Vince Dooley: “Sometimes I joined the weepers”

Vince Dooley sits on a rock to sign his new book.

Vince Dooley sits on a rock wall to sign his new book.

As charming as former University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley was at a $250-per-ticket fundraiser in Sequoyah Hills last week (see previous post), he was even more engaging at a much cheaper-ticket event the following evening at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. More than 150 garden lovers showed up to buy copies of Dooley’s new book, “Vince Dooley’s Garden: A Horticultural Adventure of a Football Coach.” Dooley, the father of UT football coach Derek Dooley, signed every copy.

Here are some remarks from his speech to the gardeners:

  • Dooley said he loves weeping plants, those with long tendrils that cascade towards the ground. On his property in Athens, Ga., he has planted a variety of weeping plants along a creek, which he has dubbed “Weepers’ Creek.” “On many a Saturday night after we lost a football game, I’d go down there and weep with the weepers,” he said.
  • Dooley said he had gone “from pigskins to prunes” and from “field goals to marigolds!”
  • “I used to drive around the campus looking at the pretty coeds,” he said. “Now I drive around looking at the pretty plants. I see the beauty in both.”
  • Dooley said one of the benefits of living near a university is that you have the ability to audit courses on any subject that might interest you. That’s why he took a course in horticulture. “In that course, I got bitten by the bug,” he said. “Then it became an infection.”
  • During an interview with two local TV stations, Dooley said that gardens are “good for the mind, good for the body, and good for the soul.”
  • Dooley narrated a slide show about his personal gardens, which are spectacular. “A garden is a living, breathing work of art,” he said.
  • On the other hand, writing a book seemed to be more of a challenge for him. “Writing a book starts as an adventure,” he confided. “Then it becomes a lover. Then it becomes a tyrant. Then it becomes a joy — when it is over!”

Dooley’s wife, Barbara, was a stitch as she threw in comments from her seat on the front row. Former UT coach Johnny Majors and his wife, Mary Lynn, attended the event, as did former Knoxville mayor and Ambassador Victor Ashe and mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero.

The lovely evening started with cocktails, snacks under the tent and mingling. Dooley signed books and posed for pictures.

The lovely evening started with cocktails, snacks under the tent and mingling. Dooley signed books and posed for pictures.

From left: Sally and Mike Ehrhardt, Dooley, and Sally's mother, Sarajo Watkins

From left: Sally and Mike Ehrhardt, Dooley, and Sally's mother, Sarajo Watkins

The Wilson family. From left: Chalmers Wilson, Susie and George Ed Wilson, Emmie and Balint Birkas

The Wilson family. From left: Chalmers Wilson, Susie and George Ed Wilson, Emmie and Balint Birkas

Victor Ashe, left, and Johnny Majors chat in the food tent.

Victor Ashe, left, and Johnny Majors chat in the food tent.

Jackie Lane, left, and Alix Dempster

Jackie Lane, left, and Alix Dempster

Jenny Jukes, whose family once owned the property, and mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero

Jenny Jukes, whose family once owned the property, and mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero

Fiona McAnelly, left, and Mickey Mallonee

Fiona McAnally, left, and Mickey Mallonee

Alan  Carmichael, left, with Steve and Eleanor Kilpatrick

Alan Carmichael, left, with Steve and Eleanor Kilpatrick

Mindy Coulter, right, and her daughter, Meredith

Mindy Coulter, right, and her daughter, Meredith

From left: Becmky Hutton, Melynda Whetsel, and Michael Croyle

From left: Becky Hutton, Melynda Whetsel, and Michael Croyle

Dr. Clark and Ann Julius and Georgia native Shawna Dittrich, at right

Dr. Clark and Ann Julius and Georgia native Shawna Dittrich, at right

Lezah and Burke Pinnell

Lezah and Burke Pinnell

I have not idea what they are looking at! Vince Dooley and Steve Seifried, executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden

I have no idea what they are looking at! Vince Dooley and Steve Seifried, executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden

Former UT Coach Johnny Majors and Barbara Dooley

Former UT Coach Johnny Majors and Barbara Dooley

Before his speech, Dooley gave interviews to local TV stations.

Before his speech, Dooley gave interviews to local TV stations.

Fran Scheidt was one of the first to claim a seat in the greenhouse where the speech was scheduled.

Fran Scheidt was one of the first to claim a seat in the greenhouse where the speech was scheduled.

The greenhouse soon filled up.

The greenhouse soon filled up.

A closer view of the crowd

A closer view of the crowd

Do you recognize this woman? It's Louise Durman and her husband, Fred. Louise is the retired long-time food editor of the News Sentinel.

Do you recognize this woman? It's Louise Durman and her husband, Fred. Louise is the retired long-time food editor of the News Sentinel.

Barbara Dooley sat with my friend Rich Ray on the front row.

Barbara Dooley sat with my friend Rich Ray on the front row.

Dooley told many interesting stories about his gardening -- and his career.

Dooley told many interesting stories about his gardening -- and his career.

And he graciously answered questions from the audience.

And he graciously answered questions from the audience.

Dooley chats with Debra Smith of Home Federal Bank, the sponsor of his appearance.

Dooley chats with Debra Smith of Home Federal Bank, the sponsor of his appearance.

The official sponsor pose: Dooley, Home Federal's Debra Smith and Steve Seifried of the Botanical Garden.

The official sponsor pose: Dooley, Home Federal's Debra Smith and Steve Seifried of the Botanical Garden.

Here's what happened when I told him Debra was from Georgia!

Here's what happened when I told him Debra was from Georgia!

These hydrangeas are named "Vince Dooley."

These hydrangeas are named "Vince Dooley."

Since I'm a Georgia alum, Alan bought me a book and had Dooley sign it!

Since I'm a Georgia alum, Alan bought me a book and had Dooley sign it!

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One Response to Vince Dooley: “Sometimes I joined the weepers”

  1. Alan Carmichael, on April 12th, 2011 at 6:07 pm said:

    Vince Dooley has produced a really wonderful garden. I wish everyone could have seen the slides he presented. Vince and Barbara have great personalities, and it’s great to see the lasting friendship between the Dooley and Majors families after rivalry on the gridiron. I have to say that the botanical garden is looking great also – worth a visit if you haven’t been there lately.

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