80
FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA FOOTBALL GAME
Where?
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
1400 East Duvall Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
When?
Annually on the last Saturday in October.
Significance:
ESPN, College Football News, the Sporting News, Fox Sports, and America’s Best Online all agree the Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic is easily one of the top ten football rivalries. While nicknamed “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” a tag organizers and the city of Jacksonville are trying to live down, the meeting between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs is officially called the “Florida-Georgia/Georgia-Florida Game,” alternating each year. The game is played at the neutral Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, seventy-three miles from the Gators’ home and 342 miles from the Bulldogs’ dog house. The game itself is many times overshadowed by the hype and alcohol-fueled hoopla surrounding it. While the rivalry is not as intense as other warring teams, they do differ on when the teams first played each other. Georgia says 1904. Florida asserts 1915. Steve Spurrier, former Gator head coach, does his best to fan the flames with his constant disrespect toward Georgia, even going so far as to call Georgia coach Ray Goff, “Ray Goof.”
Who attends?
Gator fans, Bulldog fans, and anyone else who wants to “get their drink on.”
Tickets:
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comAccommodations:
Omni Hotel
245 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 355-6664
Fax: (904) 791-4812
Toll-Free: 1-800-843-6664
www.omnihotels.comNote: Four-diamond luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown provides large, luxury guest rooms and a rooftop heated swimming pool.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
225 East Coast Line Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 588-1234
Fax: (904) 634-4554
Toll-Free: 1-800-233-1234
www.hyatt.comNote: 966 rooms with rooftop swimming pool and various onsite restaurants, from bagels to steaks.
Crowne Plaza Jacksonville
1201 Riverplace Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 398-8800
Fax: (904) 318-9170
Toll-Free: 1-800-2-CROWNE
www.cpjacksonville.comNote: A ferry ride across the river will get you to the stadium and will only set you back about $5.
Beach Hotels:
Ponte Vedra Inn and Club
200 Ponte Vedra Boulevard
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: (904) 285-1111
Fax: (904) 285-2111
Toll-Free: 1-800-234-7842
www.pvresorts.comNote: Outstanding hospitality, amenities, and services, but expect to pay a higher price for it.
One Ocean Resort and Spa
1 Ocean Boulevard
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Phone: (904) 247-0305
Toll-Free: 1-877-247-0305
www.oneoceanresort.comNote: Nice, moderately priced resort right on the beach and close to various entertainment venues.
Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa
1000 PGA Tour Boulevard
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: (904) 285-7777
Fax: (904) 285-0906
Toll-Free: 1-800-457-GOLF
www.sawgrassmarriott.comNote: Relax with a round of golf on their world-famous course.On-Site Hospitality:
Onsite offerings change from year to year. Tons of tailgating parties abound, but they change locations as well.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.comPremiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.com Premiere College Sports (Powered by Dodd’s Athletic Tours)
Dining:
Bistro Aix
1440 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 398-1949
Fax: (904) 398-4127
www.bistrox.comNote: Close to hotels and provides great food, drink, and overall service.
Aqua Grill
950 Sawgrass Village
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: (904) 285-3017
Fax: (904) 285-0727
www.aquagrill.netNote: An excellent dining experience includes outdoor patio seating for sunny Florida days.Bonefish Grill
10950 San Jose Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Phone: (904) 370-1070
Fax: (904) 370-1071
www.bonefishgrill.comNote: Fresh snapper and mahi mahi are served by this chain restaurant that got its start in St. Petersburg.
Tra Vini
216 Ponte Vedra Park Drive
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: (904) 273-2442
www.travinis.comNote: Known for great wine, but be prepared to pay.
Campeche Bay
127 First Avenue North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: (904) 249-3322
Fax: (904) 249-3323
www.campechebay.netNote: Good Mexican food at an affordable price.
The Jacksonville Landing
Note: Located less than one mile from the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the Jacksonville Landing provides a variety of dining options. Check their website for more information.
In addition, the Southbank Riverwalk is a 1.2 mile boardwalk on the banks of the St. John’s River. Dining options include chain restaurants and microbreweries. Accessible by car or water taxi.
Airports:
Jacksonville International Airport
2400 Yankee Clipper Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone: (904) 741-4902
www.jia.aeroCraig Municipal Airport
855-1 St. Johns Bluff Road North
Suite 500
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Phone: (904) 641-7666
Fax: (904) 645-6483
www.jaa.aeroCecil Field Airport
13365 Aeronautical Circle
Jacksonville, FL 32215
Phone: (904) 573-1611
www.jaa.aero Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
If you hold no allegiance to either school, pick one. Buy some merchandise to adorn yourself with one school’s colors and join that group in cheering their heroes and razzing the opposition. Being a hardcore fan, even if just for one day, is the best way to enjoy the action in stadium.
For actual seating, the lower level end zone seats at Alltel are extremely close to the field. The seating is so good in that area that after a few drinks it can make it seem like you are actually on the field.
Best place to get up close:
If you are looking for a giant tailgate party with food, drinks, and music, go to The Landing for pre- and post-game festivities. There are a multitude of restaurants, bars, clubs, and food/drink vendors to choose from. Live bands perform, while large screens play football highlights in case you can’t make it to the stadium. The party goes well into the night on both Friday and Saturday.
Best travel tip:
If you cannot make it to The Landing, but are still in the mood for tailgating, you will find various tailgaters onsite at the stadium. Go from one to the other without fear of retribution for your allegiance to Florida or Georgia. This is about a celebration of school spirit with hostility at a minimum and partying at a maximum.
Notable Quotes:
“Going to the game is an experience like no other. The atmosphere that is created by the fans and by both teams is exciting. You get really excited for your family because you know how much they are going to enjoy the atmosphere. It’s going to be a fun time for both teams and all of our families that are going to be there.”—CHRIS LEAK, former Florida Gators quarterback
“Florida in a stand-up five, they may or may not blitz. Belue . . . third down on the eight. In trouble, he got a block behind him. Going to throw on the run. Complete on the 25. To the 30, Lindsay Scott 35, 40, Lindsay Scott 45, 50, 45, 40. . . . Run Lindsay, 25, 20, 15, 10, Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott.”—LARRY MUNSON’s, long-time Georgia radio announcer, legendary call in the 1980 Florida vs. Georgia game where the Bulldogs won in the final seconds.
Relevant Websites: