Georgia’s Sanford Stadium has developed a new January tradition: a solid white field where the Bulldogs play.
Last January, Athens saw a rare level of snowfall that left Dooley Field looking like a “Winter Wonderland.” Sanford Stadium was completely unrecognizable. You would have thought the Green Bay Packers or New England Patriots were planning to take the field.
Weather like this is still unusual for Athens. Sanford Stadium is known for red and black, not ice and white. When a storm rolls through, it flips the look of the place completely and makes it feel more like a cold-weather NFL stadium than a southern college venue.
While it may not be as soft or even snow at all, the “Winter Wonderland” has returned once again this year.
This week, a massive winter storm was moving toward the Southeast. The storm brought the possibility of snow and a high threat of dangerous levels of ice to north Georgia, a threat that saw people disappear into their homes over the weekend and all bread disappear from grocery store shelves.
On Sunday morning, the effects of the winter storm took hold, leaving Athens covered in ice. At a distance, you would think the ground is covered in snow. That is, until you take a step and feel the slippery, rock-solid layer of ice under your feet.
The ice overtook Sanford Stadium Sunday, leaving the field solid white, just as last year, even though the conditions were different.
Here’s what Sanford Stadium looked like on Sunday amid the winter storm:
The University of Georgia said it will shut down campus on Monday, Jan. 26 because of expected issues from icy weather and possible power problems. All in-person classes, events, and on-campus activities are canceled for the entire day.
Gov. Brian Kemp has put a statewide emergency order in place through Thursday, Jan. 29, asking Georgians to stay off the roads and limit going outside as conditions worsen.
The first round of the College Football Playoff, which takes place on campuses, currently happens in late December. If UGA ever hosts a playoff game, what are the chances that the perfect storm could brew and Georgia plays in a snow game at Sanford Stadium?
How do you think the Dawgs would fare in an “Ice Bowl?”
Stay safe, Dawg Nation!
