"The Character of a Champion"

Serving as the entrance to the University of Georgia Vince Dooley Athletic Complex, “The Character of a Champion,” is a bronze sculpture on a Pennsylvania black marble base depicting head football coach, Vince Dooley being carried by two football players by local Athens artist, Stan Mullins. The statue celebrates the coaching career of Dooley, who served as the head football coach from 1964-1988 and led the Dawgs to a National Championship in 1980. Vince Dooley has been quoted by the Associated Press as saying, “ I really do like it. I like it because it involves the players and not just me” about the statue. Mullins hopes the tradition of “rubbing the foot” will take off for students and athletes to pass by the statue, rub Dooley’s foot, and receive some of the coach’s luck.we invite you to walk around the statue and rub the foot for good luck while you ponder the statue. What do you notice? How would you describe the expressions on the players’ and Coach Dooley’s face?

For a more in depth look at the statue through the eyes of the artist himself, check out this video: http://stanmullins.com/portfolio/characterofachampion/