Hamilton to enter Tech Hall of Fame

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Joe Hamilton, the most successful quarterback in school history, headlines the 2009 Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame class, announced Wednesday.

Hamilton led the Yellow Jackets to a share of the 1998 ACC title and finished as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting in ’99. His teams won 30 games and played in four bowl games.

He will be joined by football All-American Craig Page, Olympic hurdler Angelo Taylor, baseball All-Americans J.J. Thomas and Kris Wilson, and student trainer Clay Farr. The group will be inducted Nov. 6 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $50, and the phone number to call for tickets is 404-894-6124. They also will also be honored Nov. 7 during the game against Wake Forest.

“It’s an honor,” Hamilton said. “You don’t necessarily play the game for accolades and trophies. You play the game because you love it. I’m very excited. You talk about Georgia Tech, you talk John Heisman. You talk history ... Bobby Dodd. It’s just Tech and what it means to me and the love I have for it. I’m honored to be in the hall.”

Hamilton was hired by Georgia Tech in April 2008 to assist with player development, but had to resign two weeks later after he was arrested on charges of drunk driving, hit-and-run, marijuana possession and open container. The case is still pending. Hamilton said this honor helps to erase some of the disappointment he felt in how he let Tech down.

“It feels good because the Hall of Fame is how you act, you play the game and do it the right way,” Hamilton said. “Tech knows I have honor and integrity. I’ve bounced back from that. It helps to have your name mentioned positively after that incident.”

Page, a center, paired with Hamilton to begin Tech’s string of 12 consecutive bowl games. Taylor, a sprinter and hurdler, has won three Olympic gold medals, as well as three golds at the World Championships. He earned All-ACC honors at Tech seven times, as well as national championships in the 4x400 relay and intermediate hurdles in 1998.

Thomas and Wilson led Tech to the NCAA tournament in each of their three seasons (1995-97), combining to win 124 games. Thomas is tied with Jason Varitek for the most homers in school history (56). Wilson is 10th in school history with 270 strikeouts.