A great college player in the 1930's at UGA, he later played professional football, coached under Wally Butts for the Bulldogs, and became nationally known as Georgia's volunteer kicking coach turning out numerous pro punters and kickers including Kevin Butler, John Kasay, Bucky Dilts, and Todd Peterson.
"Coach Hartman has been an integral part of our athletic program over many, many years," said UGA Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "He played a significant role in the growth and success of the Athletic Association and has touched the lives of Georgia people both young and old for the better part of a century. He has a very big place in the history and tradition of the University of Georgia."
UGA President Michael F. Adams said that "Bill Hartman will long be remembered as one of those stalwarts responsible for today's success in UGA's athletics programs. His lifetime contributions to his alma mater were exemplary and his impact on countless students immeasurable. He was a true gentleman, loved and admired by so many, and he will be greatly missed. The university sends heartfelt condolences to Coach Hartman's family and friends."
Hartman was one of the first to welcome head coach Vince Dooley to Athens in 1964 and became one of Dooley's closest friends and advisors.
"From a personal standpoint, Coach Hartman has always been a loyal friend and confidant," said Dooley. "I don't know of anyone who has made more contributions to the University--both in academics and athletics--than Bill. He's always been a strong University man in all respects. He and Dan Magill are probably the two greatest resources I had during my 40-plus years at Georgia."
Hartman was born in Thomaston, Ga., on March 17, 1915, but his football career began while attending public schools in Madison where he often scrimmaged against the powerful prep team at Madison A&M coached by Wally Butts. After graduation, his family moved to Milledgeville--the same year Butts became coach at Georgia Military College--and Hartman played the next two years at GMC.
Hartman was highly recruited by southern schools, but decided on Georgia where he always wanted to play. He became one of the Bulldogs' greatest fullbacks and linebackers and was named both All-SEC and All-American as a senior and captain of the 1937 team. Many say his best all-around performance came against Fordham and the "seven blocks of granite" in 1936 at the Polo Grounds in New York. Sportswriters called his performance "magnificent" as undermanned Georgia battled Fordham to a 7-7 tie which knocked the Rams out of Rose Bowl contention.
In 1937, Hartman also became known for his mighty punts including an 82-yarder against Tulane. Two weeks later against Georgia Tech, he fielded a second-half kickoff at the seven yard line and after fumbling the ball, he nonchalantly picked it up with his usual calm, and raced 93-yards for the tying touchdown
After graduation, Hartman moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, while working for the Coca Cola Company despite being continually recruited by the Washington Redskins. He finally signed with the Redskins for $250 per game and a no-cut contract.
Washington intended for Hartman to back up legendary tailback Sammy Baugh. But the great NFL passer was hurt before the first game and Hartman started the first six games of the season. He won the first pro game he had ever seen, 24-22, over the Philadelphia Eagles by throwing an 87-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. He also completed 13 consecutive passes in a game against Brooklyn. But he turned his back on the NFL the following year opting to return to the University as backfield coach under his old friend and mentor, Wally Butts.
He helped lead Georgia to victories in both the Orange and Rose Bowls before entering World War Two in the Army's Counter-Intelligence Corps. When he returned to Athens, he entered the insurance business although he continued to coach almost full time until 1956. However, he returned to the field in the early '70's as a volunteer to coach Vince Dooley's kickers where he remained until the mid-'90's. He developed a national reputation for coaching many outstanding punters and place-kickers that went on to play in the NFL including Kevin Butler, Allan Leavitt, Rex Robinson, John Kasay, Todd Peterson, Bucky Dilts, and Mike Garrett.
Throughout his coaching and insurance careers, Hartman at the same time had become one of the University's greatest friends and supporters. He became a University of Georgia Foundation Trustee, president of the University's Alumni Association, co-chairman of the Tech-Georgia Development Fund, and in 1960 became chairman of the Georgia Student Educational Fund--a position he still holds--which was originally formed to raise private funds for athletic scholarships.
Former UGA President Charles Knapp gave Hartman much of the credit for the largest single cash gift in University history--$10 million given by Georgia alumnus Bernard Ramsey in 1993, most of which was used to establish a premier scholarship program.
Ramsey had lived in New York most of his business career until Hartman invited him back to a football game in 1980.
"Bill Hartman played a key role in reuniting Bernie Ramsey with his alma mater," said Knapp. When Ramsey died in 1996, he left the bulk of his estate to UGA. Counting the cash gift, the total value of his contributions was $44,785,652 with the Terry College of Business, Performing and Visual Arts Center, a pair of Georgia Research Alliance professorships, athletics, and the library benefiting from his generosity.
The former Georgia football captain has been a civic leader of the first order serving as President of the Athens Jaycees, Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens Country Club, and Athens Community Chest. A member of the Athens City Council from 1957 - 1960, he served as Mayor Pro Tem in 1960. He twice served as President of the UGA Alumni Society in 1951 and '52. He was awarded the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Business in 1965, Alumni Society's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1963-64, the Abraham Baldwin Award in 1982, and the Blue Key Award in 1992.
Hartman was inducted into the "Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary All America Team" in 1962, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, and the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1992, the Georgia Athletic Association and University of Georgia announced the creation of the "Bill Hartman Award" for the purpose of recognizing former Bulldog student-athletes who have distinguished themselves as alumni. Some of the most notable recipients include Fran Tarkenton, Billy Payne, Dr. Tommy Lyons, Dan Magill, Dr. Tommy Lawhorne, Coach Billy Henderson, and former Lt. Governor Pierre Howard.
Arrangements are being handled by Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens. Visitation is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Athens First Methodist Church. Funeral services will also be at First Methodist on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Pallbearers are Dr. David Allen, Van Cheney, Butch Clifton, Vince Dooley, Lamar Lewis, Candler Meadors, Loran Smith, and Terry Wingfield. Walkers will be Charley Trippi, Dan Magill, John Terrell, and Claude Williams. Honorary pallbearers are kickers who played for Coach Hartman, the Tuck Sunday School Class at First Methodist Church, and the Georgia football lettermen.
Hartman was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Ruth Landers of Savannah, in 1996. He is survived by his second wife, Mary; daughters Laura (61) and Barbara (55); son Bill III (57); six grandchildren and one great grandchild. All three of Hartman's children graduated from UGA's Grady School of Journalism.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Georgia Athletic Association General Endowment Fund, PO Box 1472, Athens, GA 30603, or the Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 North Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30601.
Comments