Sometimes dreams come true. For lovers of the University of Georgia and our beloved Bulldogs, we have seen it happen many times over the past decade on the gridiron – most notably the back-to-back 2021 and 2022 National Championships won in Indianapolis and Los Angeles. This spring, another dream came true, as the Bulldog baseball team advanced to Omaha and the College World Series for the first time since 2008.

Capturing a second straight Southeastern Conference championship with a 28-7 win over Alabama a week after securing an infamous-drought equalizing eighth consecutive triumph over the Yellow Jackets was magical. En route to Omaha, the Bulldogs won the league championship for the first time since 2008 and captured the SEC Tournament crown for the first time in program history. Georgia became just the third school in the past 60 years to win the SEC title in football and baseball in the same season.

Sweet.

When celebrating glory, it’s natural to remember the tough times, the valleys, when that mountaintop seemed but a distant dream to scale.

Back in the spring of 2003, I got a call from Vance Leavy, who said that he and his wife Cheri had an idea, and wondered if I’d be interested in joining in the project.

Of course I quickly said yes, and was proud to join what was then a three-person team at Bulldawg Illustrated.

The timing couldn’t have been better for me.

So there we were, off and rolling – still in our 30s.

Now, nearly a quarter century later, the BI has grown and flourished, and changed and gone from newspaper to magazine and of course online. A lot of outstanding talents have come and gone through the years, helping make this magazine that Vance, Cheri and I are extremely proud of.

Along the way, the Leavys have become wonderful friends. There for the great times like my marriage to Emily in July of 2018, and those glorious back-to-back national championships. And they’ve been there through the toughest of times, like so many, during Emily’s courageous and valiant battle with cancer, which tragically took her life in April of 2025.

Broadcasting, covering and writing about University of Georgia athletics has had me living the dream for my entire adult life. It’s incredible how lucky I have been professionally, truly blessed.

Earlier this year, my broadcasting role with my beloved Bulldogs expanded. It’s a dream come true. After Emily, this is the greatest thing that has ever happened for me. The gratitude I have for this honor and opportunity of a lifetime is immeasurable.

And I’m also so grateful for these past 23 seasons covering Georgia for Bulldawg Illustrated.

From grinding out Top 25s, which Vance mercifully let me cut to a Top 12, interviews with fellow media personalities for upcoming foes to weekly columns and game previews to ‘The Beasts’ – the preseason position by position and game by game previews and postseason bowl previews – writing for the BI has been something I’ve greatly enjoyed.

The winning has of course helped.

There have been a lot more great, good and very good seasons than mediocre ones. Under Kirby Smart’s watch, what Georgia has done against the Yellow Jackets, Florida, Auburn and Tennessee is just an incredible point of pride. That’s eight straight against the Jackets, eight out of nine against the Gators, and nine in a row against both Auburn and Tennessee. These are the good old days.

The hardest part of my job – first world problems here – broadcasting and writing after losses. We’re all hurting. Gut punches in both Jacksonville and Atlanta. A brutal loss in 2005 to Auburn when I was in Lubbock, Texas with the Lady Dogs, and a trio that got away against the Jackets Between the Hedges – that pain and hurt helping fuel the joy and euphoria from these most wonderful and amazing times.

Amongst my favorite issues that we have done are the two National Championship celebration editions. Reliving those victories, the triumphs and all that went into Georgia’s climb to college football’s mountaintop. And we are also very proud of the commemorative issues honoring unforgettable Bulldog legends who passed away.

If you love Georgia, odds are you love the BI The concept Vance and Cheri came up with has been a long running hit. The pictures, and all the social side that goes into Georgia athletics, along with the sports content, has made for a publication that we are quite proud of.

As I write my final column for the Bulldawg Illustrated, I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Cheri and Vance Leavy for asking me to jump on board, I’m forever grateful. It has been a wonderful 23-year ride with a treasure chest of great memories and good times. And of course, thank you to the Bulldog Nation. I love you!

Kickoff is just around the corner.

Here’s to another dream season.

Go Dawgs!