Derek Waugh named Georgia Sports Hall of Fame president

A college athletics director who started up a successful NAIA program has been named the president and CEO of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Derek Waugh, the athletics director at Dalton State, was introduced Friday as the sports hall’s new president.

“My plans for this facility, I want to take it statewide,” Waugh said. “I want to take it statewide and bring more people into the facility itself. Macon is centrally located; it’s not a bad drive for anybody in the state of Georgia. I want groups from all over the place see what this place represents, which is excellence in sport.

“This is an amazing facility that we’re definitely going to utilize, but I also want to get out and promote sport and excellence in sport all over the state of Georgia. I think sport touches every single corner of this state, and I can’t wait to get out there and start spreading that message.”

Waugh, a native of Atlanta, served as the men’s basketball head coach at Stetson for 11 seasons. He went into athletics administration in 2011, serving as an associate athletics director at Stetson before moving to Dalton State in 2012.

In 2015, Dalton State won the NAIA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

“In terms of what the hall does, there’s definitely an educational component,” Waugh said. “That’s what the school systems want, that’s what the state wants. It’s what we want. Sport can be a powerful educational tool, not only in what you learn through sport but also educationally the different things you can do through sport. I would like this to be a great, great area for people to come and get to see the cool exhibits and so some cool interactive things, but also get to learn about sport and how it can enhance your life.”

Waugh, who played basketball collegiately at Furman and has a law degree from Wake Forest, replaces Ben Sapp, who left last summer to pursue other interests.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Derek Waugh named Georgia Sports Hall of Fame president."