Dawgs in Wyoming: Recreating Saturdays in Athens in the West
UGA Alumni Chapters across the country prove that no matter where you are, you never have to bark alone.
The vast support of the UGA community manifested itself for Brad Flynt (BBA ’05, MBA ’12, JD ’12) during his move from Atlanta to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2017. While house-hunting, Flynt was surprised to see a UGA pillow featured in the pictures on the listing of his future home. Little did he know that small UGA connection would spark a years-long, community-wide tradition in a small ski town 1,600 miles away from Athens.
That UGA pillow (and home) belonged to Mark “Fish” Fishman (AB ’89). The two alumni quickly connected over a shared love for Georgia and, in 2017, decided to start an alumni chapter of their own.
With an average game-watching party attendance of around 40 people, the Jackson Hole Alumni Chapter has made a significant impact by bringing more red and black spirit out West.
“Part of the panache of this particular chapter is that we’re like an oasis,” said Fish Fishman, co-chair of the chapter.
Game-watching party attendees celebrate the Dawgs.
Flynt and Fishman work hard to curate a game-watching atmosphere that makes Dawg fans feel like they are back at home between the hedges.
In fact, every year the pair drives two hours to the nearest Chick-Fil-A to bring a true Georgia taste to their first party of the season.
However, the Bulldog magic doesn’t just stop after the season opener. The founders make sure to keep tradition alive all the way in Wyoming. Fishman’s daughter, Mia Fishman ’26, created homemade turnover spikes to amp up the chapter’s game celebrations.
Fishman and his daughter show off their homemade turnover spikes.
The Jackson Hole Alumni Chapter also honors some of UGA’s most fierce rivalries in unique ways. This year for the Georgia vs. Florida game, Fishman imported 30 pounds of alligator meat to make gator balls for attendees to snack on while watching the iconic match up.
“We joke that it’s the closest thing you could be to Sanford Stadium in Wyoming,” said Brad Flynt, president of the chapter.
The abundance of Bulldog spirit brings local alumni closer to home, especially if they are new to town. The Jackson Hole Alumni Chapter’s game-watching parties have become a go-to event for UGA alumni to connect with new people after making the move from Athens to Wyoming. The founders even say they introduce all new faces to the usual crowd, ensuring that everyone supporting the Dawgs is welcomed by those around them.
The Jackson Hole Alumni Chapter’s watch parties also attract a crowd far beyond UGA alumni and fans. Fans from across the Southeast attend these events to be surrounded by SEC spirit. Flynt and Fishman have even transformed Wyoming natives into full-fledged Georgia fans, as the watch parties have become a popular Saturday activity for local families.
“Kids our sons’ age that are not Georgia fans, end up becoming Georgia fans because they like the whole experience of being there and seeing a bunch of grown people barking,” said Flynt.
Children of attendees enjoy the fun of a game-watching party.
Connecting people and building a community around the beloved Bulldogs is Flynt and Fishman’s ultimate goal for their chapter. They live by the saying “Dawgs helping Dawgs,” which they make sure spans past the Georgia Bulldogs on their email list.
To help support different kinds of dogs (and cats), the Jackson Hole Alumni Chapter makes and sells their own merch at their game-watching parties and sends the proceeds to local initiatives, many of which support animals in need.
The chapter’s custom t-shirts for sale at a game-watching party.
Through celebrating the growing UGA family in Jackson Hole, the chapter’s game-watching parties have become a true celebration of Bulldog spirit.
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