Georgia Bulldogs: Vince Dooley Statue Inspires New Tradition for Bulldog Nation

The University of Georgia has their historic traditions just like every other great football program.  We know about the Arch, and of course ringing the Chapel Bell. 

However, a few students are trying to put their mark on the history of this school by starting a completely new tradition on campus. 

Georgia student Ryan Prior met artist Stan Mullins downtown one night, and as the two began to talk, they realized something special could be born.

Mullins is the creator of the Vince Dooley statue located on South Campus.  As you know Dooley made a huge impact at Georgia, and it was only fitting that he have his own statue somewhere on campus. 

It took awhile to get thins going, and for the statue to find a home, but eventually all was settled and in 2008 the statue was unveiled to the public. It is located off of Lumpkin Street in a lovely garden right in front of the Vince Dooley athletic complex. It truly is an amazing piece of work. 

Mullins told Prior that when he built the statue, he made it with the intention for the public to get involved. Prior, like most students, took to the social media world in hopes to start a new tradition.  

The tradition that these two and others are hoping to start is entitled “Rub the Foot”.  Click the link to check out their Facebook event. Skyler Holcomb, Zeke Bryant and Giridhar Subramanian have also played key roles in the kick-start of this tradition. 

The Dooley statue features two football players hoisting Dooley up in the air after a big win. Hanging off the base of the sculpture is a foot that belongs to one of the players.  

Mullins made the statue in a unique way that after so many rubs the foot would change colors.

"Our skin oils will affect the bronze and its patina—the coloring of it," Mullins said. "The more it is rubbed, the more it is touched, it will take on more of a golden color than bronze. It will become shiny."

He got the idea from a statue in Italy. 

So this is where you come in Bulldog Nation.  In order for this to become a big time tradition at Georgia, you need to rub the foot. You have a great chance to be a part of history here. 

It may be the summer, but that shouldn’t affect you visiting the great city of Athens. The college town is quite lovely in the summertime. It is quiet and peaceful, making it a great place for a day trip.

Start rubbing the foot now, and by the time the season rolls around it will gain more notoriety. Don’t just rub it on game days, rub the foot on all days.  

You can spread the word about how you were one of the original hands to help give the Dooley Statue its golden shine. 

Fans love to take pictures by the historic arch, and ring the life out of the Chapel Bell after a win. Now you have a reason to head to South Campus to partake in a new tradition by rubbing the foot.   

If the Bulldog Nation can come together on this, the great Vince Dooley himself will sign off on it to make it an official tradition at UGA. 

What a great story to pass along the generations of your family that you helped get this going. 

I encourage you to start rubbing the foot now and to never stop.