In 1979, Georgia's Vince Dooley sought out a quality running back in Wrightsville, Ga. To the southeast of that small town, he sought another person of importance.

Shortly after he added the athletic director title to his head football coaching duties, Dooley pried away a young Claude Felton from Georgia Southern.

Felton, then working as the school's public relations director, returned to his alma mater to succeed Dan McGill as sports information director.

"Claude is the first person I needed to get on my staff," Dooley said. "I actually recruited him harder than I had recruited Herschel Walker."

The hiring of Felton, Dooley said, has been one of his finest. The accolades and awards given to Felton through the years back up the former Georgia coaching legend's words.

Felton added another honor as Augusta mayor Deke Copenhaver honored the longtime associate athletic director for sports communications with "Claude Felton Day" in front of a crowd of about 300 Bulldog supporters at Julian Smith Casino.

Felton said it's his job to get the spotlight shined on others. But Thursday night the tables were turned on him.

"Obviously, I'm deeply honored, surprisingly honored," he said. "I'm not sure how I fit the criteria."

Augusta Bulldog Club member Frank Mulherin said Felton deserved a night to himself for his behind-the-scenes work in the Georgia sports department.

"He's one of the unsung heroes," Mulherin said.

Felton, a Savannah, Ga., native, heads up a staff of 10 full-time assistants who help publicize 21 sports with various publications as well as the school's Web site, georgiadogs.com. Felton also works with the media, especially during football season when he may issue as many as 500 game credentials to reporters.

Felton's work has been recognized far and wide. Entering his 30th season at Georgia, he's a member of the CoSIDA Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, Felton was given the Bert McGrane Award -- which goes to a member who has performed a great service to the association -- by the Football Writers Association of America. With the award, Felton's name was placed in the College Football Hall of Fame's rotunda.

"Claude's just been great for Georgia," said Georgia football writer and sideline reporter Loran Smith, who was honored last year by the Augusta Bulldog Club. "He's the consummate professional."

Baseball coach David Perno, who led the Bulldogs to the College World Series championship game in June, also was in attendance. He received a rousing ovation by the crowd.

Jeff Dantzler, a Bulldog historian and member of the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network, gave a brief season preview at the end of the program. He downplayed expectations for Georgia, a preseason No. 1 team.

"I think we're going to have a great team," he said. "The schedule is just going to be so tough. Playing LSU and Florida back to back is a tremendous challenge."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com