When you think of the Southeastern Conference, several teams likely come to mind. Few, however, hold a candle to the athletic empire of the Georgia Bulldogs. Located in Athens, Georgia, the Bulldogs hold 179 total SEC championship titles across multiple sports and have won 48 national championships.
Founded in 1785, Georgia was the first state-chartered university in the United States. The first graduating class received their degrees in 1804. Now, Georgia is ranked as the No. 9 public university nationally and has over 31,000 undergraduate students. Its athletic department ranks No. 16 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup rankings.
The Bulldogs earned their moniker in 1920. Although the team had multiple live mascots before, Uga I, a white bulldog, first graced campus in 1956. The current Uga, affectionately nicknamed ‘Boom,’ is now the 11th bulldog to be the team’s mascot. Uga XI was inducted as the newest heir to the Georgia throne during the 2023 season. He is currently sitting at 0–0 games. His predecessor, Uga X or “Que,” will retire as the mascot with the most wins, sitting at a record of 91–18. Each Uga gets their own custom football jersey.
Redcoat Marching Band, which has over 400 members, plays the fight songs when players enter the field and score touchdowns. “Glory Glory” was written by Hugh Hodgson in 1915 and “Hail to Georgia” was written by Gaines W. Walter in 1931.
Shortly after, fans stand to call the Dawgs during kickoff, chanting “Go Dawgs! Sic ‘em, Woof, Woof, Woof.” One of the newer traditions happens during the fourth quarter, where fans turn on their phone lights at the start of the final quarter and urge the Bulldogs to either keep up their lead or make a comeback.
After Georgia’s victories, the chapel bell on campus is rung. When the tradition started in the 1890s, only first-year students rang the bell. Another Georgia monument, the Arch, was also built in the 1850s. The monument consists of pillars representing wisdom, justice and moderation, three of Georgia’s core values.
Another iconic symbol of Georgia that reaches beyond the green of Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium is its ‘G’ helmet. The oval G made its first appearance in 1964 and has been integral to the Bulldogs’ uniform ever since. The NFL’s Green Bay Packers now also sport the oval G on their helmets.
As the SEC team with the second-most championship titles, the Bulldogs are ready to bring their legacy and traditions — both old and new — back to the field.
