About the Touchdown Club of Athens
A Tradition Rooted in Georgia Football
The Touchdown Club of Athens is a prominent sports club located in Athens, Georgia. Founded in 1946, the club has a rich history of supporting and celebrating Georgia football. The club hosts various events, including meetings, dinners, and galas, where members can interact with Georgia football players, coaches, and celebrity guests.
Members of the Touchdown Club of Athens are invited to attend six fall evening meetings and one spring meeting each year. These meetings feature guest speakers and flashback players, providing an opportunity for fellowship and networking among fellow Bulldawg fans.
The club also organizes special events, such as the Touchdown Club Gala, which includes a VIP cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, and an outstanding program. The club's activities are not limited to football season; they also host spring meetings and other events throughout the year.
The club's commitment to supporting Georgia football and fostering a sense of community among its members is evident in its various initiatives and events.
2025 Officers
President Mike Compton
1st Vice President Jeff Sherman
2nd Vice President Steven Haugabook
Executive Secretary Mason McWhorter
Treasurer Andy Sorrells
Chaplain Rev. Jerry Varnado
Historian David Rogers
Ex-Officio Hal Jackson
Board of Directors
Gary Armour, Skip Balcomb, Matt Brinkley, Walter Brooks, Lenn Chandler, Jack Davis, Tom Dean, Dan DeLamater, Eric Eberhardt, Travis Garnto, Dutch Guest, Jud Guest, Mack Guest, Jack Halper, Jimbo LaBoon, David Lefkowitz, Ryan Leonard, Rob Matthew, Sam McElreath, Steve Middlebrooks, Randy Pearson, Bobby Poss, Kevin Price, Arthur Steedman
Our History
Founded in 1946, the Touchdown Club of Athens has become a cornerstone of Georgia football culture. For nearly eight decades, the club has brought together fans, alumni, and community leaders who share a deep love for the game. What started as a small group of dedicated supporters has grown into a proud and active membership rooted in tradition and loyalty.
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Past Speakers
Over the years, the club has hosted an impressive lineup of speakers, including:
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Alberts, Trev – Nebraska
Alverez, Barry – Wisconsin
Andros, Dee – Oregon St.
Barnhart, Tony – AJC/Georgia
Beamer, Frank – Virginia Tech
Berry, Raymond – SMU/NFL HOF
Bettis, Jerome – Notre Dame/Steelers
Bisher, Furman – Atlanta Journal
Blackledge, Todd – Penn St.
Bowden, Bobby – FSU
Bowden, Tommy – Clemson
Bradley, Mark – AJC
Brandt, Gil – Dallas Cowboys
Brewer, Billy – Ole Miss
Brodie, John – San Francisco 49ers
Brooks, Rich – Kentucky
Butler, Kevin – Georgia
Carr, Lloyd – Michigan
Chizik, Gene – Auburn
Colley, Wes – BCS Cubelic, Cole - Auburn, SEC Network
Cutcliffe, David – Ole Miss/Duke
Davis, Terrell – Georgia
Davis, Thomas – Georgia
Dimitroff, Thomas – Atlanta Falcons
Donnan, Jim – Georgia
Dooley, Vince – Georgia
Dye, Pat – Georgia/Auburn
Dye, Pat Jr. – Sports Agent
Edmonson, Rex – Jacksonville Journal
Edwards, Lavell – BYU
Ford, Danny – Clemson
Fralic, Bill – Atlanta Falcons
Gailey, Chan – Georgia Tech
Garrison, Walt – Dallas Cowboys
Gibbs, Alex – Denver Broncos
Goff, Ray – Georgia
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Greene, David – Georgia
Grizzard, Lewis – AJC
Hancock, Bill – BCS
Harbaugh, Jack – Western Michigan University
Harper, Jimmy – Georgia
Hart, Tom – SEC Network
Hartman, Bill – Georgia
Henning, Dan – Atlanta Falcons
Hodgson, Pat – Georgia
Holtz, Lou – Notre Dame
Hornung, Paul – Notre Dame, Green Bay Packers HOF
Howard, Frank – Clemson
Howell, Max – Ole Miss, FSU
Huff, Sam – West Virginia
Johnson, Bobby – Vanderbilt
Johnson, Brad – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jones, Jerry – Dallas Cowboys
Jordan, Brian – Atlanta Braves and Falcons
Jordan, Lee Roy – Alabama, Dallas Cowboys
Kasay, John Jr. – Georgia Kubiak, Gary - Texas A&M, Denver Broncos
Lamb, Bobby – Furman
Lambert, Butch – SEC Official
Lastinger, John – Georgia
Long, Cary – Georgia
Luke, Matt – Ole Miss/Georgia
Lundquist, Verne – CBS
Maisel, Ivan – ESPN Writer
Majors, Johnny – Tennessee
McClendon, Charles – LSU
McElroy, Greg – Alabama, SEC Network
McKaye, Rich – Atlanta Falcons
Mullen, Dan – Mississippi St and Florida
Murray, Aaron – Georgia
Nessler, Brad – CBS Nowkhah, Dari - SEC Network
Nutt, Houston – Arkansas
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O’Dell, Faye – FCA
Osborne, Tom – Nebraska
Outlar, Jesse – Atlanta Constitution
Payton, Sean – NFL/Saints
Pell, Charley – Clemson
Phillips, Dode – Erskine College
Reeves, Dan – Atlanta Falcons
Richt, Mark – Georgia
Rinaldi, Tom – Sports Illustrated/ESPN
Rowe, Holly – ESPN
Russell, Erk – Georgia
Sankey, Greg – SEC Commissioner
Savage, Phil – Cleveland Browns
Schembechler, Bo – Michigan
Schlabach, Mark – ESPN, Georgia Shaw, Steve - National coordinator of officials
Sherrill, Jackie – Mississippi State
Shockley, D.J. – Georgia
Smart, Kirby – Georgia
Spikes, Takeo – Auburn
Stallings, Gene – Alabama
Staples, Andy – Sports Illustrated
Stinchcomb, Matt – Georgia
Stokan, Gary – Peach Bowl
Stoops, Bob – Oklahoma
Stovall, Jerry – LSU
Sullivan, Pat – Auburn
Switzer, Barry – Oklahoma
Tarkenton, Fran – Georgia
Tuberville, Tommy – Auburn
Vermeil, Dick – St. Louis Rams
Waldorf, Pappy – California
Walker, Herschel – Georgia
West, Tommy – Clemson
Woerner, Scott – Georgia
Wojciechowski, Gene – ESPN
Wyche, Sam – Cincinnati Bengals
Past Presidents
Our club has thrived thanks to the leadership of many passionate and committed members. Each past president has played a vital role in upholding our values and growing our community.
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1946
John A. Simpson
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1947
Milton Red Leathers
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1948
Fain Slaughter, Sr.
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1949
Ed Downs
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1950
Julian Cox, Sr.
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1951
Dan McDowell
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1952
Ralph Snow
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1953
D.D. Quillian
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1954
Heyward Allen
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1955
Harry Atwell
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1956
Bob Poss
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1957
Clyde Fitzgerald
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1958
Coach Bill Hartman
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1959
John Terrell
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1960
Julius Bishop
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1961
Buddy Milner
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1962
Charlie Evans
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1963
Randolph Holder
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1964
Troutman Wilson
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1965
Troutman Wilson
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1966
Robert T. Eberhart
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1967
Candler Meadors
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1968
Bud Daniel
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1969
Fred Leathers
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1970
Charlie Guyer
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1970
Charlie Guyer
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1971
Don Terry
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1972
Charlie Burch
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1973
E.H. Culpepper
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1974
John McLeod
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1975
Bob Argo
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1976
Bobby Griffith
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1977
Harold Brewer
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1978
Lauren Coile
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1979
Ron Morgan
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1980
Jerry Varnado
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1981
Bill Simpson
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1982
Charlie Horton
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1983
Leroy Dukes
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1984
Dave Burch
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1985
Mark Stewart
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1986
John Padgett
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1987
Ed Allen
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1988
Tommy Warner
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1989
Harold Hodgson
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1990
Paige Scarborough
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1991
Tom Griffith
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1992
Bobby Heath
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1993
John Kimbel
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1994
Mark Hodge
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1995
Mack Guest
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1996
Chris Whatley
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1997
Jimbo LaBoon III
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1998
Steve Middlebrooks
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1999
Jack Halper
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2000
Brad Lastinger
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2001
Tom Johnson
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2002
Walter Brooks
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2003
Bob O’Rear
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2004
Woody Chastain
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2005
Jud Guest
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2006
Jack Davis
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2007
Mark Williams
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2008
George Bond
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2009
Mixon Robinson
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2010
Mason McWhorter
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2011
Jay Hodges
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2012
Eric Eberhardt
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2013
Ron Smith
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2014
Jimbo Laboon III
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2015
Arthur Steedman
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2016
Carl Parks
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2017
David Hamilton
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2018
Kevin Price
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2019
Dan DeLamater
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2020
Mike Usry
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2021
Lenn Chandler
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2022
Dutch Guest
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2023
Matt Brinkley
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2024
Hal Jackson