I’m in Athens
So this place is really cultish. In a southern, innocent, preppy kind of way. You drive for what seems like hours, through a canyon of pine trees and then poof. You are in this cute little town built around the pillow to my left.
I went to a small Baptist school in So Cal.
This does not make sense to me.
Can someone explain to me the allegiance to such things and how one makes sense of this all?
Then I can sleep better tonight.
On that pillow.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
I’ve lived in Lubbock almost a year, and I’m still freaked out by the devotion to all things Texas Tech. After a while you find yourself feeling a strange pull to Red Raider Nation whether you want to or not….
There is no explanation. There is something about college football in the south. You either get it or you don’t. Just wait and watch. Keep you girls here in the south for too long and I guarantee they will begin to pull one way ot the other. Roll Tide!!
I know iSight cameras mirror things, but technically the pillow is to your right.
I concur with Isaac…
los
Oddly enough I live about 4.5 hours SOUTH of Athens, way down in Valdosta, GA. We have a state university here (Valdosta State) and I am amazed at all of the “UGA” paraphernalia I see around town.
You’d think this town would be showing some VSU love, but no, it’s all about that darn dawg to the north.
Infidelity, infidelity.
It’s not something you learn – it’s just kinda bred into you. It comes with an unhealthy dose of fatal optimism.
Woo Pig Sooie!!!!
I cannot explain the allegiance to that pillow, nor can I explain the hatred for the things that pillow represents. I just know that I was taught from birth to hate the Georgia Bulldogs. Go VOLS!
I can relate, our rival just won the national championship in basketball. I believe you will see I finished 5th in our bracket. It took e everything I could muster to put KU down to win the bracket. Though I was pretty sure they would. Go KSU Wildcats!
Notice that you’ve now received comments from 5 SEC teams – and SEC teams only… I’ll get a few click-throughs b/c of my comments – it’s just natural – we all want to check out the competition.
Los, if you can’t hunker down, you’ll never understand…
Hotty Toddy!
Doods. I grew up in PSU territory. WE ARE! But seriously, the whole freaking family went to school there (not me) and they are psychotic when it comes to their Lions. I don’t get it. It’s a school. A school with a football team. Ok, it’s a school with a freaking awesome ice creamery, but still. Don’t. Get. It.
UGA is my alma mater. I had a wonderful time there, made lifelong friends and yes I got an education too. I agree with other comments, in some cases the allegiance is a family thing, something you’re taught.
Most folks who are into college football will always be loyal to the school they attended.
Los if your college had a football team, assuming they didn’t, then you’d be just as loyal to that team.
The only issue I have is with this whole “Bulldog Nation,” concept. People who never set foot in Athens are die-hard Bulldog fans. You get a lot of that in rural Georgia.
It is definately a southern thing. Born and raised in T-town (AL). Amen Tracie – Roll Tide! My hubby won’t wear clothing that has even touched anything orange (for Auburn or Tennessee). I know, weird, huh!
I went to college at a small school in Northeast Georgia and didn’t get it, but went along with it anyway. I enjoyed Athens at the time, had to use the UGA library a lot.
We religiously refer to T-town as The Promised Land or the Holy Land. I read above where someone said its just a school, its a way of life in the southeast. The large universities are usually football schools with education things on the side. Roll Tide.
Football is a religion in the South…especially the SEC. And, Southern football teams really are the best in the nation. Colleges in the rest of the country have football teams that look like my old high school team did.
(I’m required to say that!) I grew up in the South but went to Georgia Tech…you know…where the smart people go. Go Jackets!!!!
Los, you should spend a Saturday in Athens when there’s a home football game. Then you’d understand. There’s just this alluring combination of smells…barbecue and fall and freshly cut grass and adult beverages…mixed with a gentle breeze and the excitement that the Red Coats are coming…a day like that makes one breathe a little more deeply and remember that life is good!
and then you must hook yourself up with some Five Star Day Cafe. mmm.
Yes, Five Star Cafe & if you are really lucky they have Grits Corn Chowder on the menu. Oh, and don’t forget the fried green tomatoes.
Go Dawgs!!!
Haha, My family is split 3 ways. UGA, Ga Tech, and Florida Gators. It’s sort of the perfect storm of college football in GA. (It would get much worse if we had someone graduate from Auburn) Thanksgiving is always interesting though.
You’ve not lived till you have been in Knoxville, TN when the University of TN is playing football there. You could rob a bank and no one would know for 2 hours ’cause eveyone is watching the game.
I miss my home.
i actually lived in athens when i was a wee one. my dad flunked out of that bulldog place and i don’t know why. he’s brilliant. maybe i’ll call him and ask. *just got nervous*
look south of Macon for a town called Hawkinsville. that is country. way. my dad grew up on a peanut farm there. being the westerner that i am, i can hardly believe that.
I don’t know if there actually exists an explanation for the phenomenon that is the Southern Obsession with College Sports — specifically, but not limited to, football.
It’s just better to be finding yourself with the red and black than the “old gold” and navy!
Idk Los, I have the same allegience to the Dawgs. I found myself 30 mins ago watching Georgia’s meaningless spring game just because the Dawgs are playin’. Can’t wait till September!!!! National Championship Season!!! If your gonna be at Passion tomorrow, maybe I’ll see you there. We’re comin up from Jax, and going to NP on Sunday. – Kevin
For what it’s worth Los, you would look a lot better in that picture if that pillow was blue and gold with a certain catholic university’s logo on there.
http://www.vagabondrunn.wordpress.com
I grew up in Athens and I can tell you that it’s an identity thing really. It’s who you are… A Bulldawg!!! But, as for the frat boys, those don’t belong to Athens, they’re just visitors and always leave…if you want to know where to real Athenians hang out just let me know… it’d be fun
Nothing related to topic…but is it just me or is it really tough to see what is typed in green against the gray background?
Well, one of my tattoos is a LSU tiger paw on my foot. Purple. I guess it’s just a wonderful escape.
It’s community, identity, and religious devotion.
I LOVE that place! Just walk from downtown to Sanford Stadium through North Campus- it is the most beautiful walk- the buildings, the trees, the lawns…then the football field! Glorious…or should I say… “Glory Glory to Ole’ Georgia…” Just wait until the fall- we’ll take a field trip to a football game. We will tailgate real good and then go to the game and you will understand what it’s all about! It’s one of things you have to see/experience to understand the love of all things GEORGIA…just ask t.reagin!
Hi, I’ve never commented before, but just had to pipe up since I am a current resident of Athens! On behalf of this crazy town–welcome!
Thankfully, I am of the sane, non-bulldog-crazed-fan variety. We are def. a minority. I was not raised here, but I CAN relate to the football-loving way of life since I am from another GA town that is home to another GA team. (my loyalties lie with them).
But, you have landed yourself in GREAT town (football or not)! Hope you have a great time here!
BTW..that’s the most beautiful picture you have ever posted on your blog!
As a few have said, it is definitely a cultural thing, based around the phenomenon of college football. What to me is the strangest part is the passion some people have, even if they NEVER EVEN ATTENDED the school.
Here in Atlanta we had a situation about a month after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A guy who was flying to Mississippi to see a UGa football game left his camcorder on the counter at ticketing. Not wanting to miss his flight, he ran the wrong way on an escalator, bypassing security and causing the entire terminal to be shut down while they searched for the guy. He was eventually located and faced numerous charges. The judge who oversaw the sentencing mandated that he was not allowed to attend any Georgia sporting events for something like 3 years as part of his punishment.
To me, the two best things to come out of Athens, GA are the late humorist Lewis Grizzard (technically he’s from Moreland, but he went to journalism school at UGA) and so many of the bands including REM and the B-52’s (both of which have new CDs out this month.
Back in the mid-80’s my brother was accepted to and attended GA Tech, Georgia’s in-state rival. We used to mock UGA because at the time all you needed was about a 900 to get in.
Easy explanation. Something comes over a brotha when the red and black take the field. At the games, we all become rabid dogs…and…they teach that at the school; one of my favorite classes. That’s why my education keeps increasing in value.
By the way, Knowshon Moreno for President. GO DAWGS!
Southern football fans tend to be knuckle draggers. Out here on the West Coast, college football is a more refined subject. You’re probably just used to the West Coast treatment of the sport.
“Glory, glory to old Georgia! Glory, glory to old Georgia!”
Glory, glory to old Georgia! And to Hell with GA Tech!
You must go to a game when the season starts back!
You’ll love it…Go Dawgs!
Glad to see all the TIDE PRIDE on here! I grew up in Tuscaloosa too Cindy!!
It’s definitely the most fun thing to do on a Saturday in a small college town – you would really have to try hard to avoid it! The whole town joins in – LOVE IT!
Not sure los
I’m also from the West Coast.
Moved to ATL for 3 years and tried to understand the UGA culture.
Now that I’m back on the West Coast….I know 2 things!
I love NASCAR & UGA!
I drank the preverbial sweet tea!
I grew up in Gainesville, FL. I agree with the identity theory. I actually didn’t think much about it until I moved away from home. It was that and having someone cool like Danny Wuerffel to cheer for that really got me hooked on the Gators. Now I proudly sport my Univ. of FL specialty tag here in Tennessee. I’m just glad the tag is available here because it’s so much fun to annoy the UT fans. It’s one of those identity + tradition things that people enjoy.
Knuckledraggers? Wow! My 3rd son happens to have gotten the jock gene. I always let him know on gameday that my ego is completely attached to his performance, so don’t let Mama down.
I think it’s in the water…stick around here for a little while and we’ll getcha right!
I completely understand. Eight years after moving here and five years after marrying one of the obsessed, it’s finally seeming normal. I don’t know if that’s good or bad!!
ok, i’ve been reading your blog too long without commenting, but cannot be silent when it comes to athens, GA. here’s the deal. i know that this town exists solely because of the university and its football team, but you have to see this city for so much more than that.
this town is schitzo. on one hand you have the red and black bleeding frat boys and alumnus. but on the other hand you have a diverse and truly unique music scene, probably made most famous by R.E.M. and the B 52’s, historic music venues (see 40 watt), a plethera of coffee shops (wireless included), incredible and unique restaurants (with tons of vegetarian options, if youre into that), and its the home of delicious terrapin ale. there’s never a good reason to be bored here.
we should have known each other, becuase i was supposed to play electric guitar for you at catalyst church about a month ago….but you cancelled. totally understandable, with the wedding and all that, all i’m saying is….had that have happened, i could show you what truly makes this town so unique and amazing. don’t give up on athens….its so much more than a football town.
I’ll say it: Georgia “dogma” is just annoying.
I hope you didn’t actually pay money for that pillow.
It sort of makes me a little sick…
GO GATORS!!
Los, you just got me all excited for football! We have our spring Orange and Blue game tomorrow, and now I’m ready to go.
Carlos,
I could probably write you a dissertation about Athens and the Bulldogs, but I’ll save that for another time. It was great getting to meet you at Scoops last night–I’ve been subscribed to your RSS feed for a few months now, so it was great to meet you in person (for the record, you seem pretty much the same in “real life” as on your blog, which is cool). Anyway, I’ll definitely take you up on your offer to visit BC production some Sunday morning. What’s the best way to get in touch with you before I visit?
Peace,
JW
PS After a bit of reflection, I’ve decided that this might give you a little clue as to why people love UGA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgxVVdU3C00 .
2 things! Boomer Sooner! but I do love my English Bulldog who looks like UGA (except for the brown patch on one eye), however, he is Sooner Born and Sooner Bred! Go OU!
I’m a northern transplant (imagine that!) and now call Athens, GA home. So…welcome.
I didn’t get the football thing either. While the students are job security, I’ve come across one too many frat boys and sorority girls in the Lexus SUVs and Mercedes-Benz coupes to enjoy this college town. However, my husband attended UGA and since it’s ALL around you, it is hard not to get caught up in it. Especially if you’re just out on the town for a pizza and a beer and you’re watching 3 generations scream at a TV about that last play. “Did you just SEE that?!” the blue hair replies, “I can not believe they made that call” and thumps the table in disgust.
My aunt lives in Indiana and in her yard is a huge sign in a flowerbed that says, “Welcome to Boilermaker Country.” She had toy poodles named Boiler and Purdue, and has a large bathtub with the Purdue logo on it. They fly the Purdue flag in their house, have Purdue ornaments on the Christmas tree, Purdue rugs, mugs, cups, jackets, sweatshirts, coasters… and in the 80’s they had a horn installed in their van that played the Purdue fight song. My mother was almost just as bad…I didn’t attend Purdue and you’d think I committed an unforgivable sin. ha
It’s a ‘DAWG’ thang, you just would not understand.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooo DAWGS! Sic’em! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!
Glory, Glory to ole Geor–gia, Glory, Glory to ole Geor–gia …