TIFTON — “It was kind of overwhelming.”

That was what Ray Broadway, the executive director of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA), said of the Tifton community’s determination to see legendary coach Arthur Mott inducted into the GACA Hall of Fame.

The letters and recommendations were successful as Mott will be one of six individuals inducted into the hall during a ceremony in June 2007.

Mott was a head coach for 19 seasons. He was at Tifton’s Industrial High in 1951 and went on to Wilson High, where he stayed from 1952-70.

He went on to serve as an assistant coach at Tift County High and was a member of the coaching staff that won the 1983 state title.

Industrial High, as well as Wilson High, were members of the Georgia Interscholastic Association (GIA). Many GIA records have been lost, but Mott’s feats have been well established.

Wilson High won the state football title in 1952 and finished second in 1955, 1965 and 1969. During Mott’s tenure as head football coach, the Wilson High Tigers also had two games that saw them win by more than 100 points. Those contests were a 121-0 victory over Appling County in 1969 and a 112-6 win over Eureka High of Ashburn in 1963. That 121-0 win in 1969 saw Wilson amass 1,033 yards of total offense.

“It was obvious he made a big impact,” Broadway said. “We were happy to receive the information from the Tifton community about his accomplishments. We are pleased he made the Hall of Fame.”

While Broadway did not have a vote, the GACA Executive Committee approved Mott’s induction with an unanimous 19-0 vote.

“That vote was proof that everyone thought highly of Coach Mott,” said Broadway.

“It is great that he will be in the Hall. It bridges the gap between the old era and new era of Georgia high school sports. It is nice that we can go back and get good people from that era.”

Coach Mott is currently is poor health. However, he still lives in Tifton with his wife, Leona. The couple have three children: Alfred, a dentist; Vicki, an attorney; and Tony, a physician.



Through the work of local attorney Bob Reinhardt, the GACA received information and recommendations for Coach Arthur Mott from a variety of local individuals and groups. Here are some examples of what the selection committee was given about Mott’s coaching career.



“During the transition through integration, Coach Mott demonstrated quiet strength and grace, teaching his students how to work and live together, and that all were equal on the athletic field.” — resolution from the Tift County Board of Education, Tift County Commission and City of Tifton.



“I worked with Coach at the Wilson Elementary and High School in Tifton from 1966-68 and observed him in the capacity of athletic director, coach, teacher and mentor. He excelled in each of those positions. However, my fondest and most appreciative memories center around the manner in which he sold ice cream during lunch to supplement what was at best, a bare-bones, Athletic Department budget. He used this task as an opportunity to teach both his players and his fellow faculty members the dignity of simplicity and leadership by example. Many of his players still speak of how Coach Mott’s work ethic positively affected their lives.” — Abraham Baldwin College faculty member Homer A. Day.



“He was always an outstanding football coach, family man and very religious with excellent moral character and values.” — Tift County School Board member John Smith.



“When Wilson High School was combined with Tift County High School, Coach Mott joined the staff and assisted in football and baseball. As the head coach for baseball, it was my pleasure to have Coach Mott serve as an assistant. He was a man of distinct class and was very instrumental in a smooth transition as the schools combined.” — former Tift County coach Bobby Simpson.



“I have been associated with…Arthur Mott for over 50 years…Throughout my association with him I found him to be a great leader of young men. He taught discipline, hard work, morals and character.” — Tift County coach Fred Tucker.



“Coach Mott and I worked together as coaches at Wilson High School from 1960-67 in the sports of football, basketball and baseball. We also taught two classrooms apart; during these times coach Mott demonstrated a great love and desire for the sports that he coached and for the participants in each sport.” — former Wilson High coach Lonza Seadrow.



“Not only did Coach Mott’s teams win games, a significant number of his athletes succeeded in the game of life. Under his tutelage many of his athletes learned the essential lessons necessary for success. He taught them to respect themselves, and he demanded they respect others. He taught them self-reliance and showed them how to do more with less.” — Robert J. Yancy, Ph.D., Professor and Founding Dean at Southern Polytechnic State University.



“Our father used his classroom, which extended to the football field, basketball court and baseball diamond, to teach lessons about life, dignity, integrity, self respect, hard work, tenacity and fierce determination. Daddy’s interest in his students extended beyond their school years. He wanted to instill in them qualities that would serve them well for their entire lives.” — Alfred Mott, Vicki Mott and Tony Mott, Coach Arthur Mott’s three children.