. Once you’ve learned the skill, it never goes away. I’m swinging the clubs well enough to be competitive, I just need to get strong and healthy so I can get back to walking the course like everyone else.”

The PGA has given Compton a six-month rule waiver so he can play from a cart. He will have to reapply to continue at that time.

In passing the first qualifying stage, Compton’s next test will be a stage two qualifying tournament in Georgia, with the final qualifying tournament in Palm Springs, where 25 golfers will receive PGA Tour cards.

About Erik Compton

Erik holds the distinction as being the only professional golfer in the world to compete with a transplanted heart. Erik, who became the #1 junior golfer in the country and AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 1998, accepted a scholarship offer at the University of Georgia. At UGA, Erik went on to become an All-American. Erik’s success on the course led to him being named to the prestigious Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams in 2001. Since turning professional in 2001, Erik has found success at every level of competition. He has won international events such as the King Hassan Trophy II of Morocco in 2005. He finished at the top of the Order of Merit List (money title) for the Canadian Tour in 2004 (after winning numerous events that season), and has won numerous times on the NGA Hooters Tour (most recently in 2006). Since turning professional in 2001, Erik has competed primarily on the PGA Nationwide Tour circuit. He has had several top-10 finishes throughout his career. His best finish on the Nationwide Tour was tied for 1st at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open in 2004. Erik has competed successfully on the PGA Tour as well where he has made 5 cuts in 11 career starts. This summer, Compton married Barbara Casco, and the couple is expecting a child, ironically scheduled on the anniversary of Erik’s first transplant on February 26th.

About The Transplant Foundation

Transplant Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) dedicated to funding patient services, public education to increase organ donation and lifesaving transplant research. The goal is to provide the Gift of Life to all in need. For more information, please contact Transplant Foundation at 1-866-901-3172 or visit www.transplantfoundation.org. The revenues from the sale of the specialty Donate Organs. Pass it On license plates will be used in the areas of research, patient services and education. Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando and Miami offer medical facilities specializing in transplants.

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First Friday Kicks Off Football Season

Join the UGA Alumni Association Aug. 29 and help kick off an exciting 2008 football season with First Friday “Day with the Dawgs.”

UGA Football Coach Mark Richt gets things going at a Bulldog Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at The Foundry in Athens. His wife, Katharyn, will host a “First Ladies of Football” lunch in the Pecan Tree Galleria at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The scene shifts to the Tate Student Center plaza at 2 p.m. where UGA Men’s Basketball Coach Dennis Felton will be on hand for autographs and pictures. From 5-7 p.m. there will be a fashion show, school spirit contest and giveaways with CBS 46 weather forecaster Dagmar Midcap. During the same time the Alumni Association will host a book signing inside the UGA Bookstore featuring authors Loran Smith, Tony Barnhart, Charley Trippi and Patrick Garbin.

First Friday “Day with the Dawgs” culminates with a pep rally at the Tate Student Center plaza from 8-9 p.m., which will be broadcast live on Atlanta’s CBS 46. Special guests will include UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans, CBS 46 sports anchor Gil Tyree, former Bulldog lineman Matt Stinchcomb, mascot Hairy Dawg, the Redcoat Pep Band and UGA Cheerleaders.

Events prior to First Friday include a “Fuel Up for First Friday” dinner at UGA’s dining halls Thursday, Aug. 28 and a week-long residence hall door decorating contest.

For more information and to register for the “First Ladies of Football,” see http://www.uga.edu/alumni or call 706/542-2251.

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UGA offers guaranteed Gameday parking on campus for $120

University of Georgia Parking Services is selling season-long parking permits for all six home football games in the North Campus and Carlton Street parking decks.

Passes cost $120 plus shipping and handling and are sold exclusively at http://gamedaygameplan.com until 5 p.m. Aug. 20. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.