Four former University of Georgia and University of Florida stars will be inducted into the Merrill-Lynch/Bank of America Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame on Oct. 28 during Georgia-Florida weekend in Jacksonville.
Georgia defensive back Scott Woerner and defensive lineman Marcus Stroud, a former Jaguars star, will join Florida legendary kicker Jeff Chandler and All-America tight end Ben Troupe being inducted in the 21st annual luncheon at EverBank Field.
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“We look forward to recognizing this special class of Hall of Fame inductees,” said Dave Herrell, the city of Jacksonville's Sports & Entertainment Officer. The Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Luncheon and Induction Ceremony is a unique opportunity to celebrate and honor the incredible tradition of this signature and iconic Jacksonville event.”
A member of the 1980 national championship team, Woerner will be inducted into two Halls of Fame this year -- with his second induction coming at the College Football Hall of Fame in December. One of the legends of the Junkyard Dawgs defense, Woerner made two interceptions in the 17-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame -- most notably on the last play of his college career.
Woerner still ranks as one of Georgia's most prolific defensive backs and return specialists. A consensus All-America and All-SEC selection in 1980, Woerner led the nation in punt return average at 15.7 yards. Woerner was drafted in the third round by the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. In his rookie season, he tallied 210 kick return yards on 10 returns and 278 punt return yards on 33 attempts.
Two years later, he bolted for the Philadelphia Fliers, a franchise in the startup USFL, where he was named a First-Team All-USFL safety amassing 360 punt return yards, eight interceptions and two sacks. Woerner won two USFL Championships in the next two seasons for the Fliers and the Baltimore Stars before the league folded in 1986.
A first team All-SEC selection his senior year, Stroud fought his way to the top throughout his career that culminated in being drafted with the 13th pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2001 NFL Draft, just behind fellow Bulldog and Hall of Famer Richard Seymour in what many regard as the best draft ever for defensive tackles.
His legend may very well have started with his two tackles and a sack as a freshman in Georgia’s 37-17 win over Florida in 1997.
During his 10 seasons in the NFL, Stroud was picked for the Pro Bowl three times (2003, 2004 and 2005) and was a key piece of the Jaguars defense, playing in all 16 games his first five seasons in the league.
An All-America honoree out of high school in Georgia, Troupe crossed the state lines and lived up to the hype during his career at Florida -- earning first team All-America honors as a senior after becoming the first tight end to lead the Gators in touchdown receptions since 1980.
His senior season showcased his talents in 2003, leading the team with 15 plays of 20 yards or more and was the only tight end in the country to finish with more than 500 yards receiving. During that season, he led the Gators with 58 yards on two catches as Florida beat No. 4 Georgia, 16-13.
He was drafted in the second round as the 40th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, playing four years in the NFL.
A native of Jacksonville, Chandler joined the Gators as a walk-on and quickly made an impression, earning a scholarship prior to the start of his sophomore season. Armed with the confidence booster, Chandler went on to become the best kicker in UF history -- setting the school record for most points (368), field goals (67), and PATs (167). He finished second in field goal percentage (83.8%), hitting 67-of-80 in his career. His name is scattered throughout the UF kicking records, most notably with the longest field goal by a Gator in a bowl game of 51 yards in the 2001 Sugar Bowl.
The 2000 Georgia-Florida game was one for the record books as well as he knocked home a career-best 54-yard field goal in a 34-23 win over the Bulldogs. He was drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers and played in the NFL for three years, making 19-of-27 kicks in his career, with a long of 49 yards.
Table sponsorships and tickets for the event are on sale through the City of Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Office. Contact Chandler Fussell at 904-630-7244 or email cfussell@coj.net for more information.