CLASS OF 1977
DAVID "RED" BARRON
David “Red” Barron was from Clarkesville and was a football sensation at Georgia Tech in the 1920’s. He was a four-year letterman and team captain for Tech. He was part of three Southern Conference Championship teams and was a two-year All-Southern and All-American performer. He also lettered in baseball at Tech and went on to play professionally with the Boston Braves in 1929. He is a member of the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame. After his playing days were over, Barron became a successful high school football coach. He served as the head coach at Monroe, Rabun County, Clayton and Dacula High Schools.
STERLING DUPREE
Sterling A. Dupree was from Sylvester was a track and football standout at Auburn in the 1930s. He was an All-Southern fullback in 1932 and won the SEC in the 100 and 200 yard dash in 1933 and 1934. He went on to coach both track and football at Auburn and then made stops as a football assistant at South Carolina and Florida, before eventually making his way to the University of Georgia. At UGA, he enjoyed a successful career as an administrator and a football coach. Most notably, he was an excellent football recruiter and eventually became coordinator of recruiting for all sports at UGA.
SAM "SAMBO" ELLIOTT
Sam J. “Sambo” Elliott was from McDonough and became the state’s most accomplished softball player. After starting his career as a catcher, he decided he liked pitcher better and became dominant at that position. Between 1934 and 1953, Elliott played for multiple teams and averaged 12.3 strikeouts per game and threw 107 no-hitters. In his career, he struck out 13,936 batters and won 1046 games with just 87 losses. He threw a no-hitter in his very first game and was on the state championship team that same year. Elliott was one of the first people selected to the National Softball Hall of Fame in 1957.
ELMER MORROW
Elmer B. Morrow was originally from Greenville, South Carolina and became a coaching legend at Druid Hills High School. After his service in the Air Force, he was hired at Druid Hills in 1949. Between 1949 and 1961, Morrow coached football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics. His football team won the North Georgia Championship in 1956 and appeared in the State Finals in 1957. He led the Red Devils basketball team to three state championships including back-to-back titles in 1953 and 1954. He was also a trailblazer as a wrestling and gymnastics coach. He coached Dekalb County’s very first wrestling team in 1952 and led the Druid Hills Boys Gymnastics Team to the State Championship in 1953. He won numerous accolades during his career, including being named National Athletic Director of the Year in 1980 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
HENRY "PETER" PUND
Henry R. “Peter” Pund was from Augusta and graduated from Richmond Academy where he was an outstanding student and athlete. He became a dominating force for the Georgia Tech football team in the 1920s. He helped lead Tech to two Southern Conference Championships, a Rose Bowl Victory, and a National Championship in 1928. Pund was All-Southern in 1927 and 1928 and a consensus All-American in 1928. Pund was one of the toughest and most relentless players of his era, yet was never penalized in his career at Georgia Tech. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Textile Engineering and enjoyed great success as a business leader.
FRAN TARKENTON
Francis A. (Fran) Tarkenton was born in Virginia and moved to Athens with his family as a child where he quarterbacked Athens High School to a football State Championship. He decided to play college football in his hometown and led the University of Georgia to an SEC Title in 1959. He was a two-time All-SEC performer and also earned All-American honors as the Georgia quarterback. Tarkenton was drafted by Minnesota in the third Round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Fran played professionally for 18 years starting and ending his career with Minnesota. He also had a 5-year run for the New York Giants between his two-stints in Minnesota. Tarkenton was one of the first “scrambling” quarterbacks and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played in 9 Pro Bowls and helped lead the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances. He threw for over 47,000 yards with 342 career touchdowns. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since his retirement from football, Tarkenton has enjoyed great success as a media personality and businessman.
RUDY YORK
Rudolph P. “Rudy” York was born in Ragland, Alabama and raised near Cartersville. He got his start in baseball playing for the ATCO textile mill team as a teenager. He played in the minor leagues and was called up to the majors by the Detroit Tigers briefly in the 1934 season. He began his full time professional career with the Tigers and played through the 1948 season with the Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox, and the Philadelphia Athletics. During his playing career, he was a seven time All-Star and was part of the Tigers’ World Series Champions in 1945. He was the American League home run and RBI leader in 1943. After his playing days, he worked as a manager, coach, and scout in both the major and minor leagues. He is also a member of the Michigan and Alabama Sports Halls of Fame.
