Some game day traditions never lose their thrill
Another UGA fan and I were talking recently about how much we were looking forward to the start of another football season (51 days and 19 hours away as I write this) and we got onto the subject of our favorite game day traditions.
His favorite was the Dawg Walk, with the Redcoats playing and the team walking past the fans gathered in the Tate Center parking lot. I admit that’s a good way to get pumped up for a game if you’ve got a good vantage point, but it’s kind of difficult to see unless you snag a front row spot, so that’s never been a must for me. Even with the Dawg Walk Overlook that’s planned for between the new Tate II and the Alumni Development Center to be built next to Lumpkin, it’s still going to be tough to get a good view.
For kids, seeing the parade of UGA buses carrying the players down Lumpkin Street with their police escort is pretty exciting and I admit that even now I still wave as they go by, but that’s just like a teaser as I start walking to the stadium from the church where I park.
Watching the Redcoats march into the stadium with their chant is one of my favorite game day traditions (I like to get to my seat at least an hour before kickoff). Ain’t nothing finer in the land!
Loading ...I still think the Redcoats scrambling onto the field for their pregame show is fun, and another popular and thrilling moment is the pregame Larry Munson recording and the footage of Dawgs past and present on the big video screen. I love how the fans never tire of cheering Herschel running over Bill Bates. The countdown to the kickoff is another great bit, though I liked it better when they used “Baba O’Riley” to back the video montage, and the excitement really hits a fever pitch there, especially for a big game. (I’ve never understood folks who don’t get to the game in time for the kickoff … or, for that matter, those who leave a game early when the Dawgs are winning!)
During the game, the crowd holding up four fingers at beginning of the fourth quarter may be a common tradition shared by a lot of schools, but it can be a special moment in a close game, especially if you really sense the Dawgs have victory within reach. And when my son was young and we parked downtown, I always got a kick out of taking him by the Chapel to ring the bell. We don’t go that way any more, though, and while the video screen footage of Hairy Dawg ringing the bell was kind of fun to start with, the fact that he’s not actually at the Chapel ringing the bell makes it ring a little hollow, so to speak.
No, my two favorite bits of game day tradition both come before the game. One is after the team has finished its initial warm-up, gathers at midfield and walks deliberately toward the east end zone while the Redcoats play the “Krypton Fanfare” and the crowd gets on its feet and roars. That gets me every time.
And then there’s the solo trumpeter kicking off what they now call the “Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation” (still a slowed down “Glory to Old Georgia” to me) from the southwest corner of the upper level of the stands. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, you’re definitely not of the Red and Black persuasion!
What’s your favorite game day tradition? Tell us in the comments, vote in the poll or do both. Go Dogs!
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169 comments Add your comment
Trouper
July 16th, 2009
11:11 am
My favorite gameday tradition is winning! That will “wipe the smiles off of the Tech fans’ faces”. Right Bill!
ih8uga
July 16th, 2009
11:13 am
I kind of liked Blackout 2008.
Mrs. Edwards
July 16th, 2009
11:18 am
I always enjoyed having to get an unlisted number after T dropped a pass.
One-Liners For 7/16/09, Part Two | MrSEC.com
July 16th, 2009
11:20 am
[...] to make an AJ Green-like quick adjustment to the college game.The Junkyard Blawger writes about UGA’s best gameday traditions today.The AJC’s Mark Bradley listed his Top 10 football coaches in the country earlier this [...]
db
July 16th, 2009
11:23 am
I didn’t know UGA had their PR man working as a beat reporter working for the AJC.
don't be a hater
July 16th, 2009
11:26 am
The Grinch – some people consider the relevant history of college football post leather helments, some consider it post integration, and some consider it post BCS. So most of the wins you are so proud of are during some portion of the irrelevant history of college footbal. But by any definition UGAY has become irrelevant in recent history, and there is no disputing that (excpet for the #1 pre-season rankings last year). A second place ranking with no SEC title is not relevant.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
ORANGE & BLUE
July 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Enter your comments here
ORANGE & BLUE
July 16th, 2009
11:35 am
LOL…..Yuo dogs love to live life in past….and I would too if we were 3-18 against our arch rival the last two decades.
To think….a very real possibilty of 3 national championships in the last four years, and a Heisman Trophy winner in 2 of the last three.
IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!
Hunker Down
July 16th, 2009
11:49 am
Getting Drunker than Cooter Brown and then stumbling to the stadium to root for dem Dawgs!
dawgstephen
July 16th, 2009
11:55 am
I think my gameday experience starts the day before when I wash the car, put on the magnets and flags, get my clothes picked out of what I will wear, set the DVR to record the game, make sure the alarm goes off on the IPOD alarm clock playing the 4th quarter song…..yeah…I have a great time.
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
SickandTired
July 16th, 2009
11:59 am
Now here’s my favorite list of things. Getting the truck loaded down with ice and beer and fried chicken. Getting to the parking lot early and getting the tent set up and start drinking. Drinking all the way up until 1:30 minutes to kick off. Before leaving for the stadium, giving my wallet and cash to my nephew to hold, (he’s 10) so that if I get locked up there will be money to bail me out. Drinking a couple more on the way to the game. Harassing the oposing teams fans and making them feel like they don’t deserve to be in Athens…and if they say anything threating them with a beat down. Once I get in the gate I take the flask out of my boot and start drinking brown liquour. Getting on the other team, cursing and cursing our own players when they mess up. Leaving after the game and getting back to drink. That’s a good day in Athens.
benadawg
July 16th, 2009
12:12 pm
Arriving on friday in the motor home, setting up and visiting with our friends from all over. cold beer, food on the bulldog grille, pretty ladies….i could go on and on
The Grinch
July 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
To ORANGE AND BLUE
Speaking of LOL, I just loved your “Enter your comments here” post. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
HBTDinAthens
July 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
One that I really enjoyed has gone by the wayside. I loved watching the little kids in their too big pads getting to scrimmage on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium before the game.
The Grinch
July 16th, 2009
12:19 pm
To ORANGE AND BLUE
Go ahead, due, admit it. You’re not a UF grad. The most obnoxious and ignorant of all fans are those who never attended/graduated for their favorite college. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Sportsdawg
July 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
Rooster yell!
Chris
July 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Favorite game day tradition:
Drinking beer with good friends all clad in red, and watching all the beautiful girls walking around in there game day outfits. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Michael Scharff
July 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
When Brook Whitmore comes over the mike – “It’s Saturday in Athens…”
Clempsun Taters Rule
July 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
Rubbin Howards Rock and running down the hill with an ascension of the hordes and multitudes of orange and purple balloons along with cannon fire. Best college entrance by far.So much better than the chickens lame 2001 entrance and also UGAs copycat Krypton deal.
# 1 UGA Fan
July 16th, 2009
12:43 pm
Finding out the next day after a day of drinking and tailgating on who won.
YoungDawg
July 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
Solo trumpeter starting the “Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation” it gives me chills every time!
Drew-G-A
July 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
I just got goosebumps thinking about the trumpeter. That song in that setting just evokes emotion and tradition. Even if you’re not a dawg fan I don’t see how that can’t get you pumped to be from the south and be an SEC fan.
# 1 UGA Fan
July 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
Watching my fellow dawg fans look in dibelief after Willies D gives up 30 or more points in a losing effort.
mexdawg
July 16th, 2009
12:51 pm
I think it’s the free hot dog and coke at the tech games in Atlanta they give you for buying a ticket. What a joke…..This just in Tech has decided to reduce the size of their stadium again because they were outnumbered by oppessing fans at 3 of their own home games.The Ga v ga tech game in atlanta will always be a home game for the mighty DAWGS.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.
mike
July 16th, 2009
12:52 pm
Jealous Tech nerds–My dad went to Tech-wont watch another game w/ me after that 51-7 debaccle. Whats so wrong with a Ga fan having a suv and maybe donating a little money to Ducks Unlimited. Why make fun of him. He probably doesnt mind the fact that you wont leave home w/out yuo calculater ans six mechanical pencils in ypur wrinkles woolworth button down knockoff shirts. Nor does he even cringe when you snort and drool on yourself doing your Horseshack laugh. Good luck this yr. You are going to need it.
MoDawg
July 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
Maybe we can meet somewhere after a win and throw toilet paper in trees like Auburn, or buy a new “Champion of the state” pocket protector (which doubles as a bullet-proof vest) every 8 years after a victory against the Dawgs like Ramble On does.
I’ve gotta get back to work, too…I have some performance reviews to do on the Tech, Florida and Auburn grads that work for me. It’s not looking too good for them, right now…
1eyedJack
July 16th, 2009
1:11 pm
My favorite tradition is watching Tech and UF fans eat their boogers.
Brett
July 16th, 2009
1:20 pm
My best friend played the “Battle Hymn” solo my senior year and I remember it to this day. I wouldn’t trade being a Redcoat for anything and I’ll be a Dawg fan forever. Go Dawgs!!
NewnanDawg
July 16th, 2009
1:28 pm
The solo trumpet especially (a TN grad/fan told me that even he got chills), and all the others are awesome, but there are some new ones forming that I’d like to see catch on. First, when the new version of “Saturday Night’s alright” is playing, especially at the night games, it sounds great when everybody starts yelling “Saturday Saturday…..” The students started doing it a lot and the stadium would really rock if everyone caught on.
Also, on “Schoolhouse Rock” (I think) we could make it our own by yelling U then G then A in place of the three Hey!s. Since everyone in the country does the same cheer, it would be nice to customize it for the Dawgs. If someone in the band reads this and they decide to do it, it’s done. Just mho.
Go Dawgs!
1eyedJack
July 16th, 2009
1:35 pm
I meant my favorite thing to do was eat my own boogers.
1eyedJack
July 16th, 2009
1:43 pm
Hey Ahole, post under your own name. Pukes
BankerDawg
July 16th, 2009
1:44 pm
According to wikipedia, Auburn is in fact the first team to inititate some sort of walk:
Auburn is the first known school to conduct an organized procession of players into the stadium. Today the team, led by the coaches, walks down the hill and into the stadium surrounded by fans who pat them on the back and shake their hands as they walk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn_Tigers
Anyway, for me, the great tailgating tradition of UGA is unmatched. There is nothing like finding your spot, early in the morning, setting up the tents, chairs, tables, etc, and enjoying the morning. Perhaps sipping on some coffee, reading the Banner-Herald, AJC, Red & Black, or just listening to some tunes. Get the food started, be it low country boil, ribs, pork shoulder, brisket, etc….
Then transitioning to some ice cold beer, or some of Kentucky’s finest (depending on early fall versus late fall) and listening to the pregame with Larry, where he would inevitably convince me that the other team was just too tough for us (no matter who it was) to beat that particular Saturday. Of course, Loran would pipe in with absolutely nothing constructive to say, but it was still a voice I instantly recognized.
Then off to the game from North Campus to join 90,000 + of my closest friends to cheer on the Dawgs….man, I’m ready.
That is college football to me.
how2fish
July 16th, 2009
1:51 pm
The Tracks at a time long gone..and the opening kickoff today, watching the Bulldog Nation rise and urge on the Dawgs..I’m sooo ready for the season to begin….and Bugs remember Nov is coming..I know you have a great coach that wins whereever he goes, I know your players are the best on the planet…in your bugish little minds..but your TECH and Georgia OWNS you , always has and always will…
SSI gator
July 16th, 2009
1:52 pm
Being in Sanford Stadium and looking around at “football fans” that sit on their hands during the game. If it was not for the drunken stundents you would not know there was a game being played. Never seen such an unemotional detached crowd in my life.
Spike
July 16th, 2009
1:57 pm
The band playing the theme from “Gone With the Wind.” Any other of you poindexters from Tech or Auburn bozos gonna claim we stole that from antbody?
how2fish
July 16th, 2009
2:01 pm
SSI Gator “drunken stundents ” really ? yeah we can tell your a gator grad…for your imformation we have drunken STUDENTS at Georgia..try and keep up please..
Spike
July 16th, 2009
2:04 pm
Sorry, “anybody”.
Maddog
July 16th, 2009
2:25 pm
Who really gives a rip about who started something first? My family didn’t initiate celebrating Christmas by exchanging gifts – the same with birthdays and watching parades on the 4th of July – but we have a great time with our “tradition”. Personal traditions have to start somewhere. Come on people, get a grip.
Preston
July 16th, 2009
2:50 pm
That was hilarious reading a Miami grad talking about arrests at UGA. I think you guys, as well as the other Florida teams, recruit in prisons.
chuck
July 16th, 2009
3:04 pm
It’s Saturday in Athens, Larry Munson, and the trumpeter.
DawginLex
July 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
Don’t be a hater considers any team that didn’t win the BCS title in 2008 to be irrelevant.
Guess that counts out everybody but Florida Einstein.
Irrelevant in recent history? Winning the SEC in 2002 and 2005. Is that recent enough for you? How old are you, 6?
Moron
Otto
July 16th, 2009
3:29 pm
Sounds like SickandTired is a LSU fan.
gadawg77
July 16th, 2009
3:35 pm
Overall Record Georgia leads, 59-39-5. Georgia vs. the termites. Go make a ring about that Fat boy Johnson!!!!
Cuz
July 16th, 2009
3:51 pm
Bankedawg, before the Dawg Walk there was the walk from buses on East Campus into the bottom of the stadium. There were plenty of fans there in the eighties when I drove one of the team buses. No band but cheering fans. I got to shutdown the bus and walk in with them. One of the highlights of my UGA career. Oh that and when I broke that forty five yard touchdown against Tech in 1982. Okay that one was not true. The other was.
TEchSter
July 16th, 2009
3:54 pm
I like our new tradition of a yellow bellied wiggle down Techwood, just don’t forget to leave yo wallet at home else Tyrone be stealin’ it yo!
That70sGAdawg
July 16th, 2009
4:04 pm
Gettin “Lucky” after a win was the best game day tradition!
Dawgdays
July 16th, 2009
4:10 pm
Yes 70-s Dawg! I was going to say banging the babes!
Chase Cutts
July 16th, 2009
4:44 pm
My favorite game day tradition that get’s me jacked up is when the players are jumping up and down at the entrance of the tunnel about to run onto the field and “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns & Roses is playing!
Milledgeville DAWG
July 16th, 2009
5:08 pm
Hey 45-42 I use to date your mama and this DAWG always won!!
Ed
July 16th, 2009
5:09 pm
Is it true the Urban Meyer just added a defense attorney as a full-time staff member?