UGA Announces Details of Family-Friendly Offerings

Fans Can Tailgate with SEC Golf and Tennis Champions on Sept. 2

ATHENS, Ga., August 28, 2006—The University of Georgia and the UGA Athletic Association announced on Monday detailed plans for Gameday family-friendly
zones on North and South Campus.

Over the course of football season, fans will have the opportunity to interact with cheerleaders, pep band members, and various athletics teams in these areas. They will also be able to enjoy numerous interactive games, have some laughs at a caricature booth, and do much more. There are no costs for any activities in the family-friendly areas. No alcohol will be allowed in these zones.

One family-friendly area is located in the North Campus quadrangle between Old College and Broad St. The 2006 SEC Champion men’s golf team will be there from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., signing autographs and mingling with fans. Ten members of the UGA cheerleading squad will be there from 9:45 to 10:15 to rally fans. Kick-off against Western Kentucky is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 2.

At the South Campus family-friendly area, located at D.W. Brooks Mall, the 2006 SEC Champion men’s tennis team and the women’s basketball team will make an appearance from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. Ten members of the UGA cheerleading squad will be joined by 20 members of the pep band from 9:45 to 10:15 to help fans get re-acquainted with various Georgia cheers and fight songs.

In both areas, fans of all ages will be able to enjoy sports-themed games, a variety of inflatable play structures, caricature artists, face painters, and more. Fans and families are encouraged to set up their tailgates in the area, as long as they are alcohol free. Different athletic teams will be at each of the family-friendly zone at all home games, and various types of entertainment will be provided at each game.

“Our fans have asked for family-friendly options on Gameday, and we’re pleased to be able to offer an experience that we believe will make it worth their while to tailgate in these areas,” said George Stafford, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary and Administrative Services. “These options will provide a whole new way for families to get some Bulldog spirit on Gamedays.”

In addition to the interactive games and attractions, the family-friendly areas will give fans the chance to get better acquainted with student-athletes from UGA baseball, basketball, golf, softball, tennis, gymnastics, track and field, and swimming/diving teams as well as members of he UGA Cheerleading Squad and UGA Marching Band over the course of the season.

“We are excited about the new family-friendly areas because they provide a great opportunity for fans to interact with UGA athletes in a way that they haven’t been able to in the past,” said Assistant Athletic Director Matt Brachowski. “The new tailgating areas will help make the close-knit University of Georgia community even closer.”

The UGA cheerleaders and the UGA Pep Band will arrive three hours before every regular season home game to visit with fans for a half hour and players from UGA sports teams will arrive two hours before the games and stay for an hour, according to Brachowski. For an up-to-date season schedule of UGA team appearances and maps that show the exact location of the zones, fans can visit the “family-friendly zones” page at www.gamedaygameplan.com .

In addition to details about the family-friendly zone team appearance schedules, the website provides information on recent changes implemented by the University of Georgia to enhance the game day experience, improve safety, and preserve the beauty of the UGA campus.

University of Georgia Athletics

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