University of Georgia Athletics
Tereshinski - Greatest of Bulldog Families
December 10, 2014 | Football
By Loran Smith
There are many times when fathers beget sons who play for their alma mater, but it is rare that you find fathers, sons, and grandsons all playing for the same school. With the retirement of Joe Tereshinski, Jr., this means that for the first time in 40 years, there will not be a Tereshinski affiliated with Georgia football when the Bulldogs kick off the season in 2015.
It all began with the senior Joe Tereshinksi, who was recruited to Athens in 1941 by a colorful former lineman, Harold "War Eagle" Ketron, who sent, among others, Charley Trippi to play for the Bulldogs. Joe's eldest son, Joe T., had become a fixture in the Georgia Athletic Association facilities since signing to play for the Bulldogs in 1973. The grandson, Joe III, lettered with the Bulldogs as a quarterback in 2004-06. The last of the Tereshinskis is now a coach at UNC-Charlotte with Brad Lambert, a former Georgia assistant. All three Tereshinskis spent time coaching, beginning with the original Tereshinski, who coached for the Redskins after his retirement from playing in the National Football League.
Each of the Tereshinskis is characterized by passion and rare loyalty to the University of Georgia. Joe Sr. loved his alma mater with the greatest of attachment and was always expressing thanks to Coach Wallace Butts for the scholarship that provided him with an education. He sent both of his boys to Georgia and named his second son Wally, a former Bulldog letterman, in honor of Coach Butts. Joe Jr. was ingrained with the Bulldog spirit and pride from the cradle. Love of UGA was part of his DNA. Nothing changed with the passing of time.
Joe T. became so attached to Athens, he never wanted to leave. He has held a variety of jobs from coaching to video coordinator to strength and conditioning coach. He developed rapport with his players and tried to emulate his strength coach, John Kasay, a fellow Pennsylvanian. He saw Kasay work his men hard, but he was there for them when they had a problem or issue or whenever they needed a friend. Kasay cared for his players and they knew it. Like Kasay, Joe T. was there when a player needed help--whether it be with tutoring, counseling, or homesickness. None of them ever came his way who did not hear him pontificate on the importance of being a member of the Bulldog Nation. He believed that passion and commitment won games. He experienced it as a player in 1976 when Georgia won the Southeastern Conference, coming from behind to win five games.
The Bulldogs clinched the '76 SEC championship at Auburn when quarterback Ray Goff had such a bruised arm from the Florida game that he did not throw a single pass versus the Tigers. Georgia won 28-0. "The coaches told us we were going to run the ball, and we were up for the challenge, but I don't think any of us thought we would not throw the ball at all," Joe remembers.
There are countless highlights both as a player and as a coach. Rather than single out games, Joe prefers to talk about relationships--those with his teammates during his time as a player and those with the coaching staff and the players he coached. "The bonding and the feelings you get from working together to develop into a team is what means the most. The highlight of my time at Georgia is those relationships," he says.
For years, even into the nineties, Joe T. lifted weights, ran sprints with his players, and could keep up with them. He would always say when he had expended most of his energy after a workout, "Hey guys, I get paid to do this." Father time has taken its toll. His knees remind him of that.
At a strength and conditioning conference last year, which had attracted a group of 400, a speaker asked all those who were 30 years or older to stand up. About 125 took their feet. Then he asked those 35 or younger to be seated. About 80 remained standing. Those 40 and younger were asked to take a seat. About 45 were left standing. When those 45 and younger were told to take a seat, 20 of the 400 were standing. "If," Joe smiled, "he had asked those 50 and younger to take a seat, I might have been the last one standing. I've had a good ride and love being a Bulldog. I have no regrets, but it is time for me to pass the torch." Like his father, Joe T. leaves a legacy of love and loyalty to alma mater that few can match.
