Dan Magill facts for kids

Daniel Hamilton Magill Jr. (born January 25, 1921 – died August 23, 2014) was a very important person for the University of Georgia's sports teams, known as the Georgia Bulldogs. He worked as a Sports Information Director, was the Head Tennis Coach, and helped run the Georgia Bulldog Club. Magill was famous across Georgia and the Southern United States for his huge contributions to the Bulldog athletic program. He was also a talented tennis player himself.

Daniel Magill: A Georgia Bulldogs Legend

Early Life and College Days

Dan Magill was born and grew up in Athens, Georgia. His connection with the Bulldogs started early. In high school, he worked as a bat boy for the baseball team and managed the tennis courts. When he went to the University of Georgia, he was a varsity athlete. He played for both the tennis team and the swim team. He also volunteered as an assistant football coach for Harry Mehre. Magill was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity before joining the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University's Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1942.

Magill married Rosemary Reynaud and they had three children: Abe, Sharon, and Mollie.

Building Up Georgia Sports

After serving in the military, Magill became a writer for the Atlanta Journal newspaper. He was the editor for high school sports. Magill was a natural at promoting sports. He helped make the Georgia high school all-star football game very popular, drawing huge crowds every year. He even brought famous baseball pitchers, like Spud Chandler and Whitlow Wyatt, to manage the teams in a high school all-star baseball game.

Becoming the Sports Information Director

In 1949, Magill returned to Athens to become the sports information director for the University of Georgia. He loved the Bulldogs and showed it by covering every sport on campus himself. In the 1950s, the Bulldog football team was having a tough time. Fewer people were coming to watch their games. To help his school, Magill traveled all over Georgia. He started Bulldog Clubs in many towns. He also created The Georgia Bulldog newspaper in 1950. Soon, almost half of Georgia's counties had local Bulldog Clubs, and interest in the teams grew a lot. Magill continued to lead these clubs for many years.

Coaching the Tennis Team to Victory

In 1954, Magill also became the Head Coach for the University's tennis program. The team was struggling at the time. He coached for the next 34 years, turning the program into a powerhouse. His team won 706 matches and lost only 183. This was the most wins by any coach in NCAA history! They won 13 outdoor and 8 indoor Southeastern Conference championships. They also won 2 national championships. Magill also helped build UGA's tennis complex. He brought the ITA Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame to Athens, and it was named in his honor. He convinced Kenny Rogers and Marianne Rogers to donate money for the Hall of Fame building. In 1976, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

His Amazing Legacy

Magill officially retired from the University in 1995. He left behind a legacy that was truly unique. To honor him, the press box at Georgia's famous Sanford Stadium was named after him. A special plaque with his life story is displayed there, next to other Bulldog greats like Vince Dooley and Fran Tarkenton. His seat in the press box simply says, "Dan Magill - Legend."

Uga V: A Special Tribute

Even one of Georgia's famous bulldog mascots, Uga V, was named in his honor. Uga V's official name was "Uga IV's Magillicuddy II." This bulldog mascot was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 1997. The same magazine called him the best mascot in college sports. Uga V also gained national attention in 1996 when he lunged at an Auburn football player during a thrilling game.

Perhaps the greatest proof of Magill's impact is this: today, nearly 50 people do the jobs he once did all by himself. His successor as tennis coach, Manuel Diaz, has continued the tennis program's high quality. Magill's love for the school never stopped. He served as the curator of the Dan Magill ITA Collegiate Hall of Fame. He even gave tours of the complex himself. He also wrote columns for the Athens Banner Herald newspaper. He stayed healthy by playing tennis regularly and was known for his gardening skills.

Later Life and Passing

Dan Magill passed away at the age of 93. He died at an assisted-living facility in Athens, Georgia, on August 23, 2014.