The Junkyard Blawg has moved!
Along with the other ajc.com blogs, the Junkyard Blawg has moved over to WordPress, where the blogging and commenting experience promises to be better. Join us over at the new WordPress version of the Junkyard Blawg by clicking on the link below.
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRemembering the Bullpups!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Strong legs will run that weak legs may walk.”
For six decades, that slogan, reputed to have been coined by The Atlanta Constitution’s legendary Ralph McGill, summed up the annual Thanksgiving Day meeting between the freshman Bullpups and Baby Jackets to benefit Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.
Back in the days before freshmen were eligible to play on the varsity, this game held every year at Grant Field was a really big deal, drawing national attention. In its heyday, it regularly drew crowds of 40,000 people willing to postpone Thanksgiving dinner in order to preview the stars of tomorrow. (More than a few probably spoiled their appetites with a post-game visit to the Varsity.) The game was even broadcast on the radio!
UGA’s first Heisman Trophy winner, Frank Sinkwich, who ran for more than 200 yards in the 1939 Scottish Rite Classic, once said that the freshman game he played at Grant Field was a greater thrill for him than playing in the Rose Bowl for the varsity. That ’39 team was such a high-powered outfit they were dubbed the “Point-a-Minute Bullpups.”
After Vince Dooley introduced the red helmets with the “G” on the side, the tradition was that the Bullpups played their earlier games in plain red helmets, only getting the “G” for the special Thanksgiving Day game.
I only went once, but I remember it well. It was the 1966 game and our Sunday school class came over from Athens because former AHS Trojans star Paul Gilbert was quarterbacking the Bullpups. After we took our seats in Grant Field, we loudly started comparing the venue with newly renovated and expanded Sanford Stadium, and the Jackets fans above us pelted us with popcorn boxes. Hey, when you’re 14 years old, that’s big-time fun!
Athens folks also were very excited about the Bullpups my freshman year of 1970 because another AHS hero, Andy Johnson, was battling Don Golden of Valdosta for the Pups’ QB job. I remember the freshman games earlier in the season that year drew larger crowds than the normal few hundred to Sanford because Athens businessmen were closing up shop early to go watch Andy play.
Back then, the Thanksgiving classic was a major media event, and a few days before the game the players would visit the kids at the hospital, which always made a big impression on both the athletes and the patients. The Shriners, who were involved in fund-raising for the hospital, entertained at halftime of the game. In years when the varsity teams played on Thanksgiving Day, the Bullpups and Baby Jackets usually met the Saturday before the holiday.
After the rule change in 1972 allowed frosh to play on the varsity, the annual Bullpups-Baby Jackets match lost much of its luster, and it became a junior varsity game in 1974.
After becoming a JV team, the Bullpups generally played only two to four games a season, mostly against junior colleges like Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Tennessee Military Institute and Georgia Military College (aside from the annual meeting with the Baby Jackets).
Those JV teams featured some scholarship players, but they were mostly made up of bench-warmers and walk-ons. Some years in the late ’80s the Jackets didn’t have enough players to field a team and had to enlist volunteers from the student body to fill out their roster.
From 1933 to 1993, the Bullpups-Baby Jackets game raised $6 million for Scottish Rite. Because it was a charity affair, even in later years as many as 50,000 tickets would be sold — even though only about 8,000 to 10,000 fans actually bothered to show up for the game once it was no longer an all-freshman showcase.
Georgia won the first game played in 1933 and the last two games played in ’92 and ’93. The score of that last game was 21-14 with QB Brian Smith leading the Pups before a crowd of 10,142. After that, the game was killed by the two schools because of NCAA scholarship limitations. The overall record in the Scottish Rite Classic was 28 wins for the Bullpups, 30 for the Baby Jackets and one tie. No games were played in 1943-44.
Interestingly, the Governor’s Cup went to the winner of the Scottish Rite game. That trophy was retired in a “legends” alumni game in 1994, the year after the last Bullpups-Baby Jackets meeting, and a new Governor’s Cup was introduced to designate the winner of the varsity game starting in 1995. The NCAA officially designated the varsity game as a “special event,” allowing Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center (now part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) to present the cup to the winner and give commemorative gifts to the players.
I miss the Bullpups. Considering how many incoming freshmen are redshirted anyway these days, it’s a shame that the JV game and all it did for the children’s hospital couldn’t have continued in some form, even if it was strictly the redshirts and scout team players participating.
I think they’d get something more valuable than just playing time from the experience.
(Special thanks to Mark, Tim, Carl, Dan and Joel for reminiscing with me about the Bullpups.)
Services »
Comments
By luda
November 19, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
I’ve never been first before! Thank you!
By luda
November 19, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this
What is a Tech fan’s favorite comeback?
Yea, well..we usually beat yall at basketball!
By jrmdvm1
November 19, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
It was a great tradition that sadly has been lost. Thanks for making me remember it.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 20, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
This Sat. we’ll all be able to watch a true freshman who has had to fight with a lot of heart to git up and go again, time after time. I remember the Freshman teams but today, I like seeing the freshman play during the regular season. That’s going to happen more and more as we see coaches figure out where a freshman can be used. This Sat., for the Dawgs to win it’s going to take a true freshman playing an outstanding game gor the DAWGS to win. I like it.
By the ACC is OURZ
November 20, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this
Bill, Nice article. Being a young tech fan I feel that I am very knowledgable in both UGA and TECH’s history, but this is some pretty cool stuff that I didn’t know. Where is tradition going? I went to the Duke game this weekend with my parents. We stopped at the Varsity before the game and I overheard to elderly gentlemen talking about how football used to be and how it has changed so much recently. It is actually a little sad that traditions are abollished. TO HELL WITH GEORGIA, but here’s hoping for a good clean game.
By Ryan
November 20, 2006 01:05 AM | Link to this
We are about to see a Bullpup freshman tear apart the best Jacket team in 16 years. How is that for nostalgia. To absolute hell with the NATS!
By alabamadawg
November 20, 2006 05:21 AM | Link to this
I remember those games as well, since I spent alot of time as a patient at Scottish Rite. I do wish they still played the game. I believe the teams playing in the Chick-fil-la go by to visit the children now.
By Terry
November 20, 2006 05:31 AM | Link to this
Bullpups????
Have you farmers not yet figured out that your mascot is just an ugly white pig in disguise?
By Mark Kelly
November 20, 2006 07:07 AM | Link to this
It’s a shame that this game is not played anymore. I agree that the redshirt freshmen and backup players could be put together as a team for a game that is not only nostalgic for fans, but very meaningful to the kids in the hospital.
My son was stricken with leukemia in the late 1990s, and he always got a lift whenever various athletes came to Egleston to visit. I know the players and coaches were also moved by the strength and determination of the children.
The teams participating in the Peach Bowl and the SEC championship game often visit what is now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, but it simply isn’t the same as having guys from UGA and Tech. Maybe as part of the series, the coaches could coordinate visits the week of the game. I know their schedules are tight, but it truly makes a difference to the kids in the hospital.
By BIGNCDAWG
November 20, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this
It was a game that I attended many times while at Athens High in the 50’s and 60’s. My most memorial one was the game that Tarkenton’s team soundly defeated the insects.
By GW
November 20, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this
Are we going to chant “Wake Forest” or “BC” Saturday? Techies have been chanting “LSU” the last few years.?????????? I saw the Thanksgiving JV game in 1976. It was a very interesting preview.
By PerfectDawg
November 20, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Carter Strickland is a homer. He article in the AJC is the most Georgia Gnat biased column I have ever read. Hey Carter! When Matt puts 100 yards rushing and 200 or better in the air on Tech….Talk about their blitzes some more! Their is now way to all out blitz with 7 or 8 and play zone at the same time homer! You would get beat deep all day long! Learn some football before you open your trap!
By SamoanDawg
November 20, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Very interesting article Bill. Too bad the tradition has faded away. I would love for it to come back though. I’m one of the newest Bullpup fans since 1994 and I love to read about American histroy and especially the Georgia football traditions and college football classic in general.
I grew up playing rugby in the south pacific islands and I didn’t care much about gridiron. I used to think it was a sissy game b/c of all the equipments they wear. Back in the late 80’s, my high school coach in California asked me to try out. It was the best decision ever. It’s in my blood now. Moved to Georgia in the early 90’s and fell in love with a Georgia girl and of course, Georgia Bulldogs.
I’m very fascinated by the Georgia traditions and the whole college football history as well.
I’m heading to work to talk some trash with my GT buddies. It should be a fun week to kick Tech’s A$$$$.
Sic’em Dawgs!
By 1992Dawg
November 20, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
My Dad took me to one of the Thanksgiving Games when I was about 12 years old. I include that in the list of reasons why I went to UGA. My Dad was a farmer’s son and was an electronics repairman; worked hard all his life. Loved the Dawgs as much as anyone can, even though he went to some tech school in Texas. As a young child he used to make me sit with him and listen to Larry with the sound turned down on the TV; (so I’ve pretty much been listening to Larry my whole life). He passed when I was 15 but I know he was proud the day I got my acceptance letter to Georgia and the day I got my Diploma. Thanks for the good memories, Bill.
By Ramble ON!
November 20, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
After Georgia coach Mark Richt passes away and enters the Pearly Gates, God takes him on a tour. He shows Mark a little 2-bedroom house with a faded Bulldogs banner hanging from the front porch. “This is your home, Coach. Most people don’t get their own house up here,” God explains.
Mark looks at the house, then turns around and looks at the one sitting on the top of the hill. It’s a huge 2-story mansion with white marble columns and little patios under all of the windows. Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket flags line both sides of the sidewalk with a huge white and gold jackets banner hanging between the marble columns. “Thanks for the home, God, but let me ask you a question. How come I get this little 2-bedroom house with a faded UGA banner, and Chan Gailey gets a mansion with new GT banners and flags flying all over the place, Why is that?”
God looks at him seriously for a moment and then replies, “That’s not Chan Gailey’s house, that’s mine.”
THWG!
GO JACKETS!
By Dan
November 20, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
I remember these games well. My dad played in the Shriner Oriental Band at half-time each year and we were expected to delay Thanksgiving dinner until after the game. Since I grew up at Grant Field it gave me my first real glimpse at UGA.I went on to study at UGA on scholarship and now bleed “red and black”. Thanks for the memories..and “TO HELL WITH TECH”!!!!
By Hill Pope
November 20, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
Playing in front of 30,000 people as a walk on in 1974 was a thrill of a life time, but visiting with those kids was an experience I’ll always cherish. If you are ever offered an opportunity to donate to this worthy cause, please do so, those kids still need us. GOD BLESS and GO DAWGS
By rambleonisadouche!
November 20, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
Ramble On,That joke would be funny if it had any merit.Why would God, the most intelligent being, ever want to pull for a bunch of losers like the jackets? Keep dreaming NERD!
By George P
November 20, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
This is yet another symptom of what is wrong with college athletics. Its win at any cost for the coaching staff, boosters and administration, and its do anything get on a diluted pro roster for recruits coming out of high school. Its probably against NCAA rules for the redshirts to even play in a game like this.
By Ramble ON!
November 20, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
rambleonisadouche!, that one went way over your head, sorry.
By NorCal Dawg
November 20, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
Ramble ON,
I’m a Georgia fan but that was a pretty good joke. I’m sure it’s an old one, but I’ve never heard it. Good stuff.
Much better than the same old “UGA fans are rednecks” crap.
These blogs need some original trashtalking. Nice job.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 20, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Ramble On, that was funny and we DO NEED more fun things like that posted. We do want you people to know that NO ROADBLOCKS HAVE BEEN PUT UP SO COME OM OVER sAT. DAWGS WILL BE THERE AWAITING!!!!!
By Bulldog Rick
November 20, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
I remember listening every to the freshmen game on Thanksgiving Day at my grandparents house, knowing that these were going to be the new recruits on the varsity the next season. I think you would find that anytime one of the freshmen teams won two or three years in a row, the varsity team would have some success the following couple of years. It was a sad day when they made freshmen eligible for varsity games, thereby eliminating freshmen teams.
By matt in ashburn
November 20, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
Beat UF. For the love of god, just beat UF.
By matt in ashburn
November 20, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
Nerds shouldnt try to be funny…or play football.
By Bulldog Bry
November 20, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this
My first freshman game was the reason I became a Dawg fan. My family went to the game, and they were all Tech fans. I had never been to a football game before, and wasn’t much of a fan. As the game started I asked who the “red guys” were (hey, I was about six), and Dad told me the Bulldogs. I proclaimed that I liked their uniforms better and have been a Bulldog ever since.
By Big Dawg
November 20, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
Nice article Bill, it brought back memories of my freshman year and beating the Baby Jackets. It also reminded me of the children at the Scottish Rite Hospital and is part of the reason I am a Mason and Shriner today. Thanks for the memories.
By Lee
November 20, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Good write up about the rivalry in today’s AJC by Bill Sanders. Talking about a story from the ’60s in which Tech/Ga fans debating about who had the tougher schedule (sound familiar). They analyzed each game and came up pretty even when the Ga fan admits that Tech had the harder schedule because they had to play Ga.
LOL, that’s good stuff, I don’t care who you pull for.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 20, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this
Reptile game is much more important in the overall scheme of things but the “bug” game has a lot of emotion that comes with it and in this season where we need to finish on a high note plus beat a Division Champ of that League of the Little Sisters.
By Howl & Woof
November 20, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Atlanta, the son of a Tech man who was the son of a Dawg. We went to the Shriner game EVERY Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful tradition. The Shriners would parade around the track like Arabian warriors, clowns and regular ol’ damn shriners…It was great.
Back then, folks dressed up for ballgames…I’m talkin’ ties! It is a by-gone tradition. We will never see it again and that is what makes it such a special memory.
BTW, I am a Dawg alumnus with a son a year away from graduating from UGA. GO DAWGS, and may God bless my dearly departed Yellow Jacket Dad. I will always miss him and remember my times with him at Grant Field fondly.
By Cuz
November 20, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this
Bill I have given you a hard time on the last few blogs, but this one shows what it means to be a fan. You hit it dead center. The Bullpup-Baby Jacket game was still a big thing when I went to Athens in 78. The players said they got more out of visiting the kids than they ever got on the field. Sad this awesome tradition has passed by the wayside. As a father of a disabled daughter, thanks for the memories Bill.
By War Eagle
November 20, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this
Great article Carter, my favorite time of the year growing up in early fifties was Thanksgiving Day when I got the ajc on the front porch and read Furman Bisher annual column “I am thankful For…, it bought tears to my eyes. later in the AM, my family would leave for Grant field for the annual Turkey Day Freshman game. There would be 40, ooo plus fsns to watch players from UGA and Tech play who had not been out of high school for a full year…I remember the peanut smell, clowns, Scottish Rite programs and the joy of all the people. A return trip home after the game for Tom Turkey..Those were the days.
By GT04
November 21, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this
I wish something like this was still around, because all of the bitterness and pure stupidity being tossed back and forth between UGA and GT fans right now is obnoxious and classless. Let’s remember WHY this game is such a big deal and enjoy it as such!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 21, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
It’s a nice walk down the “Lane”but, now I’m getting reved up for Sat. afternoon. BTW, I wore those silly ties then but back to today. Was it just me? I thought Carter’s blog implied that Matthew couldn’t handle the Tech blitz. Did anyone else get that feeling. This Sat. we have a “Bull Pup” playing in a much bigger ball game than in the past. Why does USC have such outstanding recruits every year? Because Pete Carroll tells ALL of his kids that they will be on the field in their freshman year. He doesn’t believe in the red shirt yr. and neither do I. Mark my words, we’ll see less and less of the red shirt yr. This Sat., for the Dawgs to win the entire team has to shoulder their part of the load,but, to win the true freshman will have to lead the team to a win. Go Georgia, Go DAWGS and go Matthew STafford!!!!!
By Jim Pyle
November 27, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this
I had the privilege of being one of the Georgia Bullpups equipment managers from 1950-53, and certainly enjoyed the Scottish Rites games at Grant Field. Visits to the hospital were really emotional times for everybody, just seeing all those small children in the physical conditions they were in, being cared for by true professionals, with the finest treatments available, with the love and tenderness so necessary for the children. I don’t think anyone whoever visted the hospital will ever forget that experience. Those were great games for the UGA and Ga Tech players, and also for the revenue the game brought to such a worthy cause. Shame it all had to end.