Name: Scott MacDonald

Family: Mindy, Molly, and Jack.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Current Town: Suwannee, Georgia

How did you fall in love with Georgia?

My love for UGA began when I cheered for the Bulldogs in 1994-95. In fact, I loved cheering for UGA football and basketball so much that I asked my coach if I could come back to cheer for one more football season (even though I graduated in June). She told me if I had 12 hours, I would be considered a full-time student and could return. So, I took four classes that had absolutely nothing to do with my major (health, rappelling, swimming, and education). Those glorious 12-weeks were my “graduation trip to Europe”. Easily my favorite quarter of all time.

What’s the first game you ever attended?

The very first Bulldog game I ever attended was on August 31, 1991, against Western Carolina as a college freshman (we won: 48-0). My family didn’t watch college football growing up, so it took me a while to truly appreciate the many classic traditions that took place around and Between the Hedges. The biggest impression I remember from my first game was how you could park your car or RV anywhere you wanted, and you didn’t have to worry about getting a parking ticket, being towed, or placed under arrest for having an open container.

What’s your favorite memory from a game?

November 29, 2014, against Georgia Tech (we lost: 30-24). So, why would I pick a loss as my favorite memory? Simple. It was our daughter’s and son’s first Georgia football game. The weather was perfect. The food was fantastic. The friends we were with were extremely gracious and hospitable. Everything was playing perfectly until the end. Roughly three minutes remained in the 4th quarter. Georgia was losing 21-17 to Tech at home! Tech was about 10 yards away from a touchdown. Timeout was called. The stadium was stunned and silent. I yelled as loud as I possibly could, “I believe in you, Defense!!!! You can do this!!! This game’s not over!!!! You’ve got this!!! I believe!!!!!” Everyone turned and looked at me like I was a lunatic (or just really drunk). Immediately following, Tech fumbled. Georgia recovered and drove almost 90 yards to score a TD and go up 24-21 with 18 seconds remaining in the game. I went from being the dude with a screw loose to having fans of all ages come to give me a high five or a hug. If only we didn’t squib kick the kick-off and watch Tech miraculously get in position to squeeze a 51-yard field goal through the uprights to tie the game to win in double overtime. Prior to those last 18 seconds, it was one of the most memorable moments I had the privilege to experience at a Georgia game.

What is your ideal gameday tailgate?

The ideal tailgate is the kind of experience where you don’t have to go further than 10 feet from where you’re sitting to challenge your friend to a competitive game of cornhole, enjoy an unending array of food ranging from unbelievable appetizers to delicious desserts, and surround yourself by the sounds of familiar commentators calling the game. My favorite tailgate of all time was with Garland Woodward’s RV community for the Georgia/Auburn game where the slogan of their group was: “If you leave here hungry, it’s your own darn fault.”

When I was a UGA cheerleader, our cheerleading squad always visited the Pharrs’ famous red and black RV that was parked on the corner of Baxter and Lumpkin across the street from the original Stegeman Hall. They served a special chicken recipe that must be famous somewhere in the world, because it was the best tasting chicken I ever had at that time (and it was just what we needed after cheering for hours in the blazing heat in Sanford Stadium).

Do you have any superstitions or lucky charms? Technically, no. However, when I cheered for UGA in ’94 and ’95, I always went to McDonald’s to purchase a Big Breakfast on GameDay because it was the only meal I could eat that I wouldn’t throw up while cheering at a football game later that afternoon. When I didn’t eat that meal, I typically got sick. So sick, in fact, that my teammates bought me a bucket and decorated it as “Scott’s 4th Quarter Bucket” so I wouldn’t make a mess of the hedges. I still have that bucket to this day.

What’s your favorite era of Georgia football?

Every era truly has its great moments and memories, but the back-to-back National Championships is one of my favorite eras of all- time. As a fan, my desire for our team is to be relevant and included as part of the weekly conversation – whether on GameDay, SEC Now, or at the water cooler at the office. The players, the coaches, and the long list of contributors behind the scenes for both championship winning teams make this era stand head and shoulders above the rest for me.

What’s your favorite rivalry game?

Georgia/Auburn. I don’t know what I love most about the oldest SEC rivalry game, but I do remember a long stretch of time in the 90’s and early 2000’s when the visiting team seemed to have the home field advantage. That uncertainty added a high level of anxiety and excitement that easily made this rivalry my personal favorite. Fortunately, that’s changed since Coach Smart arrived (especially since I married an Auburn girl and our first born is officially an Auburn Tiger this year).

What’s the best game day tradition in your opinion?

If I can only pick one, my favorite UGA tradition is listening to the legendary Redcoat Marching Band perform in Sanford Stadium following the game. Regarding gameday traditions in general, I think it’s impossible to pick only one. Whenever I meet someone who doesn’t understand college football, I attempt to explain that it’s FAR more than just a game. It’s an historic tradition that’s accompanied by incredible food, family and friends, and timeless memories that truly last a lifetime.