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.

Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia, empty with visible seating and field.

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.

Two men standing at a podium in front of a red "Georgia Bulldogs" backdrop, one in a red blazer and the other in a gray suit, speaking at an event.

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.

Touchdown Club of Athens logo with a red and black football helmet and the letter 'G'. Text includes 'EST 1946'. Circular design with stars.

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:

  • 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
    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

  • 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
    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
    Nutt, Houston – Arkansas

  • 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
    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.

  • 1946

    John A. Simpson

  • 1947

    Milton Red Leathers

  • 1948

    Fain Slaughter, Sr.

  • 1949

    Ed Downs

  • 1950

    Julian Cox, Sr.

  • 1951

    Dan McDowell

  • 1952

    Ralph Snow

  • 1953

    D.D. Quillian

  • 1954

    Heyward Allen

  • 1955

    Harry Atwell

  • 1956

    Bob Poss

  • 1957

    Clyde Fitzgerald

  • 1958

    Coach Bill Hartman

  • 1959

    John Terrell

  • 1960

    Julius Bishop

  • 1961

    Buddy Milner

  • 1962

    Charlie Evans

  • 1963

    Randolph Holder

  • 1964

    Troutman Wilson

  • 1965

    Troutman Wilson

  • 1966

    Robert T. Eberhart

  • 1967

    Candler Meadors

  • 1968

    Bud Daniel

  • 1969

    Fred Leathers

  • 1970

    Charlie Guyer

  • 1970

    Charlie Guyer

  • 1971

    Don Terry

  • 1972

    Charlie Burch

  • 1973

    E.H. Culpepper

  • 1974

    John McLeod

  • 1975

    Bob Argo

  • 1976

    Bobby Griffith

  • 1977

    Harold Brewer

  • 1978

    Lauren Coile

  • 1979

    Ron Morgan

  • 1980

    Jerry Varnado

  • 1981

    Bill Simpson

  • 1982

    Charlie Horton

  • 1983

    Leroy Dukes

  • 1984

    Dave Burch

  • 1985

    Mark Stewart

  • 1986

    John Padgett

  • 1987

    Ed Allen

  • 1988

    Tommy Warner

  • 1989

    Harold Hodgson

  • 1990

    Paige Scarborough

  • 1991

    Tom Griffith

  • 1992

    Bobby Heath

  • 1993

    John Kimbel

  • 1994

    Mark Hodge

  • 1995

    Mack Guest

  • 1996

    Chris Whatley

  • 1997

    Jimbo LaBoon III

  • 1998

    Steve Middlebrooks

  • 1999

    Jack Halper

  • 2000

    Brad Lastinger

  • 2001

    Tom Johnson

  • 2002

    Walter Brooks

  • 2003

    Bob O’Rear

  • 2004

    Woody Chastain

  • 2005

    Jud Guest

  • 2006

    Jack Davis

  • 2007

    Mark Williams

  • 2008

    George Bond

  • 2009

    Mixon Robinson

  • 2010

    Mason McWhorter

  • 2011

    Jay Hodges

  • 2012

    Eric Eberhardt

  • 2013

    Ron Smith

  • 2014

    Jimbo Laboon III

  • 2015

    Arthur Steedman

  • 2016

    Carl Parks

  • 2017

    David Hamilton

  • 2018

    Kevin Price

  • 2019

    Dan DeLamater

  • 2020

    Mike Usry

  • 2021

    Lenn Chandler

  • 2022

    Dutch Guest

  • 2023

    Matt Brinkley

  • 2024

    Hal Jackson