Three University current and former Bulldogs have been elected to the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame according to an announcement Thursday.

Georgia women’s basketball coach Andy Landers, former men’s basketball coach Hugh Durham, and former All-America football player Terry Hoage were among the nine elected to the State Hall Thursday by the GSHF Honors Court. The new class will be officially inducted on Feb. 28 during ceremonies at the Macon City Auditorium.

Landers became the women’s basketball coach at the University in 1979. By 1983 he’d already led the Lady Bulldogs to their first Final Four. His career record of 789-246 makes him the fourth winningest women’s basketball coach in NCAA history. In 2007, Landers was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

“It’s flattering because Georgia is a state that has such a storied tradition of people with outstanding athletic accomplishments. It’s an honor just to be considered, and obviously I’m thrilled to be chosen,” Landers said.

“As I’ve said many times, coaches often get recognition because of the success of their players and teams and certainly I understand where this recognition come from,” Landers added. I appreciate all the people who have contributed to making this possible. I particularly appreciate that the University of Georgia, 30 years ago, gave a no-name coach with very little experience the opportunity to be a part of something as special as the University of Georgia.”

Durham coached the University men’s basketball team from 1978 – 1995. During that time the Bulldogs reached the 1983 Final Four and won two SEC Championships. Durham was named SEC coach of the year three times in 1985,1987, and 1990.

Hoage is a native of Huntsville, Texas who came to Athens to play football at UGA. The defensive back was twice a consensus All-American in college racking up 12 interceptions during the 1982 season. He was also a two-time Academic All-American. Hoage went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins in 1992.

- Georgia Sports Communications