UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 27
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Van Halanger envisioned ‘07 success
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday I asked the rhetorical question, “who among you saw this coming?,” in regard to Georgia’s No. 4 ranking and BCS championship possibilities. Later it occurred to me someone who did and he said as much in this space.
That someone was the Bulldogs’ strength and conditioning director Dave Van Halanger and he said it way back in early July.
I went back into our archives just to make sure. No, he didn’t say Georgia would finish 10-2 and ranked No. 4 in the BCS. But he said this particular group of players had the two most important traits a team has to have to become a champion — “chemistry and morale.”
This is what Van Halanger said on July 2: “Nowadays everybody has good players and everybody lifts weights, runs and conditions year round. The difference is how the players truly feel about each other. They have to love each other and care about each other. Look around at these guys; look how hard they work. You see anybody complaining? Heck no. They’re having fun; they’re enjoying each other. That’s what’s gonna make them special.”
Van Halanger went on to say that even though they were young he thought the Dogs could win the SEC championship and, therefore, could possibly compete for the national championship.
As we all know, Georgia did not get the opportunity to play for the SEC championship. But it is SEC East co-champion and, more importantly, is the highest-ranked conference team at the end of the season with an opportunity to play in the biggest bowl game.
So I had to call Coach Van yesterday and remind him of our midsummer’s conversation.
“I remember,” he said excitedly. “I saw it then and I see it now. These are good kids and they’re talented football players but the most important thing is they really care about each other and they play for each other. That’s why I said they were special. And they are.”
As for being able to identify Georgia’s capabilities way back in mid-summer, Van Halanger laughed. “You’ve got to remember I know what a championship team looks like. We were a top-five team like 14 years in a row at Florida State (1987-2000). I think we have something similar going on here at Georgia.”
There are indications that may be happening. The Bulldogs have won 71 games in seven seasons — or 10 per season — under coach Mark Richt and his staff. Georgia has won more SEC games than any other team the last six seasons (Georgia 63-15; LSU 62-15) and the last 11 seasons (Georgia 106-32; Florida 103-35; Tennessee 103-35). Meanwhile, half of the 83 players that have seen action this season are freshmen or sophomores, including 6 true and 19 redshirt freshmen. Lest we forget, they also redshirted 14 freshmen this season.
Georgia might have the toughest schedule in the nation next season but they’ll also begin the year ranked in the Top 5 and therefore will be in position to compete for the national championship again. And thanks to this year’s youth, ‘09 looks pretty good, too.
“We’re about to get it rolling, Chip,” Van Halanger said, his grin evident even over the phone.
Who among us could doubt him?
