Truck and Tractor Pull
The Ag Engineering Technology (AET) Club hosted the first Truck and Tractor Pull in Mar. 1974. According to “The History of ABAC,” over 10,000 people attended the event, and the ABAC tractor named “Cracker Jack” won the 7,000 and 9,000-pound classes.
Several students came to watch the event outside the construction of the new women’s dorm but moved to Bowen Hall after a can of mace was released in the dorm. Students then began streaking in the surrounding area, resulting in four students’ arrests.
“When I accepted the job as president, I made an oath to uphold all Georgia laws, and indecent exposure is punishable by law,” former ABAC President Clyde Driggers said.
By 1975, the AET Club expected a crowd of 20,000 at the annual tractor pull. The event was held annually until 1984.
In 2015, the AET club brought the full-scale event back for the first time in 30 years. The event opened with ABAC Ambassador Samuel Peraza singing the national anthem. At the time, the trucks weighed up to 65,000 pounds.
Although the Truck and Tractor Pull had a 30-year hiatus, its popularity has stayed strong over the past nine years since its comeback.
Annual Rodeo
The first rodeo held in ABAC’s history was on May 24, 1969, and was sponsored by the Baldwin Rodeo Club, the Student Cabinet, and several alumni. The rodeo had bronco busting, bull riding, bulldogging, and roping events.
Currently, the rodeo has bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and tie down roping events.
At the time, the cost for admission was $1.75 for adults and $1 for children. Last year, tickets were $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-17, and free for both ABAC students and children under 5 years old.
In 1973, Terri Jo Langford was crowned Miss Rodeo USA and was sponsored by the Rodeo Club and the ABAC Foundation.
By popular request, the Alumni Association brought back the Gee Haw, Who Back rodeo in 2011, and it has been an attraction for the Tifton community since.
Student Government Association
The first Student Government Association (SGA) President was Eugene G. Adams in 1936; however, SGA went down a long path to become the organization it is today.
Students took the initiative in Feb. of 1962 to start Student Government to gather student input on disciplinary matters. In fall 1961, Lewis Hall adopted a board of proctors who ultimately grew into the present-day Student Government Association.
In Vol. 2 Iss. 04 of The Stallion, one of the members said, “The board is set up for the protection of the students. Without this system, it would be necessary for more students to appear before the Dean of Men.”
By 1967, SGA and the Student Judiciary became realities.
“The History of ABAC” said, “The administrative and academic structure for students, faculty, and staff solidified into an active, workable organization.”
In 1968, Charles Hall was selected as president, and Emory Johnson was selected as vice president. The student body approved the first SGA constitution in spring 1969.
Basketball
In the earliest basketball team records, the girls were known as the Baldwin Deers, and the boys were known as the Stallions.
One of the most notable coaches in ABAC Athletics’ early days was coach Mitchell Hall, who also coached the football and baseball teams. Under Hall’s guidance, ABAC became state junior college champions in 1937 and won a state title in 1943.
Coach Bruce Gressette led the team to several victories beginning in 1945. Under his leadership, the team took home titles in 1946, 1947, and 1949. The Gressette Gymnasium was built in his honor.
2008 was the last year for the team, and they are making a return for the 2024-2025 season.
“Athletics can bind a campus community together with a sense of pride and identity,” ABAC President Dr. Tracy Brundage said in a previous article in The Stallion. “It’s more than just a logo or a mascot. A brand embodies mission, character, history, and legacy that has an emotional impact. ABAC has that, and this move will help us further our mission athletically and academically.”
Greek Life
When ABAC was known as GSCM, there were three fraternities and two sororities. The fraternities were Omega Epsilon Pi, Phi Kappa Rho, and Sigma Omega. When GSCM became a two-year college, all fraternities and sororities were disbanded.
In April 2010, fraternities Kappa Sigma and Alpha Gamma Rho were the first Greek organizations on the ABAC campus. Cain Thurmand served as the first president of Alpha Gamma Rho, and Brent Wagner served as the first Kappa Sigma president. In 2012, Sigma Alpha became the first sorority at ABAC.
The Stallion
The Stallion began its journey as The Baldwin Broadcast, which was discontinued on campus during World War II. Although it is unclear when The Baldwin Broadcast originated, The Stallion had its comeback on Monday, Jan. 30, 1961, with its first issue.
The issue featured a “President’s Corner” column in which ABAC President George P. Donaldson discussed the revival of The Stallion.
“Baldwin has enjoyed good coverage, and we have excellent publicity,” Donaldson wrote. “However, there is a place in any well established, growing college for news coverage that is essentially intended for students and others who are closely connected with the college community.”