The Georgia Tech athletics community mourned the loss Tuesday of a constant and welcomed presence on Yellow Jackets football and men’s basketball sidelines for the past half-century, as Aaron King’s death was announced by the athletic department. He was 88.
King began serving as the official dentist for Tech athletics in 1965, which was five years after he began his relationship with the school. He first began molding mouthpieces for football players in 1960, reportedly starting with Jackets great Bill Curry. He went on to make mouth guards for thousands of Tech football players, asking only to be compensated for materials. He was inducted into Tech’s sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
King was around both teams on a constant basis, attending games and practices and traveling to road games. He continued his private dental practice, serving many members of the Tech athletic department, until his death. Tech great Mark Price was among those mourning his loss on social media, calling him a mentor and “one of my dearest & closest friends.”
"For more than five decades, Dr. King was a fixture at Georgia Tech games and practices and one of the biggest supporters of our student-athletes, on and off the field," Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury said in a statement. "Our entire Georgia Tech athletics family – current and former student-athletes, coaches and staff – mourns the loss of this phenomenal man. We will forever be indebted to Dr. King for the care that he provided to our student-athletes and, for many former student-athletes, continuing to care for us well after our playing days on The Flats were over."
Funeral arrangement had not been finalized as of Tuesday.
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