This weekend’s series between Georgia and UAB will mark the return of an old friend Bulldog baseball fans know quite well – former head coach Ron Polk.

The former Hall of Fame skipper for the Bulldogs serves as a volunteer coach with the Blazers, a post he’s held for the past nine years under head coach Ron Shoop, a former player for Polk at Mississippi State.

Although he just served as head coach of the Bulldogs for two years (2000-2001), his second season in Athens resulted in the program’s first trip to the College World Series since Georgia won it all in 1990, finishing the year 47-22 and ranked 7th nationally.

Current Bulldog head coach Scott Stricklin has known Polk for years.

“The first time I ever met him, he came and shook my hand, knew my name. I’d never met him but knew who he was,” Stricklin said. “He was very polite, very kind and, from then on every year, I’ve gotten a card from him on my birthday. It’s who he is.”

At 73-years old and the only man to lead three schools – Georgia Southern, Mississippi State and Georgia – to the CWS, Stricklin agreed with the notion that Polk is the Godfather of college baseball.

“I think that would be a very good way to describe him, put the stogie in there and everything,” Stricklin said. “He’s the Godfather of college baseball. Certainly, there’s a lot of respect from us to them and their entire coaching staff.”

He’s also the sport’s biggest advocate, much to the chagrin of the NCAA.

Polk has long been a thorn in the side of college sport’s governing body, decrying the mere 11.7 scholarships college baseball teams are allowed to operate with in light of rules put in place for the sport back in 1991.

“He was the first guy to really pound the table about the 11.7, and about the inequities that college baseball gets,” Stricklin said. “For most people, it is what it is, there’s not a lot we can do, but he’s the one guy who has really fought. I don’t think he and the NCAA will be exchanging Christmas cards, but he’s been the voice. He’s the guy who stood up and spoke and all coaches respect him.”

NOTES: First pitch in Friday’s game is set for 5 p.m. at Foley Field. Sophomore Kevin Smith (1-1, 5.59) gets the start for the Bulldogs (3-5). Tony Locey (1-1, 7.88) will start for Georgia on Saturday with Chase Adkins (1-0, 4.04) getting the call on Sunday. … Junior Mitchell Webb has been getting looks at first base during practice. Stricklin said Thursday he is giving the right-handed Webb an opportunity to play some first against left-handed pitchers. Georgia’s other three first baseman – Adam Sasser, LJ Talley and Patrick Sullivan (still out sick) are all left-handed.