Athensvol
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2006
- Messages
- 221
- Likes
- 0
Richt signs with the Tigers
Head Bulldog applauds son's signing with Clemson
By Jeff Cochran | jeffrey.cochran@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:47 PM on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Learn about the recruits: Signing Day 2008
BOGART - Covered from head to toe in orange, Prince Avenue Christian's Jon Richt looked like any Georgia fan's worst nightmare.
But father Mark Richt, Georgia's football coach, smiled and applauded as his son made his post-high school plans official in front of the Wolverines student body in a color he has learned to loathe.
Wearing an orange hat, orange shirt, orange jacket and orange pants, Jon Richt signed a letter of intent Wednesday to accept a scholarship to play football at Clemson.
"It's a great day," the quarterback said. "It's been in my heart that God, this is where he wanted me to go. ... It's going to be very different, but I believe I'll make it through."
Jon Richt plans to start practice at Clemson on May 21. For his family, that means close to four more months of watching the oldest son strutting around in the same color as Florida, Auburn and Tennessee.
"He gets away with it," his mother, Katharyn Richt, said. "He's been doing it for awhile. Orange is kind of hard for us, but we love Jon. ... To be able to watch part of his dream come true is a blessing."
Mark Richt has learned to live with his son's breach in fashion etiquette, and was able to view his son's attire Wednesday in a positive light.
"I've never really been a fan of orange," the coach said. "Ever since I've been coaching, orange has been the enemy. Today, it's a blessing to see Jon wearing orange and know that he's going to a great place."
Putting pen to paper was merely a formality for the Wolverines' quarterback. Jon Richt committed to Clemson on Feb. 1, 2007 and said he never waivered on that commitment.
Not surprisingly, the coach's son said the biggest factor in his decision was the relationships he built with the Tigers' coaches.
"It was definitely the coaches and their backgrounds," he said when asked what drew him to Clemson. "Coach (Tommy) Bowden is a strong believer and that's how I am. After seeing what they do on the field and off the field, it really drew me there."
The signing was more than a formality to the rest of Prince Avenue. The entire student population, kindergarten through 12th grade, and much of the faculty was in the gym to witness the signing and celebrate one of its best athletes' accomplishments.
The senior quarterback threw for more than 3,000 yards in his final two seasons with the Wolverines and threw 17 touchdown passes in the 2007 season in which Prince Avenue went 5-5.
"He's going to flourish," athletic director Richard Ricketts said. "It's a big deal. He has a really good arm, good mechanics. When he adjusts to the speed up there, we'll start to really see what he can do."
His peers' encouragement was the highlight of an important day for Jon Richt.
"The best thing was my fellow students coming out and supporting me," he said. "That meant a lot. Here, it's just one big family."
His entire immediate family also made it to the gym, including his father, who had a very busy National Signing Day in front of him.
"I made a point to be here," Mark Richt said. "I made sure our schedule is such that I wouldn't have any responsibilities at this time."
The Bulldogs coach was careful to always have his cell phone ready in case of any breaking news during Georgia's signing day, but his son was his top priority at the time. Mark Richt said working with his son to decide on a college helped shed a fresh light on the recruitment process.
"This whole recruiting year has been different for me," the coach said. "You really get to see first hand the emotions involved, to see him go through the excitement of the opportunity. I think we sometimes forget that. It was good medicine for me."
Both father and son smiled at the thought of the two playing in a game on opposite sides of the field one day. Jon Richt seemed the most excited about the possibility.
"We are very competitive," he said. "He (his dad) is always saying 'Man beats boy.' We are going to change that around one time."
Both agreed that if that day did come, Jon Richt's mother might be wearing as much orange as her eldest son.
"There is no way his mom will be the water boy for Georgia," Mark Richt said. "Our defensive ends would be afraid to drink the water."
Jon Richt didn't put anything past his protective mother either.
"She'd probably spike the water," he said. "I'm not going to lie."
HARRIS SIGNS WITH MIDDLE GEORGIA: Jon Richt's teammate on the football field, basketball court and baseball field, Buck Harris, also signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Middle Georgia.
"I'm on an emotional high right now," Harris said. "It is great that I get to share this with Jon. We have been friends since the fourth grade and we have just been best friends ever since. ... It's just awesome."
Head Bulldog applauds son's signing with Clemson
By Jeff Cochran | jeffrey.cochran@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:47 PM on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Learn about the recruits: Signing Day 2008
BOGART - Covered from head to toe in orange, Prince Avenue Christian's Jon Richt looked like any Georgia fan's worst nightmare.
But father Mark Richt, Georgia's football coach, smiled and applauded as his son made his post-high school plans official in front of the Wolverines student body in a color he has learned to loathe.
Wearing an orange hat, orange shirt, orange jacket and orange pants, Jon Richt signed a letter of intent Wednesday to accept a scholarship to play football at Clemson.
"It's a great day," the quarterback said. "It's been in my heart that God, this is where he wanted me to go. ... It's going to be very different, but I believe I'll make it through."
Jon Richt plans to start practice at Clemson on May 21. For his family, that means close to four more months of watching the oldest son strutting around in the same color as Florida, Auburn and Tennessee.
"He gets away with it," his mother, Katharyn Richt, said. "He's been doing it for awhile. Orange is kind of hard for us, but we love Jon. ... To be able to watch part of his dream come true is a blessing."
Mark Richt has learned to live with his son's breach in fashion etiquette, and was able to view his son's attire Wednesday in a positive light.
"I've never really been a fan of orange," the coach said. "Ever since I've been coaching, orange has been the enemy. Today, it's a blessing to see Jon wearing orange and know that he's going to a great place."
Putting pen to paper was merely a formality for the Wolverines' quarterback. Jon Richt committed to Clemson on Feb. 1, 2007 and said he never waivered on that commitment.
Not surprisingly, the coach's son said the biggest factor in his decision was the relationships he built with the Tigers' coaches.
"It was definitely the coaches and their backgrounds," he said when asked what drew him to Clemson. "Coach (Tommy) Bowden is a strong believer and that's how I am. After seeing what they do on the field and off the field, it really drew me there."
The signing was more than a formality to the rest of Prince Avenue. The entire student population, kindergarten through 12th grade, and much of the faculty was in the gym to witness the signing and celebrate one of its best athletes' accomplishments.
The senior quarterback threw for more than 3,000 yards in his final two seasons with the Wolverines and threw 17 touchdown passes in the 2007 season in which Prince Avenue went 5-5.
"He's going to flourish," athletic director Richard Ricketts said. "It's a big deal. He has a really good arm, good mechanics. When he adjusts to the speed up there, we'll start to really see what he can do."
His peers' encouragement was the highlight of an important day for Jon Richt.
"The best thing was my fellow students coming out and supporting me," he said. "That meant a lot. Here, it's just one big family."
His entire immediate family also made it to the gym, including his father, who had a very busy National Signing Day in front of him.
"I made a point to be here," Mark Richt said. "I made sure our schedule is such that I wouldn't have any responsibilities at this time."
The Bulldogs coach was careful to always have his cell phone ready in case of any breaking news during Georgia's signing day, but his son was his top priority at the time. Mark Richt said working with his son to decide on a college helped shed a fresh light on the recruitment process.
"This whole recruiting year has been different for me," the coach said. "You really get to see first hand the emotions involved, to see him go through the excitement of the opportunity. I think we sometimes forget that. It was good medicine for me."
Both father and son smiled at the thought of the two playing in a game on opposite sides of the field one day. Jon Richt seemed the most excited about the possibility.
"We are very competitive," he said. "He (his dad) is always saying 'Man beats boy.' We are going to change that around one time."
Both agreed that if that day did come, Jon Richt's mother might be wearing as much orange as her eldest son.
"There is no way his mom will be the water boy for Georgia," Mark Richt said. "Our defensive ends would be afraid to drink the water."
Jon Richt didn't put anything past his protective mother either.
"She'd probably spike the water," he said. "I'm not going to lie."
HARRIS SIGNS WITH MIDDLE GEORGIA: Jon Richt's teammate on the football field, basketball court and baseball field, Buck Harris, also signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Middle Georgia.
"I'm on an emotional high right now," Harris said. "It is great that I get to share this with Jon. We have been friends since the fourth grade and we have just been best friends ever since. ... It's just awesome."
