On a day when you could not have asked for better weather, J.T. Wall, the associate head coach at JMA had former teammates and friends from UGA, friends in the community and players show up to make his dream a reality.

“If this is an annual event all J.T. has to do is call and the Bulldogs will show up,” was the response of David Greene, UGA’s former SEC title winning quarterback, when asked if he would come back again.

But that was the response of each and every Bulldog in attendance at the first annual J.T. Wall JMA Trojan Football Golf Tournament. Wall could be seen talking to everyone, shaking hands and introducing one to another with a sly smile and a hopeful wish that everything would fall into place.

But then the start of the tournament neared — which meant the opening speech was about to be given.

“Man, the butterflies came out of no where. I was OK until I had to give that speech, then I just started to freeze a little,” said Wall. “I’m glad we have this support in the community. We have people from all over the state here today, not just from Milledgeville, and that says a lot about the JMA program. I’m blessed that all my fellow Bulldogs took the time out of their schedules to come out here today to help us out, but that’s part of what we learned when we were in Athens — to help each other.”

And the JMA faithful must have heard the same talk because they came out in great numbers to help support this effort for the football team.

Members of the John Milledge Academy family, plus Milledgeville residents could be seen mingling with each other and the former Bulldog players in attendance.

Trey Owen was his usual busy self and could be seen in 20 places at once — or so it seemed — from cooking to helping anyone with anything at any time. Lee McLemore was doing the same, shuttling Bulldogs to and from as well as being another ambassador for JMA. The same could also be said about Charles Wilcher, the Milledgeville Bulldog Club mainstay.

Some of the former Bulldog greats included not only Wall and Greene but Robert Edwards, Matt Stinchcomb, Bert Jones, Coach Mike Cavan, as well as members of the 1980 National Championship team: Rex Robinson, Scott Woerner and team captain Frank Ros.

Woerner, who on his last play as a Georgia Bulldog intercepted a pass against Notre Dame in the National Championship win, was quick to say that any time he could help a former alum to count him in.

“When I was with Coach Dooley he stressed to us the importance of being there for each other and to have fun,” said Woerner.

Woerner went on to say that he has carried that over into his life as a coach and teacher, and feels confident that Wall will do the same.

Edwards, who considered blazing the sideline and leaving Gators in his wake as one of his favorite Georgia memories, said that as these young men play and learn more about the game of football (and life) they need to remember each other.

“Also, remember when you are out on the field to never give up and have fun,” said Edwards.

JMA head coach Don Marchman looked like a proud father when walking around and taking it all in.

“We have had the best summer I think we’ve ever had at John Milledge. The kids have been working hard and we are going to be in condition, plus these kids are ready to play,” Marchman said. “I think with coach Wall working them inside, and me working them outside we are going to see it pay off. This is going to be an exciting year for us I believe.”

As the day turned to evening, the golfers and attendees gathered for a raffle, a silent auction and some fine, mouth- watering cooking.

The JMA family did itself, its community, its football program and its kids proud, and left a model, for anyone wanting to do something the right way, to go by.

“We had over 120 golfers and it looks like more than 250 people here, and I'm happy its come off like it has,” said Wall. “We learned at Georgia to ‘finish the drill’ [or never give up] and always have fun (something each and every Bulldog player said). So I’m hoping to carry that over here and make this a program to be proud of also,” said Wall.

Congratulations to the JMA family for a job well done!