WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | 'Put Erk in the Hall of Fame'

'Put Erk in the Hall of Fame'

By Dal Cannady - bio | email

STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) - The legend of Coach Erk Russell still looms around the State of Georgia.

From national titles to coach of the year awards, one honor that has eluded the late coach is the College Football Hall of Fame. Many who knew and loved Erk now hope a renewed effort will get him there. 

Russell remains one of the most beloved sports figures in Georgia. He served at the University of Georgia's defensive coordinator under Vince Dooley for 17 seasons, including one national championship.

Then he left Athens for Statesboro to rebuild a football team that hadn't played for 40 years. He led Georgia Southern to three national titles in the team's first eight years of existence.

Years after his death and two decades after his last game, former players from Georgia Southern and the University of Georgia don't understand why he isn't already in the College Football Hall of Fame.

"It's hard to believe there's a list and his name isn't on it for whatever reason the list is made," exclaimed Bruce Yawn who played at the University of Georgia in the 1960s. "We all knew Coach Dooley was the head of the team, but Coach Russell was the heart."

Yawn helped recruit Erk to come to Georgia Southern to resurrect a team that stopped playing during World War II.

Erk's name wasn't on the 2009 inductees list released last week. Eagle and Bulldogs alike renewed their campaign to get him in the hall.  According to the Hall of Fame's by-laws, a coach must have been a head coach for 10 years. Coach Russell missed that by two.  

"I understand the rule but I don't agree with it when it comes to Coach Russell," stated former Georgia Southern quarterback Tracy Ham, who played for Russell on the 1985 and 86 NCAA championship teams. Ham was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. "His ability to impact a program as a coordinator and as a head coach, there's not other man in the country who's done what he's done."  

Russell had more than 25 years coaching between Georgia and Georgia Southern. Fans from both schools think that should be enough.

"You're not weakening the qualifications or altering the qualifications to let somebody in," Yawn contended.

Organizers of the effort nicknamed Operation 'Do Right' for Russell's two-word creed, aren't sure what it will take to get the rules changed. But they can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

Organizers are gathering statements from fans and other legendary sports figures to present to the Hall of Fame board members.

You can add your comments to this story and they may be included in the presentation.

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