UTC defensive lineman Randall “Brick” Mitchell makes a tackle for the Mocs against VMI during the 1984 season, the last time UTC made the postseason in football. Those former players hope to see the current team beat Wofford on Saturday to advance to the FCS playoffs.The ring sits in a glass cabinet, prominently displayed in Michael Makins’ Atlanta home. The letters encircling a single sparkling diamond spell out “UTC MOCS,” and inscribed across the face of the ring are the words “SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS” — which explain why, other than his wedding ring, this is the most significant piece of jewelry Makins owns.
Admittedly Makins rarely wears it, but like for so many of his former teammates from the 1984 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team, it represents one of the most memorable accomplishments of his life.
“It’s something we all cherish because it represents the hard work — the blood, sweat and tears we poured into that season,” said Makins, a two-time Division I-AA All-America defensive lineman for the Mocs. “You can tell the ring is old-school, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“We still keep in touch with each other, and the conversation always winds back to memories from that season. The camaraderie of accomplishing something special with guys who were like your brother is what I still remember, and that’s what these guys now can have, too.”
The 1984 team is the program’s last to win the outright SoCon title and reach the playoffs, but now, 30 years later, this year’s Mocs can achieve the same goal with a win over Wofford on Saturday at Finley Stadium.