Chuck Dowdle, Georgia’s well-known sideline reporter, reportedly steps down
By Keith Farner
Published:
A well-known figure in Georgia media has reportedly stepped down from his duties as the Bulldogs’ sideline reporter on football radio broadcasts.
Chuck Dowdle, the Georgia Bulldog Network’s sideline reporter for the last 11 years, has told Chip Towers of the AJC that he has relocated full-time to Maine, where he has always maintained a summer home. However, he said he plans to return to Athens this winter to continue to offer color commentary for Bulldogs’ basketball.
He retired as the longtime sports anchor of WSB-TV in 2009, Atlanta’s ABC affiliate. He has worked for IMG’s UGA network in various capacities ever since, including as the host of Mark Richt and then Kirby Smart’s “Inside Georgia Football” television shows.
“I turned 72 in February and my daughter is getting married on the Kentucky weekend,” Dowdle told Towers. “So, I just thought now would be a good time to step aside.”
It wasn’t immediately clear who would take over for Dowdle, as no one was doing sideline reports for the radio network during Saturday’s G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium.
“I told (UGA’s) Alan Thomas about a month ago to give the folks at IMG plenty of time to find a great Dawg to take over and I’m sure they will,” Dowdle said.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
