University of Georgia Athletics
Smart Meets Athletics Board for First Time
February 16, 2016 | General
ATHENS ---- The introduction of new head football coach Kirby Smart, as well as a glowing academic report from Fall Semester, highlighted the quarterly meeting of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors here Tuesday.
It may sound unusual for the formal introduction of a coach who's been on the job for over two months. Smart, however, had yet to meet the entire Board until Tuesday, and this was the its first full meeting since his hiring on Dec. 6. It is customary for all new head coaches at UGA to meet the Athletics Board in this manner.
In his brief remarks, Smart praised the Board for its support and urged its members to promote attendance at UGA's G-Day intrasquad football game on Saturday, April 16.
''I want to thank Coach Smart for taking the time in a busy afternoon to meet the full Board for the first time,'' said J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. ''He enjoys environments like this and he fully understands the importance of support from the Board going forward. It (attendance at the G-Day game) is obviously very important to him and, truthfully, we as a staff were talking about it before he ever mentioned it. Because of the many things on campus that day, we've got to have a tight, coordinated plan, especially in regards to parking, throughout the day.''
UGA Faculty Athletics Representative David Shipley provided a record-setting academic report. The 521 student-athletes at UGA combined for a 3.04 cumulative GPA last semester, the highest ever in a Fall term. The men's golf and women's equestrian teams both turned in cumulative GPA's of 3.37 to lead all Bulldog squads. Twenty-five student-athletes earned 4.0 averages in the Fall. Graduating wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell -- who earned perhaps as much recognition for his reading and writing talents as he did for catching footballs -- was among the 4.0 students.
In a wide-ranging Athletic Director's report, McGarity praised the Board for its role in helping the Indoor Athletic Facility project become a reality. Indeed, its formal groundbreaking ceremony was held less than two hours before the meeting today. McGarity also thanked a number of key groups for various accomplishments during the Fall, among them:
> UGA's Sports Medicine staff, led by Senior Associate AD Ron Courson, for its immediate care and follow-up in the case of Southern University football player Devon Gales. The Baton Rouge, La., native was injured in Southern's game Sept. 26 at Georgia. Courson and his staff were first responders and have remained in frequent contact throughout his ongoing rehabilitation. Courson also announced that Gales will be returning to Baton Rouge soon and that he will visit UGA a final time before his trip home.
> UGA's football players and the remaining staff during the month-long period of transition between early December and early January.
> UGA President Jere W. Morehead for his support during the football coaching search process, and also during the transition between staffs.
> Coach Smart for his tireless work during the month while he split his time between coaching jobs at Georgia and Alabama.
> The late UGA IX mascot for his years of faithful service, as well as UGA X and his expectations of future championships.
> The many UGA supporters who have contributed over $20 million toward the indoor facility, well beyond the initial goal of $15 million.
Another report that garnered much discussion was that of the Wellness Committee. This group works to ensure that student-athlete support services realize their full potential. Toward that end, Board members were given information about UGA's new website, www.thegeorgiaway.com, which is described as a a multi-faceted resource center for current, past and prospective UGA student-athletes. The Georgia Way encompasses the many ways in which UGA strives to enrich and empower its student-athletes.
''This (website) is a great idea and will be a tremendous help for young people in their transition into life after athletics,'' McGarity said. ''It took a long time to develop, but it takes time to do things the right way. This will be a great tool and a great illustrator for our student-athletes.''
