Pleasing your Bulldog daddy on Father’s Day

My high school buddy Dan, who’s now a judge, leaves no doubt about his loyalties when he’s off the bench. The walls of his chambers sport his UGA diplomas (undergrad and law school), a framed picture of Herschel Walker and another shot of Uga V lunging at Auburn’s Robert Baker. And, like many fans, he has UGA ties, hats, shirts, pants and other paraphernalia.

So, I asked him recently, what would you like your kids to give you for Father’s Day? Dan said maybe a piece of sod from Sanford Stadium (to be replanted in his yard) or a cutting from the Hedges to be sprigged in the yard to start a hedge between him and his Auburn-grad neighbor.

I told him he was going to get his kids arrested with a list like that.

The Clubhouse

But for those wanting to avoid the old fallbacks of a tie or shirt, there are lots of out-of-the-ordinary gift choices sure to bring a smile to any Bulldog father’s face on June 21. And, as I found on a recent browsing expedition, some pretty nice “ordinary” gifts, too.   

A good first stop when shopping for anything UGA-related is the University of Georgia Bookstore, either in person at the sprawling location on campus in Athens or online at their Web site. The store’s “almost summer” clearance sale is going on right now and UGA Alumni Association members receive 10 percent off all clothing and gift purchases. Prices on some items are lower in the store than on the Web site.

Among the more unusual items offered are actual game-worn UGA helmets, all dinged and scratched up. They go for $300. Not cheap, but not bad when you consider that a Riddell replica helmet goes for $130 (with the mini replica priced at $28). Put the real thing worn by a Dog in a game on your desk and you’ve got a hard-to-beat conversation piece.

Authentic Nike Bulldog football jerseys (red, black or white) range from $75 to $150, while the price of last season’s replica jerseys for No. 7 and No. 24 have been cut in half to $30. A Nike UGA baseball jersey goes for $60. And the Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford replica pro jerseys sell for $80 each.

An updated horizontal print showing all seven Uga mascots is $60 unframed and a print of just Uga VII goes for the same price, as does another horizontal print showing Knowshon Moreno playing in all three UGA jerseys.

Over in the book section, there’s a beautiful coffeetable volume, “The University of Georgia: Images and Recollections” by Garon Hart, that features 131 color photos of major campus buildings and landmarks, plus reminiscences from the likes of Dan Magill, Sonny Seiler, Dominique Wilkins and Vince Dooley. It’s $39.95 and 10 percent of the price goes to the Georgia Fund, UGA’s annual giving program.

Also in the book section is the “Florida-Georgia Rivalry Football Vault” by Norm Carlson and Loran Smith. It’s a boxed volume similar in format to Smith’s “University of Georgia Football Vault,” which traces the Dogs’ history with lots of historic facsimile tickets and other memorabilia inserted. Both are priced at $49.95.

For the golfing Bulldog dad, there are UGA-emblazoned towels ($18), a three-pack of club headcovers ($40), golf balls (a set of three for $9.95) and a red and black cart-style golf bag ($195). 

At the high end of the store’s UGA memorabilia price range are a lifesize Sandicast statue of a bulldog ($450), a black leather G-embossed garment bag ($235), overnight bag ($135) and a red leather laptop case ($140); red or black sport coats ($195); a red and black tailgate tent with the Georgia logo ($250); a pendulum clock with the UGA seal on the pendulum ($200); a red and black padded office chair with the G logo ($399); a Boston Rocker with the UGA seal ($470); and a replica digital scoreboard that displays the time, date and temperature ($119).

There are plenty of more affordable selections, too, including a pack of three Bulldog sauces (barbecue, hot and picante) going for $25; a desk set with a small picture frame, pen and keychain ($32); a four-piece barbecue tool set ($39); a Nike straw hat with red band and G logo ($30); and if your dad prefers sportswear, a huge selection of shirts, sweatshirts, caps, pants and shorts. The new Nike double reverse Georgia polo (in red, black or white) goes for $60. Various DVDs featuring Larry Munson’s calls range from $19.95 to $24.95.

And if you must stick to tradition and give your dad a tie, there are various UGA designs, and you have your choice of silk ($72) or regular ($40).

Another frequent Bulldog shopping stop for my daughter and me is the Clubhouse on College Square in downtown Athens, which also has a large selection of all the usual items available online. Among the selections there that caught my eye the other day were a framed print of the Uga V-Robert Baker shot ($399), sets of UGA billiard balls (ranging from $179 to $275) and a framed reproduction of the program cover from the Sanford Stadium dedicatory game against Yale ($40 or just $13 for the unframed print). A selection of personalized granite or slate name plates for house or desk ranges from $85 to $125. 

There’s also the Georgia Bulldog Shop at Georgiadogs.com, where the prices generally aren’t as good but the selection is extensive. Among the nicer items I spotted there were a panoramic print of Sanford Stadium ($29.95) and a framed print showing the evolution of the UGA football uniform through the years ($64.95). They also have a Georgia Bulldogs black leather jacket ($249.95).

Perhaps the most unique gifts available through Georgiadogs.com, though, are the many exclusive photographs of players and coaches in the photo store, with prints sized 5×7 ($12.99), 8×10 ($19.99), 11×14 ($29.99), 16×20 ($64.99) and 20×30 ($99.99).     

Hopefully, my friend Dan’s kids can find something for him out of all that and won’t have to resort to a midnight raid on Sanford Stadium with shovel and clippers in hand.

What’s the best Bulldog-related Father’s Day gift you ever gave or received? Any other suggestions for Father’s Day wish lists?