Between the hedges for the first time

It was my very first Georgia game, and I had an opportunity many teenagers and UGA fanatics could only dream of: standing on the field as a member of the press. Many people would have rather watched the game from the sidelines than take pictures, but I found taking pictures of the game one of my most enjoyable moments.  

Before setting foot on the field, I paused to take my first pictures inside the stadium. My own imagination did not do the stadium justice; the field and stadium, although empty three hours before kickoff, felt warm and inviting. 

Walking through the hedges for the first time and stopping in the endzone, I reflected on how lucky I was to be there. Then  I realized that we were missing the Dawg Walk. 

My first encounter with the team went right in almost every way imaginable. I snapped pictures of the walk, and I got a high five from Brian Herrien that hopefully went unnoticed. I couldn’t help myself. At this point, I could have sworn that it was all a dream, and while I talked with my friends Kirby Smart walked past us. 

These events were only the beginning of a day full of precise photography and scraped knees between the hedges. With the game beginning at noon, the seats went from common gray to a raging red in what felt like an instant. It was pure excitement. 

By the third quarter, I had taken seven hundred photos. I enjoyed being on the field, but I reminded myself that this privilege had a purpose and I was here to “prove my stripes.” I ended up walking out of the game with nearly 1000 pictures, most of which gave me confidence in my ability to navigate through the settings of a camera to adjust when needed. 

At the end of the day my legs, knees, and arms were aching, but the knowledge, experience, and fun that I had between the hedges will be one of my most memorable UGA football moments. 

Calvin Williams

Calvin Williams is a senior Sports Editor for WJAG-TV. He has attended the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Williams is interested in microbiology and hopes to help new students in the program learn how to cover events. He enjoys writing and covering stories and working with others that are equally as passionate about journalism.

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