Some changes mark 2009 game days in Athens
University of Georgia Alumni Association
I was leafing through the Georgia Fan Guide that came with my season tickets and noticed the page detailing “What’s New in 2009.”
Really, not that much is new. The biggest change only affects UGA students (or those nonstudents who used to get into games using student tickets). This year, students will use their university-issued UGACard for admission into Sanford Stadium. Scanners will be used at Gates 1, 3 and 4A to verify the cards; students must enter at one of those gates. All nonstudent ticketholders should use any of the other gates.
So apparently the days of selling your student ticket to a friend who’s not a UGA student are over. At least, for home games. Although knowing the ingenuity of our students, I’m sure someone will come up with a way around this complication.
Parking revisions
The other changes this year involve parking. Because of construction on campus (has there ever been a time in the past 40 years when some part of campus wasn’t under construction?), the parking lot at Baldwiln Hall now will be reserved for athletic association parking permit holders. And a new parking deck has been constructed on the east side of campus. It’s located at the university’s Rec Sports Complex on College Station Road and will be free to the public and available for every game. Fans parking at the deck can ride a shuttle bus to and from the stadium. Gate 6 is the drop-off and pick-up location for the free shuttle.
Season parking passes for one of the paid decks (Carlton Street) are still available for $120. Go here for details.
All those game day rules put into effect in 2006 — including no tailgate set-up before 7 a.m. on Saturday — are still in effect. You can find out about all of that here.
Fans reminisce about game day highs, lows
Reading about all this put me in mind of my favorite things about football game days in Athens — and my pet peeves. Back in 2006, I wrote about the game day experience and asked a bunch of Bulldog buddies for their thoughts. Here, slightly abridged and updated, is what we came up with:
My high school classmate Johnny thinks watching the Dawgs do something grand on the field from the stands and experiencing the excitement of the crowd going wild is as good as it gets. “That moment is why I come to the game,” he said. “TV can never find a way to make that feeling, that excitement, that sound, that thrill come into your living room. All the hassles about parking, hot weather or cold, damp, bone-chilling weather, pushing and shoving, obnoxious visitors — nothing can ruin that moment.”
His pet peeve, though, comes before the game. “The good old days of true Southern tailgating have been lost in Athens. I still find it in Jacksonville. I still find it in Auburn. I bet Ole Miss still has it. But things have changed in Athens. For whatever reasons the powers that be needed to change the way we tailgated in Athens, the net result was the spirit of tailgating died. The first sign of the death of UGA tailgating was when we closed off the East end zone and lost sight of the track fans. I loved it when a train would come through and everybody had to move for a couple of minutes. But territorial rights were honored and right after the train would pass, everyone would move back into their own spots. Next we started to lose many of our favorite tailgating locations. What with all the new buildings to deal with, folks were shuffled off to locations further and further away from the stadium.”
My friend Carl says his favorite thing about game day in Athens “is the atmosphere that begins to build about Thursday afternoon. By Saturday, Athens is a world of its own. It is hard to describe. One just has to be there and experience it for themselves. And the Gameday atmosphere is hightened considerably once the cooler autumn weather arrrives. Nothing is better than being out early on game day Saturday on a cool, beautiful autumn Saturday. If I am in the neighborhood, spending time having coffee at Jittery Joe’s in Five Points and watching all the people is wonderful. No doubt, I’ll run into friends that I haven’t seen in a while. That’s another great thing about football season; seeing friends that we just don’t keep up with during the rest of the year.”
His pet peeve, he notes, “is probably everyone else’s — lack of parking.”
My friend Dan says a few of his favorite things about game day in Athens include the tailgating and soaking up “the atmosphere” before and after a game. Plus the “sense of community before the game. People who I have never met before being friendly and sharing anticipation of another Dawg win.”
He also gets nostalgic walking around campus and remembering his student days. And then there’s the moment when the team runs onto the field. “At his first game, my 2 year old son’s eyes grew as big as saucers at the spectacle unfolding before us, and he turned to me and said, ‘Dad, they all have uniforms just like mine.’” Dan also loves to “revel in the most beautiful stadium in existence. To paraphrase Lewis Grizzard, ‘dear Lord bless all those unfortunates with stadiums uglier than this.’”
Pet peeve? “Athens police don’t know how to direct traffic.”
My son’s favorite things about game day include “the atmosphere walking to the stadium and inside the stadium for big games. The build-up right before the team comes out with the lone trumpeter in the upper deck, followed by the video. The song in between the third and fourth quarters.”
His pet peeves are also “parking and post-game traffic.” And, he notes, “If you are in the student section, there are times where the police and security presence is a bit much. I realize they are mostly just looking for alcohol flasks, etc., but it sometimes feels a little oppressive. But that entirely depends on which section you sit in and on how zealous the individual cops feel like being.”
My brother Tim, who along with my other brother, Jon, sometimes tailgates with a large group of Gym Dogs staff and supporters, loves “the tailgating experience, whether I go into the stadium or not.” (And often he doesn’t, preferring to sit outside and eat and drink while watching the game on a big-screen TV.) Jon also especially loves the tailgating. “Having a piece of chicken (and another). Watching the girls.” Sometimes, like Tim, he also doesn’t bother to go inside; other times, “I’ll leave the game at halftime and go back outside to tailgate for the third and fourth quarters.”
But, Tim admits, “I don’t like having to get to the tailgate spot 5 to 8 hours early because there’s no parking, or having to walk 2 or 3 miles if you don’t get there early.”
As for me, I echo what several of them already have said about loving the atmosphere before a game, especially a big SEC or rival game. You can feel it in the air. I remember back in ’71 when I was a student and unbeaten Georgia and Auburn teams met in Athens. Starting right after lunchtime on Friday, the air was practically electric, with folks driving around downtown honking on their horns and yelling. By gametime, the fans were about ready to explode.
Once in the stadium, I always make sure I buy a program first thing from one of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes folks who sell them now as a fund-raiser. Then I enjoy getting reacquainted with the regulars who sit around us and hearing if their feeling about the upcoming game jibes with mine. I’m sure the lady who sits to our right will ask about my son, as she’s followed his progress through school since he was a small boy. It’s a congenial group, though there is the occasional obnoxious drunk (my chief game day pet peeve besides what you have to go through to guarantee a parking space).
Back when my wife used to go to the games with me, we loved to hang around to hear the Redcoats’ post-game concert. I wouldn’t leave until “Tara’s Theme” was done. Nowadays, traffic’s so bad that I can’t wait that long, but I do sometimes linger on the bridge to hear my favorite fight song — “Glory! Glory! Dixieland.”
I can never hear that song without yelling, “And to Hell with Georgia Tech!” at the appropriate moment. No matter who the opponent is.
Yes, come September, it really is great to be a Georgia Bulldog in Athens on a Saturday!
What are your favorite or least favorite things about attending Georgia games in Athens?
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56 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
7:01 am
((((( 45 42 ))))) hahahahaha
Big time?? Not
August 12th, 2009
7:18 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes. Give us your lunch money nerd
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
7:28 am
Forbes ranks UGA # 171 in its story on the best colleges and universities in America – GT is # 501 – hahahahaha, oops – I mean wah, wah, wah!!!
1-888-TECH-TIX
August 12th, 2009
7:29 am
Georgia Tech Football: 2008 ACC CHAMPIONS. FULL STEAM AHEAD BOYS!
http://ads.yldmgrimg.net/apex/mediastore/38a506d2-7ed5-4754-8e58-393d574eb980
Mark Twain
August 12th, 2009
7:34 am
The seemingly endless supply of beautiful young scantily clad women.
SomewhereinGA
August 12th, 2009
7:51 am
At least we don’t have to take MARTA to the game like the nerds do. Spitting on cars from a bridge? We don’t have that either…the nerds do. And God bless Mark Twain above…he is sooo right….and GT? Not! Sorry Saint Simons! hahahaha
weaintthere yet!!
August 12th, 2009
8:17 am
Its like the football team, a continuing slide in the program…… as practices have shown with the abundant of number of picks its gonna be a loooooooooooooooong season. Bill King I wouldnt worry too much about the ole tailgating days. They are long gone. Until ole Willie is gone is gonna be SOS for the football team too! Bank on it…..
One Win Tech
August 12th, 2009
8:22 am
1-888-TECH-TIX – that’s pretty funny…
Can I still come to a GT game and get 4 hot dogs, 4 cokes, and 4 GT caps included in the package?
JayRoot
August 12th, 2009
8:26 am
.
GAME DAY PREPARATIONS!!!
1st – I make sure me and my alibi are on the same page.
2nd – Double check my pantsleg to make sure “throw-down” weapon is
secure.
3rd – Fake names list is up to date for potential arrest at Ugag game.
4th – Practice fake seizure one more time. This makes it difficult for
arresting officer to put hand cuffs on.
5th – Find an ugly, fat chick to accompany me to game.
Why? This way I will fit right in with the other inbred, hillbilly, rednecks at the game and will not draw attention to myself.
Oh Yeah! P.S. French kiss my uncle once each half as not to look out of place in a sea of incestual Ugag fans.
45 -42.
.
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
8:26 am
(((((45-42)))))hahaha and we had one of our famous Tickle Piles on your campus!!!!!
Who Cares
August 12th, 2009
8:32 am
Who Cares!
1-888-TECH-TIX
August 12th, 2009
8:34 am
Yes One Win Tech. Free hot dogs, cokes, and hats for everyone in the family! In fact there is a big dump truck full of hot dog weenies backing into the stadium right now. All the fixins too! Mustard, ketchup, relish, sauerkraut, and plenty of CHEESE! Don’t forget the post-game Chinese SUPER BUFFET with over 129 unique items! Plus a halftime performance by singing sensation USHER.
All free with purchase of four tickets to the 2008 home opener vs 1AA rival Jacksonville State. Only 30,000 seats remaining, tickets are going fast! Reserve your seat now for high-flying, action-packed Georgia Tech Football, 2008 ACC CHAMPS. FULL STEAM AHEAD.
New traditions Rule
August 12th, 2009
8:36 am
Who really cares what we use to do in Athens anyway? Markie has a better away record than at home. Cant wait to see if we beat Vandy and dance on their logo again! Yes its a new tradition!
Villa Rica DAWG
August 12th, 2009
8:40 am
Wow… Great article. I am so pumped for football season. I don’t think I can handle waiting another three weeks.
I’m getting nervous about the OK State game though…
Kdogg
August 12th, 2009
8:42 am
My pet peeve is the language and lack of respect for others tailgating. I have a daughter and the people I tailgate with have kids and the people around us, mostly people in their early 20s, use profane language loudly and its to the point where we have to confront them to please refrain from using that language in front of our kids … sometimes they comply others remain jerks
god and greyhound
August 12th, 2009
8:45 am
oks:46 uog:8
uog: 6-6, loss to tulsa in the independence bowl
Mike Dawg
August 12th, 2009
8:54 am
Favorite = The tailgate atmosphere, our beautiful stadium, and the gorgeous women.
Least Favorite = Lack of noise/enthusiasm from the alumni/North side of the stadium. Sanford needs to be a more intimidating place to play!
dawgfanatic24-7
August 12th, 2009
8:58 am
Its gotta be when you start packing away your tailgating supplies and begin that walk to the stadium. Then getting to your seat and having a coke and burger.
dawgfanatic24-7
August 12th, 2009
9:01 am
Let’s don’t forget looking out at the sea of red and black in the stands.
UGA KC
August 12th, 2009
9:04 am
Dawg Walk – slapping hands with my boys before the game!!
michael
August 12th, 2009
9:09 am
maybe i’m wrong, but isnt the south side the alumni side. I know those are the more desirable tickets since they are in the shade.
Larry Munson
August 12th, 2009
9:10 am
They’re running through us like we’re a Vandy or a Wake Forest!
Richard Simmons Dawg
August 12th, 2009
9:12 am
oh look at the men faliing out of the sky!
TVF
August 12th, 2009
9:13 am
Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s the great thing was parking and tailgateing in the old lot behind the Military and Fine Arts building up above the bookstore. As a kid I would get some old boxs and slide down the hill, heck even as a student in the 80s I was know to go sliding down that hill with my nephews. Four families would all park together up there and we all grew up togehter. This lasted right on up until the mid 90s when they took this lot over for more buildings. I still enjoy the tailgating in the East campus lot in between E Campus and River Road, but I missed my dads fried chicken. The atmospher before the game with the lone bugler and the team running out there is no more great in the country. A friend of mine who’s husband is a funeral director and I have a pack whoever dies first the other will have a lone bugler at their funeral.
My pet peeve is, I guess is the traffic ( and not being able to make the first left there on River Road and wide around to the bypass going south) and having to take a left onto the bypass off of College Station Road and go north and then circle back around from Hwy 78 back thru White Hall to Watkinsville. Other than that there is no better place to be than in Athens on a fall Saturday.
Concession stand dawg
August 12th, 2009
9:22 am
My pet peeve is walking around with my food and drink then getting rained on by a fellow dawg fan urinating from the upper deck.
BAMA STAN
August 12th, 2009
9:24 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Big difference in tailgating experience in Athens from my first experiences there in late 1980’s and now.
Agree that one of the best tailgate scenes in the south no longer exists.
In late 80’s and the couple of times in the early 90’s – my neighbor – a devout UGA fan – had us set up in a parking lot near a large outdoor pool – between some dorms – under some big oak trees – and tailgated well before the game – and after the game as well.
People were friendly – playing sound bites of Larry Munson calls or UGA marching music. Tents set up – with food all spread out. Kids throwing footballs – people shouting out “how bout them Dogs!” or barking to fellow UGA fans walking by wearing red and black. RV’s were parked close to the stadium. I remember seeing an RV with a platform on top – a band was playing. Another RV had similar set up with folks on top eating – and partying. A fantastic scene indeed!!!
Last year, we parked at a Highschool – walked down the student center area – bought food – watched some TV – then watched the players do the walk into the stadium.
After the game – went to dwontown Athens – waited in line – got into a bar/restaurant – and enjoyed the area while traffic cleared – then headed back to Atlanta. Talked mostly about how UGA did not show up for the game and Bama crushed their face with a hobnail boot in the first half.
The area that we tailgaited years previous is off limits and did not have the same scene going on.
Still – a great experience on a beautiful campus – but the pregame experience in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss is much more like “the good ole days” in Athens.
I guess – with all the open space utilized for new buildings and parking decks to accomodate a much larger student body – something had to give – and it completely changed the pregame culture at UGA.
I consider myself lucky to be experience the “good ole days” during the few games I attended in Athens years past – and welcome all to come to Tuscaloosa when UGA plays at Bama – will show you great southern hospitality – tailgate style – they way it’s supposed to be – the way it used to be in Athens.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
9:28 am
Saturday in Athens = one big Jerry Springer show!!!!!!!! 92,000 toothless rednecks!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
August 12th, 2009
9:35 am
Mike, after those students arrive in that North section about half way through the first quarter, and the sound of texting really get to rocking, it’s mayhem in the place.
Ogeechee Dawg
August 12th, 2009
9:36 am
BamaStan – Excellent Post – need your own blogsite!
VolsRule
August 12th, 2009
9:42 am
Same experience as Bama Stan when I went to a game in Athens with UGA friends in mid 80’s. TN vs UGA – season opener. Majors vs Dooley. Air attack vs ground attack. Tailgating at it’s finest. Very exciting game – Vols threw for over 400 yards – unfortunately – UGA ran for over 400 yards and won the game in the 4th quarter.
Great tailgate experience. Been to a couple of Vols – UGA games in Athens since then – not the same experience.
Bama Stan – great post. Look forward to taking on the Tide in October!
Otto
August 12th, 2009
9:43 am
Jayroot, sound like he was one of the few GT fans to see UGA play GT. Only a GT fan would be desperate enough to bring a fat chick to Athens with all of the hotties running around.
I did love tailgating in Athens but it has much harder to do with the restrictions. If the cops are getting that bad in the student section it is time to backoff. Kids will be kids and I doubt anyone is pulling out a funnel during the game.
Yes tailgating is still great at Ole Miss and the Grove. I was there last year for the Auburn game. They still had real Southern good looking girls dressed up for the game too.
Otto
August 12th, 2009
9:48 am
Bama Stan, I agree we were in the same parking lot up until the mid 90s. It was great just over the creek from the old motorhome that always hosted the cheerleaders and across the street from where the Dawg Walk started. Great memories. Sadly finding a spot in Athens now centers around finding a spot you will not be booted or towed from. I just find a pay lot and walk around Athens now if friends do not have a tailgate party setup.
rick
August 12th, 2009
9:49 am
saint simons,thanks for letting me sleep over. are all nerds that good?
VolsRule
August 12th, 2009
9:56 am
To Saint Simons – your schtick is getting old. Back off dude – seriously. Other schools fans that like to talk football – including Gators, Bama, Auburn and fans that “mix” it up with UGA fans on this UGA focussed blog think less of Tech with your childish blogs.
Hey – GT had a great game last year – be proud of that – rub it in a little – get on with life.
I have always rooted for Tech – due to the connection with Tennessee and Bobby Dodd – but I now wish Tech get’s totally embarrassed on the football field – because of Tech fans like you.
Seriously – you are making Tech look bad. Enough is Enough!
JDA
August 12th, 2009
10:04 am
Early Saturday morning breakfast at ” The Mayflower ” in downtown, always got the day off to a great start
BankerDawg
August 12th, 2009
10:13 am
Bama-
Great reading your post. I would guess the spot you are referring to was in front of Lipscomb Hall, across from the Tate Center with Lumpkin running in between. Great spot.
I was fortunate enough to live downtown my last two years (College and Clayton Street), so we did not have to worry about parking. Some of my best memories are of waking up early on game day, the chill in the air, and heading down to Barnett’s News Stand (next to The Grill) to pick up the AJC or Banner Herald, and reading the game preview just knowing that today was going to be a great day.
The anticipation was amazing.
Sadly Barnett’s is closed now.
Anyway, it’s posts like yours and articles like this that really bring home how close we are to kickoff for ‘09.
GOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!
GO DAWGS
August 12th, 2009
10:14 am
BAMA STAN,A National title from the Tuscaloosa News and all the fake championships DO NOT COUNT.You finished third or fourth one year in the SEC one year and claimed a national title.Check it out you RETARD!!!!!!!
Dawg Props
August 12th, 2009
10:23 am
My preparation list:
1. check out my honda generator–make sure it’s in good working condition.
2. test the satellite dish and receiver
3. clean the portable barbeque grill
4. plan meals for the day for 20-30 we have at the tailgate party
5. plan the amount of beer and jack daniels needed for all day partying—a lot!
Wait, in anticipation!!
BAMA STAN
August 12th, 2009
10:28 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Saint Simons – agree with VolsRule. Enjoy your great victory over UGA – but let’s move forward.
Has middle school stated in your part of the state? Are you skipping classes?
Ironically – it was Coach Bryant and Coach Vaught from Ole Miss that changed their vote on pending scholarship rules that “forced” Tech out of the SEC after Bobby Dodd made a stand and arrogantly stated Tech would leave the SEC if changes did not occur. The BEAR scored yet another victory over Tech!!! UGA backed GT and Dodd and did not want them to leave the conference – how ironic is that! Dodd totally regretted his actions to the day he died.
As much as Auburn fans enjoy beating BAMA – they rub it in – and get on with life – please do the same.
I am starting to feel like VolsRule – kind of hard to root for Tech knowing that you are out there.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Island Dawg
August 12th, 2009
10:52 am
G&G and SS are gay lovers or the same split-personality nerd. Also I’m tired of this bitching about tailgating in Athens. The stadium is in the middle of town and campus, only so much room. Would you prefer the rube-a$$ way off campus fairgrounds TallyHo in Columbia? Gimme a break.
DawgMAN
August 12th, 2009
10:52 am
Enjoyed BAMA STAN’s post – tailgated in the same area with my two brothers and all the wives and kids. Great memories!! Tailgating made the day an entire event. Now, I link up with a brother or two before the game – and leave right after.
Bama Stan – keep posting – and thanks to you and Volsrule for reaching out to Saint Simons – boy needs to calm down…..and enjoy GT’s exciting victory over my beloved Dawgs last year.
Jeckyl Island
August 12th, 2009
10:52 am
saint simon loves to smell his fingers……….yuck 45-42 hahahahaha….subtracting us from them leaves the number SS is most comfortable with 3 —– as a $3 bill……imagine that North Avenue Nerd
robodawg
August 12th, 2009
10:55 am
The stadium environs really aren’t the same with the parking restrictions. When the sidewalks on all sides of the stadium were packed with tailgaters, just the experience walking into the stadium on a big gameday was electric. Now there are huge deadzones between where you tailgate and where you go in the gates. That to me has really diminished the atmosphere.
On the other hand, the atmosphere inside the stadium is incredible and has gotten so much better in the Richt era. The Auburn blackout game was amazing, but I was also really proud of the fans in our loss to Bama last year … it felt like the fans were really a 12th man getting us back into the game.
DawgMAN
August 12th, 2009
10:58 am
Island Dawg – who care’s about Columbus – agree that South Carolina needs to be in the ACC – bring Tech back.
As far as bitching – I think we are more reflecting how much better it used to be when there were less restrictions and much more space. It’s different now – as space is needed for an expanding student population.
However – this gives rise to start new traditions and new ways to enjoy the campus and Athens on game day.
Techster
August 12th, 2009
11:18 am
On behalf of most Tech fans out there – Saint Simons – please give it a rest.
With my beautiful double dog wife (2 degrees from UGA) – we enjoy going to several games each year at both schools. And I hope that we ruin more UGA seasons in the near and distant future. With that said – my wife and I get along as we both HATE Clemson ….. common ground!!!
I would like to see Tech back in the SEC. Talk about making the GT/UGA rivalry more intense – “Good Ole Fashion Hate” it is. Would love to see Tennessee and Florida on Grant Field every other year. Wish to see LSU, Bama, Auburn and Ole Miss visit as well. The home and home we had with Auburn a few years ago was intense – both stadiums rocked! ACC schoolfor football is just not the same – with exception to Clemson (an SEC wannabe) and maybe FSU. Hard to get excited about VT, NC, Virginia or Miami the same way my wife gets fired up for Tennessee, Auburn or Florida – just not the same. Basketball – a different story!!!
Sanford Drive
August 12th, 2009
11:26 am
Will UGA ever expand the stadium? Filling in the bowl would really increase crowd noise.
Otto
August 12th, 2009
11:30 am
Sanford Drive not for a long time if ever. Current plan on the table was to wrap the very top deck around the end zone.
Sanford Drive
August 12th, 2009
11:32 am
Thanks, Otto. That stinks. The top deck is next to the sun. I don’t know how they swindle people into sitting up there.
Island Dawg
August 12th, 2009
11:40 am
Techster, I would love to trade Vandy and KY for Tech and FSU. There would be no question about which is the best conference then. Just makes sense here even though neither state has an Atlantic coastline, oh well.
Man, I was just saying there is plenty of room at Columbia because the stadium is in the middle of frigging nowhere. Awful and no sense of the university.
Stan, I agree. The Quad in Tusc and the Grove in Oxford are both spectacular locales
Mark Twain
August 12th, 2009
12:40 pm
The old era of tailgaiting is gone. I have had fun with the new era but no one parks together and all meet up on North Campus in a group. Which is a great time but a pain to lug all your tailgaiting supplies a mile or so. We always clean our site. I cannot say the same for others.