They Came By Air, Land and Water

With just three home games left in the season, the new University Stadium is giving students a reason to stay on campus and faculty and staff a reason to return. A Campus Chronicle Photo Gallery will tell the full story of Opening Game Day at UWG.

By Water

Making history and tailgating at the first home game of the season were faculty and staff in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, friends of the family and President Beheruz Sethna.

Dr. Thomas Foster, director of the Waring Archeological Laboratory and assistant professor of anthropology, lives on property that borders the stadium and Athletics Complex parcel. He and his family have been spectators of stadium construction from their back deck all summer long and decided to use the Little Tallapoosa as their highway.

“We frequently use the canoe to explore the Little Tallapoosa,” explained Foster. “So when we thought about going to the game, it seemed obvious. We just canoed across the river and walked up the hill.

After a little while, we decided to walk back to the house and take the shuttle around with our kids so that they experienced the shuttle, also. We joined some friends tailgating and went to the game later. The children are 3 and 6 and very much enjoyed the whole experience.”

By Air

The Army National Guard 171st Aviation Regiment made an appearance over cheering Wolves fans after the National Anthem christened the stadium. The idea came from Coach Daryl Dickey and Governor Sonny Perdue’s office put coordinators of Game Day in touch with the National Guard. The impressive flyover was part of routine maneuvers and did not cost the university or the taxpayers a dime.

By Land

Although it wasn’t the first time Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna joined a tailgating party, he will be a pro by the time this season is over. Dozens of tailgating camps with great food and beverages dotted the landscape and the lines of cars were backed up to West Georgia Drive and the Greek Village. Tailgating is the newest social networking at UWG.

“This was a great day and the culmination of decades of dreaming and years of planning!” said Sethna. “This decade has seen the opening of the TLC, Adamson reconstruction, Callaway expansion, two new residence halls, the Campus Center, the Coliseum, the Greek Village, and now the Stadium. All of these new facilities -- along with the planned Library renovation and Nursing Building -- support our faculty, staff, and students in our academic and extra-curricular activities -- and bring the University of West Georgia that much closer to our destination as a Destination University.”