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National title brought changes for WGC
Long before I ever thought of
attending West Georgia as a stu
dent, I knew something about the
college.
Ten years ago many people who
had never heard of West Georgia
College suddenly became ac
quainted with the Braves. The
occasion was a football game be
tween WGC and Augustana.
However, this was no mere
football game. West Georgia was
playing for the National Champi
onship of Division 111. The Braves
took the victory and the champi
onship 14-0. It was a remarkable
accomplishment for everyone in
volved.
Football had just returned to
WGC and few people would have
thought such a goal was possible.
One down side to the title, however,
was the fact that West Georgia had
gained a winning reputation.
Few teams at West Georgia’s
level wanted to compete with the
Braves so the athletic department
eventually moved up to our current
Division II status. Throughout the
past 10 years the various football
coaches who have been here have
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First and
Ten
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tried to build the program back up.
Last season was a big step for the
football team. Head coach Ron
Jumey and his staff led the Braves to
their first winning season since the
national championship year.
Unfortunately, this probably added
pressure to Jumey since he is now
expected to take the obvious next
step into the playoffs.
I must admit I was guilty of put
ting this year’s team up high on a
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cloud and should have realized the
team is probably still a year away
from the playoffs. Several key
players will return next season and
the next step could be taken.
Still, as I look back on that in
credible season in 1982,1 long for
more glory for West Georgia Col
lege. I don’t believe the football
team has been on national televison
since then and I think if this were to
happen, maybe the enthusiasm
among the students would finally
pick up.
The players who work hard 12
months a year deserve some recog
nition. I believe being on television
for several thousand to see would
be a fitting reward, just as it was for
the 1982 team.
***
One final note about baseball:
no matter how the Atlanta Braves
do in the World Series, I will never
forget that remarkable comeback
in the bottom of the ninth against
Pittsburgh.
Wouldn’t it great someday to
see that kind of enthusiasm for a
team here at WGC?
The West Georgian-Wednesday, October 21, 1992-
West Georgia’s Next Opponent:
Knoxville College
Nickname: Bulldogs
Affiliation: NAiA
Head Coach: Joe Redmond
Career Record: 55-54-1
Record at KC: 5-5 (1 year)
Offense: Pro I Defense: Wide Tackle Six
1991 Record: 5-5
Series Record: WGC leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 1982: WGC 45 Knoxille 3
Stokes: Season brings back memories
Continued from page 12
Stokes called one of the best games
of all time. In three overtime periods,
the Braves held on for a 31-24 vic
tory as the march toward the National
Championship began.
Stokes said the coaching staff was
not afraid of a letdown after defeat
ing Widener. “That was not the way
that team was. They were very
emotional and disciplined,” Stokes
said.
While he is no longer on the side
lines, followers of West Georgia
football are familiar with Stokes
because of his involvement with
radio broadcasts doing the color
commentary.
In 1985, Stokes was asked by
Dan Minish, director of publications
and printing at WGC, if he would
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like to do the color commentary.
Stokes agreed and has been going
strong ever since.
Despite the fact that Stokes is
now a teacher in Murray County, he
still makes the two hour drive to
Carrollton for the home games and
drives to the away games as well.
Stokes sees the West Georgia pro
gram on the right track.
“So much of football is emotional
and then you have to have the athletes.
I believe we have both for the first
time since 1982.”
According to Stokes, the team
should be making a final break
through shortly.
“It used to take a miracle for
WGC to win, but not any more,”
Stokes added. “West Georgia is
moving in a positive direction, not a
negative one.”
13
