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Popular Augusta Educator and Coach John Mcclinton Tutt Recognized in New Historical Marker

Augusta, GA, January 7, 2009-- The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) along with the Delta House, Inc./Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, and Zeta Xi Omega Housing Foundation, Inc. will unveil a new historical marker to recognize Coach John McClinton Tutt. The dedication will be held at 1108 Phillips Street, just off of Laney-Walker Boulevard in Augusta on January 10, 2009, at 12:00 p.m.

Orphaned at an early age, John McClinton Tutt came under the tutelage of influential African American educator, Lucy Craft Laney, at Augusta’s Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. Tutt graduated from Haines in 1902, and received an academic scholarship to Lincoln University, an historically African American all-boys school in western Pennsylvania. After completing his Bachelors of Arts and Masters degrees at Lincoln University, Tutt returned to Augusta as a teacher and coach. He taught at the Haines Institute from 1906-1949, and then at Lucy Craft Laney High School from 1949-1958. A respected member of the community, Tutt is often referred to as the “Father of the People's Children.” The marker text reads as follows:

John McClinton Tutt: 1886-1968

For over six decades, John Tutt educated Augusta’s youth at the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute and Lucy Craft Laney High School. After graduating from Lincoln University in 1905, Tutt returned to Augusta to teach Mathematics. Coach Tutt’s teams amassed hundreds of wins in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field – many against college and semi-professional teams. He was a founding member of the Southern Coaches and Officials Association (est. 1922) and was instrumental in organizing its members into a cohesive group of African-American officials prepared to officiate within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and elsewhere. John Tutt lived at this location from 1928-1968.

Erected by the Georgia Historical Society, Delta House, Inc./Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, and Zeta Xi Omega Housing Foundation, Inc.

Historical markers, which recognize people, places and events, tell the story of Georgia's past in a format that is accessible to residents and visitors alike and are an effective tool for economic development, encouraging local tourism and general state-wide interest. GHS has administered Georgia's historical marker program since 1998, erecting over 150 markers statewide.

SAVANNAH: 501 Whitaker St., Savannah, GA 31401
ATLANTA: 260 14th St., NW, Ste. A-148, Atlanta, GA 30318

Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.