Records & History
all-america honors #36 Bob McWhorter, HB Lexington, Ga. - 1913 (Parke Davis, NY Herald) Georgia’s first All-American, he was a four-time All-Southern halfback and the first person to captain both the football and baseball teams at UGA. McWhorter earned Phi Beta Kappa honors while attending the university. He declined pro baseball offers to study law at the University of Virginia. McWhorter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1964, and the UGA Circle of Honor in 1996. Bob McWhorter, one of Georgia’s most revered athletes, died June 29, 1960. UGA’s McWhorter residence hall is named in his honor.
#18 David Paddock, QB Brooklyn, N.Y. - 1914 (Parke Davis, NY Herald) The University of Georgia’s second All-American, the New York native played quarterback and captained the 1914 UGA football team. He played under Coach Alex Cunningham and was a teammate of Georgia’s first All-American Bob McWhorter. Paddock, a member of the 1914 All-Southern team and the Georgia all-time team, is the only player in school history to have a petition circulated by the student body requesting that he play for the Bulldogs.
Joe Bennett, T Statesboro, Ga. 1922 (Walter Camp) 1923 (NEA, Billy Evans) Joseph Bennett, Jr. made the first team as a freshman, was a four-year starter at tackle for the Bulldogs and captain of the 1923 squad. Coach H. J. Stegeman’s 1920-22 teams were outstanding and Joe Bennett’s play was a major reason why. During his playing days Georgia compiled a record of 25-9-4 and Bennett was selected to the All-Southern first team in 1922 and 1923. He is also a member of Georgia’s all-time team. Bennett also starred on the Georgia basketball team from 1922 to 1924. After leaving the university he became an executive with Coca Cola in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Joe Bennett was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
I.M. (Chick) Shiver, E Sylvester, Ga. 1927 ( AP) Ivy M. Shiver captained both the football and baseball teams in 1927. Shiver was selected to the Associated Press All-America first team at end and was also an exceptional punter. He served as ends coach at Georgia from 1928-1936 while pursuing a pro baseball career. After retiring from baseball Shiver enjoyed a successful career in coaching at the junior college and high school levels. He served as president of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and was voted an Honorary Life Member in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in recognition of his contributions to the Association and to the coaching profession. He was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1966. www.georgiadogs.com
#79 Tom A. Nash, E Washington, Ga.- 1927 (AAB, Rice, Walter Camp)
Tom Nash played on the 1927 “Dream and Wonder” team before playing five seasons in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, winning championships in 1929, ’30, and ’31. Nash returned to the university in 1943 as an assistant line coach. He later became the head coach at Washington High School and the principal of the elementary school. Nash also played Double A and Triple A baseball. Tom Nash, Sr. was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.
Herb Maffett, E Atlanta, Ga., 1930 (NY Sun)
Herbert Maffett was a four year starter at end for the Bulldogs from 1927 to 1931. He played both offense and defense. Legendary coach Wally Butts said that Maffett was one of the greatest ends he ever coached at UGA. Maffett was voted captain of the 1930 football team after leading the Bulldogs to a 15-0 victory over Yale in the 1929 Sanford Stadium dedication game. He is a member of the Georgia Bulldog Hall of Heroes and the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Ralph (Red) Maddox, G Calhoun, Ga.- 1930 (INS)
Ralph Maddox became recognized as Georgia’s eighteenth All-American 32 years after his playing days were over. Former Georgia publicist Dan Magill uncovered information that indicated that Maddox had made the International News Service All-American team in 1930. However, this honor had never been recorded. Unfortunately, Maddox was not able to enjoy this recognition of his accomplishments. He was killed during the Normandy Invasion of World War II.
#13 Vernon “Catfish” Smith, E Macon, Ga. 1931 (AP, Rice, Collier)
Vernon Smith entered the University of Georgia in 1928 after a stellar career as a high school athlete. He was an All-Southern end from 1929-1931 and captained the 1932 Southern Conference Championship team. He also played basketball and baseball while attending UGA. Smith later coached ends and baseball for the University of Georgia, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Mississippi. In 1979, Smith, a member of the Georgia all-time team and State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame.
#26 John Bond, HB Toccoa, Ga.- 1935
(All-American Board of FB)
While attending UGA, Bond participated in both football and track for the Bulldogs. Captain of the 1935 football team, Bond led a class that went 21-9 from 1933-1935. He was also very involved with groups and organizations on campus. Bond served as president of the Campus Y.M.C.A., and the “G” Club, and held memberships in prestigious organizations like Sphinx, Gridiron, and Scabbard and Blade. In the 1935 Pandora, Bond was voted the most popular young man on campus. After graduation, he attended the State Medical College at Augusta and later served as surgeon in World War II. Bond was inducted in to the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. 2017 Georgia Bulldogs Media Guide
#25 Bill Hartman, FB Thomaston, Ga. 1937 (All-American Board of Football) Inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1984, Hartman earned All-America honors at UGA in 1937 before playing two seasons with the Washington Redskins. In 1938, while filling in for Redskins tailback Sammy Baugh, he completed 13 consecutive passes against Brooklyn. He returned to Georgia in 1939 under head coach Wally Butts as backfield coach and served in that capacity until 1956. Hartman also served as volunteer kicking coach for the Bulldogs from 1970 to 1994. He was inducted in to the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the UGA Circle of Honor in 1999.
#21 Frank Sinkwich, HB McKees Rock, Pa./ Youngstown, Ohio
1941 (AP, CP, UP, AAB, Colliers, Look, Liberty, Esquire, Post, Time, Spt. News) 1942 (AP, UP, CP, INS, NEA, Colliers, Look, Liberty, Post, Time, Spt. News, Walter Camp) A unanimous All-American selection in 1942, Frank Sinkwich was the University of Georgia’s first Heisman Trophy winner that same year. In his junior and senior seasons, Sinkwich captained the Bulldogs to bowl victories over Texas Christian (Orange Bowl) and UCLA (Rose Bowl). He also led Georgia’s “Point-A-Minute” Freshman team to an undefeated season in 1939. Sinkwich was a first round selection in the NFL draft and enjoyed two All-Pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. He was inducted in to the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1964, and the UGA Circle of Honor in 1996.
#41 George Poschner, E Youngstown, Ohio 1942 (Look) George Poschner was an All-SEC end for the University of Georgia from 1939 to 1942. However, his greatest distinction comes from his service in the Army during World War II. Poschner received The Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary service to his country. George Poschner was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
#39 Mike Castronis, T Jacksonville, Fla. 1945 (INS) One of Georgia’s most beloved players and coaches, Mike Castronis wore many hats during his career as a player, coach and administrator at UGA. He was an All-SEC lineman from 1943-45 and stayed on as a graduate assistant in 1946. After a successful career as a high school coach, Castronis returned to the university in 1961 as head coach of the freshman team and coached the varsity offensive linemen from 1962-63. He later served as head freshman and JV coach under Vince Dooley.
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