In Athens earlier this week, I timed a trip uptown via Lumpkin Street to immerse myself in the phalanx of students, watching them cross the street all the way to the bottom of the hill and up past Joe Brown Hall toward the canopy of trees of North Campus.
I often choose to repeat this exercise, fascinated by the density of youth, our future leaders, and environment custodians.
The mid-section of this throughfare was known in the fledgling days of UGA as “The Hollow.” It was where the old baseball stadium stood, which was also where the football team played its games.
In the early years, even with football being the first organized sport on campus, baseball was the big sport, as it was on other campuses throughout the country. However, it would not be long before the gridiron game would become “king.”
Dan Magill, the loyalist with an unquenchable love of all sports — especially of the spring variety — would gather with Five Points railbirds at Harry’s Restaurant, suck down his share of Schlitz, his favorite brew, and exclaim, “King Football is here again!”
College football had become premier in those laidback days, but it was nothing like it is today. The problem with any organization or entity becoming a colossus is that greed will eventually lead to a fracturing of rules and ideals, and can destroy the principles that initially made it secure.
There has never been a greater tradeoff in our society than for a kid to play a sport and be given free education in return. But when greed set in, it all went haywire.
College football has always found a way to come out ahead, but this time, many critics believe the golden goose may be headed for execution.
I benefited from the scholarship system, though I had to manage part-time jobs to cover the cost of tuition and room rent. Still, I was the happiest college student around. Much of that was the result of freelance jobs, which the grandest Dawg, the aforementioned Magill, had a hand in bringing about.
Fortunately, I was able to get the jobs I preferred in those days and subsequently in my career. How could I ever find fault with anything? I’m not wealthy by any means, but I have enjoyed an exciting experience, living in a vibrant community where the populace is enterprising and culturally diverse.
In addition to connecting with the elite in college football, I can socialize with the likes of Steve Stice, one of the world's most outstanding scientists, who is conducting groundbreaking research toward finding a cure for strokes.
Or, there are times when I find my way to the backyard office of Gary Bertsch, one of the Classic City’s coziest retreats. The changing of the seasons reveals an overwhelming splendor of blooms brought about by the tender loving care of his wife, Joan.
Then in the fall, autumnal colors envelop his homestead with a view so enrapturing that Henry David Thoreau would be as inspired as he was at Walden’s Pond — particularly if after joining Gary for a glass of the best Bordeaux.
These are but two examples of the vast reservoir of academic talent that gives UGA the highest marks when others evaluate what has taken place since 1785.
Of course, the exhilarating achievement that comes with a masterful performance by the home team between the hedges is the ultimate in emotional fulfillment when the marquees of the sports pages and the internet serenade the Red & Black.
As another season of gridiron scrimmaging endures, let us take our hats off to the total university because it and its people are a treasure.
So, sit back and invoke the chorus of “Going back to Athenstown: ”Going back, going back to Athenstown, Going back, going back to the best old place around, Going back, going back to hear that grand old sound, Of the chapel bell and the Georgia yell, Going back to Athenstown.