University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Ted Mayer
Perno and Keppinger To Be Honored On Lettermen Day
April 30, 2026 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ga.-----The annual Georgia Baseball Lettermen Day will be held Saturday at Foley Field with a pregame recognition of two of the most decorated Bulldogs in David Perno and Jeff Keppinger.
Starting at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Georgia will recognize baseball lettermen from as far back as the 1960s, honor the 2001 team that won the SEC title and advanced to the College World Series, plus Perno and Keppinger will receive special awards. The Georgia-Missouri baseball game is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
The Charley Trippi Distinguished Letterman Award goes to a Bulldog in recognition of his generous support, interest and special commitment to UGA Baseball. This honor is awarded to a former student-athlete who made his mark on the playing fields and has carried those lessons into life as an extraordinary, contributing and successful citizen. Perno is the 2026 recipient.
A three-year letterman and member of Georgia's 1990 national championship team, Perno returned to Athens in 1997 when he served as an assistant coach for Robert Sapp (1997-99) and then Ron Polk (2000-01) before being named head coach in 2002. During his 12-year tenure at the helm, he led the Bulldogs to a pair of SEC titles, and three College World Series appearances including the finals in 2008. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year plus was honored as the Baseball America National Coach of the Year in 2004. Following his Bulldog coaching career, Perno spent time working as an analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network.
Since December of 2015, he has served as a teacher and head football coach at his prep alma mater, Clarke Central in Athens, and led the Gladiators to multiple region titles and the state playoffs. He played for the legendary Billy Henderson and was an All-State running back on the 1985 state championship team. David and his wife Melaney, have two children, Saidee, and Hayes.
The Tom Cousins Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award goes to a Bulldog who has distinguished himself on the playing field, and his performance, leadership and integrity inspires present and future players to give their all to win at the highest level. Keppinger is the 2026 recipient.
A native of Auburn, Ga., Keppinger was a two-time All-America shortstop who led the Bulldogs to the 2001 SEC title and the program's first College World Series appearance since it won the national title. He had the greatest postseason in Bulldog history in 2001, batting a school-record .500 (23-46) with a 1.239 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 16 RBI plus perfect fielding in 10 games. Keppinger, who played for Georgia from 1999-2001, still ranks among the top 10 in school history with a .380 batting average, 271 hits, 35 home runs and 168 RBI.
A fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2001, Keppinger reached the Major Leagues in 2004. He enjoyed a nine-year career and finished with a .282 batting average and just 214 strikeouts in 2,882 at bats. Keppinger and his family reside in Dacula. He enjoys collecting sports memorabilia including cards and jerseys from various sports.
Since 2021 on Lettermen Day, the most outstanding senior from the previous year's team is recognized with the Cheek & Templeton Prestigious Alumni Award. The recipient from the 2025 club is Robbie Burnett.
An outfielder/second baseman from Franklinton, N.C., he became the first Bulldog in program history to be named a First Team All-American and Academic All-American in the same season. He was the third overall Bulldog to earn both of those honors in their career. He appeared in 56 games with 55 starts in helping Georgia advance to the NCAA Athens Regional as a No. 7 national seed and 43-17 finish. A semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, he led the team with 20 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 stolen bases and hit .307. He signed with the New York Yankees organization as a free agent. Currently, he is member of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the Yankees.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
Starting at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Georgia will recognize baseball lettermen from as far back as the 1960s, honor the 2001 team that won the SEC title and advanced to the College World Series, plus Perno and Keppinger will receive special awards. The Georgia-Missouri baseball game is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
The Charley Trippi Distinguished Letterman Award goes to a Bulldog in recognition of his generous support, interest and special commitment to UGA Baseball. This honor is awarded to a former student-athlete who made his mark on the playing fields and has carried those lessons into life as an extraordinary, contributing and successful citizen. Perno is the 2026 recipient.
A three-year letterman and member of Georgia's 1990 national championship team, Perno returned to Athens in 1997 when he served as an assistant coach for Robert Sapp (1997-99) and then Ron Polk (2000-01) before being named head coach in 2002. During his 12-year tenure at the helm, he led the Bulldogs to a pair of SEC titles, and three College World Series appearances including the finals in 2008. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year plus was honored as the Baseball America National Coach of the Year in 2004. Following his Bulldog coaching career, Perno spent time working as an analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network.
Since December of 2015, he has served as a teacher and head football coach at his prep alma mater, Clarke Central in Athens, and led the Gladiators to multiple region titles and the state playoffs. He played for the legendary Billy Henderson and was an All-State running back on the 1985 state championship team. David and his wife Melaney, have two children, Saidee, and Hayes.
The Tom Cousins Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award goes to a Bulldog who has distinguished himself on the playing field, and his performance, leadership and integrity inspires present and future players to give their all to win at the highest level. Keppinger is the 2026 recipient.
A native of Auburn, Ga., Keppinger was a two-time All-America shortstop who led the Bulldogs to the 2001 SEC title and the program's first College World Series appearance since it won the national title. He had the greatest postseason in Bulldog history in 2001, batting a school-record .500 (23-46) with a 1.239 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 16 RBI plus perfect fielding in 10 games. Keppinger, who played for Georgia from 1999-2001, still ranks among the top 10 in school history with a .380 batting average, 271 hits, 35 home runs and 168 RBI.
A fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2001, Keppinger reached the Major Leagues in 2004. He enjoyed a nine-year career and finished with a .282 batting average and just 214 strikeouts in 2,882 at bats. Keppinger and his family reside in Dacula. He enjoys collecting sports memorabilia including cards and jerseys from various sports.
Since 2021 on Lettermen Day, the most outstanding senior from the previous year's team is recognized with the Cheek & Templeton Prestigious Alumni Award. The recipient from the 2025 club is Robbie Burnett.
An outfielder/second baseman from Franklinton, N.C., he became the first Bulldog in program history to be named a First Team All-American and Academic All-American in the same season. He was the third overall Bulldog to earn both of those honors in their career. He appeared in 56 games with 55 starts in helping Georgia advance to the NCAA Athens Regional as a No. 7 national seed and 43-17 finish. A semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, he led the team with 20 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 stolen bases and hit .307. He signed with the New York Yankees organization as a free agent. Currently, he is member of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the Yankees.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
Players Mentioned
OF/INF
/ BaseballGeorgia Baseball vs Troy - Postgame Interviews
Tuesday, April 28
Georgia Baseball vs Troy - TV Highlights
Tuesday, April 28
Georgia Baseball vs Arkansas - Coach Johnson Postgame Interview
Sunday, April 19
Georgia Baseball at Arkansas - Saturday Highlights
Sunday, April 19