Late to the game – my first Georgia Tech football game as a middle-aged grad student

It’s no secret that I’m not a die-hard football fan, just ask my family. Go ahead and take away my “man card,” but I didn’t grow up really paying much attention to football. I was a runner in high school, and the football guys were several notches above me in the social pecking order. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve paid a little bit more attention to football, especially the thrill of live sports—when the team on the field is one I care about. My son started playing football in middle school, and that carried over to high school when he played for Whitewater High School. As the team treasurer for the Whitewater Touchdown Club (booster club) and part-time game announcer, I started to develop more interest in football. I think most parents take an interest in their kids’ sports.

As an undergrad in the 1980s, I attended North Georgia College, as it was known back then. It was a much smaller school compared to the University of North Georgia today, and while we didn’t have a college football team, we enjoyed intramural football. In the  early 90s I was a grad student at Georgia State University (GSU), which also didn’t have a football team at the time. That changed in 2010 when GSU launched its football program, and they now play in a new stadium that was once the Olympic Stadium and later home to the Atlanta Braves. I’ve been to a few GSU games since then, and they’re always a lot of fun.

While we’re on the subject of GSU Football, something quite interesting has recently happened in college football that has Dawg fans scratching their heads. In an unexpected twist, GSU beat Vanderbilt, who then went on to beat Alabama, who, as we all know, recently defeated UGA. So, in this strange world of college football upsets, you could say that Georgia State has, in a roundabout way, edged closer to the Bulldogs than anyone might have expected. It’s these kinds of twists that keep college football interesting. Pro football? Not so much (sorry Falcons fans).

Speaking of UGA, I’ve been known to root for the Dawgs over the years. After all, they’ve consistently fielded competitive teams and have earned their place among college football’s elite. My younger brother Chris attended UGA, many of my friends went to UGA, and one of my Fraternity brothers is currently a Dean at UGA. I’ve attended several UGA games, and there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a packed Sanford Stadium on game day. From the Redcoat Marching Band hyping up the crowd to the chants of “Go Dawgs,” the atmosphere is a lot of fun. Having 90,000-plus fans take over Athens, GA on game day and cheering their Dawgs is an experience you can’t replicate on TV. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, being part of that sea of red and black is something special. Over the years, I’ve taken in some unforgettable moments at those games, and even though I’m not glued to the TV every Saturday, I always keep up with how the Dawgs are doing. And let’s face it, in Georgia, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of UGA football season.

But now, as a middle-aged graduate student, I’m back in school at Georgia Tech, working toward another Master’s degree. Returning to a college campus at this stage in life has been quite an experience, and I’ve made it a point to take in all that Georgia Tech has to offer. I’ve cheered on UGA in the past, but now it’s time to embrace my new school – Georgia Tech. As a student, I joined the Yellow Jacket Club to get season tickets, but I wasn’t quite sure about sitting in the student section—didn’t want to be mistaken for someone’s parent (or grandparent!). So, I upgraded to some premium tickets on the 50-yard line to attend my first-ever home game last Saturday with my wife, Mary Catherine.

Since it was a night game—and well past our usual bedtime—we debated whether to go, but ultimately decided to go to the game. We arrived at Georgia Tech a few hours early to soak in the pre-game atmosphere. The Helluva Block Party was in full swing, giving us the perfect opportunity to walk around campus and enjoy the festivities. There was a concert going on with country music star Lauren Alaina, a Georgia native. After taking that in, we walked by Tech Tower on our way to the student center and the lawn at Tech Green. Near the Kessler Campanile fountain, we listened to the alumni marching band play. Part of their repertoire included a rendition of the Budweiser Song, which I was told is a Georgia Tech tradition. Soon, the student marching band joined in, adding to the fun.

About an hour before kickoff, the bands marched toward the stadium, and naturally, we followed. The crowds weren’t as large as what you’d see at UGA games, which made it much easier to get around. We were able to enter the stadium with no wait, which was a nice change of pace. Bobby Dodd Stadium, one of the oldest college football stadiums, has undergone renovations over the years, but you can still feel the history and tradition embedded in the place. It’s smaller than UGA’s Sanford Stadium, but that’s something we actually liked. Even when we headed to the concessions, there were no lines, so we grabbed refreshments and made our way to our seats on the 50-yard line.

We got to our seats and started chatting with the folks around us, which was really enjoyable. As I had been told from other Tech alumni, most of the people in our section were around our age, so we fit right in. The student section, though, was a whole different story—it’s over on the north end, packed with the energy of college undergrads. Had I sat over there with my student ticket, I’m not sure I could have kept up with the energy level! We were on the west side, facing east toward the Atlanta skyline, which made for a pretty cool view. As I looked out over the stadium, with the skyline shining behind it, I couldn’t help but feel like I was part of something special. It was one of those perfect fall nights in Atlanta, where the weather, the company, and the excitement of the crowd all came together seamlessly.

About 30 minutes before kickoff, the bands kicked things up again, and you could feel the excitement building. Here’s a short video I took before the start of the game, featuring the band, cheerleaders, and, of course, the Ramblin’ Wreck—a 1930 Ford Model A that’s been Tech’s mascot for ages—making their grand entrance with the team onto the field. Seeing that old car roll out, with the crowd going wild and the music blasting, was one of those cool moments that made me feel right at home at Georgia Tech.

The game was a blast—two pretty evenly matched teams making it fun to watch from start to finish. Georgia Tech and Duke kept things close, which kept the game that much more interesting to watch. The band put on a great halftime show, and during the break, I had a chance to catch up with some old friends from North Georgia – Jim and Lee Glover. It was great seeing them again. Their son had just graduated from Georgia Tech. We spent some time swapping stories about the good ol’ days and talking about how much things have changed since we were in college at North Georgia.

Once the second half got going, the intensity really ramped up. Both teams were giving it everything they had, and for a while, it felt like the game could go either way. The crowd stayed engaged, and you could feel the energy building as we headed into the fourth quarter. Tech’s defense came through when it mattered most, making some big plays to help secure the win. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted, and it felt great to be a part of that moment—even if we’re not your typical football fans.

Will we be back? Absolutely.

The whole night was so much fun that we’re already looking forward to the next game. There’s something special about live football—the camaraderie, the excitement, and the way it brings people together. As a middle-aged grad student, I’m proud to be part of my new Tech family, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement.

So now I have to ask—how many Georgia Tech fans are out there? If you haven’t been to a Tech football game yet, I highly recommend it. And if you have, well, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Go Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Sting ’em. 🐝

[Joe Domaleski, a Fayette County resident for 25+ years, is the owner of Country Fried Creative – an award-winning digital marketing agency located in Peachtree City. His company was the Fayette Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year.  Joe is a husband, father of three grown children, and proud Army veteran.  He has an MBA from Georgia State University and enjoys sharing his perspectives drawing from thirty years of business leadership experience. Joe is a recipient of the Peachtree City Rotary Club Business Leader of the Year Award for 2024. Sign up for the Country Fried Creative newsletter to get marketing and business articles directly in your inbox. You can connect with Joe directly on LinkedIn or follow his new blog Marketing Data Science for more insights and updates.]