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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Special Olympics Georgia to Raise Funds Through THE TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola's TICKETS Fore CHARITY(TM) Program

/PRNewswire/ -- Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) will be able to reach more people with intellectual disabilities for sports programs and networking for their family members through money raised from THE TOUR Championship's TICKETS Fore CHARITY(TM) program. THE TOUR Championship, the finale of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup gives Atlanta charities the opportunity to participate in TICKETS Fore CHARITY -- a fundraising initiative designed to improve the quality of life in the communities where PGA TOUR tournaments are held. THE TOUR Championship features the top 30 players on the PGA TOUR, September 23-27th at East Lake Golf Club.

Through TICKETS Fore CHARITY, SOGA will sell tournament tickets to benefit the organization. All net proceeds go to charity: 50 percent to SOGA and 50 percent to the East Lake Foundation, one of THE TOUR Championship's primary charities.

"Special Olympics appreciates the opportunity extended by The Barclays to participate in this wonderful fundraising endeavor," said Georgia Milton-Sheats, SOGA CEO. "It's now up to us to rally our supporters and volunteers to generate the dollars that will help us continue to make a difference in the community. "

"This is an incredible opportunity to raise unlimited funds for the participating charity and there are absolutely no costs to the organization," said THE TOUR Championship's Executive Director Todd Rhinehart. "Fans will get to witness the very best the PGA TOUR has to offer and generate revenue for charities throughout greater Atlanta in a time when charities need help more than ever. We'd like to invite the community to join us in enhancing and enriching lives by participating in TICKETS Fore CHARITY."

Tickets available through TICKETS Fore CHARITY cost $150 for a weekly grounds ticket book - good Wednesday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 27.

Tickets may be purchased at www.theplayofffinale.com. Select SOG from the list of participating organizations. Enter charity code SOG in the TICKETS Fore CHARITY box. For more information, contact Chelsea Stewart at 404.378.8687 or at ChelseaStewart@pgatourhq.com.

Proceeds from THE TOUR Championship will benefit other local charities as well as the East Lake Foundation, (www.eastlakefoundation.com). This non-profit organization was founded in 1995 to build a better future through education, affordable housing, job readiness and connections with the broader community. In 2008, THE TOUR Championship donated $1.4 million to charities, bringing the total amount raised since 1998 to more than $9 million.

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Potential Partnership Could Lead to Championship-Caliber Tennis Facility

A proposed partnership between Berry College and the local community could result in the development of a championship-caliber tennis facility near Mount Berry Square Mall.

College administrators met Wednesday morning with government officials, leaders of the Rome tennis community and the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau to discuss details of the proposed complex, which would be constructed on a 23-acre tract of Berry’s river farm property. This land is part of an 80-acre parcel adjacent to Mount Berry Square that will be separated from Berry’s other property by the new Armuchee Connector.

According to Berry President Stephen R. Briggs, college officials are considering various options for the property. The tennis facility is potentially attractive for a number of reasons.

“Berry’s future is inseparable from that of Rome and Floyd County,” Dr. Briggs said. “We care deeply about the prosperity of our community and the quality of life. A facility of this type has the potential to be a great success for all involved. Potential benefits for Greater Rome would include economic development, increased tourism and visibility, higher-caliber tournaments, and, of course, a first-class facility for use by recreational players. Potential benefits for Berry include increased opportunities for students participating in our work experience program and increased visibility for the college and our athletics program.”

Berry has engaged its planning consultants to develop a conceptual layout for the proposed facility. Initial design options feature 49 outer courts configured around a central core of six “championship” courts with seating for a minimum of 360 spectators. Local tennis leaders and national organizations have suggested that a facility of this size would help make Rome an ideal location for regional and possibly even national tournaments. Only one facility in the Southeast would offer more courts, according to information provided by the United States Tennis Association Southern Section.

Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, estimates that the economic impact of such a facility could be as much as $20 million annually.

“The possibility of a public/private relationship with Berry College would provide an outstanding opportunity for cooperative marketing of Rome and Floyd County,” Smith said. “Building on Rome’s already considerable reputation in tennis circles, the proposed facility could make Greater Rome a major tennis destination for players throughout the Southeast.”

The viability of the project is aided considerably by its location, Smith noted. The parcel is just two miles north of Turner-McCall Boulevard with direct access to downtown thanks to Riverside Parkway and the new connector (due for completion in 2011). The Armuchee Connector also would provide a direct connection to the existing trail system that runs from downtown Rome northward through Ridge Ferry Park to Ga. Loop 1 and beyond. Other major attractions in close proximity to the site include Mount Berry Square Mall and State Mutual Stadium as well as Berry’s 26,000-acre campus, Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum.

Under the proposal, Berry would commit the land to local governments through a long-term agreement but would retain ownership. In addition, the college would help to operate and manage the facility through its student work program, thereby providing valuable experiences for business and sports-related majors while defraying operational costs for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, which would have oversight of the complex.

Richard Garland, executive director of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, sees great potential in the proposed partnership and the facility that could result.

“In terms of both the design work that has already been done and the future potential of student assistance with operations and maintenance, this plan represents the most viable option we have seen for making a tennis complex of this type a reality in Rome and Floyd County,” he stated.

Berry officials share Garland’s enthusiasm.

“We are delighted to work with the city and county to explore this project’s feasibility,” Dr. Briggs said. “Berry is committed to being an active partner in fostering the future prosperity of Rome and Floyd County and enhancing the attractiveness and distinctiveness of the Greater Rome community.”

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Emory University Men's Track and Field Earn UAA Indoor Honors

Following its championship performance at the 2009 University Athletic Association (UAA) Indoor Track and Field Championship, three groups from the Emory University men’s team have been honored by the UAA. Junior Tyler Faits was named the Most Outstanding Performer for running events, freshman Ian Francis was named the Rookie of the Year, and the Emory coaching staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

Faits finished first in the 400-meter dash at the UAA Championship last Saturday, winning the event in a time of 49.25 seconds. He followed that with a first-place finish as part of the Eagles 4x400-meter relay, which led the Eagles to a victory at the championship. Faits also finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.38 seconds. Faits’ honor marks the 12th time, and the third-consecutive year, that an Eagle has been named the UAA’s Most Outstanding Indoor Performer. The honor comes after Faits was named the Rookie of the Year in 2007.

Francis competed in a number of field events for the Eagles at the championships, finishing second in the long jump with a distance of 6.66 meters, and second in the triple jump with a mark of 14.16 meters. He joins Faits (2007) and Rob Bullard (2003) as Eagles who have been named the UAA’s Rookie of the Year.

Emory’s coaching staff, consisting of head coach John Curtin, and assistant coaches Carl Leivers, Kevin Semanick, Jim Vahrenkamp, and Pedro Vasquez earned the honor of being the UAA’s Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year. The Eagles’ coaches led the team to their first UAA championship since the 2004 season, and their seventh overall.

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Emory's Swimming and Diving Teams Win 11th-Consecutive UAA Championships

The Emory University men's and women's swimming and diving teams continued their streak of success at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, winning their 11th-consecutive conference team championships on Saturday night in Chicago, IL.

Emory swimmers amassed a total of 14 individual and relay championships and 39 all-UAA honors (top-three finisher in an event) during the meet. In the process, Emory's athletes set seven University Athletic Association records and 10 pool records. In addition, Emory freshman Paul Weinstein earned Men's Rookie of the Year honors after finishing third in the 1,650-yard freestyle, 11th in the 500-yard freestyle, and 14th in the 200-yard backstroke.

The Emory men finished with 1694.5 points during the three-day championship meet, besting Carnegie Mellon University by a margin of 163 points. Following the top-two teams on the men's side were Washington University in St. Louis (1072 points), the University of Chicago (1049), New York University (1023), the University of Rochester (759), Case Western Reserve University (756.5) and Brandeis University (416.5).

On the final day of competition, junior Tom DiMarco earned his third individual championship of the meet, winning the 200-yard butterfly in a time of 1:52.33. Earlier in the meet, DiMarco won the 200-yard individual medley, setting a pool record, and the 200-yard freestyle.

Besides Weinstein's first all-UAA honor in the 1,650-yard freestyle, other top-three finishes for the Emory men's squad in the final day of competition came from Neil Ringer in the 200-yard backstroke (second place), Mackenzie Perry in the 200-yard butterfly (third place), and the Eagles 400-yard freestyle relay team (second place). In addition, diver Patrick Brady finished second in the one-meter dive, marking his second all-UAA honor of the meet.

All together, the Emory men earned five UAA Championships (DiMarco's three, Keith Diggs in the 400 IM, and the 200-yard medley relay team), while setting three pool records (DiMarco in the 200 IM, Diggs in the 400 IM, and the 200 medley relay team), and two conference records (200 medley relay team and Diggs).

The Emory women scored 1878.5 points during the meet, winning by over 400 points over the next-closest team, New York University (1449.5 points). Following the top-two were Carnegie (1063 points), Chicago (1028.5), Rochester (1006.5), Washington (848.5), Case (659.5) and Brandeis (614).

Sophomore Marie Kim won the only individual championship for the Eagles on the final day, winning the 200-yard breaststroke in a conference- and pool-record time of 2:23.43. The Eagles' 400-yard freestyle relay team also finished first, setting a pool- and conference-record time of 3:28.39. The Emory women's squad totaled nine UAA Championships during the meet (Liz Horvat in the 500 free and the 400 IM, Ruth Westby in the 200-yard freestyle, Jennifer Aronoff in the 100-yard breaststroke, Kim in the 200-yard breaststroke, and the 200 medley, 400 medley, 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay teams.

Earned all-UAA honors during the final day were Horvat and Kate Gunning in the 1,650 freestyle, Westby and Lillian Ciardelli in the 100-yard freestyle, and Mary Tripp in the 200-yard butterfly. Diver Chelsea Murphy also finished second in the three-meter dive with a qualifying score of 395.50, her second all-UAA finish of the meet.

During the three-day meet, Emory's women set conference records in the 500 freestyle (Horvat), the 200 breaststroke (Kim), and in the 200 medley, 400 freestyle, and 800 freestyle relays.

The championship is 11th overall for the Emory men, while the women have now won 17 UAA titles. The Eagles will now begin to turn their attention to the NCAA Division III National Championships in March, but will first host the Emory Invitational Last Chance meet next weekend at the Woodruff Physical Education Center.

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Women's Soccer and Serafy Etch Names in Athletic History With Win Over Campbell

A second-half, two-goal salvo earned the Bears a piece of Mercer women’s soccer history, as their 2-0 win over Campbell gives the team its first-ever Atlantic Sun regular season championship. Olivia Tucker once again proved the hero for the Bears, heading in the decisive goal from a Meghan Castlado corner in the 56th minute: her second straight game-winner and third goal in as many matches.

Castaldo would then seal the points with an unstoppable blast in the 66th minute as Mercer stretched its lead in the A-Sun standings to an insurmountable five-point advantage over second-placed Kennesaw State.

“This is really the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by our players,” Mercer head coach Grant Serafy said. “It really means a lot to this team, not only to this current group of players, but also all our former players, parents, and everyone associated with the program. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The victory was also highly significant for Serafy himself, who becomes the all-time winningest coach in program history with his 39th career win, springing him past Ian Hayley in the school’s record books.

Despite his achievement, Serafy was quick to put the focus back on his team. “It’s nice to accomplish this, but for me, it’s about winning a championship,” he said.

Knowing what was on the line, Mercer announced their attacking intentions early, as senior Erin Theobald found space for herself on the left side of the box, though her cracking shot found the netting on the wrong side of the post.

Tucker would then call Campbell keeper Jamie Panfil into action; the holding midfielder eventually getting on the end of a Heather Manting free kick bouncing around in the box. Her sliding shot, however, was straight at Panfil from a tough angle on the left.

A clever flicked header from Meek then put Johnson clean through on goal, only for the Saint Peters, Mo. native to be thwarted by a late offsides flag.

Soon after, the flag stayed down on Johnson, who got in behind the Camels defense again. Running down the left, the sophomore forward attempted to pick out the far post with an outside-of-the-foot flick, but was denied by the fingertips of an advancing Panfil, who did well to collect the rebound as well.

It was backs to the wall stuff for the Camels, as Mercer sent in wave after wave of attack, and the Bears nearly broke through as Raschelle Riley went on a trademark rampaging run up of the left wing. The fullback’s cross found Tucker in the box, who spun past her marker with a deft first touch, only to be closed down by a vital last second tackle.

Mercer’s defense would need to be sharp soon after, however, as the Camels finally got their first shot on target midway through the first half. After some good work at the endline down the right, Olga Ekblom teed the ball up for Jenna Sullivan. Reigning A-Sun Defender of the Week Lizzy Shaughnessy, however, did well to block the shot down without testing Jean Worts.

The half finished with both teams even in possession. Vanessa Breslin and Katheryn Hurst linked up well in the Camels’ box to set up a scoring chance for Sara Elliot, whose left-footed shot was claimed by Panfil at her left-hand post. Worts then had to be alert to tip over a Hanna Salmen corner kick drifting back toward the net, as the first half ended scoreless.

Just after the restart, Castaldo came within inches of duplicating her heroics against Belmont, as she caught Panfil off her line with a well-weighted lob, only to see her shot land harmlessly on the roof of the net.

The breakthrough was coming, though, and it was no surprise who it came from. Tucker, who has scored big goals for the team all season, won a corner after being double-teamed down on the Camels’ endline. Meghan Castaldo whipped in a majestic inswinger from the resulting set piece, and when Pansil couldn’t get a touch as she came out to claim, Tucker was on hand to head home from close range.

It was a clinical finish from the freshman, and the team-best eighth goal in a sparkling first campaign with the Bears, one that surely now must result in first-team all-conference honors for the Peachtree City native.

“Olivia seems to play well when the team really needs it the most,” Serafy said afterwards, “and that’s the mark of a great player.”

Johnson nearly doubled the advantage immediately after, but saw her shot whistle just outside the near post after a mazy run up the left.

The Bears had their hosts on the ropes, however, and just 10 minutes later, Castaldo would seal the deal with a stunner. Latching onto a loose ball on the right hand side of the Camel box, the senior controlled with her first touch before sending a rocket up into the upper–left corner of the net, giving the Campbell keeper no chance.

Kacie Hudson would nearly add a third for the Orange and Black late on, though Panfil saved easily after the center back was unable to get enough power on shot from six yards out.

The only bit of drama remaining would be to see if the Bears would extend their shutout streak to five straight matches, which they did when Worts was on hand to save Caity Brown’s point blank header off a free kick. And as the clock struck zero, the team sprinted out to celebrate its first-ever A-Sun regular season title.

While acknowledging what the team has accomplished thus far, Serafy and the Bears still recognize that there is plenty more silverware to be handed out in 2008. “We probably won’t reflect on this too much,” Serafy said. “We still have a goal in mind, and that is taking the next step with this team and winning the A-Sun tournament.”

The Bears wrap up their 2008 regular season on the road against Kennesaw State on Wednesday. Mercer will then have next weekend off before heading back to Kennesaw for the Atlantic Sun championship, which will be held Nov. 5-8. Having sewn up the top spot, Mercer will get a first round bye, joining the tournament in the semifinal stage.

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