SEC, Band & Cheerleaders
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference, now into its 83rd storied year of athletic achievements and academic excellence, has built perhaps the greatest tradition of intercollegiate competition of any league in the country since its inception in 1933. Since its formation, the SEC achieved both stature and stability by designating governing/voting power to the presidents of the member institutions. They have determined the policies of the conference and, through the years, this involvement has been the principal source of strength in the evolution of the SEC. Throughout its history, the SEC has provided leadership on the vital issues facing intercollegiate competition. In 1993, the member institutions adopted The Principles of Gender Equity. Committed to increasing the quantity and quality of women’s athletic opportunities, each school will provide at least two more women’s intercollegiate programs than the number of men’s. On July 1, 2012, the conference expanded to 14 teams, welcoming Missouri and Texas A&M. It was the first expansion in the SEC since 1992 when Arkansas and South Carolina came into the SEC. The four schools join charter members Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt to form the current membership. The addition of Arkansas and South Carolina allowed for the SEC to split into divisional play and have the nation’s first-ever Division I football conference championship game in 1992. SEC schools began athletic competition with one another almost 100 years ago as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Seven institutions (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Sewanee and Vanderbilt) attended the SIAA organizational meeting of faculty representatives, called by Dr. William L. Dudley of Vanderbilt, in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 1894. The first football game in the Southeast was played April 9, 1880, on the ground now called Old Stoll Field at the University of Kentucky. Kentucky A & M (now UK) organized a team and in November 1881, played Transylvania College in a three-game series. By 1895, 11 current SEC members were playing football. The administration of women’s athletics officially came under the auspices of the conference office on Sept. 1, 1984. The SEC currently regulates nine men’s sports and 12 women’s sports: Men - baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming, tennis and track (indoor and outdoor); Women - basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball. Since 1990, the SEC has won 165 national team championships for an average of more than six per year. In 2014-15, nine SEC schools placed in the top 40 of the NACDA Director’s Cup rankings.
Redcoat Band
The University of Georgia Redcoat Band is considered by many to be the “heart” of the Bulldog Spirit. The 440-member component of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music was the first SEC band to receive the prestigious Sudler Trophy for long-term musical and visual excellence in 2000. Dr. Michael C. Robinson is the Director of Athletic Bands and the Director of the 112th edition of the Redcoat Band. Other directors include Director of Bands Dr. Cynthia Johnston-Turner, Associate Director of Bands Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger, and Assistant Directors of Bands Brett Bawcum and Rob Akridge. An extensive staff is vital to the operation of the Redcoat Band. UGA alumnus Tom Wallace prepares the band’s musical arrangements while alumnus John Cypert oversees the scoring and instruction for the UGA Drumline. The auxiliary units of the band (Georgettes, Majorettes, Flagline, and Feature Twirler) are under the leadership of Coordinators Ashley Clark and Cassie Moates. Rebecca Yardley, Redcoat Band Administrative Assistant, oversees all office matters. The Properties Crew Chief, Michael Watson, is responsible for the band’s logistical concerns. Kappa Kappa Psi, a band service fraternity, undertakes many projects serving the entire band program. The talented students of the Redcoat Band are the key to the organization’s success. Being a Redcoat requires an academic background of significant accomplishment and a great deal of talent and preparation in one’s area of performance specialty. Redcoats commit themselves to 6 to 8 hours of rehearsal per academic week while maintaining some of the highest grade-point averages at UGA. Though some 25% of its members are music majors, most are pursuing degrees from many of the other academic disciplines at the university. The uniquely diverse student population that makes up the Redcoat Band contributes to an organization of which Georgia supporters can be justifiably proud. Its colorful presence, limitless school spirit, and exciting music and motion are a part of what makes college football so special to Bulldog fans. Keep your seats, everyone, the Redcoats are coming!
2016-2017 UGA Cheerleading Seated (L to R): Colby Sycoff, McKenna Cornett, Chloe Deitrich, Lexie Williams, Caroline Glessner, Benjie Klouda, Mackenzie Carlson, Cassie Koes, Austin Edquist, Rilee Racine, Abbey Coppenger Kneeling (L to R): Doug Legg, Brooke Montgomery, Justin Williams, Riley Hoggard, Hunter Emmons, Deja Jackson, Ross Morris, Sydney Castillo, Andrew McLean, Kate Rider, Christopher Rogers, Makenzie Kitchens, Matt Booth, Meredith Hunnicutt, Tony Flores, Ashley Gordon, Jack Bentley, Alex Stephens Standing (L to R): Alex Vick, McKenzie Rutan, Cameryn Wood, Emily Johnson, Brittany Cobb, Sydney Smith, Caroline Ridley, Ashleigh Morris Not Pictured: Morgan Clifton, Graham Segrest, Julia Watkins Spirit Coordinator: Ben O’Brien
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