Who’s Who on the Front Row

By: Krissy Robinson and Mary Stephens

You may have seen them in the front row of Sanford Stadium. You may have noticed the red paint, the spiked shoulder pads, the black blazers or the instruments, but there is more to these students than what they wear on game day.

The front row of the student section is filled with some of the most recognizable faces at Georgia sporting events. From the Spike Squad to the Paint Line, Arch Society and the Redcoats, each group brings its own traditions and personality to the stands.

So, who are the students on the front row?

Spike Squad

Seemingly dressed for battle, the Spike Squad has been bringing its own style of spirit to Georgia football games since 2010. Members can be recognized by their spiked shoulder pads, face paint and costumes, but no two members look exactly alike.

“We all have our own paint. For me, I’m a pirate. I have like a little parrot that sits on my shoulder and like a skull and crossbones on my pads,” said Carter Brickley ’29, current Spike Squad equipment manager. “Everybody likes to do their own unique thing, and I think that’s what makes it special. We don’t all just look the same.”

For Janna Jobe ’29, who dresses as a “warrior dog,” the preparation is part of the experience. She braids her hair, paints red lines on her face and gets ready to take on a different persona for game day.

“I braid my hair up really fun. [It] also keeps me out of the heat, and I put red lines on my face, and you know I think it’s fun to be able to be a little scary,” Jobe said. “It’s fun to get to just put your game face on the same way athletes put on their uniform and put on their eye black. It feels similar in that way.”

Although the Spike Squad can always be found in the front row, the spot is not reserved for them. Members arrive at the gates hours before kickoff to make sure they can claim their place.

“We know how awesome of an opportunity it is that we even get to sit there, and like we love the fact that we earn it. We’re not given a first row spot. We get there early and we do our due diligence till we get there,” Jobe said.

Once the game begins, the Spike Squad has traditions of its own.

“We shake hands every time we get a first down. Anytime the other team’s on third down, we always do little threes, and we just love following all the UGA traditions and having a great time,” Jobe said.

Their involvement also extends beyond the stands. The Spike Squad participates in social and philanthropy events throughout Athens, including work with Extra Special People and local animal shelters.

“We absolutely love getting out there and meeting the community and like being with people who are excited to see us and we’re excited to see them,” Jobe said.

The energy that fills the front row comes from more than the crowd around them. For the Spike Squad, it also comes from the people standing beside them.

“I think the squad’s just one big friend group at the end of it. So everybody enjoys being there with each other, and we kind of just feed off each other,” Brickley said.

Paint Line

There has been a line of red on the front row of Sanford Stadium since 1997. The group wears red wigs, paints their bodies red and spells “GEORGIA DAWGS” across their chests. But beneath the paint, members say there is another part of the organization that people may not immediately see.

“You know we’re on the front row. We’re at football games, basketball games, baseball games — people know our faces, know our look,” said Seth Akridge ’28, current co-captain of the Paint Line. “Some people may not realize that we are a Christian group and how much community outreach we like to do.”

The Paint Line is affiliated with UGA’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry’s UGA chapter and works with local schools and churches, as well as participating in events such as pep rallies and other community outreach.

“It’s really not just about going down there and being crazy. We kind of serve a greater purpose,” Akridge said.

That purpose is also visible during games. Each member wears a black cross on their shoulder, and the group regularly puts Bible verses or faith-based messages on their backs.

“I hope whenever Paint Line is visible, people are really seeing that part of us,” said Jackson Friday ’27, co-captain of the Paint Line.

The Paint Line has worked with Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer for its annual October game, creating a message together. Last year, that message was “faith over fear.”

Getting into the Paint Line look is a process of its own. Members choose their letters based on their seniority and number of events attended, while a group called the “Paint Girls” are responsible for painting the group before games.

Once they are in the stands, the Paint Line has its own game day traditions. Members do push-ups based on UGA’s score, adding more after each touchdown.

The paint may be what first catches people’s attention, but for the Paint Line, game day is also a way to put its faith and community involvement on display.

Arch Society

You may have seen their black blazers in the stands, and you may have been wondering how they survive Georgia’s 90-degree game days. Well, their dedication goes far beyond cheering on the Dawgs in scorching heat, and all the way to the pillars of UGA’s iconic Arch.

“People see those blazers on game day and think that’s the whole story and that’s our moment of recognition, but the blazers are really just the visible tip of it,” said Riya Pandya ’27, current vice chair of assignments. “Our society at its core is about humility and service, and most of what we do happens without any sort of recognition.”

If you look closer than their sideline appearance, you’ll find that they are a dedicated group of students committed to upholding the Arch’s pillars of wisdom, justice and moderation. Members, referred to as People of the Arch, define the core values in individual ways but still come together across the Classic City to share their love for UGA.

“For me, wisdom is the knowledge of campus as goodwill ambassadors, just knowing those resources and different ways to show our pride for the university is paramount,” said Luke Williams ’27, current Arch Society chair. “Justice means representing the organization with inclusivity and doing justice for every single corner of campus that may not be highlighted in the limelight.”

Since 1992, POTA has been building involvement in a variety of campus events such as campus tours, receptions, alumni events, and more. Their willingness to support others has cultivated a devotion to the Arch Society that brings members together even after graduation.

“Arch Society alumni stay genuinely engaged with the organization which says a lot about the experience and what it means to the people who have been through it,” said Pandya. “We’ll have people come to events that are the first black male president or chair of Arch Society, and those are moments where it’s really cool to talk about how far Arch has come as well.”

When mentioning engagement over the years, a significant point of recognition is the traditions that make the organization special. One such tradition is the Arch Society’s participation in Dawg Walk. Prior to every home game, students and fans will gather to cheer on the football players as they march their way to the stadium, and members will help build an undeniable spirit for a Saturday in Athens.

POTA’s game days have previously included another tradition in which a few members hold the flags for football players to run through upon entrance to the field. The tradition has been passed onto cheerleaders but remains an exciting part of the Arch Society’s history.

“It is a role that requires seriousness, but we let our love for tradition and the university bleed through in all of our actions,” said Williams.

Past or future, rain or shine, this group is there for it all. Their unwavering pride and commitment to building a better community makes them a group worth recognizing. So, next time you see those Arch Black blazers on game day, consider the lasting impact they’ve left on Bulldogs everywhere.

Redcoats

You may recognize this group for packing out an entire section at home games, or perhaps you recognize them for producing the iconic sounds of UGA football. But, regardless of how they stand out to you, members strive to infuse passion and attention to detail in every performance to position themselves as a legendary powerhouse.

With over 400 members, the Redcoats can seem enormous at first; however, they have the unique ability to make everyone feel included and maintain a tight-knit community. Being a part of this organization also entails a relatively large time commitment as members not only participate in football games, but also basketball games and other community events.

“I heard how much time it takes, and I wasn’t really sure if my classes were going to be okay with me doing that much,” said Olivia Tomeny ’28. “I ended up trying out and it was the best decision I ever made.”

“A lot of my experience at UGA is honestly tied to redcoats,” said Ella Lazar ’28, a rank leader. “With game days and my close friends, some of my best college memories come from the Redcoats, so I don’t think I could describe my UGA experience without talking about it.”

Since there are many members and large amounts of time dedicated to the group, there is a strategic hierarchy system to maintain a clear chain of command. For every section of instruments there are a couple of section leaders, with some groups, like the trumpets, having three leaders due to large numbers. Each section is further split into ranks of about eight people with each rank having a rank leader as a point of contact. These divisions ensure that everyone’s voice can be elevated and strengthened.

Members work hard to have effective communication and strive to perfect every detail. An outsider looking in may see their coordination and dedication to music but may not always be able to see each member’s personal connection to each and every song played.

“It’s really cool to see the emotional tie I have to the music, and I don’t think that’s something a lot of people expect,” said Lazar. “When you hear Battle Hymn or Krypton or you’re standing there after you’ve finished the note and you just see everything around you, it’s really nice to tie all your hard work into the music itself.”

Members have lived an influential few years of their lives through the music, which sticks with them throughout college and long after graduation. In efforts to continue their favorite traditions, many post-grad Redcoats will join the Redcoat Band Alumni Association, where they get to support current members and build connections with other alumni.

Whether a past or current member, the Redcoats have developed a truly special and lasting impression on each other and their audiences. Through a passion for the work and a supportive team environment, this organization has helped grow a deep pride for UGA. So, next time the lights go out under Sanford Stadium and fourth quarter hits, take a moment to connect with the music and let your inner Bulldog shine.

You (the reader)

Last but certainly not least, we want to recognize you and your dedication. As a Bulldog fan, you are right alongside these groups cheering and barking as the football team scores that touchdown.

Individually, the Spike Squad, Paint Line, Arch Society, and Redcoats all bring something unique and fun to the frontlines on game day. But, if it wasn’t for the thousands of fans that cheer on the Redcoats after they finish a song or the fans that spread the Paint Line’s message on social media, gamedays wouldn’t be as monumental.

So, next Saturday in Athens, when you see the student groups igniting pride and spirit, don’t forget that you are one of them too and that Dawgs Never Bark Alone.