I’ve said it before in this column, but there is nothing like Gameday at University Stadium .. or The Coliseum, or Cole Field or any of our venues here on campus at the University of West Georgia.
But one of my greatest joys in the position I hold is to take a road trip.
There’s something about getting up early on the day of the game, getting in the car and heading down the highway to Valdosta, Pensacola, Florence or Memphis. Usually, you get to travel with friends and coworkers, enjoy the conversation, maybe a little embarrassing singing and all the while, you are headed to watch YOUR school wear a uniform that you aren’t used to seeing.
But road trips like the one I will take on Monday are the ones that really make them fun, as I am some of my colleagues will head over to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to see our Wolves take on the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide in men’s basketball.
Trips to watch West Georgia play a Division II rival like North Alabama, West Alabama or even that school south of the gnat line are a joy, because those games count and really mean something in the grand scheme of the season.
But when you get to go to a place that is featured on ESPN, CBS or any other channel on a regular basis and sit in those seats that you can see on television, it becomes somewhat glamorous. And there’s always the chance that you will be there when West Georgia becomes the next “underdog” to take down a Division I opponent.
So whether you “Hop on the Bus” on Monday, November 4 for the Wolves’ trip to Tuscaloosa or you take a short trip to Columbus State later in the year, I encourage you to hit the road with Wolves’ basketball at some point this year.
Make it an experience.
Plan your trip out to visit someplace famous or a cool restaurant that you saw on the Food Network. But above all, your presence at these events can truly be a great help to the young athletes that don the red and blue night in a night out. When they come out and see that spot of blue in a sea of red and black at Valdosta State, it adds an extra hop in their step.
The players are grateful to the fans for traveling on road trips, and you can make some great memories on the way there.
Matt Cooke is the assistant sports information director and athletic events coordinator.
