Georgia Military College honors New

Matthew Brown, The Union-Recorder, Milledgeville, Ga.
·2 min read
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Mar. 29—Recognizing one of its long-time devoted friends and ambassadors, the Georgia Military College athletic complex now carries Randy New's name.

Fittingly, with the complex sporting a new name, that namesake threw out the first pitch of the first athletic contest Monday at the Randy New Championship Center.

"I thank (school president) Gen. (William B.) Caldwell and his team for what they've done here the last nine years," said New. "Honoring my best friend, Bill Craig, who's passed away, for his work getting this baseball field built. Mr. [Garry] Couch for Couch Field. And Harold Mason for the golf lab."

Georgia Military College has been a part of New's life for six decades.

"I get up in the morning thinking about it," he said. "I go to bed thinking about it. I'm always being an ambassador. I'll still be active."

New was chair of the GMC Board of Trustees for 22 years and a board member for 28 years. Since he moved out of the Milledgeville city limits two years ago, New had to resign from the GMC board.

"Things have gone real well since I left," he said. "I have not gotten a phone call nor have I made one. That's a credit to George Hogan and the current board of trustees and what they do for the school."

New is also a proud GMC Prep and college alumnus and from there he served the United States in the Army. Upon returning from his service, he established several local businesses with success. All while finding time to support his alma mater.

"Day to day, the board of trustees provides guidance and answers questions, sets policies, approves the budget," said New. "It's an overseer for the president and his team."

New couldn't take the baseball field and the pitcher's mound without being official. That is, wearing the GMC colors on an actual Bulldog jersey. So after the formal dedication of the athletic complex, which includes the Couch Field for the softball programs, Lt. Gen. Caldwell and Hogan presented New with a jersey designed to specifications.

"I said put 22 on it. That's the year," he said. "Of course my name is Randy. But my most important job right now is being 'Pa.'"