March 2004 President's Corner

Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

2004 is starting off as a great NAVY year. The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is residing in Annapolis and Coach Paul Johnson’s recruiting and coaching should keep it there for a while. If you have been reading the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sports pages during the recruiting season, you will have seen about five notable Georgia High School football players recruited by Navy, including several on the top 50 Georgia prospects list. When Coach Johnson spoke to the Atlanta Touchdown Club last November, he shared the podium with the Offensive Player of the Week, wide receiver Greg Sudderth from Parkview H.S., State 5A champions. He signed him up for Navy. Coach Johnson’s reputation at Ga. Southern Univ. accounts for quite a few good players from Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina being on the USNA roster.

Here in Atlanta we were blessed in January by a visit from the USNA Gospel Choir for MLK week, and in February we were delighted to have Alumni Association President and CEO George and Peggy Watt as our Guests of Honor for the Founder’s Day/Dark Ages Dinner Dance. George gave an uplifting talk to the 70 present about the great works of the Alumni Association. Among them was Navy’s presence at the Houston Bowl. Even though we didn’t win and the game was in Texas, it was a spectacular Navy crowd that left a rousing impression thanks to ticket support by the Alumni Association. George also discussed the “Leaders to Serve the Nation” fundraising campaign goal of $175 million by 2005. The goal has been reached and funding for the USNA Strategic Plan objectives have been met and will continue to be funded as the campaign continues. President Watt also left a challenge that we can and should do something about. Alumni Association membership reached 49,300 in 2003. The goal has been to achieve 60,000 by 2006. The Atlanta Directory about to be sent out shows about 1,390 alumni living around the Atlanta area. We have about 300 members of the Atlanta Chapter. We can do better than that.

At the Founder’s Day/Dark Ages Party we recognized the senior and junior alumni and presented them both with a bottle of USNA Alumni Signature Wine. George O’Connell ’35 and Kary Brownlee ’93 were the recipients.

In March we look forward eagerly to a visit to our monthly luncheon meeting by Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk. Chet is one of the most energetic and dynamic speakers I have ever heard and he has a great story to tell about Navy athletics. We have some other outstanding lunch speakers lined up, and don’t forget our south side Atlanta BBQ at “The Barn” in Tyrone, GA, on Friday, March 26, 2004. There is another Social Hour and Dinner at Jocks and Jill's on Saturday night, April 24. We close out our Events this year with Army-Navy Golf on Friday, May 7, and the world famous Atlanta Lobster Fest on Saturday, June 5 at Red Top Mountain.

Remember these events don’t happen by accident. They represent a lot of hard work and planning by your Chapter Board of Directors. We need your ideas, inputs, and participation to keep this great Chapter rolling. Check the website and particularly the Events calendar and give us a call

Bill Rentz ’55