Bulldog Club Rescue
Many Georgia Bulldog Clubs are struggling. I had heard bits and pieces about the differences in how the Bulldog Clubs are run and looked at by the University and Athletic Department. The last few years I have heard stories about declining membership and attendance. Some clubs are actually consolidating with other clubs. The thing is, it’s not a new problem(click here).
I was down in Jacksonville last week and was going to play in the Bulldog Club golf tournament, but it rained. And it rained. And it rained. So we didn’t play. It was a bummer but it gave me an opportunity to talk to some members and learn how things have changed for what was once the greatest of the Bulldog Clubs.
Before I get in too deep, let me say that I think I understand that the Bulldog Road Tour and Coach Mark Richt cannot go to all the clubs the way coaches used to do. That’s fine. But what I’m hearing about is a complete cutting off from any and all support and cooperation from UGA. What’s up with that?
These are the people who have bled red and black and have died a thousand deaths watching their beloved Dawgs. Before I go too far and say something that I will regret and get me in trouble, let me just say this.
I want to try and create a network of former players that the Bulldog Clubs can call on to speak and/or make appearances at club functions. This idea had it’s genesis from a Bulldog Club president who felt many members enjoyed hearing from former players more anyway. I have created a page on RTK called Bulldog Club Rescue. I am hoping to get some old team mates and other former players signed up to create some options for the clubs.
You have supported us and now it’s our turn to support you.
Let me know if your club needs help or if I’m barking up the wrong tree. Go Dawgs!
Don’t forget those of us out in the “territories.”
I know it’s a haul, but I can tell you that the organizers out of state really have to scratch and claw to build up participation for any events, even low-hanging fruit like game watching parties. There are sizable alumni presences in Texas, California, New York and DC that would really be galvanized by having former players speak. I’m in Austin and I can tell you that the Texas Bulldog chapters will continue to grow as the “top 10%” rule keeps sending would-be UT-Austin students to Athens instead.
07/26/2010 at 4:17 PM
Great idea. Will take some of the pressure off the coaches time as there is simply not enough days in the year to fulfill every request they have. At the same time it will give clubs with good leaders/solid memembership the chance to plan events and find speakers that excite the audience.
05/27/2010 at 11:58 PM
Rex, I think you have a great idea with the former players. I, for one, enjoy having former players come and speak to our club members before and after the season. It is my perspective that now the coaches only come to certain venues and it is nearly impossible to get a coach on the phone. It has become increasingly harder to book a coach now that Barbara Hartman has been assigned elsewhere. Rex, it was a pleasure to have you come and speak to our club and keep up the great work…
05/26/2010 at 6:06 PM
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Like any organization you’ve got to have good, conscientious leaders who have the time and desire to make the club work. A good ‘idea” person with some ties to Athens helps a bunch. Doesn’t take many people to make it work. Three or four that care and can work together. That’ll do it.
05/25/2010 at 11:15 PM
Kudos to you if you can pull it off. Don’t limit yourself to the Summertime….for example, here in South Florida the only alumni gatherings are during the Fall for the purpose of game watching. Buy you a beer if I see you!!!
05/25/2010 at 10:01 PM
Gainesville, Georgia would welcome someone from Athletic Dept.(pref. a Coach)
come and speak about upcoming football season. People are “fired up” – just need to be scheduled before the season starts.
Former players would be welcomed to share past experiences and their opionions regarding present program.
05/25/2010 at 8:52 PM
Great idea, Rex. Is Magill aware there’s a problem? The Bulldog Clubs are his baby (litter?) and were the model for similar programs for other schools. If the folks in charge don’t listen to what he’s got to say, they should. He’s a master promoter. I reckon now that demand for renewable season tickets is so high, the need to cultivate that kind of development ($$$) isn’t as great. But that’s a shame.
05/25/2010 at 7:07 PM
I live near Jacksonville, can’t afford the time during the year to attend games in Athens so my one chance to get together with like minded fans with the Bulldog staff was at the Road Tour event in Jacksonville each summer. The event is put on by the largest out-of-state Bulldog Club and the Jacksonville club is filled with die-hard fans who speak up and say good things about UGA and with people like me who send their children to UGA. I don’t know why the Road Tour stopped coming to Jacksonville but I do know that the impression it leaves is that the Jax Dawgs are second best. We want to help UGA but we need UGA to help us…one day a year.
05/25/2010 at 3:09 PM
LaGrange Bulldog Club would be very excited to have a speaker before the season!
05/25/2010 at 1:55 PM
That’s a fantastic idea! I know that Middle Georgia would appreciate the perspective of former players. Look forward to seeing this plan develop.
05/25/2010 at 1:21 PM
Great post Rex and as a lifelong DAWG FAN I appreciate your efforts to help the local Bulldog Clubs!
05/25/2010 at 12:38 PM
Rex, that is a great idea. I think fans would appreciate a little more than the (somehwat understandable) guarded coachspeak from the current staff and really enjoy some relaxed banter, their UGA/ pro experiences and even sometimes the story behind the story from some of the players or coaches who found their way into the program. I imagine some of the out of state clubs are the ones who may need a little boost: Jax, Tampa, TN, SC, etc…Even if this takes a little time to get off the ground I gratefully applaud your attempt to give back the alum/fans like me who would rather go hungry than miss out on contributing through our donations, merch, tickets, travel…Thank you!
05/25/2010 at 11:37 AM
That sounds like a great idea and one UGA should support too.
05/25/2010 at 10:31 AM