It has been a year of change for the Southeastern Conference in 2024. New additions to the conference with Texas and Oklahoma, Nick Saban’s retirement, no more divisions and now, longtime University of Georgia Sports Information Director, Claude Felton has announced his retirement.
Felton, a Savannah, GA native and Savannah High School alumni, had been working in the University of Georgia athletic department since 1979 and was former Georgia Athletic Director, Vince Dooley’s, first hire when he began in Athens.
After 45 years with @UGAAthletics, Senior Associate Athletic Director Claude Felton has announced his retirement: https://t.co/mRlskehsOO
“Claude Felton is one of the most influential figures in the history of Georgia Athletics…” – @Brooks_UGA
Congrats Claude, and thank you… pic.twitter.com/jp435wrZDq
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) January 30, 2024
Throughout his career, Felton had been involved in many major sporting events, and not just involving the University of Georgia. He was the host information director for the 1977 Men’s Final Four, was on the press liaison staff for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and also served as the Press Venue Chief for the soccer venue at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA, according to the Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame.
Before becoming the SID at Georgia, Felton was heavily involved in the Georgia Southern University athletic department. He served as Director of Public Relations, Director of Information Services and finally Sports Information Director before accepting the same role at UGA.
“Claude would always be on his walkie-talkie during practice and I would always grab it and talk to whoever was on the other end,” said former Georgia wide receiver and current Mount Vernon head football coach Terrence Edwards. “All the associates in the communications department would allow me to use their walkie-talkies to call up Claude. Every time I see Claude now he would just give me his walkie-talkie without me even asking. Claude will definitely be missed and is a true example of a DGD,” said Edwards.
During his time helping the UGA athletic department grow, Felton has been on site as a media coordinator for 17 NCAA National Championship events.
In 2005, Felton was inducted into the Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions to local athletic programs around the area and for his prestigious accomplishments.
It is widely regarded that the University of Georgia athletics program would not be where it is today without Felton at the helm as the Sports Information Director.
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