The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/7/08 Section: Athenscape

Media Credit: FILE PHOTO Tailgaters mingle in front of the main library on North Campus before a football game. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: FILE PHOTO Some fans opt to watch the game on TV from various spots around campus like this group in the Tate Center parking lot. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: FILE PHOTO A Georgia fan tailgates in the quad in front of the library at the Terry MBA tailgate. [Click to enlarge]

On Saturdays in the fall, every green patch of grass and gray sidewalk corner is transformed into a sea of red and black. From the pageantry of the Dawg Walk to the Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation, there are many traditions that make Georgia football unique and memorable. Fans from all over the country flock to Athens to watch the Bulldogs play in Sanford Stadium.

For freshman and those new to Athens it can be a bit of a culture shock, but it is easy to be a part of the gameday experience. Students can register for football tickets through the Athletic Association's Web site, www.georgiadogs.com. According to the site, registration opens up on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and ends the next day. Students can purchase season tickets for home games and individual tickets for away games. Priority for tickets are based on credit hours at the University. If ticket demand is high, students with fewer credit hours may receive a half-season package for home games. Tickets for home games are $8 each, and prices for away games range from $40 to $60.

Going to your first game can be intimidating, so here are some "dos" and "don'ts" to keep in mind when getting ready for a Saturday "between the hedges."

- Bilal Yousufzai

GAMEDAY DOS AND DON'TS

- DO arrive to games early. Going to the game at least an hour before kickoff ensures you a good seat and prevents you from getting stuck in the flow of human traffic in the stadium.

- DO cheer loudly for the Bulldogs, especially when we are on defense. The cheers will pump up the team and create problems for the opposing offense's play calling.

- DO eat a meal before you go to the game. Football games are a long affair, so stop by a dining hall before entering the stadium. Although Snelling is transformed into a "Tailgating Cookout" restaurant, the other dining halls are also open for students on gamedays.



- DO NOT wear orange. Not only is it a garish color, but also our biggest rivals - Florida, Tennessee, and Auburn - use orange as their color.

- DO NOT boo the Bulldogs. You can boo a bad call and you can boo the other team, but booing your own team? A classless and demoralizing move, at best.

- DO NOT be a jerk. For many, football games are a stressful time. Unless you want to lose some teeth, getting in the face of a dejected and drunken Tennessee fan after a Georgia win might not be a smart idea. Be courteous - it will make the gameday experience fun for you and everyone around you.

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