Tech’s other national championship trophy
The trophy
In the foyer of Georgia Tech’s Edge Center, in a large glass cabinet sits the national championship trophy Georgia Tech earned in 1990. It’s the first thing visitors see as they walk into the expansive room.
The message is clear: This is what we have done. This is what we can do.
But there’s another trophy honoring that team. It’s one few Tech fans have seen.
After being proudly displayed by Bobby Ross, the coach that led Tech to its 11-0-1 record, outside his office, it was relegated to a closet by his successor, Bill Lewis.
But now it’s back, courtesy of the man who made it.
The plaque on the base.
Danny Farrer grew up in Louisville, Ga. He enrolled in Tech and served as a trainer for Bobby Dodd and Bud Carson, eventually graduating with a degree in building construction in 1969.
He followed the Yellow Jackets through the years from his residence in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
And then things started happening in 1990. They beat N.C. State, South Carolina and Clemson. They tied North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Farrer began to realize that the Yellow Jackets were doing something special. After they upset No. 1 Virginia, 41-38, in Charlottesville, he wanted to show his enthusiasm for his team’s accomplishment.
He was working with Corian, the same material that kitchen countertops are constructed from, for Dupont. He had a lot of spare parts sitting around, so little by little he began to design and construct a trophy. Ninety days later, it was done. When put on its base, the trophy is 64 inches tall, with four columns stretching from the bottom to the top. It looks like granite with a silver cup on top and a plaque on the base that reads:
National Champions
1990
This unique trophy was designed and built
by Precision Industries
in honor of Ga. Tech’s 1990 National Championship
ON LOAN FROM GA. TECH LETTERWINNER’S CLUB
Ross came to speak to the Atlanta letterwinner’s club during the spring of 1991 and Farrer gave him the trophy. Ross put it outside the door of his office.
When Farrer would drive from his home to Tennessee back to Louisville, he would stop in and see Ross and his trophy.
After Ross left for the NFL, Lewis put the trophy away.
Farrer learned what happened the next time he visited the letterwinner’s club. They had taken possession of the trophy. Farrer wanted it back to help him advertise a collegiate merchandising company he used to own.
Because this is the 20th anniversary of the championship team, Farrer was trying to contact someone at Tech to see if they would like the trophy back. When Middle Tennessee State came to play, Farrer, who is also a fan of the Blue Raiders, came to watch.
Finally, someone put him in touch with Wayne Hogan, Tech’s associate athletic director, and they began to exchange e-mails.
“It is a very nice gesture that you want to return this piece to Georgia Tech Athletics,” Hogan wrote as part of an email.
“This is great news. I’m sure you’ll find appropriate times to display this piece,” Farrer responded.
So on Wednesday, during a horrible rain storm, Farrer brought the trophy home.
Hogan asked if he wanted anything in exchange.
A true fan, the only thing he wanted was his photo taken with the Ramblin’ Wreck. His request was granted.
Farrer owns a ‘31 Ford, which he inherited from his father. He wants to fix it up for Middle Tennessee State to use, so he used the photo shoot as a chance to exercise his engineer’s curiosity about the mirrors, flag-holders and running board on the Wreck.
He said he’s not sure if he’s coming back for the championship reunion, scheduled for the weekend of the Nov. 13 game against Miami. Hogan said they will take the trophy to the events for the team. And then it may be added to one of Tech’s trophy cases at the Edge Center.
It doesn’t matter to Farrer. He has the memories of the team…and the trophy.
“That was a magical year for us,” he said.
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82 comments Add your comment
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
10:51 am
Now thats funny tek manufacturing their own NC trophy.BWAHAHAHAH!
rduck
October 28th, 2010
11:00 am
About as funny as Mark Richt manufacturing his own tan in a can!! BAHAHAHAHA!
Buzz29
October 28th, 2010
11:03 am
Nice story.
ManUp...
October 28th, 2010
11:03 am
Ignoring any Dawgs taking pot shots (and we all know “pot” and “shots” are two things Athens has an abundance of), I say this is a great gesture. This is called fan support. I wish we still had it to this level.
And, by the way, old Fords being used as mascots by other schools is lame. Don’t build one for MTSU. But I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. North Texas uses one too, I hear.
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
11:08 am
fan support buy a ticket.
michael
October 28th, 2010
11:14 am
i live on st simons and i’m up to my neck in dawgs. went out last night and lordy are they stupid!
JW
October 28th, 2010
11:22 am
superdawg wasn’t even an itch in his daddy’s drawers when U(sic)GA won a national title last
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
11:31 am
JW I have seen UGA beat tek longer than you have been alive.I was 24 yrs old when UGA won their NC, concensus at that.
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
11:32 am
That means unbeaten and untied.
Jack-et Offs
October 28th, 2010
11:34 am
I see tech fans all the time here in Cobb County, and lordy they are fruity!
Habersham Dawg
October 28th, 2010
11:42 am
It’s good to see and read about these kind of stories. Mr. Ferrar built a quality trophy for the Champion 1990 team and I’m glad to see that Tech wanted it back. He’s the kind of fan alumni that every school needs in abundance.
michael
October 28th, 2010
11:42 am
maybe you should lay off the fruit. wrong side of town???
To superDawg(sic)
October 28th, 2010
11:47 am
Read the article first, or least have someone to explain all the big words to you. The trophy Ferrar built was an alumni contribution. The official trophy (THE CRYSTAL FOOTBALL) sits in the foyer of Georgia Tech Edge Center.
To superDawg(sic)
October 28th, 2010
11:50 am
Thank you Habersham Dawg. My comments to superDawg are not directed at all UGA fans. I happen to get along with most of you, including my mother-in-law.
Golden Tornado
October 28th, 2010
11:51 am
I remember that Ken Swilling, before the 1990 season, looked at Tech’s prospects and said he thought that the Yellow Jackets would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 wins. What a prophet! And he was a big reason Tech won the National Championship in the season that followed.
JW
October 28th, 2010
11:53 am
superDawg
You lead the head to head, but GT has more NC….it’s kind of like your prom date….. You took her to the dance (UGA) but the other guy $%#^ed her (GT) after you dropped her off.
michael
October 28th, 2010
11:53 am
where is ken swilling?
AtWork
October 28th, 2010
11:54 am
Superdawgie is just mad that someone knocked over his beer can tower from their championship…
JW
October 28th, 2010
11:55 am
Dawg fans on a GT blog as jealous as ever….it must be the annual “Urban is Richt’s daddy” time of the year
don’t worry mutts, you may actually have a shot at improving your 3-17 since 1990 record
dawgfan
October 28th, 2010
11:55 am
Great story Roberson but you forgot that there are no Tech fans on North Avenue this week, just Florida fans. Try writing one of these pieces when Georgia isn’t playing a big SEC opponent. You might get more interest from the Techies.
To superDawg(sic)
October 28th, 2010
11:56 am
It seems that my earlier comment was eaten by the internet or the fickle blog editors. It really wasn’t that bad. I was just explaining to superDawg that the alumni created trophy was not the only trophy that Georgia Tech received in 1990. We also received the official Crystal Football.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
11:56 am
Everybody knows that Colorado won the National championship in 1990. So it is not surprising that any trophy tek would have would be made out of cabinet countertops. It is pretty much a given that any national champion team would not tie North Carolina and would certainly not play in the Citrus bowl.
GDBurdell
October 28th, 2010
11:57 am
techies only support the team AFTER they win
GDBurdell
October 28th, 2010
11:59 am
where is your warcraft national chamsionship trophy
To Drago
October 28th, 2010
12:01 pm
The alumni created trophy was in addition to the official trophy. The official Crystal Football trophy is there on display. Go see it if you don’t believe me. Any national champion would not need a 5th down to keep a drive alive either.
michael
October 28th, 2010
12:03 pm
gdburdell-don’t assume. i always have been with my team even in the worst of times. i actually wait until the time is off the clock on radio games no matter the out come.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
12:09 pm
I agree, Colorado was the 1990 National Champions. Colorado was a little bit more than the Dunkel Index Champions. Colorado beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl—a major bowl. tek beat Neb in the Cirtus—not a major bowl.
michael
October 28th, 2010
12:16 pm
notre dame ran the ball back for the winning score but was flagged.
Rodney Dangerfield
October 28th, 2010
12:23 pm
Wow, now dawg fans are trying to deny history.
Yellow!
October 28th, 2010
12:31 pm
Drago must not have been alive in 1990 if he really thinks Colorado deserved that national title. They lost a game too Illinois(8-4)…and also tied with a (8-2-2) Tennessee team. Georgia Tech tied with UNC on the road and did not have another blemish on the record…they also beat a #1 team. In addition they played Nebraska, who also played Colorado, and Tom Osbourne voted for GT over UC in the coaches poll. Osbourne thought GT was better than Colorado in 1990. Even with out taking into account the 5th down game(which saved Colorado from taking another loss @ Mizzou), and the phantom clipping call against ND….GT still has a stronger claim to the NC from that year. That GT team would have beaten anyone they lined up against…its not their fault they did not have the chance.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
12:37 pm
I hear all of this tekkian propaganda. You don’t fool me, if you had a real National Championship Trophy, why would you need one made out of Counter top?
reebok
October 28th, 2010
12:46 pm
that’s pretty cool-looking. nice story
Burdell
October 28th, 2010
12:46 pm
We have the same trophy from our 1990 championship that all those other SEC teams have that have won national championships recently….the crystal football.
Ask Orson Charles…he dropped one while on a recruiting trip at Florida. That is the closest any Bulldog is going to get to one.
Burdell
October 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/media_content/m-8194.jpg
Yellow Fuzz
October 28th, 2010
12:49 pm
My friends at Piedmont Park say us Tech boys are excellent frisbee throwers! Maybe we could bring a trophy home!
Gatorman
October 28th, 2010
12:52 pm
Let’s see you doggie brains, you have your National Championship trophy don’t you. From what, the polls? Tech’s may not have been awarded by the Coaches or as we see today CFA, but it is a reminder of the accomplishment that team achieve (including crushing the doggies). What do you have, a card from the Associated Press, who is probably the most political organization in the business. I love it when you run your mouths, what a bunch of dummies.
Cobb jacket
October 28th, 2010
12:53 pm
Nice gesture. Will look real nice next to the real trophy.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
1:04 pm
Hey Gator, I have ya dummy swining, like a ham.
Alan
October 28th, 2010
1:13 pm
All I have to say to the dawgie t__ds is that Athens is a drinking town with a football problem. Get a life, get off our blogs, and start doing something about that football problem of yours.
Brock
October 28th, 2010
1:25 pm
Rocky won.
What is dummy swining? Is that Russian for sleeping with a blowup pig?
ManUp...
October 28th, 2010
1:38 pm
Aw…post blocked.
Was just trying to point out that people can actually go see the Crystal Football from 1990…it lives at the corner of Techwood and Bobby Dodd. This other trophy is just extra support from a proud alumnus.
Then I made fun of Georgia fans…which I guess didn’t get past the editing filters…
CC
October 28th, 2010
2:43 pm
Nice gesture by a devoted fan. Lewis should not have put it away.
We shouldn’t care if a couple of other schools use a vintage car. We all know there is only one real Ramblin’ Wreck, and where it came from. And like ManUp said…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
layinlow
October 28th, 2010
3:35 pm
Good story. I’m a diehard UGA fan but I have several good friends that played on the Tech 1990 National Championship team. When I moved to North Carolina in 1995 one of the guys who played on that team and I became good very good friends and he came home with me back to Georgia one year for thanksgiving because his family was traveling. My extended family are all die hard Tech fans so they got to see the National Championship ring my friend was wearing so they all got a kick out of that. I will admit because of my friendships with some of the players that year I did pull for them to win out. But never again! lol
GoodDawg
October 28th, 2010
3:42 pm
Nice Story, I can’t wait to see the Wilson arts Laminate trophy to commemorate this season.
Luckydan
October 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
Luckydan, the Trophy maker here. Thanks to those who saw the Trophy for what it is, a gesture from a loyal Tech Fan.To Drago, I used the term Countertop material for your understanding. DuPont Corian is actually a solid surface material composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate. I didn’t want to stress your Bulldog brain or cause you a trip to the Library to look it up in The Book. I challenge one of your alumni to duplicate my efforts for UGA.
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
luckydan our trophy is in the history book and we don’t engrave rings when we win one game in a decade.
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
we do however sell championship rings on line.want one.
Reality Stinks
October 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
I think I will make a trophy for tech called the academic joke National Championship
SC GA Tech Fan
October 28th, 2010
4:36 pm
that would be the only way the UGA GOATS (fact) would get a ring…
Luckydan
October 28th, 2010
4:40 pm
Thanks, Superdawg but I have a ring from GT.
You live in Athens? Want to get something started?
I’ll work with a Georgia group to create the Peach State Trophy.
I actually do pretty good work for an engineer. Google
Palladium Trophy for a look at another piece I helped create.
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
4:42 pm
luckydan acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate.you should have said super glue and recycled beer cans.
Luckydan
October 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
Superdawg,
I’ve lived in Tennessee too long. I let my guard down.
I knew better than to be civil to some of you UGA fans.
Bite me you DH
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
luckdan sorry if I hurt your feelings I know you are proud of your trophy.
macrotech
October 28th, 2010
5:07 pm
superDawg…drooling over the blogs regarding Tech, again? You REALLY should read the blog before posting…it just makes your stupid posts look MORE stupid! Truly, trying to be a friend…to the needy!
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
macriod I did read it first fool did you or did you come trolling to correct my spelling.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
5:52 pm
Luckydan,
I’m sorry that I disturbed your white trophy party. How about a trophy for the game between tek and Georgia Southern? Oh, that’s right, tek won’t play them.
How about one for tek v Samford? Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Chowfung Bumfat
October 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
I guess it is too much to expect under-educated UGA supports like superDawg to use proper grammer and syntax!!
These idiots should be banned from procreating and spreading the stupidity across generations – I would support a mass neutering program for all Dawgs in Georgia!!
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
To the tech family.Sorry to hear about the loss of John Hunsinger.Jon our prayers are with you.Have not seen you in a while Go bless!
superDawg
October 28th, 2010
5:55 pm
GOD.
Delbert D.
October 28th, 2010
5:56 pm
Gatoman – ” Tech’s may not have been awarded by the Coaches or as we see today CFA”
It was indeed the coaches’ poll, which was conducted by UPI at the time.
Delbert D.
October 28th, 2010
6:03 pm
Drago – “game between tek and Georgia Southern? Oh, that’s right, tek won’t play them”
Wrong. Ga. Southern plays Ga. Tech in 2015.
Drago
October 28th, 2010
6:09 pm
So tek is only dodging Georgia Southern 35 years.
I stand corrected.
Delbert D.
October 28th, 2010
6:16 pm
Athletic Directors come and go. What’s so special about Georgia Southern?
Buzzoffski
October 28th, 2010
7:19 pm
Drago…..what a loser! You need a bitchslappin’!!!
Buzzoffski
October 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
Mr. Football Expert……you must be an expert in making footballs….stitch…stitch…stitch because you obviously don’t know anything about football. You should change your name to Mr. Expert Football Maker……btw you may want to take your leather tools to pawn stars and trade them for the UGA National Championship rings over the last 20 years….I promise they aren’t fake!
messin with the sasquatch
October 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
the queston of the day is which ugag player gets arrested next. who will #11 be? kinda like the joke about who is driving the car?
still gotta go to jax, dudes. good luck.
and techs ncs are in the book, history deniers….
Drago
October 28th, 2010
8:49 pm
You volunteering Buzzcrotchski?
Remember, now, this is a mans game. I know you tek folks ain’t used to it. Think, and think hard.
wesleywhatwhat
October 28th, 2010
9:01 pm
i thnk uga loses to BOTH national champs from 1990 this year.
who wants to bet money otherwise?
wesleywhatwhat
October 28th, 2010
9:02 pm
drago, if buzzoffski doesn’t get around to taking care of business and handling internet tough guys like yourself in person, there’s a line forming behind me.
stony
October 28th, 2010
9:34 pm
I’d get in that line, but I doubt there will be anything left of Drago after the first few seconds. That is if he is a typical dawg fan.
gtforever
October 28th, 2010
9:37 pm
Superdawg just GO away!
Drago
October 28th, 2010
10:41 pm
Wesleywhatwhat, I bet there is a line forming up behind you. Ahem, not that there is anythnig wrong with that.
wesleywhatwhat
October 28th, 2010
10:52 pm
leave it to a bulldawg fan to hit on someone online. on a georgia tech blog, no less.
no thanks, dude. not my thing.
GT VET
October 28th, 2010
10:58 pm
Drago your such a tuff guy ( I mean nerd) on the internet..Idiots like you make me laugh,do you really think your hurting someones feelings with your snide remarks??Im a GT Grad,retired Navy F-14 pilot,Turkey hunter, Deer hunter and Im pretty sure at 52 years old Id still spank your little nerd butt.I have 2 brothers that are UGA grads and they think Idiots like you give UGA a bad name and I couldnt agree more.That also goes for GT and UGA fans that put down KIDS trying to get an education no matter what school they go to.Its a game folks.Rub it in,throw the ribbing at them but getting personal about kids or someone doing something for their School is pathetic and something I cant believe an ADULT would do.We better worry about the Idiot in the white house and the idiots in congress.Good Luck UGA fans this weekend and every weekend except for the last regular season game.GO JACKETS!!!!
Mark Richt
October 28th, 2010
11:08 pm
I’m pleased with our team. We’ve really showed some improvement over the past few weeks. You can feel that old Georgia fire. I think we’ll be OK.
Buzzoffski
October 28th, 2010
11:16 pm
Well said GT Vet….except pulling for UGA in anything! Go Jackets!
college football
October 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Those yellow rats can’t beat a good high school team, and how about the criminoles going down
HA,HA,HA
macrotech
October 29th, 2010
1:00 am
superDawg, I guess your statement about Tech “manufactoring” a trophy had us fooled… Your spelling DOES need some work, though. It’s Macrotech (It’s already spelled for you…you’ve got me believing that you’d fail an open book test with the answers highlighted).
FLA JACKET
October 29th, 2010
1:32 am
TO HELL WITH Georgia !
Pedantic Man
October 29th, 2010
9:03 am
I think it’s Corian, not Coreon.
Oskar
October 29th, 2010
5:33 pm
I know it’s been a long time, but you dogs should remember that you won your only NC by beating a Notre Dame team that not only couldn’t beat a nine loss Tech team but couldn’t even score a touchdown on them.
And in the most pitiful NC winning game performance ever, your powerhouse 1980 dogs finished the game with less than 150 total yards of offense in spite of having the best college football player in history.
And now you want to talk trash?
Best Dawg Fan
October 30th, 2010
1:36 am
I think it’s Korean, not Corian,