Herschel Walker statue ‘not a priority right now’ for UGA
Rob Saye (L) started the 'Herschel Walker Statue Project' on Facebook and created quite a stir. (Photo by Rob Saye)
ATHENS — What about Frank Sinkwich? What about Charley Trippi? What about outstanding individual athletes in Georgia’s 14 sports other than football.
That’s the problem Greg McGarity has with the “Herschel Walker Statue Project.”
Is the Heisman Trophy winner and star player on the Bulldogs’ 1980 national championship team deserving of a statue? Absolutely, McGarity says.
But are not those aforementioned individuals also?
“You have to look at the program as a whole, with all sports,” McGarity said Friday. “Once you make a decision to single out certain individuals for accomplishments, then what is the domino effect? We have 14 other sports here that have had some tremendous accomplishments from certain individuals. There are just so many moving pieces that it just has to be an institutional decision. Right now there has been no discussion about that.”
Rob Saye, a freelance photographer, UGA alumnus and Bulldogs fan extraordinaire, decided earlier this week to create a Facebook Page – aptly named “Herschel Walker Statue Project” — calling on Georgia fans to get behind the idea of erecting a statue of the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner somewhere on campus. The reaction, as might be expected, has been passionate.
Loading ...McGarity has listened politely, but it doesn’t sound as if it’s something that is going to happen any time soon.
“What I’ve told people is we’ll consider it at the right time, but the right time is not right now,” McGarity said. “You basically have to have an institutional philosophy on something like that for every sport and how the university handles such things in general.”
Generally, UGA hasn’t been big on statues. Just last fall it erected a statue of Abraham Baldwin, the university’s founding father, on North Campus. There’s a life-size bronze sculpture of benefactor Bernard Ramsey sitting on a bench, also on North Campus. As for athletics, a statue of former coach and athletic director Vince Dooley was unveiled on the corner of South Campus in 2008. And that came only after considerable public debate and private fundraising.
Otherwise, there are only busts of Dr. Steadman Sanford, Dan Magill and Frank Foley in front of the respective athletics facilities bearing their names.
“Very rarely has there been individual recognition on this campus or in our facilities,” McGarity said. “That’s something you have to be very careful about how you approach it. Once you start you better have a plan to be inclusive.”
Saye appears to have gotten the message. He and his cohort Jimmy Taylor softened their “call to revolution” approach when they updated the status of the Facebook page late Thursday night.
“Thanks so much for everyone’s support of this idea! We have definitely gotten a lot people’s attention!
“This effort has exceeded all of our expectations and is going strong. When we started on Saturday, we didn’t know what we didn’t know. Lots of things are now coming into view and becoming clear as we move forward.
“At this stage, we ask for your continued support and patience, as we navigate the proper channels within the various UGA organizations that we will need to partner with to bring this project to fruition. Please also keep in mind, as we have learned, that we are looking at at least a one-year timeline for the design and construction of the statue!
“The bottom-line is that we started this in good faith with the goal of honoring our greatest player with a permanent tribute and a charitable foundation that will continue to contribute positively to the community. We move forward with these goals still in place and the resolve to work within the system to achieve this mission.
“Thank you again for your support. More to come as we work the process!”
But what got Saye – and subsequently other Georgia fans – motivated about the starting the “Herschel Project” in the first place was seeing how many other football players at other schools had statues. There’s Doug Flutie at Boston College, Ricky Williams at Texas and Johnny Unitas at Louisville, just to name a few. Last April, Florida unveiled statues of Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow, its three Heisman Trophy winners. And Auburn is building monuments to Bo Jackson, Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson this year.
Even Walker seems to like the idea. Though he couldn’t be reached for comment, he sent out this tweet via Twitter on Thursday: “Hey UGA Fans.Thanks for your support on the ‘Herschel Walker Statue Project’ page on Facebook!! Totally honored!!”
But McGarity said that Georgia can’t be influenced by what others are doing.
“It’s more or less a philosophical approach that the athletic association and the institution must have and I’m not even aware of what the policies are,” McGarity said. “Is this something we would consider for the future? I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it. I don’t want to be disrespectful but that’s not a priority for us right now and it just opens the door to so many other things.
“Right now it’s just not on our radar.”
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264 comments Add your comment
PrimeTimeJr
March 16th, 2012
2:19 pm
if statues are so “complicated”, why are so many other schools doing them?
DDPO
March 16th, 2012
2:19 pm
PrimeTimeJr:
McGarity graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. He was a letterman on the 1973 Bulldog tennis team and following graduation began his professional career at UGA. After serving as a student assistant from 1973-77, he held positions as assistant sports information director and head women’s tennis coach (1977-82), administrative assistant (1982-88), and assistant athletic director for facilities and event management (1988-92).
I think he’s a lot more invested in his alma mater than you could even possible dream of…
Jerk
Superzoro
March 16th, 2012
2:21 pm
Exactly, “THE GREATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME”
PrimeTimeJr
March 16th, 2012
2:22 pm
rEWARDING A GREAT PERFORMER, AND TEAM CHAMPION LIKE wALKER, IS “NOT A PRIORITY”, NOT ON “HIS RADAR”.
BUT REWARDING MARK RICHT WITH A 5 YEAR CONTRACT, WITHOUT A CHAMPIONSHIP IN A LONG, LONG TIME, AND WITHOUT BEATING A TOP 20 TEAM IN A LONG LONG TIME, IS MCGARITY’S PRIORITY.
EXPLAINS A LOT.
IGNORE SPUERIOR PERFORMANCE (WALKER IS #1 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER IN HISTORY), AND TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS LIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
REWARD MEDIOCRE PERFORMANCE.
FOOTBALL BRINGS IN THE MONEY, NOT GYM OR EQUESTRIAN.
Rob Saye - The Herschel Walker Statue Project
March 16th, 2012
2:23 pm
I would like to add that The Herschel Walker Statue Project absolutely respects the position that Mr. McGarity is taking on this issue at this time. As I said in the above statement, we are committed to work within the parameters and processes of the University of Georgia. Not against them!
It was not our intent to polarize the Bulldawg Nation. It was our intent to gauge the desire of the fan base to honor Herschel with a statue and a charitable foundation. In my eyes, the charitable foundation being the more important honor.
I ask that people please respect Mr. McGarity in your comments. I am sure that Herschel would express the same sentiments. We are all on the same team here folks!
Thanks, Rob
AltamahaDawg
March 16th, 2012
2:25 pm
Prime time, was Vince Dooley out of touch or needed to be fired? he was AD a lot longer than GM< and also didnt put up statues of anyone.
PrimeTimeJr
March 16th, 2012
2:26 pm
mcGarity isn’t on the same page with 80% of fans and sportswriters, who think Walker’s the best. to ever lace them up.
Guy is really out of touch.
John Whitley
March 16th, 2012
2:30 pm
Yet another school that is copying Alabama by doing statues. Bama started it years ago but now UGA and Auburn are jumping on the bandwagon. Bama has statues of all the coaches that have won a national championship at Bama but since UGA and Auburn only win one NC every 75 years it would be silly to do statues of coaches. At least Auburn has three Heisman winners. UGA has one and won’t have any more for a long time and they definetly won’t have a NC.
From Abraham Baldwin to Herschel Walker | Get The Picture
March 16th, 2012
2:40 pm
[...] If I’m doing the math correctly, we can expect the University to erect a statue honoring its greatest football player around 2208. [...]
12-0 idolatry
March 16th, 2012
2:42 pm
another graven image …
… “just runnin over people” …
Biff Pacaroba Fan Club
March 16th, 2012
2:45 pm
Who cares about statues. They are just chunks of rock chipped away and placed on campus. Get real people.
Focus on something important like why does Richt get top 10 recruiting classes every year but still is overmatched by Alabama, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and Arkansas?
AltamahaDawg
March 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
I guess the tatoo of Herschel’s cleat on Bill Bates chest is not enough?
12-0 idolatry
March 16th, 2012
2:50 pm
That ERK RUSSELL defense
deserves a little credit.
AltamahaDawg
March 16th, 2012
2:53 pm
On a lighter and related note: Freelance Photographer sounds like a pretty good gig.
SS Dog
March 16th, 2012
2:54 pm
Florida can put is a Tebow statue because it doubles as a fountain….the crying little boy….
Ted Striker
March 16th, 2012
2:57 pm
Do it. Make it happen. As a Clarke County resident I know how much (tax free) property UGA possesses.
If someone is willing to pay for the statue, bring it to fruition. I’ll pay 99%. Someone else kick in 1% and we’re there.
PrimeTimeJr
March 16th, 2012
3:18 pm
Something tells me McGarity is spending WAY too much time on other sports than Football and Basketbll to try and win a National Championship.
His priorities should be:
1) Finish top 10 football team every year with this much talent
2)see above
PrimeTimeJr
March 16th, 2012
3:20 pm
Other top priority:
wow the fans. give them what they want.
or get fired.
No One
March 16th, 2012
3:37 pm
I’d like to see statues of some of our more distinguished faculty members and alumnus erected as well. Folks like Hugh Kenner, Charles Beckworth, Cynthia Kenyon among countless others.
Go Dawgs!
The Nerve
March 16th, 2012
3:40 pm
He brought the only NC in school history. Georgia needs to get its priorities straight. They wouldn’t have had one without him..
In case you forgot…
Hershel to the right.
Hershel to the left.
Hershel up the middle.
Repeat
rivercard
March 16th, 2012
3:52 pm
Simple- any other sports that have more than 50,000 people show up for a game get to join the statue program.
McG is a typical tennis twit. Although dawg fans have to love his out of conference Pop Warner scheduling philosophy.
SEC Fans for Richt
March 16th, 2012
3:57 pm
Which Herschel would they use ?
gdawginkalamazoo
March 16th, 2012
4:20 pm
I though we had one in 1942 with Frank Sinkwich picking up the Heisman that year but I could be wrong.
I do think Mr Saye needs to focus on a Mike Adams statue on our Costa Rica campus first. He would probably be amazed at how the easy the Herschel statue would be. Honor thy University President first!
Jiggy Smaha
March 16th, 2012
4:22 pm
There is NO player in ANY sport at the University of Georgia who APPROACHES the contribution of Herschel Junior Walker. It would be awful to actually recognize someone for his contribution. We wouldn’t want to wind up like Alabama who has statutes of National Championship coaches all over their stadium’s plaza. We’d much rather wallow in mediocrity and pretend that gymnastics is just as relevent as football.
jvillebil
March 16th, 2012
4:28 pm
So do you think if they would have errected a statue of Herschel without asking the fans, there would have been an uproar? Yeah right like some true Dawg supporter and fan is going to say, “What did he do to deserve that?” Does anyone know how many #34 jersey’s were sold that benefited UGA? Greatest college running back ever, if he would have played his senior year he would have been untouchable as the greatest football player to ever play the game.
For the guy that made the smart comment about Tebow, well he is to UF as to what Herschel was/is to UGA. He’s a class act, did more things behind the scenes than people will ever know.
We have a kid in our church that was in the hospital battling luekemia. Tim’s senior year he never said a word to anyone, but went to the hospital and sat in the boys room 3 hours, even stated there while he slept. When the boys parents walked in they about fell out, didn’t know he was coming. Yet not one word was ever mentioned about it, he slipped out as quietly as he came, late on a Friday night.
jvillebil
March 16th, 2012
4:31 pm
gdawginkalamazoo your are correct, he did win it in 1942
Jiggy Smaha
March 16th, 2012
4:32 pm
SEC Fans for Richt
Which Herschel would they use ?
The one that was 32-1 over three regular seasons and gained more than 500 yards against Florida, 500 yards against Tech and 500 yards against Auburn.
beanster
March 16th, 2012
4:34 pm
“We are all on the same team here folks!”
Man I wish more Dawg fans would recognize this fact.
Johnny DangerDawg
March 16th, 2012
4:42 pm
I see McGarity’s point about the domino effect. UGA has had plenty of great players and coaches in other sports, and fans are always going to to complain that someone who deserves recognition is being left out.
But let’s not wait 100 years to put up the Herschel statue. Let’s get that statue erected while Herschel is alive and well and able to come to the dedication ceremony. Unlike some other people who deserve a statue, Herschel is so popular that funds for his statue could be raised privately in a single day.
SEC Fans for Richt
March 16th, 2012
4:52 pm
Thanks for the clarification. I thought it might have been the one that cries during Lifetime Network movies.
Delbert D.
March 16th, 2012
5:01 pm
A restored Trans Am would be nice. Cheaper, too.
Dap01
March 16th, 2012
6:20 pm
If Bobo was OC when Herschel played he would not have run him but 6 or seven times instead he would have run Connie Norris up the middle instead.
Doggoneit
March 16th, 2012
6:26 pm
McGarity is secretlly still a Florida fan! Enough said!
RedandBlackDAWG
March 16th, 2012
6:30 pm
There’s room on the campus. Build a sports hall of fame and include all of the greats, regardless of the sport they were in. They all represented the UGA, and honored it with their athletic prowess. I may not watch some or most of the minor sports, but the top athletes, no matter the sport, should be remembered and honored at UGA.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Coastal Dog SSI
March 16th, 2012
7:58 pm
If no Herschel, then no Dooley statue.
Matt
March 16th, 2012
8:06 pm
Herschel’s statue would benefit the school, charitable causes and the fans.
I understand there have been many great athletes at UGA and someday maybe they will get a statue, but you can’t use the excuse they should all get statues or none should get statues. Lets get one great statue that benefits many people and then work towards the next statue.
Disgusted
March 16th, 2012
8:22 pm
Those idiots would rather have a statute for the dam sorry dog Micheal Adams than Herschel.
Why Adams is around is beyone belief, he has done nothing for this university. A POS.
It will be a great day in UGA history once Adams is gone.
MJD
March 16th, 2012
8:33 pm
Okay McGarity…how many athletes did Howard Cosell come to Athens to interview??? How many UGA athletes graced the cover of Sports Illustrated?….. How many athletes are universally regarded as the best of all time?…How many athletes are recognized by their first name and everyone knows who they are? …How many UGA athletes made the Olympics ..in multiple sports??….. How many UGA athletes are still competing in a sport at the age of 51 and winning??….and McGarity..it’s about time you showed your loyalty is truly with UGA versus the evil empire in Gainesville …..
LakeDawg
March 16th, 2012
8:37 pm
I can understand the institutional angle McGarity mentions and that its something that needs to be discussed to arrive at an institutional philosophy. However, McGarity isn’t even going to do that. He’s basically saying “blow it out of your rear.” Its not going to be considered.The only statue that has a chance is one of Adams. He has to be the top dog. Hell, Adams did all he could do to prevent Dooly’s statue.
Disgusted
March 16th, 2012
8:42 pm
Mc Garity and Adams are arrogant schmucks who could care less about the people of Georgia or this football program.
Almost no one cares about geek sports like Tennis and gymnastics.
ugalee
March 16th, 2012
9:01 pm
I think we should hire a chinese sculptor to make a statue of herschel in white granite. Lets make sure he depicts him w folded arms and an arrogant scowl on his face. Oh and dont forget to inscribe a quote that makes him look like an a-hole! Then, when all the people who demanded the statue are up in arms over the result, those of us who thought the whole thing was a waste of time in the first place can giggle hysterically
MJD
March 16th, 2012
9:07 pm
ugalee = tech fan with
Really???
March 16th, 2012
9:30 pm
Okay folks, somebody please tell me names of UGA athletes from other sports who deserve a statue as much as Herschel. Let me think about this for a second…….um, I can’t think of any, but if I do I’ll let y’all know. In the meantime, build the dadgum statue! Geez.
bobwhite
March 16th, 2012
9:43 pm
Ugalee, that is hilarious. Hardest ive laughed in forever. Some great satire.
Hap Hines
March 16th, 2012
9:45 pm
Did the man GRADUATE from Georgia? I sorta remember something about the New Jersey Generals and alot of money. Come on people.
bitter dawgs fan
March 16th, 2012
10:00 pm
to all moonpies go to youtube and watch hershal run——————-greatest ever!!!!!
———————————————-UGA’S #34—————there goes hershall
——————-50 years old and still runs a 4.4/40——-enough said
bitter dawgs fan
March 16th, 2012
10:06 pm
@ugalee——troll do you have a small pe_nis=========trailer trash
coachx
March 16th, 2012
10:09 pm
McGarity needs to give up on the politically correct BS.
The 14 other sports don’t bring in any money at all. Football is the money makers that allows all the other sports ot be funded.
Why not make a statue for Trippi, Walker, and Sinkwich ? The football teams brings in more then enough money for that.
coachx
March 16th, 2012
10:10 pm
McGarity is losing for face for the 1sst time among UGA supporters.
You don’t tread on Herschel buddy !
Swamp Dawg (JEG)
March 16th, 2012
10:28 pm
What is the big deal with statues? If the other sports want to erect statues to honor athletes from their respective sports at their venues, I say bravo! Go out raise the $$$ privately and get to it. If the football faithful from the Bulldog Nation want to honor Herschel, Sinkwich, Tarkenton, Tripi, etc. If baseball wants to erect one for Chris Carpenter, cool, DO IT! Tennis wants to erect one of John Isner, more power to them, DO IT! If the groups can put the funding together then BADABING, DO IT! AND when they do, the admninistration at UGA should find a nice plot of ground at THE VENUE to let them, not push it off to a seemimgly unrelated area like was done with Coach Dooley (His should have been at the stadium, period). Herschel IS THE most recognized running back in college football, THAT is why he should be first, period.
And when the funds are raised privately, the ground is identified, the statue created, and made ready for the unveiling ceremony, THEN the administration should stay in their respective offices and stay completely away from the ceremony because all they have done is found a small piece of ground. Each and every sport should have the opportunity to recognize their honored athletes and THAT my beloved dawg friends should be the University of Georgia’s Policy on Statues at sporting venues. Now, when they (the administration of UGA – Adams, McGarity, et al.) finally decide it makes good public policy to attend to the wishes of the students and alumni of UGA, the fans of ALL UGA athletic pursuits, and the citizens of Georgia whose tax money goes to the budget of UGA; then they can find away to do a bit more than just find a small plot of ground on which for the BULLDOG Faithful to erect deserving monuments to these athletes who have so greatly honored the beloved University of Georgia. AND while we are at it lets not forget those non-athletic personalities like Lewis Grizzard (a UGA Alumnus) and Larry Munson (while not a UGA Alumnus, THE VOICE of the Bulldogs). WOOF, WOOF, Woof!!!!!!