UGA’s greatest athletes?
The Gym Dogs’ Courtney Kupets is easily the most honored and winningest collegiate gymnast ever. She is the only gymnast ever to win the all-around and every individual event in NCAA competition, and is the all-time NCAA leader with nine individual championships. She also won a silver team medal and an individual bronze at the 2004 Olympics.
So does she belong on a list of the five greatest UGA athletes ever?
Loading ...I like the concept, though I’d argue the members of that list.
Walker, who was also a track star at UGA, is a given. I’d also have Trippi, who was the Heisman runner-up and Maxwell Award winner as the best college football player, on the list.
Beyond that, it gets tough. Wilkins certainly went on to be a dominating figure in the NBA after his career at UGA, but should he beat out Trippi’s teammate Frank Sinkwich, another two-sport star and Heisman Trophy winner, on the shortlist of greatest UGA athletes?
UGA sports legend Dan Magill, who probably knows more about UGA athletics than anyone, has written in the past that he considers “Long” John Carson, UGA’s last four-letter athlete, one of the greatest all-around Bulldogs. Carson was an all-America end on the 1953 football team, leading the nation in receiving; an all-American in golf; played forward in basketball; and was a first-baseman in baseball.
What about basketball star Teresa Edwards, who went on to become a four-time Olympian? Or Andy Johnson, a terrific all-around athlete who starred in football and baseball at UGA and went on to the NFL?
And then there’s Champ Bailey, an absolute iron man who played both defense and offense for UGA in football long after the days of the two-way player were over, and who also was on the track team.
I think if I had to cut the list down to five, it would include Walker, Trippi, Wilkins, Bailey and … Kupets.
You don’t think a female gymnast belongs on such a list? Maybe you’ve never heard about the Challenge of the Champions three years ago where Kupets and her teammates bested the Georgia football team in push-ups, pull-ups, leg lifts … everything except sprints.
Which brings me to our Question of the Day: Which of these UGA sports has the best all-around athletes: football, basketball or gymastics? Feel free to comment, vote in the poll or do both.
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160 comments Add your comment
Ramblin Rick
June 23rd, 2009
7:15 am
Quincy Cater, Jasper Sanks, Travis Stroud, Jon England.
fear the triple option mutts
Kupets...
June 23rd, 2009
8:05 am
…all the way – she overcame TWO torn achilles tendons to still reach the pinnacle in her sport and LEAD the team in everything. And it pains me to write that, ’cause Herschel is as near an immortal in UGA sports and athleticism as one could be. As quoted in Sports Illustrated back in 1980 when asked if he got tired having to carry the ball 30 times a game and get pounded, he replied “No sir, ball ain’t heavy”! And before that he said, as quoted in the title of the article “My body is like an Army”!
Just ask that Clemson guy who dreamed of trying to tackle him, and after the game, after Herschel had run right over the guy, Herschel just said, “I’m glad I could help make his dream come true.”
Robert
June 23rd, 2009
8:07 am
Ramblin Rick,
Fear armed robbers on your concrete campus.
MrDawg
June 23rd, 2009
8:29 am
Two words. Charles Grant.
BG
June 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
UGA owns tech!!!!!!!!
Nut Licker
June 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
I would have to say it is the 5 foot 11 inch corner back from FLA that is coming to GA next spring. Oh wait, he sould be at least 6 foot according to all the uga coaches that post comments here. Sorry I won’t say he will be the best then. My bad. I go with Dominique then.
Nut Licker
June 23rd, 2009
8:41 am
Great insight there BG. Way to answer the question that was asked. I guess comprehending english is hard for you.
82dawg
June 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
Its pretty much apples and oranges, but probably gymnastics has the best all-around athletes. And most of them are pretty cute!!
Voice of Reason
June 23rd, 2009
8:59 am
Why does everything have to come back to Georgia- Georgia Tech? This article has nothing to do with Tech. This is not about Ryan Ayers Nut Licker, go comment on that story.
I think it that Kupets should definitely be in that list. Anyone who thinks gymnasts aren’t amazing athletes need to try and do the things they do. I would like to think Andy Johnson would bed included in at least the top-10, maybe not top 5.
The Mole
June 23rd, 2009
9:01 am
Anthony Flanagan
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 23rd, 2009
9:02 am
That’s easy, Reggie Ball.
Now, which one of you fleabags are trying to rob our students?
Hands Down
June 23rd, 2009
9:10 am
Reggie Ball was the greatest player UGA ever had…”lets throw the ball away on 4th and 7!”…what a masterful idea!
GO DAWGS!
The Joke by Coke
June 23rd, 2009
9:14 am
Tech fans are amazingly immature. Anyway, I like the list that Bill threw out. But what about Fran Tarkenton? Pollack shouldnt be on it, but maybe DJ should.
gatorman770
June 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
Number one would be Hershal who is to UGA history/lore as Tebow will be to the Gators after this year if he goes on to a decent NFL career as Hershal did. Dominique would be next. I was too young during the Trippi and Sinkwich years to rate them. That said, I’d have to put Hines Ward ahead of David Pollack if one considers what they did during their collegiate years and what they did after.
Lady dawg’s greatest would have to be Teresa Edwards for now. Now if Kupets goes on to win Gold in the next Olympics she could move ahead.
Reality Check...
June 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
Ramble quit looking at the radar screen… It’s going to make you delusional…Oh wait it has already happened. The best was Mr. Walker period…
PACK OF SMOKES
June 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
The athletes that play sports at all colleges are doing what they can to become the best and overcome all the obstacles in they’re way.My old man played college ball up north and loves what he did to change the way the sport is played today.All athletes need our support and they all will do what they can to change our lives.
Frank
June 23rd, 2009
9:18 am
Hines Ward was the best athlete, other than Herschel, to ever wear the rad and black.
Nothinh But The Truth
June 23rd, 2009
9:19 am
Football has the best all-around athletes, but the gym dogs are HOT!
ga dawg
June 23rd, 2009
9:19 am
Hines Ward was the best all around athelete to play at Georgia.
PACK OF SMOKES
June 23rd, 2009
9:20 am
Hines played college ball for georgia when we wanted him the most.Good linebacker and miss him all the time.
Burkester
June 23rd, 2009
9:21 am
Herschel Walker is definitely on my list. GA legends = Herschel Walker. Heisman Trophy winner, college football hall of fame, freshman rushing record. need I say more? legendary!!
superDawg
June 23rd, 2009
9:32 am
I like all of them.GO DAWGS!!!
Big 12 Rules
June 23rd, 2009
9:34 am
Read’em and weep UGA fans: http://espn.go.com/college-football/
You’ll be facing a OKSt team that averaged 400+ yards of offense in 2008, ALL of the returning Offensive Stars from 2008,….AND…has a new defensive coordinator.
Count on it. OKST is going to pound UGA.
Ramblin Rick
June 23rd, 2009
9:36 am
Did Herschel Talker ever get out of those remedial courses at UGA? I hear technically he is still a freshman.
PAUL JOHNSON: undefeated in Athens!
superDawg
June 23rd, 2009
9:37 am
Buzzy Rosenberg Dooly said he was the strongest player pound for pound he had ever seen.
MH
June 23rd, 2009
9:37 am
Florida owns Georgia.
Birmingham Bulldog
June 23rd, 2009
9:38 am
You correctly noted Teresa Edwards as one of the all-time UGA greats. However, you actually short-changed Teresa one Olympics! She was a 5-time member of the USA Olympic team, not 4 (1984, ‘88, ‘92, ‘96 and 2000)…a feat unmatched by any other USA basketball Olympian!
Otto
June 23rd, 2009
9:39 am
It only comes back to Tech in the rare years they win.
They’re all great Dogs. The older UGA athletes often do not get the credit they deserve because fans do not remember them or never saw them in competition.
Wilkins higher than Sinkwich? I never saw Sinkwich play but those teams in the 40s were great. The ‘42 and ‘46 teams were considered national championship material depending on which ranking system you look at.
Mobile Dawg
June 23rd, 2009
9:40 am
Big 12, that’s why we play’em on the field. If this team, and staff, overlooks OKST, shame on them. My opinion is that they have something to prove this year, especially the “D”. I hope so, they have the personnel and weapons to compete with anyone in the Country.
The only thing I can count on is to see you disappear if the Pokes lose.
coachdawg 2000
June 23rd, 2009
9:41 am
Ramblin Rick’s mom must be quite an athlete for birthing a jack a#*.
Otto
June 23rd, 2009
9:42 am
Big 12 rules? Is this pound the SEC like OU vs Fl or pound in TxTech vs Ole Miss or maybe go back in history Bama vs Tx Tech ‘06 cotton bowl?
superDawg
June 23rd, 2009
9:44 am
MH stands for queen of the gayturs.Florida is still behind in the overall W-L column.LINDSEY SCOTT.
Ty Cobb
June 23rd, 2009
9:45 am
Which of Herschel’s 18 personalities was the best athlete ???????\
COBB IS BASEBALL!
Huh?
June 23rd, 2009
9:45 am
Bill, I wish our defense had half the balls of our female gymnasts. True story. That’s right, I said it. They got no heart. Lets see if they can prove me wrong in ‘09.
Mangum
June 23rd, 2009
9:45 am
Hey Ramblin Rick…
MARK RICHT: undefeated in Atlanta!
Nothing But The Truth
June 23rd, 2009
9:46 am
I think I saw rambling rick running off with a freshmans bookbag across the highway the other night. I do love Paul Johnson, but UGA owns Tech in football.
Ramblin Rick
June 23rd, 2009
9:46 am
hey fleabag mangum – quit living in the past. Its 2009… PAUL JOHNSON time!
R.I.P. mutts
reservoirDAWG
June 23rd, 2009
9:47 am
Champ Bailey? It was also nice watching Boss get big air blocking field goals. Herschel was the best though.
Huh?
June 23rd, 2009
9:53 am
If you’re going to throw Champ Bailey and David Pollack’s names out there I think you also have to mention Hines Ward.
Mangum
June 23rd, 2009
9:59 am
Ramblin Rick, facts are facts. It’s not my fault that you can’t handle the truth.
It’s funny how one Tech win and all of a sudden they think they own us.
Gen Neyland
June 23rd, 2009
10:02 am
The greatest..? Depends on the perception of a given era. To me, I’d say the unborn 6 Star Recruit and the guy that puts on the Hairy Dawg suit in a Georgia September heatwave…
Pete Orr
June 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
Gordon Ely-Kelso is by far the best athlete!
Mikey
June 23rd, 2009
10:04 am
That Moreno kid wasn’t all that bad either.
DirtyDawg
June 23rd, 2009
10:04 am
Max Mayo…won the Intramural Best Overall Athlete award several years running back in the mid-late 60’s. Best fast-pitch softball pitcher since the King and His Court. You got an intramural sport, Max was the best athlete on the field/court/diamond/alley/you name it…and coached track in his spare time.
Crank Dat Soulja Boy Noshow Moreno
June 23rd, 2009
10:06 am
MATT STAFFORD! His performance against Florida and Alabama last year was amazing!
coachdawg 2000
June 23rd, 2009
10:06 am
I think that Kirby Smart deserves some recognition. It’s got to be hard to miss that many tackles without accidentally causing someone to fall down.(see the 1998 Tech game-I’ve seen fog show more fortitude!).
Reality Check
June 23rd, 2009
10:07 am
BIG 12 Rules – Could you please tell us what the Big 12 bowl record was for 2008? Furthermore, could you tell us what your bowl record was against the SEC in 2008?
Burkester
June 23rd, 2009
10:09 am
Cobb, you need to stop bashing Walker (not Talker!). The man’s a legend. Are you starring in a poker tournament in the Bahamas?
coachdawg 2000
June 23rd, 2009
10:10 am
The Big 12 doesn’t exist. It’s the cows and sonners and their 10 step children. i’m a boy! i’m 36!
PACK OF SMOKES
June 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
The way kids paly ball these days is what i was talking about man
Huh?
June 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
Will there be enough UGA fans in Stillwater so that I can hear the “OVERRATED” chants on TV? I hope so. I love that.
coachdawg 2000
June 23rd, 2009
10:12 am
Flag-Boy at Tech in the late 90’s was quite an Athlete. I haven’t seen prancing like that since Bambi.
Nothing But The Truth
June 23rd, 2009
10:18 am
coachdawg 2000: Now that was funny. I know we are talking about college sports, but I wanted to mention that Terry Pendleton is awful.
Go Braves! Go Dawgs!
45-42
June 23rd, 2009
10:20 am
HANDS DOWN… JOE TERESHINSKI!!!
RxDawg
June 23rd, 2009
10:27 am
I have to give a little credit to our war tiger cousins here. Bo would of been #1 on this type of list if he went to UGA. In the old Bo vs. Herschel argument, I’ve always said that Herschel was a better running back, but that Bo was a better athelete (although they were both really close either way). Sorry to get slightly off topic it just made me think about it.
RxDawg
June 23rd, 2009
10:30 am
Oh, another one I thought of. Reggie Brown. He may of not been an all world receiver, but that guy was one heck of an athelete. Instead of using a car, he used a bicycle in Athens.
Ted Striker
June 23rd, 2009
10:34 am
If Magill says Long John Carson should be on the list, I’ll say yes. Kupets, Walker, Trippi and Bailey round out my list of 5.
UGADawg83
June 23rd, 2009
10:41 am
1. Herschel Walker
2. Dominique Wilkins
3. Courtney Kupets
4. Charlie Trippi
5. David Pollack
Pi$$onaDAWG
June 23rd, 2009
10:43 am
Tripp-the Witch-Walker-Kupets-Jan Kemp. The GOOD, the GREAT, the BAD ASS, the BEST, and the TRUTH in UGA sports.
PACK OF SMOKES
June 23rd, 2009
10:45 am
did kirk triplett play ball at uga?
Dorsey Hill
June 23rd, 2009
10:48 am
Don’t forget our own Spec Towns. First Georgian on the US Olympic team. Gold medal in the 110 high hurdles. Held the world record and won 60 straight races.
RxDawg, no doubt Bo was a more gifted athelete than Herschel. He was faster, quicker laterally and was a very good baseball player. The three most gifted atheletes in the 20th century IMHO:
1) Bo Jackson
2) Jim Thorpe
3) Deion Sanders
This doesn’t mean that they were the best at what they did. Herschel was a better college back than Bo, there are several corners who were better than Deion (don’t think many could also hit a major league curve-ball though), and Gretzky, Jordan, Rice, Montana, Elway, Cobb and Ali performed at a higher level in their respective sports. But if you are talking just about God-given, natural talent, those three stand above.
Ty Cobb
June 23rd, 2009
10:56 am
Herschel Talker reads at a 1st grade level.
COBB IS BASEBALL!
dog kicker
June 23rd, 2009
11:03 am
Reggie Ball
Big 12 Rules
June 23rd, 2009
11:09 am
Come to think of it…GT looks like a similar set-up for 2009 for all the same reasonsas OKSt.
Huntsville Dawg Fan
June 23rd, 2009
11:10 am
Buzzy Rosenberg could do it all-amazing athlete of the 70’s
Pitbull
June 23rd, 2009
11:10 am
I would recommend Al Parker and Michael Penfors. Both were outstanding tennis players and I think both won NCAA singles titles.
I remember reading an article on Al Parker in the AJC. If I recall correctly, he majored in Accounting and graduated with a 4.0 average. What an outstanding athlete and student.
TI
June 23rd, 2009
11:13 am
TY COBB: Ty Cobb is not baseball. BABE RUTH IS BASEBALL!
Dorsey Hill
June 23rd, 2009
11:23 am
Babe Ruth could run pretty good for a fat man.
RxDawg
June 23rd, 2009
11:24 am
Nice list Dorsey. I can’t argue against it at all. Except I might put Thorpe in at #1.
Diamond Dog's Parole Officer
June 23rd, 2009
11:33 am
Randy McMichael: Nobody can use a backhanded slap on his wife better than him.
Odell Thurman: Fastest at hot wiring a car than anyone east of the Mississippi. (By the way, did he ever return that Escalade?)
The Harrick Boys: making academic life easier for all of UGA’s so called student athletes. Great hire by Adams.
Tony Cole: Need I say more?
Jan Kemp: She influenced a change in behavior that lasted aout 8 years. Rest in peace Jan
Saint Simons
June 23rd, 2009
11:34 am
RUB RUB RUB in your face!!!!!! 45-42 hahahahahhaahaahahahaahhahaah
Diamond Dog's Parole Officer
June 23rd, 2009
11:41 am
Oh, one more…
Arthur Marshall: Shows us that dawgs can get arrested for white collar crimes too!
Cuz
June 23rd, 2009
11:42 am
Coach Mike Castronis.
Vinnings Dawg
June 23rd, 2009
11:44 am
Without a doubt Gordon Beckham. Already a fixture for the Chi Sox.
And wow tech won one year. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once a while…
Ramblinwreck1378
June 23rd, 2009
11:50 am
Actually vinnings, we’ve found 39 nuts. And been generous enough to share 5 of them with ya’ll.
Cuz
June 23rd, 2009
11:52 am
For those of you who do not know Coach Mike.
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/090603/dog_20030906005.shtml
And I only had him for a PE class. Another DGD.
First three time UGA All-SEC.
Great human being.
Herman Archie
June 23rd, 2009
11:54 am
Jake Scott. Dooley caled him the best athlete he ever coached. Jake was also a Super Bowl MVP. Dawgs have 3 (Hines & Terrell) Tech has ZERO.
Cuz
June 23rd, 2009
11:55 am
Five nuts shared, Saint Simons, Ramble On, m, helluva engineer, 45-42.
Quit sharing these nutjobs with us.
Voice of Reason
June 23rd, 2009
12:29 pm
ramblinwreck- don’t forget our 59 bud. And why don’t you check the last 40 years record for me. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Joey
June 23rd, 2009
12:42 pm
Don’t forget Buck Belue. All SEC in football and baseball.
Josh
June 23rd, 2009
12:50 pm
Voice of Reason, you’re spot on. 59-39-5 shows up in my book too. But it seems as if a certain tech coach cheated in the late 90’s……I now have 59-36-5.
THWGT!
uga_b
June 23rd, 2009
1:04 pm
Ramblin Rick, in 2000, Georgia Southern coached by Paul Johnson lost to the University of Georgia Bulldogs by the score of 29-7. Therefore, Paul Johnson the man is 1-1 vs. UGA as a head coach.
Maybe you shut down your MMORPG and read about football before you try and speak about it.
JP-IN HOC-85
June 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
Don’t forget Allen Miller, UGA tennis great and UGA’a only four time All American.
Walker Fan
June 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
Have to take issue with Dorsey Hill’s claim that Bo Jackson was a better athelete than Herschel Walker, but hey they’re both good enough to warrant conversation. But no way Bo was faster than Herschel. My research turned up the following:
Walker — 100 meters in 10.22. Jackson — 100 meters in 10.4 seconds
Virginia Dawg
June 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
I also vote for Allen Miller, Mikeal Pernfors, Wade McGuire and George Bezechney (sp?) in tennis and football Garrison Hearst, Ben Smith, Terry Hoage, Thomas Davis, Rodney Hampton, Jimmy Payne and Knox Culpepper!
RxDawg
June 23rd, 2009
1:57 pm
Walker Fan, being a great athelete means more than just who can run faster. I think what Dorsey (and myself) meant in saying Bo was a better athelete was more all encomposing. Bo was a flat out star in the NFL and Major League Baseball among many other sports on the amature level. It takes a special combonation in strength, speed, and coordination to acomplish the things that Bo did.
That said, if I’m picking a running back to play on my team between the two, I’m picking Herschel all day long. I know a few Auburn fans that would agree with that.
Tom Dial
June 23rd, 2009
1:58 pm
There’s no question that gymnasts are the world’s greatest athletes. NBA players do nothing the world class gymnasts can’t do . . . except dunk the ball, because they’re a foot taller . . . but gymnasts do quadrillions of things football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and all other players cannot do. And since Courtney Kupets is the greatest gymnast in NCAA history, I have to vote for her as the greatest UGA athlete.
As for football, why has no one mentioned the name of Hines Ward? Hines was a fabulous QB at UGA, a fabulous running back, a fabulous wide receiver. You name it, this guy did it with superior ability and effectiveness. And since leaving the Bulldogs he has become one of the greatest NFL wide receivers ever, winning the MVP award in the Super Bowl. I love Charley Trippi, Fran Tarkenton, Herschel Walker, Dominick Wilkins, and all other of our great Dogs. But Hines was the greatest all-around male athlete ever to attend our great institution.
Denver Dog
June 23rd, 2009
2:04 pm
Herschel, Dominique,Jimmy Orr, Kent Lawrence, Teresa Edwards, Buck Belue, AJ, Cupets, Jake Scott, Hines Ward, Ben Zambaisi, Jimmy Pitts, Vern Flemming, Fran Tark, Chip Wisdom, David Rholetter. Champ????
Those are a few to add to the list. AJ, Buck, and RHoletter were probabally the best 2 sport atheletes.
Denver Dog
June 23rd, 2009
2:06 pm
I see that the Tech blogs are dry again today, Must be too much crime on campus again
Scaley Dog
June 23rd, 2009
2:09 pm
I agree with those who think Hines Ward should be included. A true team olayer who could play any position on the field, and would for the sake of the betterment of the team. Although recruited as a Quarterback, he never reduced himseldf to any Quarterback controversy. As far as true athletes go, he should be right up there with Courtney and the rest.
Johnny U
June 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm
Jimmy Orr told me once that Charley Britt was the best all around athlete he ever knew.
G NORMAN
June 23rd, 2009
3:45 pm
GARRISON HEARST COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A TRACK OR BASEBALL STAR IF U SAW WHAT HE DID IN STATE TRACK MEETS & ON THE DIAMOND IN HIGHSCHOOL. WHAT AN ATHELETE.
formereagle
June 23rd, 2009
4:17 pm
For ramblin rick i wouldn’t be talking too much. I played for johnson and you players aren’t going to class. I finally transferred because he doesn’t care if you go to school or not. He just wants wins. Also, you best D in years gave up 42 points and this years won’t be better.
formereagle
June 23rd, 2009
4:26 pm
Plus it is pathetic that you are bringing this up in a story about kourtney kupets. I guess you know what will happen this year deep down. You’re going to loose for several years and then you will start to turn on Johnson and then you’ll hire tom osborne or someone to “resurrect the program”. I give it 3 years before they catch you cheating coach and put you on sanctions. You guys are supposed to be the pinnacle of academia – what a joke.
shards1967
June 23rd, 2009
4:37 pm
To Ramblin Rick:
Pretty funny. I agree Sanks is our man. Quincy? Hillarious. No, I’m not kidding and I am still laughing.
Here are some great yellow jackets:
Eddie Lee Ivory – rape charges and PRISON in Wisconsin
Kevin Slisbury, Jim Lavin and Mike Mooney that beat up that itt bitty gal over at the old pizza joint near where the Tech motel was in early 90s.
Reuben Houston- Drugs arrests
Joey Hamilton- Drug arrests
Frosh of two years ago arrested for rape
Shall I continue?
Go GAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWGS!!
woof, WOOF!!
dee
June 23rd, 2009
4:40 pm
Hines fuc*ing Ward!
m
June 23rd, 2009
4:52 pm
Thomas Davis
m
June 23rd, 2009
4:53 pm
Greg Blue!!! Your my boy Blue!!!
South GA Dawg
June 23rd, 2009
7:45 pm
To me some of the greatest would be Fran Tarkenton, Bill Stanfil, George Patton, Andy Johnson, Hershell Walker, Charlie Trippi, Frank Sinkwich, Lynn Hughes, David Pollack, David Greene. Choose any five from this group.
doug
June 23rd, 2009
8:56 pm
Cant speak for all sports but as far as what football players would go up against Kupets, Wilkins ect. These players could play many sports if they wanted. They were also freak athletes. Champ Bailey,Ben Smith,Hershel Walker,Hines Ward,Thomas Davis,Ben Watson,Richard Tardits,Robert Edwards, Keith Henderson.