The University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia. Founded in 1785, they are 'self proclaimed' the oldest public university in the country. The deep south is rooted in rich traditional family and religious values. The Georgia Bulldogs Football Program is one of those valued traditions.
Originating in 1892, the 'dawgs football program has been a force to deal with since the very beginning. Georgia won their first game against Mercer 50 to 0. In this primitive time of college football, this inaugural season was short lived when the 'dawgs lost their second, and final game of the season, to Auburn 10 - 0. In this defeat, the biggest rivalry in college football was born.
"Atlanta will be the Scene Saturday afternoon of the first interstate collegiate football game. Both teams have been practicing for weeks "Atlanta Journal, February 17, 1892
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Georgia and Auburn have battled every year since 1898, with the exception of the seasons that were affected due to WWI and WWII. Auburn leads the very tight fought series 54-53-8.
The Bulldogs play their football at Sanford Stadium. Named after Steadman Vincent Sanford. Completed in 1929, the stadium has a capacity of 92,746. Games played at Sanford are played "Between the Hedges" because of the Privet Hedges that circle the field. The Hedges that sprouted with the stadium opening, were renovated in 1996 and replaced with shorter hedges. One haircut in sixty seven years. Sanford is the seventh largest stadium in the NCAA and the fourteenth largest stadium in the world.
A live Bulldog has been the mascot since 1956. All the dogs have been name Uga. The most recent member of this rich mascot tradition was UgaVIII, who died of lymphoma on Feb 3, 2011. There is no replacement for the current 2011 season.
All mascots are buried under the stadium.
Only the Bulldogs may call Sanford Stadium home.
Georgia victories are never scarce. The overall record is 746-398-54. (11-19-2001) They hold twelve South Eastern Conference Championships (SEC) the most prestigious and competitive conference in college football. They are five time National Champions, the last coming in 1980. Starting in the sometime in the 1890's when the primitive football field was located near the local chapel, freshman were required to ring the chapel's bell until midnight after victories. Present day the tradition lives, only freshman aren't obligated to participate in the victory practice. There are plenty of alum, students, as well as fans who will gladly assist in celebrating victory, and tradition. The bell is now rung after ever athletic team has a victory.
Georgia University has put their successful collegiate football players into a position to succeed at the NFL level. Herschel Walker, Champ Bailey, Garrison Hearst, and David Pollack were award winners in their time at school. All of them went on to become household NFL names.
Matt Stafford, also a former Bulldog, was the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft and his currently leading the Lions to the best season they've had in over ten years.
"I'm from Ohio, but if I'd known when I was two what it was like down South, I would have crawled here on my hands and knees." Frank Sinkwich, the first Heisman Trophy winner from the SEC.
During the NCAA football season, many bias claims are made that the SEC is shown favoritism in publicity and rankings. With Traditions as deep rooted such as Georgia, these bias claims are made valid. If a University has invested over 100 and millions of dollars into a program, the results need to be recognized.
The University of Georgia Bulldogs Football Program is and will always be a powerhouse in the NCAA. With loyal fans, alumni, students and boosters, the traditions success and ending is no where in site.
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