Regents agree, UGA to name facilities after Dooley

ATHENS -- The state Board of Regents unanimously agreed Wednesday to name a group of athletic facilities for former University of Georgia athletic director and football coach Vince Dooley.

The Vince Dooley Athletic Complex will include the Butts-Mehre athletics building, Spec Towns Track, Woodruff Practice Fields, the Rankin Smith Academic Center, Stegeman Coliseum and practice facility, Foley Field and the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

The university cabinet, which includes most of the school's top administrators, approved the proposal before it was sent to the regents.

Some of Dooley's supporters and former players say the honor pays tribute to Dooley's accomplishments as athletic director but also say his 25 years as coach merit his name being attached to Sanford Stadium. Many suggest the football facility should be called Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium. That was not included in Wednesday's vote.

The school plans to erect a sculpture and garden honoring Dooley next to Butts-Mehre.

Dooley served as football coach from 1964-88, winning six Southeastern Conference championships and the 1980 national title. He also served as athletic director for a quarter century, but was forced into retirement during a bitter dispute with university president Michael Adams.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/2/206934