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Avery Orlans, current member of UGA Spike Squad
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Have you ever wondered who the crazies are that sit in the front row of the student section in Sanford? Do you know why they are all painted in red and black with spikes? They are the Spike Squad. They contain some of the most crazed fans in college football. Each and every one of them have been carefully interviewed and questioned on their school spirit.
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According to Avery Orlans, a current member of the Spike Squad, your personality on game day takes you far in the interview process. Every single one of these guys and girls has their own unique face paint pattern. They all have their own shoulder pads with spikes on the shoulders.
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Their biggest rule is NO SHIRTS! Rain or shine, sleet or snow, they cannot wear shirts. And yes, there are girls on the squad. Some even wear wigs to top off their fantastic red and black costumes. One of the members even wears the neon green wig, worn by the Joker.
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The Spike Squad started in 2010. It’s a UGA student organization, but the individuals have to make sure they have a ticket to get in the games. They have gone through some legendary games together and they’re always shirtless. Remember how cold the Auburn game was last year? They were freezing their tails off. They walked away as shirtless ice cubes. They also walked away as winners. There have been some other cold games but in the Spike’s existence this was probably the coldest.
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The process of game day for the Spikes is pretty basic except for one little thing… PAINT!
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First, they get amped up for the game just as any other Georgia fan does before a game. But they actually go super early to stand at the entrance to the student gates of the stadium to get in. After that, they start to paint up while standing in line. The painting process is just a bunch of friends and some strangers painting each other. You would have thought they spent time on this pregame but it’s actually while waiting for the gates to open.
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Finally, they are ready, ready for the gates to open and once they do it’s like a pack of bulldogs racing to their seats. As Avery told me, “We are not guaranteed those seats. Most people know we are going to sit there but occasionally we have someone try to steal the front row seats.” Of course, the Spike Squad usually wins the front row of section 109.
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My new bud Avery told me one of the most fun games he has ever experienced was actually the Georgia vs. Kentucky basketball game. They had to arrive at 12:30 pm for the 9:30 pm game. In fact, Mark Fox, the Georgia head basketball coach, joins the Spike Squad every now and then during football season as a member. This year he went to the Alabama game and, of course, painted up in the rain.
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Hopefully, one day I’ll go to UGA and yes, friends, I plan to try out for the Spike Squad! It’s when the paint coats your chest and the shoulder pads are spiked, that it truly signifies that you bleed Red and Black!
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Hamilton Culpepper is an 8th grader at Prince Avenue in Athens.
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Hamilton Culpepper
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Make sure to check out Bulldawg Illustrated’s latest print edition: Stand Tall Dawgs, digital issue available for free online. CLICK HERE.
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