FAQ

UGA Traditions

UGA Traditions

Question

• How did UGA adopt the name "Bulldogs?"
• Who is "Uga?"
• How did Georgia adopt the "G"?
• Why does Georgia wear silver britches?
• What is The Chapel Bell?
• What is Georgia's fight song?
• Where did "How 'Bout Them Dawgs!" start?
• What does "Between the Hedges" mean?
• What is The Arch?

Answer

How did UGA adopt the name "Bulldogs?"

Many old timers say that it came from Yale, with whom UGA had strong ties to in its early years. Our first president, Abraham Baldwin was a Yale man. On November 3, 1920 Morgan Blake of the Atlanta Journal wrote about the school nickname and said, "The Georgia Bulldog would sound good because there is a certain dignity about a bulldog, as well as ferocity." On November 6, 1920 after a UGA football game, Cliff Wheatley used the name "Bulldogs" five times in his story and the name has been used ever since.

Who is "Uga?"

One of the best known mascots in the country, Uga is from a line owned by Frank W. (Sonny) Sieler of Savannah, GA. since 1956. The current line began with Uga I, a solid white English Bulldog who was the grandson of a former Georgia mascot who made the trip to the 1943 Rose Bowl. Perhaps the most famous Uga was Uga V who made appearances in the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". He also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Uga IV was the first mascot invited to the downtown athletic club and was escorted through the banquet hall by the president of the Downtown Athletic Club and was photographed with Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker. He was also the only mascot to make it to the Final Four basketball tournament.

How did Georgia adopt the "G"?

The unique Georgia helmet featuring the oval "G" has become a tradition that is known across the country as the logo of the Georgia Bulldogs. The basic design was instituted by Vince Dooley when he became head coach in 1964. He had been impressed with the look of the helmet worn by the Green Bay Packers which featued the oval "G" but in a different color scheme. Dooley settled on the black oval "G" surrounded by a white oval background resting on each side of the bright red helmet. A white stripe was placed over the top. The design has remained basically the same ever since; however, a smaller black stripe was added inside the white stripe over the top in 1996 by new head coach Jim Donnan. When Mark Richt took over in 2000, the stripe was removed.

Why does Georgia wear silver britches?

The pants were the innovation of Coach Wally Butts in 1939. Through the years fans refer to the pants in their chants. In the early fifties, the cheer "Go, you silver britches" came about. Vince Dooley redesigned the uniform in 1964 and made the pants white. He reinstated the silver pants in 1980 which turned out to be the championship season.

What is The Chapel Bell?

The chapel bell is rung after a Georgia victory. The tradition began the 1890's when the football field was located only yards from the chapel. Students rang the bell in celebration after a big Georgia win. The chore used to be reserved for freshman, but now students and alumni rush to the Chapel after a football victory.

What is Georgia's fight song?

Among the University's oldest and most lasting traditions is the school fight song, "Glory, Glory" which is sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." It was sung at games as early as the 1890s, but arranged in its present form by Georgia musician-composer Hugh Hodgson in 1915. There have been many Bulldog songs through the years and at least two collections dating back to 1909 have been published, but none have enjoyed more acceptance than "Glory, Glory."

Where did "How 'Bout Them Dawgs!" start?

"How 'Bout Them Dawgs!" was the battle cry of Bulldog fans that surfaced in the 1970's. It gained national attention when a major wire service picked it up after Georgia's victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl to claim the national championship. Many newspapers all over the country used it as a headline.

What does "Between the Hedges" mean?

This reference to Sanford Stadium dates back to the early 1930s. Famous English privet hedges surround the playing field in Sanford Stadium. They have been in place since the stadium was dedicated in 1929. "Between the hedges" is a popular phrase that was supposedly coined by legendary Atlanta sportswriter Grantland Rice when he said of an upcoming game "that the Bulldogs will have their opponent 'between the hedges".

What is The Arch?

The historic arch which appears on the University of Georgia emblem sits on North Campus and was installed in 1864. Freshman were forbidden to walk under the arch for years. Once rigidly enforced, it is still observed by many who learn of the tradition during orientation.