Delta commemorated the life and legacy of renowned University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley on Tuesday with the dedication of a Boeing 767-400 featuring a memorial seal honoring the Hall of Famer.
The dedication ceremony was attended by CEO Ed Bastian as well as fellow Delta leaders – and UGA alumni – Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Tim Mapes and Chief Customer Experience Officer Allison Ausband. The Dooley Family was in attendance alongside Gov. Brian Kemp; Lt. Governor-Elect Burt Jones; Billy Payne, former chairman of Augusta National Golf Club; Frank Ros, team captain of the 1980 UGA team; and several Delta employees, who are also UGA alumni.
“Vince Dooley’s legacy lives on through his enduring spirit and meaningful dedication to the University of Georgia and Bulldog fans everywhere,” said Allison Ausband, class of ’83 and incoming chair of The University of Georgia Foundation. “Delta and the University of Georgia have a longstanding relationship. As the official airline of UGA Athletics, we are honored to dedicate this aircraft to Coach Dooley in remembrance of his impact across athletics, community and family.”
At the ceremony, Vince Dooley’s son, Daniel Dooley, shared memories of Dooley’s celebrated career and dedication to the University of Georgia athletic program.
Delta has been the official airline of Georgia athletics for more than 40 years dating to 1980, when Delta first transported Dooley’s team to New Orleans to win a national title. In 2022, Delta welcomed home the victorious UGA Bulldogs after a victory in the 2022 NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship.
In addition to Delta’s support for UGA athletics, The Delta Air Lines Foundation has supported the University of Georgia Foundation for many years. This includes projects involving athletics, such as a grant for renovating Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, the athletics administration center that houses the football program, and academic support for programs including the Delta Innovation Hub, the Driftmier Engineering Center, and Delta Hall in Washington, D.C.
In a few days, Delta will once again carry the University of Georgia football team to their second consecutive College Football Playoffs in Los Angeles, California.
