Larry Munson’s introduction during the Battle Hymn of the Bulldog nation, “Glory, Glory to ole Georgia” swims into my mind with game days starting up at full speed. I began attending Georgia games at a very young age and I can distinctly remember wanting to someday become a part of this incredible tradition. Picture a sea of people lined parallel just outside of the Tate center, the booming sound of the first note of “Glory” being played by the Redcoat Band, and lastly, picture a large group of young men in red jerseys that towered over a tiny, eight- year-old little girl. That was me. In this moment, I did not remember the enchanting sounds of the Dawg Walk, my mother asking to take an obnoxious amount of pictures, or the Georgia heat that we can never seem to beat. I remember a group of gorgeous girls walking into Sanford with huge smiles on their faces and tons of excitement. This team was known as the Georgettes. Georgettes are the dance team of the Redcoat band. I remember one of the girls looking down towards me and giving me a million dollar smile. Over the next few weeks, as I walk through the Dawg Walk in the very same uniform as those girls I once dreamed about, I can only hope to give a younger fan the same experience.
The Redcoat Band never fails to fill the stadium with extreme energy as Georgia’s traditions are carried on throughout the game. Whether that be the trumpet sound of The Battle Hymn, or their emphatic entrance into the stadium, to be welcomed into an environment containing that much energy is ineffable. As we shine and wash our uniforms on the eve before a game, my mind begins to think of several reasons as to why I am so thankful to be a part of something as wonderful as Georgia’s Auxiliaries. To be on the other side wearing the super-G logo on my uniform is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I think I can speak for myself as well as the 400 plus band members when I say, in the perfect words of Munson himself, there is truly no tradition more worthy of envy and no institution worthy of such loyalty as the University of Georgia. As football season is among us, I feel so humbled to be wearing, chanting, and bleeding red and black. I feel so honored to walk into Sanford Stadium and glorify an institution and a program that has been a part of my life, and will continue to be for many years to come. I am overwhelmed with excitement to join 92, 746 of my closest friends to cheer on the Dawgs. Lastly, I am thankful for the opportunity to wear the Georgia G and represent this institution with an immense amount of pride.
Every Saturday, as we join together to rally behind the young men in red and black, I hope you join in with the sound that is The Redcoat Band. I hope you chant with all that you have to the heart of the stadium that is The Redcoat Band. Finally, I hope you realize the success, tradition, and pride that is taken in representing this team, this program, and most importantly The University of Georgia itself. Oh, and how could I forget? GO DAWGS!
