UGA

By scott

April 16, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Yes, I’m interested to know how they do.

By AltamahaDawg

April 16, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Will they be wearing a “G”?

By J-Boy

April 16, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

The Georgia tennis team is incredibly good. The best in the country. how can you not cover them.

By BadgerDawg

April 16, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Read, yes, and I would welcome it…but I’m not sure how much feedback you’re going to get since no one really knows enough to even have an opinion except “go Dawgs.” I couldn’t name one athlete not on fball, basketball, baseball, or women’s bball, and on the last two I can only name one or two. I don’t think you’re going to see alot of “_ really needs to improve her serve”, etc. Maybe it belongs in the news instead of the blog, I’d like to know what’s going on but I rarely go to georgiadogs, and I don’t know where else you’d find that info if it wasn’t here.

By Chip Towers

April 16, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

They will indeed be wearing the “G.” But here’s where it’s unclear: Scott says, “I’m interested to know how they do.” But that could be done on the agate page or in one paragraph in “Briefly.” How much do you want to know?

By AltamahaDawg

April 16, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

“needs to improve her serve”, funny. No prabably not. But at least not going to be near the insistance that we improve that damn short game or fire that SOB coach either.

By BadgerDawg

April 16, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

BTW, Chip, you do a great job on here. Keep up the good work.

By Lane4411

April 16, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

I am a huge womnen’s tennis fan. Georgia was #1 for a awhile, and was ranked #24 @ the beginning of the yr- tremendous surge. Would possibly remained at #1 or 2 but Natalie Frazier lost several matches over a 4 week period.

Realize the coverage will be limited, maybe a couple of paragraphs, depending upon what is impacting the various teams. The gym dogs sell out each meet, and deserve significant coverage, all the national titles, a dynasty.

Ajc, should be covering Tech also, since both are state schools.

By reality check

April 16, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

What have you heard about that redshirt freshman backup guard?

By Cuz

April 16, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Chip I live in Augusta, 150 yards from the front gate of the Augusta National. Of course I am interested in the golf team. Tennis, you write it, I will read it. As, Altamaha said, do they wear a G?

By Used to be ...

April 16, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

the AJC covered those sports pretty comprehensively (stories, not just agate, Chipper). That’s why we knew about that reall good tennis player the Dogs had way back when. What was his name?

By Vince Dooley

April 16, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Stick with tennis and golf, this is what Athens does best. Avoid football and baseball, these are the sports for Big Dogs (i.e UF, AU, UA, FSU, Miami, OU, Southern Cal, etc.)

By High Pockets

April 16, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Absolutely! If they wear a ‘G’, I want to hear about them, women and men. Thank you, Chip.

By Vince Dooley

April 16, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Reality Check

I heard the guard opted for Georgia Southern, wanted a better program.

By Vince Dooley

April 16, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Maybe the tennis and golf teams should slide over to football. Maybe they could stop a potent offense, like UT or UF.

By G-Dawg

April 16, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

If it’s about UGA I’ll read it. UT(9% grad rate collectively - dumb) and UF(cry babies) are overrated, overhyped, and they suck! Thanks V. Dooley wannabe.

By casey

April 16, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

i’d like to see more pics of the gymnastics team, thanks.

By Chip Towers

April 16, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

J-Boy, I never said that we would NOT cover them… . On the contrary. My questions were regarding level of interest and possible angles of interest… .

“Vince Dooley,” I know you like to come in here and goad folks but you need to reassess your strategy regarding football and Georgia’s alleged lack of success in it. Only nine coaches in history have won as many games as Mark Richt in his first six seasons; the Bulldogs have won two consensus national championships and two perfect seasons, been to the sixth most bowls of all time (43), has the fifth-largest on-campus stadium in the nation, etc., etc.

That said, this is not a football blog today but you need to come with a little more than Georgia went 9-4 in last year, therefore it is not good in football. Now as for basketball, the Dogs still have some work to do there.

By AltamahaDawg

April 16, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

I’d say its a matter of timing. If the Golf team is in the middle of the SEC tourney, then prabably be of a lot more interest than just mid year. I had lunch today with a fellow Bulldawg fan and we always talk about the “other” programs. Heck, if its red and black, I can’t get enough, but I understand the need to distribute space in a paper. Well, not really seems the internet would house infinate amount of info, so maybe its more of a allocation of reporters time. Chip, I’d be willing to beleive that you know the difference between what is interesting and pertainent, relative to major events, and whats just minutia.

By AltamahaDawg

April 16, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Oh BTW, for some reason, the tech fans can’t seem to get enough UGA info, whatever that is.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

April 16, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Chip, when the minor sports do good it’s nice to know and I agree with the keep us up to date; however, just check out the posts above from”Vince Dooley” and that’s what happens to many times which just gets in the way of a good blog. Women’s gymnastics? I know they win but I have no interest in them at all because of outside circumstances. The idea of the Mon-Wed.-Fri blogs is a good on as is the recruiting blog. The services like Rivals and Scout and others wouldn’t be in existence if there was a vacuum. I hope you can fill it year round and the only question is will the AJC put the resources needed into it?

By Buck Cochran in the NW

April 16, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Forgot, can the recruiting blog find out exactly where Caleb King stands? You gave the names of the incoming Basketball recruits, I’d like to hear from Coach Felton how he thinks they’ll be worked in. Baseball, we lost some key players but the drop this season is, to me , a long one. What kind of class did Perno bring in? Has he given or did he give any thought to picking up a couple of JUCO players? Just some things that I think would be material for a good blog.

By John in Virginia

April 16, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Tennis at the University of Georgia has had a long history of excellence and this group of players on the men’s team has done something remarkable. To go through two straight seasons undefeated is an unbelievable accomplishment. I am coming down for the NCAA championships in May to cheer them on to finish their run with a national championship. I was in school when Manny Diaz was playing for us and he has done a terrific job following a legend like Dan Magill. To be able to see both the men’s and women’s teams play for the national championship in Athens is a real opportunity to show support for both tremendous programs. Go Dogs.

By jeff

April 16, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

I love UGA and any sport they have GO DAWGS!

I want to say how sad I am for the kids at VT. The shootings there are so aweful. I will be prying for there familys

By caveman22

April 16, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Always interested in UGA sports and there teams in all competitions. One of my biggest bragging points to my friends from “other” schools is our excellence in all sports both men and women. Especially the GymDawgs.

Any and all coverage is appreciated!!

Go Daaaaaaaaaaawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By reality check

April 16, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

To the liar posting as Vince Dooley:

You are pitiful. It is obvious you have ever done anything in your life anyone would respect as a credible accomplishment.

Maybe it makes you feel powerful to try to steal the identity of someone who is legitimately successful. But all it does is prove what a sick, inadequate little person you are.

By P-Dawg in Tulsa

April 16, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Yes we want to hear about the other sports. Probably, a paragraph per sport a couple of times a week. I have to agree with Badger in that I can’t discuss/blog alot of the other sports like I can football or basketball, but I still want to know. The 2 main reasons are lack of national coverage, TV coverage of sports, and complete lack of knowledge about the other schools we compete with in the lesser sports. I personally follow 1. FOOTBALL (recruiting, coaches, shoe size, what a player had for lunch, ect ect) 2. basketball
3. baseball 4. gymnastics 5. all other with special attention given to SEC/Nat champion contenders.

By JBird

April 16, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

I’m interested. I’ve attended college tennis matches, and I think its format is phenomenal. You are watching live tennis simultaneously on six different courts (at least the best you can). Athens had a great set up and the fans, for whatever team, are cheering almost constantly. In addition, entrance fees are cheap. Last year, it was about $8 a day.

It should be easy to get an angle on the UGA men’s team. Its top player, John Isner, is no. 1 in singles and doubles. The women’s team at UGA is interesting because they weren’t ranked that high at the beginning of the year, but they have come out and upset a lot of teams. Their no. 1 player, Natalie Frazier, is a local product, from Riverdale (and Marist). I’d love to hear more about her.

By Matthew At The SLC

April 16, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Hear, hear, reality check and Chip! Tell that idiot to screw off. And the funny thing is, he’s probably not even a Gaturd. We all know that the little Bugs like to come over here and pretend to be Gaturds because they have absolutely nothing to be proud of in their miserable lives, besides being a 12th level battlewizard in D&D, of course. So they come over here and pretend to be fans of a football team that matters (unfortunately FU does matter) from a conference that matters. I mean, they’re not getting any nannie, so, you know, when they’re not watching Manequin Skywalker stroke his lightsaber, they like to come over here and profess to be a bunch of mullet-headed, jean shorts-wearin’ rednecks. Which is of course, a big step up from Bug.

As far as hearing about Georgia sports, Chip, I’m down for all of it. And I believe all the True Dawgs are. True Dawgs, of course, are supporters of every Dawg team. Not to discount the wonderful support (and money) the football-only Dawgs throw the University’s way (some of them being considerably louder than the idiot wine and cheese alumni who take up so much prime real estate at Sanford Stadium), but they’re the ones who come on the blogs and b!tch and moan about anything that isn’t football related (and usually sound pretty dumb when they complain). But the True Dawgs, we want to hear about every one of our teams that do well, because we understand that life in sports extends beyond the gridiron. And it’s great to have teams with student-athletes (more studious than the majority of the football team, too) who win Championships, no matter the sport. True Dawgs are proud of all the Dawg teams. So keep it coming Chip.

And I’m with Altamaha, and I know many others like Buck are, too. You do your job well, and it really shines through in your work. We’re lucky to have one beat writer convering our beloved Dawg teams who cares about his job, who seems to enjoy his job, who treats us with respect, and who we get along with. Keep it up!

By ChiTown Dawg

April 16, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

Of course I’d like ot hear more about the other Dawg sports - I got a friend on the top ranked men’s double team and would like to hear about the gym dogs and their drive to win another title. CHIP - Can you get an interview with Coach Yoculan and her thoughts on the year and if the team is disappointed in their #2 ranking and can they beat UF? Thanks and great job as usual.

By ChiTown Dawg

April 16, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Of course I’d like ot hear more about the other Dawg sports - I got a friend on the top ranked men’s double team and would like to hear about the gym dogs and their drive to win another title. CHIP - Can you get an interview with Coach Yoculan and her thoughts on the year and if the team is disappointed in their #2 ranking and can they beat UF? Thanks and great job as usual.

By steve

April 16, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

Lemme go back and read the question again…(author mumbles question under his breath as his eyes scan back and forth on his computer screen)…ahem, I’m back. NO.

By tennis fan in Dyersburg

April 16, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

I would love to read more about the #1 ranked mens tennis team. Manuel Diaz is a class act and his players always do well in the classroom as well as being ferocious competitors. There are many great stories on this team. John Isner is 6’9 and has improved tremendously during his time at UGA. John is a great leader for this year’s team and is ranked #1 in both singles and doubles. Luis Manuel Flores was ranked #9 in the world as a junior. Luis is a tremendous talent and he and John form a dynamic doubles team. Travis Helgeson played #1 last year for Texas(a very good college team that made it all the way to the NCAA semis last year) and Travis was ranked in the top 10 in singles. After his sophomore year at Texas, Travis transferred to Georgia to get to practice with top notch players(Isner, Flores, Matic Omerzel) and to improve his game with the top notch coaching at UGA. Nate Schnugg should be in his senior year of high school…but he started at UGA in January and has been undefeated in dual matches playing primarily at #5 singles. Nate Schnugg also has two junior grand slam doubles titles to his credit. Nate and Jamie Hunt(who primarily plays #6 for UGA) won the US Open junior doubles title in September 2006 and Nate won the wimbledon junior doubles titles(with Texas recruit Kellen Damico) in July 2006.

These are world class talents that are playing college tennis for UGA. Jamie Hunt is very talented and absolutely clobbers the ball for someone who is 5’9 and 145 pounds.

The Dawgs bench strength is also incredible as Christian Vitulli was ranked in the top 30 in the world in juniors and he is #7 on this years team. Vitulli will be a strong contributor for another great UGA mens team in 2007-2008.

There will be 5,500 screaming dawg fans in the stands when the #1 dawgs are playing in the NCAA tourney.

Lots of great stories associated with Georgia men’s tennis.

Chip, thank you for wanting to cover all Dawg sports….

Georgia tennis has a great tradition of excellence and I sure do want to see the AJC spend more time covering UGA tennis….

By Buck Cochran in the NW

April 16, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

I’d like to know if the Dawgs have any tennis players playing in the big leagues? It’s be great to watch or keep up with someone fom Ga. playing the French Open, U.S> Open etc.

By Fort Worth Dawg

April 16, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

I’d love to see a daily summary section of all the UGA sports - bundle them all together under an umbrella heading (like “Daily UGA Sports”) and then list a one sentence to one paragraph summary under a bold heading described each sport with relevant news. E.g.:

Equestrian

UGA’s equestrian team captured its third consecutive Southern Equestrian title with a 12-6 victory over Auburn Saturday afternoon …

Women’s Tennis

UGA results

etc.

By AltamahaDawg

April 16, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Sounds like that Carolina game had all the makings for a run at the SEC crown.

By BurtDawg

April 16, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

I keep up with all of the spring sports, especially baseball. Is there any way to track our recruiting in baseball? Are we getting good players or whatever is left over? Last year was sure fun!!

By uga95

April 16, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

If a dawg team is performing well or has a big match or tournament coming up let us know so we can support them!!!!

By bigdawg

April 16, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

It was definitely disappointing to see the GT women’s tennis team get press coverage after winning the Indoor championship and getting a number one ranking, then when UGA beat GT to move into the #1 spot, there was nothing! Same thing with GT men’s golf. At the last tourney they were in the lead after day 1 and it made it to the paper, but when UGA came back and won the whole thing, there was nothing! Let’s get some coverage and a few quotes from players and coaches for winning these big events (especially when we beat the bugs at something!)even if it is only a paragraph!

By SamoanDawg

April 16, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

I keep up with all other UGA sports. I keep up with the base/softball teams in the spring. Even though we’re not doing well thus far, I still follow it. I love track/field… not much coverage on GA’s track team, indoor or outdoor, doesn’t matter. Does GA field a wrestling team? I heard we have a hockey/rugby team… prolly, intramural only, right? Anyway, keep up the good job, Chip man!

By cyrus

April 16, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

I’m very interested to see how the NCAA tennis championships go. In general, these college sports take a back seat to the big ones like football and basketball. So yes, this is May Madness for some of us.

By DiscGolf Dawg

April 16, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Since the subject of this article is “other sports” I felt I should post my first blog entry.

I am a UGA student and member of the UGA disc golf team. I am sure many of ya’ll haven’t heard of this sport, it is similar to golf we simply throw modified “frisbees” into baskets instead of using clubs and balls. The holes average out to roughly one third of standard golf. And the premium on etiquitte and rules remains the same. There is even a pro tour believe it or not, it is called the PDGA and is based in Augusta, GA. The heads of the PDGA have been struggling for about ten years to have there break out moment in making disc golf mainstream. So they decided to look into competitive college disc golf, which leads me into my point.

The first annual National Collegiate Disc Golf Tournament was held this weekend at the Hippodrome course in Augusta, GA (also home to the Worlds Tournament, a major tournament on the PDGA tour). The competition included the likes of UGA, Alabama, Clemson, South Carolina, Southern Cal etc. The tournament made headlines with local TV stations and newspapers.

Going into the final round on the final day we (the disc dawgs) were down by 19 strokes (throws) to Alabama. The conditions were terrible which played into our hands. Throwing a frisbee in 25mph winds with 40+ gusts is not fun. We got through and played safe golf. As for Bama it was hard to watch really, think of the infamous Greg Norman collapse at the Masters. Alabama dropped a total of 73 strokes in one round and we took home the trophy.

Go Dawgs National Champs again!

At this moment we are trying to get the hardware put in the Butts Mehere building. Can any of ya’ll help us with that? If not we will try the UGA golf building, Boyd I believe it is called.

By DiscGolf Dawg

April 16, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

A link to the Disc Golf National Championship website [http://www.ncdgu.com]

By Chip Towers

April 16, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

Bigdawg,

What you infer is totally untrue. We reported on the match in which Georgia women defeated Tech and we reported when they took over as No. 1. The story on Tech’s women was because they have not been real good for a long time and at the moment they are. Georgia’s women have won two national championships and are always good, thus less news value. However, we’re heading into the national championships, which will be hosted in Athens, So you’ll see more coverage in the near future… .

Likewise, We covered every round of the U.S. Collegiate Championships at the Golf Club of Georgia, including a lengthy piece on the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs winning it. If you don’t believe me, feel free to search our archives. All these insinuations of bias are unfounded.

By DiscGolf Dawg

April 16, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Rather… http://www.ncdgu.com

By GJJ

April 16, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

For the record, ALWAYS interested in following UGA in ALL sports….thanks for the coverage!

By Kris Hanna

April 17, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

I would certainly read your articles about the men’s tennis team. They do not receive the recogination they deserve.

This year we have the finest group of young men, with the best talent in the nation and lead by the most talented coaches, Manny Diaz and Will Glenn.

I have attended the US Open, other professional tournaments, the Davis cup, the NCAAs and college team matches. College play is more exciting than any other type of tennis! Especially when you have a fabulous team like the University of Georgia to cheer for!

Chip, please continue your coverage of college tennis for all to read.

By Harvey

April 17, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

How about the Gym Dogs?

By gdawginkalamazoo

April 17, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Chip, a brief paragraph with updates would be greatly appreciated. Living up North you wouldn’t know the SEC even existed unless you attended a school there. All Big Ten all the time up here with Notre Dame heavily sprinkled on top.

By DurhamNC_alum

April 17, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

YES! Write about ‘em!

By Brian

April 17, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

If nothing else, you should provide cover of the SEC tournaments in tennis, where we are the #1 seed in both Men’s and Women’s, and the NCAA’s which we are hosting this year. The GYM DAWGS are going for their third consecutive NCAA Championship next week and deserve substantial coverage. WE are hosting the NCAA’s in gymnastics next year and the SEC’s will be held at Gwinnett, so I would expect tremendous interest from your readers in 2008. The golf teams also deserve coverage, at least during the SEC and NCAA tournament time.

By J Laschinger

April 17, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

The more coverage the better. We should be proud of UGA’s accomplishments no matter what the sport.

By Guenter Horne

April 17, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

I’m always scouring the AJC for Bulldog Tennis news and rarely find any. We attend the matches when we can but with kids in high school, it’s hard to find time but we always enjoy coming out to the beautiful tennis complex on campus. I would love to read more about the tennis team and with the success they have had, it’s puzzling why there isn’t better coverage.

By Will

April 17, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Thanks Chip. The NCAAs in Athens is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year! They pack the house with 5000 plus screaming Dawg fans who have learned that tennis is not a reserved and quiet sport anymore. In the past three matches the atomosphere has been more a like a football game than a day at the old England tennis club. Fans are encouraged to get loud and provide that home court advantage that makes a huge difference. The men also have a 6 foot 10 inch senior Captain, John Isner, who can serve at 150 miles per hour! That rivals Andy Roddick!

By Steve Sloan

April 17, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

I would love to see more coverage on both the UGA tennis and golf programs. We are fortunate to have built two of the best programs in the country under the great leadership of Coach Diaz (filling the very large shoes of the legendary Dan Magill) and Coach Haack. Both teams academic records are as outstanding as their winning percentages and, in addition to allowing their fans to follow their successes, better coverage by the State’s largest newspaper would help recruit the student athlete we want at the University of Georgia.

By Robert Hunt

April 17, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

In my opinion there is no finer collegiate tennis program in the country than that of Georgia. Outstanding coaching, absolute top quality players and great facilities, which can be found at only a few top tier college programs. What truly sets Georgia apart from any other school is its fan support and an alumni network that is unmatched by any other university in the country.

My son Jamie was honored to be offered the opportunity to play for Georgia and Manny Diaz, and the fan and alumni support for the tennis team was an important factor in his decision to become a Bulldog.

AJC has done an admirable job of covering tennis and other spring sports. While football and basketball help provide the revenue to support other sports, and have tremendous fan support, tennis and other sports also have a sizable fan base that adds greatly to the overall university community. They deserve the opportunity to receive as much coverage as possible, especially when attendance at matches is not possible.

Georgia Tennis has earned its place at the top of the collegiate tennis world and deserves to be recognized with extensive coverage, win or lose. I urge the AJC to continue its tradition of, and even expand, coverage to include all spring sports.

By Gen Neyland

April 17, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

zoo

I recall my years spent in the Twin Cities. Nada, zilch, zero on the SEC in the Red Star Trib except for Sunday during football season. Then we got half a page recapping Saturday’s SEC battles…

By Chip Towers

April 17, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

You’re right, Will, and you’re comments remind me to share that about the NCAA Tennis championships.

Folks, that is one of my favorite of all sporting events to attend and/or cover. Georgia has a tennis facility like no other in the nation, which is why it has hosted the national championships so many times. This year, as the last couple, both the men’s and women’s matches are being held in the same venue. But here’s the general scene: People kicked back on a warm (or hot) May day, shorts, flip-flops and shades, as the best tennis players compete in TEAM tennis, which is the most exciting kind, with either three doubles matches or up to six singles matches all going on within view simultaneously from the Henry Feild Stadium grandstands. It’s a can’t-miss event, in my opinion, and, when the Dogs are playing, it’s as loud and boisterous as your best football or basketball games, at least at the completion of a winning point or prior to big point. Cool stuff. You’ve gotta to check it out if you’ve never been to one.

By Natalie

April 17, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Chip, I’d love to see more coverage of the best men’s tennis program in the country. If you’ve ever been to a tennis match at UGA, you know the energy and excitement created at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Like any true Georgia fan who gets chills down their spine when they hear the bugle on a sunny Saturday at Sanford Stadium, they can appreciate the same sort of tradition when the tennis dawgs hit the courts.

Georgia is known throughout the country for its quality championship tennis program - four national titles, 25 SEC titles, and two back to back National Indoor Titles and undefeated regular seasons (05-06 & 06-07), I think UGA Men’s Tennis is a program worthy of coverage, along with all sports at UGA - the bulldog nation I’m sure would agree. Thanks for your interest and GO DAWGS!

By Gene Russell

April 17, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

While I live in Nashville, I’d hope the AJC would increase coverage of UGA and SEC tennis. Top to bottom the best league in the country. Here in Nashville we’re lucky to get Vanderbilt match scores despite both men’s and women’s teams having advanced to the NCAA championship games in the past five years.

By Cuz

April 17, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Congrats to the disc golf team. How you won in that wind storm here in Augusta on Sunday is beyond me. It blew down a tree in my yard. Dang right put the trophy in the Butts Mehre building. There were many college teams represented. A true win by a gifted team.

Go DiscDawgs!!!!

By Chris Hughes

April 17, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

I have been searching the AJC for years for coverage of spring sports, particularly tennis and golf, but you guys virtually ignore it or maybe give it a tiny paragraph in the very back of the sports section. Of course, since I live in South Georgia I am no longer considered worth having as a reader, so I’m sure my opinion doesn’t matter.

By Cole and Margie Kelly

April 17, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Chip..Even though we can’t attend many of the spring events for tennis,baseball and golf, we certainly like keep up with the Bulldogs. We hope to see you at the Nationwide this week as well..Safe travels…Margie and Cole Kelly

By DaveDog

April 17, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

I love UGA tennis and love to read about our success somewhere in addition to Georgiadogs.com, although I’ve gotten a kick out of the live scoring there, especially from the NCAAs. We try to go over two or three times a year and to the NCAAs when they are in Athens. One problem with the crowds is that the matches are often scheduled at times that working people just can’t make it - Tuesdays at 3 p.m., a Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. (against Southern Cal), Fridays at 2 and 2:30 p.m., a Thursday at 4 p.m. I can knock up for a late Friday match or go over for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon but those other times just don’t work.

UGA tennis is first class. Dan Magill and Manny Diaz are a real source of pride.

By Lane4411

April 17, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Women’s tennis. Natalie Frazier, lost a number of matches toward the end of the year, was this injury related?

Also, football related, Georgia has 23 commitments, assuming everyone qualifies. How many scholarships are available my guess is 5 to 8. Based upon people leaving, transfers.. Somewhere before signing day Richt indicated 28 to 31. Reason for question, is hopefully a couple of non scholarship players(if deserving) should receive the full ride and the potential to sign another player- high school or JC.

By pcpup

April 17, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

I love the spring sports. NCAA tennis in Athens is quite an event.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

April 17, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Chip ,thanks for the update about SOS and his QB, Garcia. That’s not a spring sports story so I guess we jump to the recruiting blog to comment. Of course it’s impossible for me to attend any of the Spring sporting events sounds as if that would be fun but could there be an in depth look at the baseball team? Story or blog?

By Mike

April 17, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

I will definitely read it and you should definitely keep covering it. Go Dawgs

By Norman Holmes

April 17, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

This past weekend a group of tennis lettermen held a reunion in Athens.We saw as good a college dual match as will be seen this year[or any year!] when the #1 Dawgs played #4 Baylor.We were blown away by the quality of tennis!! I had only one question—why wasnt the place standing room only? The next morning I found my answer when I searched the paper for a write-up about the huge sweep of Baylor.For such a HUGE match there was so little info that I had to look twice before I found anything.That was the sorriest coverage of a top match that I have ever seen! That was an injustice for this #1 team in the country .If that was “new journalism” then I ask what journalism schools are teaching these days!

By Hugh

April 18, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

it’s spring, the weather is great, and the players have a “G” on them. what’s not to like about more news coverage of spring UGA sports, especially the tennis team.

By Ron Roberts

April 18, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Chip, speaking of baseball, I have to admit, after having lived in Louisiana the last five years, that college baseball gets nowhere near the coverage in Georgia as it does here. Notice how the LSU, Tulane and UL-Lafayette programs are consistently strong, too. Correlation? Maybe.

Seriously, though… what’s happened to the Diamond Dogs this year? After such a nice run by Perno’s Pups, this season wasn’t supposed to be such a let-down was it? I haven’t seen much coverage to give me any insight, so I’m wondering what’s been going on.

By dawgfacedboy

April 18, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

I would like to see a lot more coverage on the baseball team. Exposure can only help in recruiting. I think it’s cool that our tennis and golf and gymnastics is top notch but don’t really care about reading about it. RON- the baseball team is having a down year because they are a very young team. They’ll take their lumps this year and be stronger for it.

By T-Dawg

April 18, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Georgia tennis has a rich and storied past. Dan Magill is a UGA treasure and quite the UGA historian, and he is an excellent tennis player himself. I know he still actively competed in tennis tournaments himself a few years ago, and may still, and he is in his 80’s, I believe. One of my brothers was in school one year when the NCAA championships were held at UGA. It was the year John McEnroe defeated John Sadri of NC State in an epic 5-set match, with each set decided primarily by tie-breakers. Michael Pernfors was a magician with a racket while at UGA. He literally toyed with his opponents, and he won the NCAAs twice, I believe. He had some pretty good success as a pro but never won a major. I have not been to see a match in a long time, but UGA tennis matches use to be a blast. The visiting team would be so verbally harassed they would not know which end of the racket to use by the time match was complete. Of course, much of this activity was “fueled”, and that particular fuel is no longer politically correct in the manner it once was. Keep up the great work on all fronts, Chip!

By R. Kaliher

April 18, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

    As the Vero Beach,FL, GA DAWGS, and there are quite a few, are almost completely suffocated by Gator and Seminole boasting, it's nice to have some bragging rights, since the Treasure Coast is populated by numerous tennis and golf fans and participants. VB DAWG SUPPORTER

By JO

April 18, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Absolutely we will read the coverage. Some of the best teams at UGA have always been the tennis and gymnastics teams. It’s a shame that they don’t receive the coverage that the football and basketball teams receive. The UGA Men’s tennis team and the UGA gymnastics teams are almost always ranked in the top 5 in the country, consistently year after year. Thank goodness for the GeorgiaDogs.com website as it is the only source I have for keeping up with the tennis and gymnastics teams. It is a misconception that these teams don’t draw crowds. One of the reasons that the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament is held in Athens so frequently is because of the large crowds it draws. A few years ago it was almost decided that it would be permanently held in Athens due to the size of the crowds. UGA tennis has a great deal of support. Coach Magill and Coach Diaz have done a wonderful job building a top-notch tennis program and run the NCAA tournament so well when it’s held in Athens. They both deserve recognition for doing so. Coach Magill is now 85+ and is still actively playing tennis and is the curator of the ITA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame, which is located at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. He has done as much if not more than Vince Dooley for UGA during his years there that he has earned the nickname, “The Legend”, for all he has done for the University. It is worth driving over to Athens just to meet him to hear his historical recollections of UGA sports or to hear him cheering for the tennis players from the same box behind court #1 that he has sat in and watched tennis matches from since his retirement as the UGA Men’s Tennis coach. Manny Diaz is also a class act and serves as a great role model for his young players. It is great to watch the rapport he builds with his teams year after year. The Gym Dogs sometimes draw crowds of up to 10,000 people. Give these guys and girls the coverage they deserve!

By kyle

April 18, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

College tennis, while entertaining, is largely irrelevant because it lacks the talent levels. Very few of the top tennis players in the world ever play college tennis, as a pro career really needs to already be started by the time a kid is 18. Golf is different, as most top golfers do play at the college level (Woods/Stanford, Mick/Arizona, Duval/Tech, etc.) But they often do not reach their primes until well after their college years, so the level of competion is not that great.

By yankeedawg

April 18, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Just wondering why Georgia doesn’t have a mens gymnastic team. With the great sucess the girls have.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

April 18, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

nOTICE THAT A COUPLE OF OTHERS ARE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEN TO THE BB TEAM. iS PERNO ON THE HOT SEAT?

By Lynn

April 18, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Chip, Thanks for your kind words about UGA Men’s Tennis…clearly, you appreciate the tradition and high quality of the program started by the legendary Coach, Dan Magill which continues today with Coach Manuel Diaz.

The standard of excellence created and maintained over the years is definitely worthy of media coverage. I know that during the many years the NCAA tournament was held annually in Athens, the coaches, participating players and fans enjoyed the newspaper coverage…Coach Magill started a tradition of clipping the articles and posting them in the tunnel under the grandstand of the Henry Feild Stadium…anyone who has attended can’t help but notice the attraction of folks stopping to read and reminisce about past players and matches that were held in Athens. The coverage in years past was wonderful and we were able to fill all of the display cases with wonderful photographs and stories. This was definitely part of the hospitality extended by the communtity which welcomed everyone to Georgia. Over the past few years, the coverage has dwindled to the extent that it would be embarrassing to try to fill a display case with what has been written about tennis. Please cover this NCAA tournament so that our visitors will see that we are proud to be hosting this great event and we are happy to have them in Athens.

I want to mention, and hopefully there will be some notice about this later, we will be inducting two great Bulldog tennis players into the ITA National Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame this year, during the NCAA tournament…Allen Miller and Al Parker. I know that people will be interested to hear the details of this great honor.

In closing, I would like to let everyone know, that if you want to come to the combined, men’s and women’s NCAA tournament in Athens, May 17-28, you might want to get your tickets in advance. With the #1 men’s team and the #4 ranked women’s team, there is a good chance that both will advance deep into the tournament. I would hate for someone to just walk up on the day of the tournament and not be able to get a ticket because they are sold out…there is a real chance of that happening…don’t be left out!!!

By T-Dawg

April 18, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

To anyone except one who has played at the college or professional level and has the experience to see the difference, the difference between the skill level of the top college tennis players and the pros is indistinguishable.

By gator the dog catcher

April 18, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Anyone ever check the gymnastics rankings? #1 is Florida, #2 is UGAY. I feel like this is an episode of Seinfeld something. Costanza always thinks he’s on top and then Loyd Braun always tops him in everything. “Serinity Now!!!”

By BigNCDAWG

April 18, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Great Blog

Thanks for paying attention to all the DAWG sports. They deserve it.

By BigNCDAWG

April 18, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Chip you do a great job with the blog.

I grew up with Dan McGill’s son and was a good friend of Herny Fields. Ga. tennis and golf has been played at a high level since the forties. I read every article the Journal puts out about my beloved DAWGS.

I live about 220 miles away from Athens now, and I thrist for imformation.

The golf and tennis teams are always ranked in the top 5 or 10. If I lived closer to Athens, and I had the time, I would attend as many of the sports events as possible. I attended the golf national championship a few years ago when it was played at Duke. The DAWGS finished 5th in the tournament.

The athletic department’s web site has been about the only place in the past you could get imfo. on the other sports. Please keep us posted on golf, tennis, gymnastics, baseball, etc..

By Damon

April 18, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Watching a local atlanta young man(Dr. Joey Pitts) win the deciding match in the team finals in 1999 to give Manuel Diaz his first national title…is still one of the great sports highlights that I have ever witnessed.

Georgia mens tennis is very exciting to follow as you have 6 great matches going on at the same time.

Mr. Towers, thank you for bringing up this important topic. Manuel Diaz and Will Glenn work as hard or harder than any other Georgia coaches. I will read everything that your paper writes on Georgia mens tennis.

By AltamahaDawg

April 18, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

well if being ranked higher by a hundreth of a percentage for the first time ever, and never really even been close before, is “always”, then I guess so….

By Lake Wales Dawg

April 19, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Norman Holmes: Did you attend FAA?

By pugam

April 20, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Thanks Chip for keeping us up to date on the (other) spring sports in Athens. A lot of us are out and about during this time of year and it’s hard to get up to Athens as a fan. But we remain very interested and always are checking out how the “Gym Dogs”, tennis, golf and swim teams are doing! Keep up the good work.

By Jo Cochran

April 20, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I would be interested in reading your reports regarding the mens’ and womens’tennis programs. I have followed and supported both programs since about 1975. Our local paper in Athens doesn’t even do justice to the success of these great programs. Last year when the NCAA tennis tournament was held at Stanford the first mention of the mens tennis team was not until about the fourth round of team play and the GA. men were the top ranked team in the country with the number #1 player in the country in John Isner. Also, in Dan Magill we have one of the most heralded coaches in the country not to mention one of the most knowledgeble authorities on tennis. Manuel Diaz is now making his own mark in Georgia tennis history.

By Lane4411

April 21, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this

Women’s tennis team are in the SEC semi’s not one word in the AJC. Georgiadogs.com provided the coverage-OH WELL!!

By Al Green

April 21, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

Georgia women vs. Florida women in the SEC tennis finals tomorrow

Georgia men vs. Ole Miss in SEC tennis finals tomorrow…

Hopefully, the AJC can give these great teams some coverage.

John Isner is a great player…and Nate Schnugg has had a tremendous freshman year

By Kent

April 22, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to the mens and womens tennis team for winning the SEC conference tennis tournaments this weekend.

The #1 men defeated #8 Ole Miss 4-0 and the women defeated an outstanding Florida team 4-2.

Both the men and women have a very good shot at winning a national championship in Athens. The team competition will be from Thursday May 17 thru Tuesday May 22.

Come out to Athens and support these 2 great tennis teams.

By Lane4411

April 23, 2007 4:52 AM | Link to this

Great coverage Kent, far superior to the AJC. Women are achieving at a very high level, currently #4, ranked 24th to begin the year. Men’s team is exactly where they should be with the superior talent.

Apparently, the usual cast of characters are on the couch, eating Q and drinking beer.

By Robert Hunt

April 23, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Chip-

The #1 ranked Georgia Men’s Tennis Team won it’s second consecutive SEC Tournament Championship yesterday in Baton Rouge, shutting out Ole Miss 4-0 in a match that was more competitive than the score indicated. They also have won back-to-back regular season SEC Championships. However, I don’t see any mention of this very significant achievement in AJC sports today! Can’t the AJC do better than this for the best men’s tennis program in the country?

By Lane4411

April 23, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Robert Hunt, you are expecting much too much!!!

By Robert Hunt

April 24, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Chip-

Good article this morning on golf and tennis. I know the players and coaches appreciate the coverage.