November 2004 President's Corner

Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

As Navy’s Football record sits at a respectable 7 and 2, after a disappointing loss to Tulane, several Chapter members had the pleasure of hearing Navy Head Coach Paul Johnson address the Atlanta Touchdown Club on November 8 at Cobb Galleria. He is on a recruiting swing in the Southeastern U.S., and it is obvious from the reaction of those present that there is a great deal of respect for the job he does leading the Midshipmen. Of course he is already famous in Georgia for the record he piled up at Georgia Southern and he pointed out that he now has 11 Georgians on his rosters at the Varsity, JV, and NAPS levels. Last year Coach Johnson recruited the Defensive Player of the week from the podium at the Atlanta Touchdown Club, Greg Sudderth from Lilburn High School. Greg is now a plebe and backup Cornerback at Navy. This year Coach Johnson had his eye on a sharp looking young man who was the Lineman of the week, Matt Johnson of Starr’s Mill High School, actually a Linebacker. We’ll see how that works out, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on Navy’s roster next year.

The Rutgers game on Saturday, November 20, at 1:30 pm, will be carried on CSTV and can be seen at Jocks & Jills in Brookhaven. That’s the only way you can see it in Atlanta, since it won’t be on network TV.

The Army – Navy game on December 4 will be viewed by local West Point and Annapolis alumni at TJ’s Sports Bar in Roswell. Check the website for details on costs and signup. You can sign up and pay on line or pay at the door. We had to change the venue from ESPN ZONE due to cost considerations. We are trying hard to keep our events affordable.

You will notice from the Events Schedule that we will have to move our Founders Day/Dark Ages event from Fernbank Museum to Cobb Galleria again due to cost considerations to keep a quality function at an affordable cost. The date is still Saturday, February 26 and the Superintendent, VAdm Rempt, is our Guest of Honor and speaker.

Other highlights of up coming events are another visit by the USNA Gospel Choir for Martin Luther King Week. They will be visiting area schools and performing at Ebenezer Baptist Church on January 15. The Atlanta Chapter will host a lunch for the choir members in the basement of the Church, and we will be honored by a famous alumnus, MGen Charles Bolden, USMC (Ret.) ’68, who will speak at the concert, along with Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young.

Again I remind you that your Chapter Board of Directors works hard to make these events come off with your enjoyment in mind. We request your support in making the events a success by encouraging your classmates, old shipmates, and squadron mates to join us. If you know any alumni in the area who are not participating, ask them to join us for our monthly luncheon meetings and other events found on our website. Spread the word.

Beat Army! Bill Rentz ’55