Legendary tennis instructors Manuel Diaz and Jeff Wallace, as well as 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame member Herschel Walker, have been chosen to be inducted into the UGA Athletic Association Circle of Honor Class of 2025.

The University of Georgia has long stood as a beacon of athletic excellence, cultivating generations of champions, leaders, and legends. Now, in 2025, the UGA Athletic Association is set to honor three of the most iconic names in its storied history. Tennis coaching titans Manuel Diaz and Jeff Wallace, along with 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Herschel Walker, have been selected for induction into the prestigious UGA Athletic Association Circle of Honor.

This annual recognition is reserved for those who have not only represented the University of Georgia at the highest level of competition but have also demonstrated unwavering commitment to the values and traditions of the institution. The Class of 2025 encapsulates a cross-generational and cross-sport celebration of UGA greatness, recognizing individuals who have changed the face of collegiate athletics and left legacies that transcend the scoreboard.

If you ask any Georgia football fan to name the greatest Bulldog of all time, one name will rise to the top without hesitation—Herschel Walker. Revered as perhaps the most dominant college football player in history, Walker’s name has become synonymous with greatness. His inclusion in the Circle of Honor is not just a formality; it is a long-awaited culmination of one of the most illustrious careers in college football history.

Walker arrived in Athens in 1980 as a freshman from Wrightsville, Georgia, and immediately captured the imagination of the nation. With an unrelenting running style, Olympic-level athleticism, and a quiet confidence, Walker led Georgia to a national championship in his first year—a feat few have replicated. His 1,616 rushing yards that season were a freshman record, and his 15 touchdowns made him a household name.

Over his three years at Georgia, Walker amassed 5,259 rushing yards, a school record that still stands. He averaged 159.4 rushing yards per game, won the Heisman Trophy in 1982, and was a three-time consensus All-American. More than just a ball carrier, Walker embodied the grit, pride, and competitive spirit of Georgia football.

Though he departed early for the United States Football League (USFL) before eventually starring in the NFL, Walker’s legacy in Athens never waned. His No. 34 jersey is among the most revered in Sanford Stadium history. Off the field, Walker’s influence extended to national conversations around athletic excellence, mental health, and military support.

Now, as he takes his place in the Circle of Honor, Walker’s enshrinement signals not just recognition of past achievements but a reaffirmation of his status as the gold standard for all Bulldogs who follow.

For over three decades, Manuel Diaz stood as the steady hand guiding the Georgia men’s tennis program. In his tenure as head coach, Diaz turned the Bulldogs into a national powerhouse, capturing four NCAA team championships (1999, 2001, 2007, 2008) and fostering a culture of consistent elite performance.

A former Georgia tennis standout himself in the early 1980s, Diaz returned to Athens in 1982 as an assistant and assumed the head coaching role in 1989. Over the next 34 years, he built one of the most successful tennis legacies in NCAA history.

Diaz’s coaching record is staggering. He retired in 2023 as the winningest men’s tennis coach in SEC history, with over 750 dual-match victories and 29 NCAA Tournament appearances. Under his leadership, Georgia won 29 SEC team titles and produced multiple All-Americans, individual national champions, and future ATP professionals.

But Diaz’s legacy goes beyond victories. He was revered for his player-first approach, developing young men both on and off the court. His mentorship helped guide student-athletes through challenges, and his dedication to the university was unwavering.

“He always put the program above himself,” said current Georgia men’s tennis head coach Jamie Hunt. “He was a coach, a mentor, and a father figure to so many of us.”

As Diaz joins the Circle of Honor, his induction is both a tribute to his competitive achievements and a celebration of his unmatched contributions to the UGA athletic family.

If Manuel Diaz built a tennis dynasty, Jeff Wallace crafted a legacy of empowerment and excellence on the women’s side of the net. Wallace, who served as Georgia women’s tennis head coach from 1985 until his retirement in 2023, is the winningest coach in program history and one of the most successful in NCAA women’s tennis.

In his 38 seasons at the helm, Wallace guided the Bulldogs to six national titles—two NCAA team championships (1994, 2000), two ITA National Indoor Championships, and two individual national championships. He led the program to 28 NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances and won 20 SEC championships.

Wallace’s 818 career victories place him among the elite in women’s tennis history. More than statistics, Wallace transformed Georgia into a destination for elite female athletes and a beacon for women’s sports in the Southeastern Conference.

“He built a program where women could come, compete at the highest level, and know they were supported,” said Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks. “He championed our student-athletes in every way.”

His commitment to Title IX principles and student-athlete well-being was a model for coaches nationwide. Wallace’s players were routinely recognized not only for athletic excellence but also for academic success and community involvement.

His induction into the Circle of Honor is a milestone for UGA women’s athletics and a testament to the enduring impact of leadership rooted in compassion, drive, and vision.

The Circle of Honor is the highest tribute bestowed by the UGA Athletic Association. Created to recognize athletes, coaches, and administrators who have brought “extraordinary recognition” to Georgia athletics, the award immortalizes the values of sportsmanship, excellence, and Bulldog pride.

Previous inductees include Olympic gold medalists, national champions, All-Americans, and trailblazers across the university’s sports programs. This year’s class stands out not only for their achievements but also for the eras and values they represent.

“This is a special class,” said Brooks. “You have Herschel Walker, a global icon in football. You have Manuel Diaz and Jeff Wallace, who changed the face of collegiate tennis. Together, they represent everything the University of Georgia stands for—excellence, leadership, and loyalty.”

The 2025 induction ceremony, set to take place at the UGA Athletic Hall of Fame in Athens later this year, will reunite generations of fans and alumni in a celebration of Bulldog greatness.

What makes this Circle of Honor class particularly resonant is the ripple effect each inductee has had across generations. Herschel Walker’s influence is visible every Saturday in the sea of No. 34 jerseys inside Sanford Stadium. His standard of excellence inspires current Georgia stars and fuels recruiting efforts.

Manuel Diaz’s protégés, many of whom now coach across the collegiate and professional ranks, continue to carry his philosophies forward. His emphasis on hard work, mental toughness, and sportsmanship remains embedded in Georgia’s tennis DNA.

Jeff Wallace, too, left behind a coaching tree and a blueprint for nurturing talent while emphasizing academic and personal growth. His tenure coincided with the rise of women’s sports in the SEC, and his impact helped pave the way for generations of female athletes to thrive.

For current Georgia student-athletes, the Circle of Honor is more than a display of plaques—it’s a living reminder of the heights that can be reached through discipline, heart, and service to the G.

The 2025 Circle of Honor induction is a celebration not just for the university, but for the entire Bulldog Nation. These honorees reflect what makes Georgia special: a unique blend of competitive excellence, academic integrity, and a deep sense of community.

Herschel Walker showed the world what a Georgia Bulldog could do on a national championship stage. Manuel Diaz proved that consistency and integrity could build a dynasty. Jeff Wallace stood as a champion for equity and excellence in women’s athletics.

Together, they remind us that greatness is not merely about wins and records—it’s about legacy

As the University of Georgia prepares to welcome Herschel Walker, Manuel Diaz, and Jeff Wallace into the Circle of Honor, it does more than reflect on the past—it celebrates a living history. These three individuals have defined what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog. Their stories are etched not only in stat sheets and championships but also in the hearts of fans, players, and the broader athletic community.

Their induction is a final yet fitting chapter in careers defined by passion, excellence, and an unbreakable bond with the university they served. In the coming months, as they receive this highest honor, Georgia will not simply be honoring great careers—it will be honoring greatness itself.