Bill Curry and his move to Bama

[forensicbuzz]

Based on Curry's Book, he had 5 years of eligibility. I have attached a page from his Book. It appears that his time at Tech
was as follows:

1960(Freshman Team) --1961(Soph Redshirt) --1962 (Soph)--1963(Junior)--1964(5th Year Senior).

Bill was a leader on the 1964 team based my 1965 Blueprint and Al Thomy's book, "Ramblin Wreck".

The designations are confusing since there were Freshman Teams in those years. Bill referred to himself as a Redshirt Soph in the 1961
Alabama game and as a Junior in his 4th year(Attached). I based my designations on his statements. Just trying to make them fit his own descriptions. Today, I believe we would refer to his second year as being a Redshirt Freshman.

Not trying to be argumentative, just noting that he had the 5th year of eligibility during the 1964 season.

'61 he was a sophomore that redshirted. In today's vernacular, it would have been Freshman, Sophomore, Redshirt Sophomore, Redshirt Junior, and then (5th year) Redshirt Senior. Freshmen weren't eligible, so he was on the field '62-'64.

 

[g0lftime]

I remember him working out alone on campus when he was preparing for the NFL. Totally did it on his own. I think it must have been the summer of 1965 and he was very dedicated to keep his daily schedule.

 

[DeepSnap]

I remember him working out alone on campus when he was preparing for the NFL. Totally did it on his own. I think it must have been the summer of 1965 and he was very dedicated to keep his daily schedule.

Once Curry got to the NFL, he spent his off seasons in Atlanta, usually working as a sportscaster for WAGA, then "Channel 5" & the CBS affiliate.

We got to see him during spring practice when he would drop by, probably to see Dodd - can't see Bill & Carson beings big friends, and would offer tips to us Centers.

 

[LT 1967]

That was one of the first Tech games I attended, as my Dad somehow was able to buy two tickets in the south end zone. I was 11 years old, and we were surrounded by Bama fans. When they finally scored, it was at the north goal line to make the score 7-6, and they went for the 2-pt conversion. From our vantage point, we could not see the yard lines, but only the backs of the Alabama players more than 100 yards away. We had no idea if they made it or not, until the Tech Rats started screaming and going nuts. The south end zone went deathly quiet except for my Dad and I and a handful of otherTech fans, but the rest of the stadium was in an uproar. I sure hope it happened the way I remember it!

As you recalled above, the failed two-point conversion was the most important play of the game. However, there was enough time remaining (5.5 Min) for Alabama to get two more possessions with a chance to win. In the name of transparency, I had to refer to a couple of written accounts for the following detailed info. After six decades, I could not recall this last part of the game. Also, keep in mind that we had players who played on both offense and defense.

After the two-point attempt and a successful on sides kick by Alabama, Joe Namath's pass was intercepted by Billy Lothridge, but he fumbled the ball back to BAMA
during the return.

On this final Bama possession, Don Toner intercepted a Jack Hulburt pass at the Tech 14-yard line to seal the game.

Another player who was a standout during the game was Fullback Mike McNames. He made the tackle on the Alabama two-point conversion attempt.
Plus, late in the second quarter he intercepted a Namath pass and then switched to offense to run for Tech's only score!

Note: I was surprised that Billy Lothridge was playing on defense. However, the only source with this much detail on that last part of the game was a
book Titled "Rising Tide". This book has a lot of info on the Dodd-Bryant relationship, the Graning injury, plus the Tech Tradition and place in College football
at that time.

 

[neb llarmus]

As you recalled above, the failed two-point conversion was the most important play of the game. However, there was enough time remaining (5.5 Min) for Alabama to get two more possessions with a chance to win. In the name of transparency, I had to refer to a couple of written accounts for the following detailed info. After six decades, I could not recall this last part of the game. Also, keep in mind that we had players who played on both offense and defense.

After the two-point attempt and a successful on sides kick by Alabama, Joe Namath's pass was intercepted by Billy Lothridge, but he fumbled the ball back to BAMA
during the return.

On this final Bama possession, Don Toner intercepted a Jack Hulburt pass at the Tech 14-yard line to seal the game.

Another player who was a standout during the game was Fullback Mike McNames. He made the tackle on the Alabama two-point conversion attempt.
Plus, late in the second quarter he intercepted a Namath pass and then switched to offense to run for Tech's only score!

Note: I was surprised that Billy Lothridge was playing on defense. However, the only source with this much detail on that last part of the game was a
book Titled "Rising Tide". This book has a lot of info on the Dodd-Bryant relationship, the Graning injury, plus the Tech Tradition and place in College football
at that time.

I had classes with Don Toner - good dude. I thought it was Namath that threw the interception. All Bama had to do was run the ball and kick the game winning field goal. Bryant said he called the pass play but no subs came in. Yep, thought it was Broadway Joe that called that play. My memory must be going. Hell of a win - I was also at that game in ‘61 in Birmingham.

 

[bobongo]

I had classes with Don Toner - good dude. I thought it was Namath that threw the interception. All Bama had to do was run the ball and kick the game winning field goal. Bryant said he called the pass play but no subs came in. Yep, thought it was Broadway Joe that called that play. My memory must be going. Hell of a win - I was also at that game in ‘61 in Birmingham.

Found this:

How a 1962 Tech game ball came to be mine.

It was a rainy day at Grant Field when I found myself holding a treasure.

www.fromtherumbleseat.com

"It was late, very late, in the game when Don Toner intercepted Joe Namath's pass sealing the win for Tech."

 

[LT 1967]

I had classes with Don Toner - good dude. I thought it was Namath that threw the interception. All Bama had to do was run the ball and kick the game winning field goal. Bryant said he called the pass play but no subs came in. Yep, thought it was Broadway Joe that called that play. My memory must be going. Hell of a win - I was also at that game in ‘61 in Birmingham.

Your good memory led me to do some additional research. I personally do not remember as I mentioned. I happen to have Frank Sexton's book named "Old School Football and Faith".

Frank was number 81. I have attached two Pages from his book. Turns out that he was the Tech player who intercepted the Namath pass. He confirms that Namath threw the final pass not Hulburt. Also, Lothridge did not intercept the pass as the Rising Tide relates. See the attachments.

I apologize to the site for picking up some bad info from the book "Rising Tide". I also attached that page and noted the incorrect info. Proves again that you can't believe all that you read!

 

[Buzztheirazz]

Yeah, that’s another metric that sticks out for me. I’ve never seen fan support this low. Even after Lewis there were fans who couldn’t wait to get back to the stadium after he was gone. Now we have large swaths of fans who have decided football is no longer worth it compared to life’s other pleasures.

This is totally anecdotal on my part but it is the impression I get.

GT fans are like ATL fans in general. Win and they will come. It happens to the Falcons, Hawks and Braves. When they lose the fans don’t come out. Just win and they’ll come back.

 

[Heisman's Ghost]

If he graduated in spring of 1964, his "senior" football season was fall of 1963, and a freshman in 1960 football season.

Yep. You are correct. Once again, liberal arts math on display. I think.

 

[Heisman's Ghost]

Based on Curry's Book, he had 5 years of eligibility. I have attached a page from his Book. It appears that his time at Tech
was as follows:

1960(Freshman Team) --1961(Soph Redshirt) --1962 (Soph)--1963(Junior)--1964(5th Year Senior).

Bill was a leader on the 1964 team based my 1965 Blueprint and Al Thomy's book, "Ramblin Wreck".

The designations are confusing since there were Freshman Teams in those years. Bill referred to himself as a Redshirt Soph in the 1961
Alabama game and as a Junior in his 4th year(Attached). I based my designations on his statements. Just trying to make them fit his own descriptions. Today, I believe we would refer to his second year as being a Redshirt Freshman.

Not trying to be argumentative, just noting that he had the 5th year of eligibility during the 1964 season.

Why would he have had a 5th year of eligibility? Most players then played on the freshman team then played three years. Whatever, he was another in a long line of great Georgia Tech centers. I wonder if he played on defense as well? Substitution rules in that era were constantly changing. They even had something called "defensive specialists" whatever that was.

 

[neb llarmus]

Found this:

How a 1962 Tech game ball came to be mine.

It was a rainy day at Grant Field when I found myself holding a treasure.

www.fromtherumbleseat.com

"It was late, very late, in the game when Don Toner intercepted Joe Namath's pass sealing the win for Tech."

Thanks!! My memory is not shot after all

 

[Heisman's Ghost]

I had classes with Don Toner - good dude. I thought it was Namath that threw the interception. All Bama had to do was run the ball and kick the game winning field goal. Bryant said he called the pass play but no subs came in. Yep, thought it was Broadway Joe that called that play. My memory must be going. Hell of a win - I was also at that game in ‘61 in Birmingham.

I was eight years old and was at that game with my parents. We sat in the north stands so my cousin could sit with us who had just got out of the marines. An Alabama fan behind us was drunk and kept spilling his beer on my clothes. My cousin who in the best of times was tough, mean and outrageously short tempered, punched him in the mouth just as my dad came back with the Atlanta police who dragged his sorry tail off the premises. A few minutes later, we got to see Don Toner intercept that aforementioned pass. My dad seemed to think that Namath was under a heavy pass rush as he was most of the game and threw the ball before he wanted to. Alabama may have passed because of the field conditions and did not trust a field goal. It liked to have killed Bear as they were number one at the time. A strange game for strange times.

 

[LT 1967]

Why would he have had a 5th year of eligibility? Most players then played on the freshman team then played three years. Whatever, he was another in a long line of great Georgia Tech centers. I wonder if he played on defense as well? Substitution rules in that era were constantly changing. They even had something called "defensive specialists" whatever that was.

I can answer your question about Curry playing on offense and defense. See the attachment showing an article from my 1965 Blueprint (1964 Football Season). See near bottom noting that Dave Simmons and Bill Curry led the defense against Duke. We were ranked number 6 after that game. Unfortunately, that ranking didn't last in 64.

As far as the 5th year of eligibility? It is a term we hear fairly often, but we(I) may not think through. It has to refer to a 5th year of Scholarship eligibility, not Playing eligibility which is 4 years. Since Curry was a freshman in 1960 and a Redshirt in 1961(Did not play in Games), he only played in 1962--63--64. As he said, he travelled with the Team to Birmingham in 61 but had a clean uniform on the sideline as a Redshirt Soph.