University of Georgia Bulldogs

ATHENS --- Softball All-American Nicole Barber, three-time national diving champion Chris Colwill, football All-American Thomas Davis and All-America shot putter Reese Hoffa will join the University of Georgia's Circle of Honor at a gala celebration on Friday night.

Barber, Colwill, Davis and Hoffa will be inducted formally during the Circle of Honor Gala tomorrow at the UGA Fine Arts Theater.

The Circle of Honor is designed to pay tribute to extraordinary student-athletes and coaches who by their performance and conduct have brought honor to the university and themselves, and who by their actions have contributed to the tradition of the Georgia Bulldogs. The criteria also stipulate that each recipient has earned his or her academic degree.

Nicole Barber
It seems entirely fitting that Barber is the first softball-playing Circle of Honor inductee.  A four-year letter winner from 2001-04, she became the first great player in the young program's history.   Her outstanding play helped turn Georgia from an ascendant program to the national fixture it is today.

The Oregon City, Ore., native earned All-America honors in each of her final three seasons, starting in 2002, when she batted .420 and led the Bulldogs to a 59-17 record.  Their NCAA Tournament appearance that year became the first in a current string of 16 consecutive seasons for the program.

Barber, who also won All-SEC honors four straight years, is the all-time leader in career stolen bases (257) and consecutive error-free games played (219) in the UGA, SEC and NCAA record books.  She also ranks fourth in NCAA history — first in both UGA and the SEC — in hits with 379.  Barber remains the only player in UGA history to collect at least 100 hits in a single season, reaching that mark in 2002 and 2004.

Barber earned her degree in consumer economics from UGA in 2005.

Chris Colwill
Colwill earned four letters for Georgia (2004-06, 2008) and is the greatest, most accomplished diver in school history.  The Brandon, Fla., native should also be regarded as one of the top divers in the history of the NCAA and Southeastern Conference.

Colwill won three NCAA individual diving titles during his time with the Bulldogs and earned the maximum of 12 All-America honors.  He won the 1- and 3-meter springboard crowns in 2006 and added another 1-meter championship in 2008, becoming the first male student-athlete in UGA history to win three individual NCAA championships.  Colwill was also a five-time SEC individual champion, taking the 1-meter in 2005 and 2006, the 3-meter in 2005 and 2006, and the platform in 2006. In 2005, he became Georgia's first double winner since 1967. He was chosen as the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2004, the SEC Diver of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Colwill earned his degree in Speech Communication from UGA in 2008, the same year in which he made his first U.S. Olympic Team.  He earned another Olympic Team berth in 2012, when he took first place on the 3-meter board at the U.S. Olympic Trials.  His victory at the U.S. trials marked the last of his 10 national championships, a collection that began when he took first place in the platform competition at the U.S. Junior Nationals as a 10-year-old in 1994.

Thomas Davis
A native of Shellman, Ga., Davis was a three-year letterman at free safety for the Bulldogs from 2002-04.  After his sophomore season in 2003, he earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and a first-team All-American after his junior season in 2004. In 39 career games, Davis recorded 272 tackles, 17 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.

While at Georgia, Davis was a vital member of three Georgia teams that posted at least 10 wins each and also brought home winners' trophies from the Sugar Bowl, Capital One Bowl and Outback Bowl in succession.  After his junior season, Davis made himself available for the 2005 NFL Draft and was taken by the Carolina Panthers in the first round.  Six years later he returned to UGA and completed his undergraduate degree in Consumer Economics.

Davis has put together a remarkable career in the NFL.  In addition to his stellar defensive play (All-Pro in 2016 at age 33), he has distinguished himself in two major areas.  First, he has overcome significant injuries multiple times, thrice recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, an unprecedented feat in pro football.  Additionally, in 2016 he suffered a broken arm in the Panthers' NFC Championship win over Arizona.  He underwent surgery the next day and kept a vow to play in the Super Bowl 13 days later.  Second, Davis has won many honors for his philanthropic work, most notably the 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Reese Hoffa
Hoffa will become the second shot putter to join the Circle of Honor, following Brent Noon's induction in 2009.  The Augusta native enjoyed a successful career as a collegiate thrower from 1998-2001, but he really shined in his later competitive years on the international stage.

Hoffa showed steady progress during his career at UGA.  He advanced to the 1998 and 1999 NCAA Outdoor Championships and took 11th both years.  He wrapped up his final two years by becoming a three-time First-Team All-American indoors and outdoors, topping out at third at the 2001 NCAA outdoor meet.  Hoffa also clinched the 2001 SEC outdoor title in his final season sporting the Red and Black.

Remaining in Athens after completing his degree in Health and Physical Education in 2002, Hoffa rose to the No. 1 world shot put ranking in four different years.  He finished among the world's top three shot putters for 10 straight years, an unsurpassed feat among throwers.  He was a three-time USA Outdoor champion (2007-08, 2012), twice a world champion (2006 Indoor and 2007 Outdoor) and three times an Olympic Games competitor (2004, 2008, 2012).  Hoffa capped his Olympic experience by winning the bronze medal at the London games in 2012.

2018 Circle of Honor Ceremony Photo Gallery


 

The Circle of Honor is the UGA Athletic Association's all-sports recognition program which is designed to recognize and pay tribute to extraordinary student-athletes and coaches who, by their performance and conduct, have brought honor to the University and themselves, and who by their actions have contributed to the tradition of the Georgia Bulldogs. The criteria also stipulates that each recipient has earned his or her academic degree.
CIRCLE OF HONOR INDUCTEES
Student-Athlete Nomination Form | Coach Nomination Form | Circle of Honor Criteria
	Dan Magill, Inducted 1996 Coached two NCAA Men's Tennis Team Champions 1980 National Coach of the Year
	Bob McWhorter, Inducted 1996 1913 Football All-American College Football Hall of Fame
	Frank Sinkwich, Inducted 1996 1942 Heisman Trophy Winner College Football Hall of Fame
	Teresa Edwards, Inducted 1996 Four-time W. Basketball Olympian Consensus All-American, 1985, '86
	Charley Trippi, Inducted 1996 1946 Football All-America College Football Hall of Fame
	Terri Moody Luckhurst, Inducted 1997 1981 National W. Golf Champion UGA's first female scholarship athlete
	Forrest "Spec" Towns , Inducted 1997 1936 Olympic 110-High Hurdles Gold Medalist; 1936 NCAA High Hurdles Champ
	Reid Patterson, Inducted 1997 1953 NCAA 100-Meter Freestyle Champion Set World Record, 50-meter free
	Katrina McClain, Inducted 1998 Three-time W. Basketball Olympian 1987 National Player of the Year
	Allen Miller, Inducted 1998 Four-time tennis All-American 1983 NCAA Doubles Champion
	Vernon "Catfish" Smith, Inducted 1998 1931 football All-American College Football Hall of Fame
	Fran Tarkenton, Inducted 1998 1960 All-American College Football Hall of Fame
	Lisa Coole, Inducted 1999 1996 NCAA, 100-Butterfly Champion 1997 NCAA Woman of the Year
	William C. "Bill" Hartman, Inducted 1999 1937 Football All-American College Football Hall of Fame
	Dr. Tom Lyons, Inducted 1999 FB All-American, 1969, '70 1995 NCAA Silver Ann. Award
	Alec Kessler, Inducted 2000 1990 SEC Player of the Year Two-time Academic All-American
	Bill Stanfill, Inducted 2000 1968 Outland Trophy winner
	Lucy Wener, Inducted 2000 Three-time NCAA uneven bars champion
	Spurgeon "Spud" Chandler, Inducted 2000 New York Yankees World Series hero
	Terry Hoage, Inducted 2001 Two-time consensus All-America Academic All-America NCAA Top Six Recipient
	John Rauch, Inducted 2001 All-America QB, 1948 Head Coach, Oakland Raiders, Super Bowl II
	Liz Murphey, Inducted 2001 Women's Golf Coaches Hall of Fame, Women's Athletic Dir.
	Al Parker, Inducted 2001 Four-year All-American, 1989, '90 Volvo, All-America Tennis, Collegiate Champion
	George Patton, Inducted 2002 Two-time football All-American DT 1966 SEC Lineman of the Year
	Janet Harris, Inducted 2002 Four-time basketball All-American All-time UGA scorer, rebounder
	Zippy Morocco, Inducted 2002 Football, Basketball Star First UGA Basketball All-American
	John Carson, Inducted 2003 All-American End, 1953 Four-sport letterman
	Mike Castronis, Inducted 2003 All-American tackle, 1945 UGA Freshman, JV Coach
	Cindy Schreyer, Inducted 2003 1984 NCAA Women's Golf Champion; 1984 Honda Broderick National Player of the Year
	Scott Woerner, Inducted 2003 1980 All-American DB 1980 Nation's leading punt returner
	Vince Dooley, Inducted 2004 Hall of Fame Football Coach (1964-88) Director of Athletics (1979-2004) Six SEC Titles; 1980 National Champions
	Herb St. John, Inducted 2004 1946 All-SEC
	Sheila Taormina, Inducted 2004 4 Time All-America Swimmer 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist 1996, 2000 Olympic Games
	Angela Lettiere, Inducted 2005 1994 NCAA singles championship, three consecutive ITA Grand Slam Finals; 1st women's Grand Slam national champion doubles team 1994 National Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year; SEC Academic Honor Roll
	Jim Wilson, Inducted 2005 1964 All-America; 2001 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame; 1950-75 All-Time Team.
	Corrinne Wright, Inducted 2005 1985 and 1986 U.S. National Team 1989 NCAA All-Around national champion and co-champion of the floor exercise event that same year; eight-time All-American 1989, 1990 All SEC
	George Bezecny, Inducted 2006 Four year men's tennis lettermen (1982-85) All-America honors; All-SEC
	Heather Stepp, Inducted 2006 1992 NCAA vault title; 1993 NCAA vault and floor exercise titles; 1992 Honda Inspiration Award; 1993 SEC Gymnast of the Year
	Dick Copas, Inducted 2006 Hall of Fame men's golf coach 17 NCAA Championship appearances, seven SEC titles
	Zeke Bratkowski, Inducted 2006 Record-setting quarterback 14-year career in the NFL
	Priscilla Pacheco, Inducted 2006 Volleyball All-American
	Royce Smith, Inducted 2007 Football All-American
	Hope Spivey, Inducted 2007 Gymnastics All-American, National Champion
	Ben Zambiasi, Inducted 2007 Football All-American
	Kim Arnold, Inducted 2009
	Bernadette Mattox, Inducted 2009
	Brent Noon, Inducted 2009
	Matt Stinchcomb, Inducted 2009
	Eric Zeier, Inducted 2010 QB, All-time SEC career passing record
	Debbie Ferguson, Inducted 2010 Four-time track Olympian
	Billy Payne, Inducted 2011 All-SEC and All-America defensive end
	Courtney Shealy, Inducted 2011 Five-time NCAA and 19-time SEC champion, 2000 NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year, finished with the maximum 28 All-America honors 2000 Olympics two time gold medalist
	Kristy Kowal, Inducted 2011 Eight-time NCAA champion and a 16-time SEC champion, 2000 NCAA Woman of the Year, Top VIII Award 2000 Olympics silver medalist
	Karin Lichey, Inducted 2012 Four-year letterwinner, five All-America honors, won the 1998 national title on floor, earned 11 All-America citations, named the winner of the 1999 Honda Award as the nation's top gymnast
	Saudia Roundtree, Inducted 2012 Naismith National Player of the Year, Kodak All-America 1st team, SEC Player of the Year
	Jon Stinchcomb, Inducted 2012 First-Team All-American, Academic All-America Team, All-SEC
	Marissa Catlin, Inducted 2013 Seven-time All-American, a three-time pick for the Rolex All-Star Team and a two-time selection to the USA Tennis Collegiate Team
	Lori Strong, Inducted 2013 1994 NCAA bars champion and she claimed SEC titles on bars in 1993 and in the all-around in 1996
	Pat Dye, Inducted 2013 All-American, SEC Champion, SEC's Most Valuable Lineman following his Senior Season
	Steve Greer, Inducted 2014 All-America football player and assistant coach
	Stephanie Yarem Ransom, Inducted 2014 Soccer First-Team All-America honors
	Suzanne Yoculan, Inducted 2014 National Champion Gymnastics Coach
	Peter Anderson, Inducted 2015 Football All-America, All-SEC, Most Outstanding Offensive Player senior season
	Matias Boeker, Inducted 2015 Tennis NCAA team championship, singles and doubles titles, ITA National Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, All-America
	Leah Brown, Inducted 2015 Gymnastics All-America, 2-time National Champion, Academic All-SEC
	Maritza Correia, Inducted 2015 Swimming All-America, 11-time National Champion, SEC Champion, Olympic medalist
	Kelly Miller, Inducted 2016 Women's Basketball All-SEC, 2000 and 2001 SEC Player of the Year, All-America and Academic All-America honors
	Coco Miller, Inducted 2016 Women's Basketball All-SEC, All-America and Academic All-America honors
	John Little, Inducted 2016 Football First-Team All-America and All-SEC in 1985 and 1986, 2-time Academic All-SEC selection
	Stefanie Williams, Inducted 2016 Swimming 28-time All-American, 3-time National Champion & SEC Champion, SEC Academic Honor Roll (twice)
	Nicole Barber, Inducted 2017 3-time All-America, 4-time All-SEC, all-time leader in career stolen bases (257) and consecutive error-free games played (219) in the UGA, SEC and NCAA record books.
	Chris Colwill, Inducted 2017 Three NCAA individual diving titles, 12 All-America honors, 5-time SEC individual champion, SEC Diver of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008, 2-time Olympian
	Thomas Davis, Inducted 2017 All-America First Team, All-SEC First Team, All-SEC Second Team, 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, NFL All-Pro
	Reese Hoffa, Inducted 2017 3-time First-Team All-American indoors and outdoors, 2001 SEC outdoor shot put champion, No. 1 world shot put ranking, 3-time USA Outdoor champion (2007-08, 2012), twice a world champion (2006 Indoor and 2007 Outdoor), three times an Olympic Games competitor (2004, 2008, 2012), bronze medal at the London Olympic games in 2012.
	Mary DeScenza, Inducted 2018 Swimming & Diving - 28 All-America honors, Honda Award recipient (2006), 4-time NCAA 200-yard butterfly title holder, 15 SEC Titles, four-year letterwinner
	Hyleas Fountain, Inducted 2018 Track & Field - NCAA Champion in 2003 outdoor heptathlon, 2004 indoor long jump, 2004 outdoor heptathlon, 2004 outdoor long jump
	George Poschner, Inducted 2018 Football - Three year letter winner, first-team All-America honors (1942), All-SEC first team (1942), Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Battle of the Bulge in WW2
	Hines Ward, Inducted 2018 Football - All-SEC first team (1997), set receptions in a bowl game with 12, drafted by the Steelers in the NFL Draft, earned MVP honors in Super Bowl 40 (2006), selected to four Pro Bowls
	Coach Steve Webber, Inducted 2018 Baseball - Winningest baseball coach in Georgia history with 500 victories, led Bulldogs to 1990 NCAA Championship, National Coach of the Year (1990), SEC Coach of the Year (1987)