Should we propose to the SEC that we play Georgia in Athens every year?! USC has a great set-up, but Athens may have Saturdays perfected. We seem to do better against the Bulldogs in Athens anyway!
Athens is 5 points on steroids. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, students, alumni, guests galore. There is energy everywhere. To make matters even better, everyone seemed to feel safe during the entire weekend.
On game day, it’s great because after hanging out with everyone downtown, people just walk straight to the stadium. After the game, fans just walk back downtown. Very cool. Furhtermore, there is no driving for visitors, just $5 cab rides home when you’re ready. Sure, there are many “campus” stadiums out there, but I’ll bet there aren’t many that compare to this overall atmosphere.
Two possible negative thoughts about Athens.
1) When the team enters the stadium, it is reminiscent of high school days. It’s neat and all, but it doesn’t have the effect of UT’s “Power T,” Clemson’s Hill or USC’s “2001”. Not even close. Running through the banner just doesn’t get it, when put in the awesome scale of everything else UGA has going on.
2) My buddy Stephen pointed this out. When a student graduates from UGA, he/she almost MUST leave the town that they have grown to love. At Carolina, we all have the opportunity to stay, live and work with some of the greatest friends we could ever have. We are one big mesh of former USC graduates, and we love it. To be sure, one can certainly leave and thrive elsewhere, but at least we have the option.
What a college town, and what a great trip. The victory was cool too. I will be going back to Athens.
Franklin was wearing Blue for a reason though!! UGA fans can be vicious but they all seemed to be sulking and some of us were not scared to be screaming, chanting and carrying on like we were still 21 and in college!!! Go Cocks!!
Anonymous,
I was wearing blue!! Both nights! I didn’t want some drunk poppin’ me in the toofs just because Carolina ruined UGA’s season.
You’re right. After the game, bulldog fans were incredibly quiet. Actually, the walk back downtown was very odd.
You weren’t scared at all!! I loved how you started off your “WWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!” with a good hair raising, “FRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNKKKKKKLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNN JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!” in the middle of thousands of beaten redshirts.
OOOOoooof. The people I was walking with thought I was going to die right there on the asphalt. I didn’t know if I should run to you or away from you! Of course, I chose the former.
Good times!