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This weekend, two of the most influential men in Georgia Tech's illustrious sports history will be recognized by the state of Georgia via induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Both men enjoyed huge success during their times at Tech, and each now have their names on major landmarks in Tech athletics (both literally and figuratively -- Cremins Court is where the Jackets play basketball, and Rice has his name on a number of things across campus). Take a look below for more on the amazing careers of these two men.
Bobby Cremins and Homer Rice, two prominent figures in Georgia Tech athletics history, will both be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Saturday evening in Macon.
Cremins and Rice will be inducted along with James Brooks, Jim Hughes, Hollis Stacy, Frank Thomas, Chester Webb and Scott Woerner.
Cremins began his 19-season coaching career at Georgia Tech on April 14, 1981, following a successful tenure at Appalachian State. The Bronx (N.Y.) native inherited a basketball program that was coming off a 4-23 season and had just one winning season in the previous 10 years. In just his third season on the Flats, Cremins led the Yellow Jackets to an NIT appearance - their first post-season berth of any kind in 13 years. One year later Tech won a share of the ACC regular season title, won the conference tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 1990, Cremins led Tech to a Final Four appearance and a 28-7 record. The 28 victories remain a school record for single-season wins. Cremins was named ACC Coach of the Year three times - in 1983, 1985 and 1996. He was the national coach of the year in 1990.
Cremins, who was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, produced a cumulative record in 19 seasons at Georgia Tech of 354-327.
The man who hired Cremins at Georgia Tech was Rice, Georgia Tech's athletic director for 17 years, from 1980 to 1997.
The cornerstone of Rice's tenure on North Avenue was his development of the student-athlete Total Person Program, so successful that later the NCAA adopted it as a model for its Life Skills Program that is in place in schools throughout the nation. Rice is also credited with the development of multiple women's sports teams at Tech, raising $100 million for facilities, increasing athletic fund-raising and bringing national respect to Yellow Jacket athletics. During his tenure, Tech earned the nation's No. 1 ranking in football, basketball, baseball and golf.
While Rice was at Tech, the Jackets won a share of the national championship in football in 1990, appeared in the men's basketball Final Four in 1990, made nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in men's basketball, won three ACC men's basketball tournament titles, earned 13 consecutive NCAA baseball tournament appearances and produced three Olympic gold medalists in track and field.
The NCAA Division I-A Athletic Director of the Year Award is named in Rice's honor.
Rice has been inducted into many halls of fame including the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to Coach Cremins and Director Rice! We're proud to have you as members of the Georgia Tech family!
