Evans makes history at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Damon Evans became the first black athletic director in Southeastern Conference history Friday

when he was hired by the University of Georgia.

Evans, 34, who becomes the youngest athletic director in the conference, replaces Vince Dooley, who is retiring in June. Evans officially takes over on July 1.

The announcement comes 16 days after Mississippi State hired Sylvester Croom as the first black football coach in the SEC.

"There's no place I'd rather be than right here with the extraordinary opportunity to help move this program to even greater heights," Evans said.

The native of Gainesville, Ga. has worked the past five 1/2 years as senior associate athletics director under Dooley. He played football at Georgia from 1988-92, an era that includes Dooley's final season as football coach.

He also was compliance director at Missouri in 1994-95.

Dooley has spent the last 40 years in Georgia's athletic department and his supporters have complained that he was forced into retirement.