A tribute to a legendary coach
The intersection of South Lumpkin Street and Pinecrest Drive in Athens, Georgia, has a new name: Vince Dooley Way. The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to rename the intersection in honor of the former University of Georgia football coach, who led the Bulldogs to six Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship in 1980.
Dooley, who is 89 years old, attended the ceremony along with his wife Barbara, his son Derek, and several former players and coaches. He thanked the commission and the community for the recognition and said he was humbled by the gesture.
“I’m very grateful for this honor,” Dooley said. “It’s very special to me because it’s where I spent most of my life, where I raised my family, where I coached some wonderful young men, and where I made some lifelong friends.”
Dooley coached at UGA from 1964 to 1988, compiling a record of 201-77-10. He also served as the athletic director from 1979 to 2004, overseeing the expansion and improvement of the athletic facilities and programs. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
A landmark for generations of fans
The intersection of South Lumpkin Street and Pinecrest Drive is located near the UGA campus and Sanford Stadium, where Dooley’s teams played their home games. The intersection is also close to Dooley’s residence, where he still lives with his wife.
The renaming of the intersection was initiated by a group of Dooley’s former players, who wanted to show their appreciation for their coach and mentor. They collected signatures from more than 1,000 supporters and presented them to the commission in July.
The commission approved the renaming after a public hearing, where no one spoke in opposition. The commission also waived the usual fee of $500 for changing street signs.
The new signs were unveiled on Tuesday, with Dooley’s name in red and black, the colors of UGA. The signs also feature a bulldog logo and a football helmet with Dooley’s signature.
The former players who spearheaded the effort said they hope the new name will inspire future generations of fans and athletes to learn about Dooley’s legacy and achievements.
“He was more than a coach to us,” said Kevin Butler, who played under Dooley from 1981 to 1984 and became an All-American kicker. “He was a father figure, a teacher, a leader, and a friend. He taught us how to be men, how to be champions, and how to be Bulldogs.”
