In 2 months, April 12th, many will convene on Athens to celebrate and participate in G-Day at the University of Georgia. And this will be the 80th G-Day, a nice milestone. The annual spring football scrimmage both caps the spring practice and provides fans a chance to see their favorite Bulldogs in action. Held roughly 100 days after the conclusion of last season, and roughly 140 days before the start of next season, it bridges the gap to us poor souls who so long for UGA football.
The G-Day game is a tradition in Athens. Initially pitting the Red vs. White teams, Vince Dooley started the Black team and now Red and Black squads square off. Apparently one year there was a Red vs. White team, who both faced a Black team. Another year the Black team was made up of football alumni. And it even gets mobile on occasion: since Sanford was being prepped for the Olympics in 1996, G-Day was held down the road at Clarke Central HS (where Kirby Smart apparently showed out).
Coach Mark Richt saw the value in showcasing the team and subsequently elevated the importance of G-Day on the athletic calendar. Not to be outdone, in 2016 Kirby Smart came home and set the tone for his coaching tenure by bringing in Ludacris and other talent to perform at G-Day, and which turned Sanford Stadium into standing room only.
No matter what variation you point to, G-Day is integral, traditional, and serves as a delicious aperitif for the football fanatic.
It is also in danger.
In recent years, the traditional college football spring game—a staple for programs to showcase talent and build fan enthusiasm—has faced declining importance due to evolving challenges within the sport. Notably, concerns over player poaching via the transfer portal have prompted some coaches to reconsider the value of these exhibitions.
Many of the larger programs have their spring game televised live. Players who flash at the spring game are then highlighted by sports outlets desperate for football content in April. This draws a lot of attention by those scouting the program. It gives a chance for non-starters to get plays on tape – bolstering their value when normally the season finds them buried on the depth chart and not getting on TV. The increased visibility of players during televised spring games can inadvertently make them targets for rival programs seeking talent.
Nebraska’s head coach, Matt Rhule, is contemplating canceling the Cornhuskers’ spring game, citing fears of tampering. He remarked, “The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just absolute, free, open, common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world.”
Similarly, Florida’s head coach, Billy Napier, acknowledges the dilemma, stating, “To each his own. I’m either going to have coaches tampering with my players, or I’m going to have a fanbase that’s pissed off at not having a spring game. It’s pick your poison.”
There is also the issue of injuries. While not 100% real football due to the dynamics of an intra-squad contest, and protection of the indispensable quarterback, the sport is violent in nature and injuries do occur. Getting hurt in April can have far-reaching consequences for the team that suits up just 4 months later in games that count.
Traditionally, spring games have been instrumental in building hype, attracting top recruits, and providing fans with a preview of the upcoming season. However, the advent of the NCAA transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has transformed the landscape.
The shift in dynamics has led to broader discussions about the future of spring games. Some suggest that the combination of longer seasons, expanded playoffs, and the pressures of the transfer portal may eventually phase out these traditional exhibitions.
Athletic departments are already weighing the benefits of maintaining the spring game tradition against the risks in the volatile and competitive landscape of today’s college football.
Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart has not publicly commented on these shifts and reconsiderations, but he did recently promote the upcoming G-Day on Facebook. It was also to sell some t-shirts, so there’s a little hint about what UGA is focused on.
So what’s your take on spring games in general, and G-Day in particular? Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead? Change the format to more of an exhibition or skills competition, reducing the real football product on display? Or get rid of it altogether, protecting our boys on campus from turf monsters and collective agents luring them away?
Let us know in the comments, and as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!