Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Stegeman Coliseum 100 Smith St Athens, GA 30602
Year Opened: 1964
Capacity: 10,523
Glory, Glory to old Georgia!
For years the Southeastern Conference was the gold standard in NCAA women’s college basketball, and part of that depth of success conference-wide can be attributed to the accomplishments of the Georgia Bulldogs.
The foundation of Georgia women’s basketball history was constructed by head coach Andy Landers; Landers led the Bulldogs to over 850 wins, eight regular season SEC championships, 4 SEC tournament titles, and 31 NCAA tournament appearances in his 36 seasons in Athens, including three Final Fours and a National Championship game berth.
Since the program’s inception in 1973 they have played at Stegman Coliseum, which is not just the home of Georgia Basketball, but also Georgia volleyball and the Gymdogs (gymnastics).
Food & Beverage 3
Food at Stegeman Coliseum uses a self-serve, grab-and-go model throughout. Items sit under heat lamps waiting to be picked up and taken to checkout stations. Options include hot dogs, burgers, and BBQ or Chick-fil-A sandwiches. While most options are typical stadium quality, the burgers are from local boutique burger purveyor Grind House Burgers. Even though the food is fine for stadium fare, the fact that items are left out under heat lamps does seem to impact the quality.
Besides the main concession items, peanuts, popcorn, candy, and various other snack foods are also part of the assortment of choices. There is also the ever popular Dippin’ Dots cart in the main lobby area. Soft drinks include items from the Coca-Cola line of products. There is also a decent selection of local craft beers from Athens-based Creature Comforts, with their flagship Tropicalia, Classic City Lager, and the University of Georgia-branded Sip ’Em Seltzer.
The concessions inside the arena will do in a pinch, but the area has several locations nearby if you prefer to get something before or after the game.
Atmosphere 3
Stegeman Coliseum is a great example of an arena from a previous generation that was given a highly modern feel, with a renovation of the east and west entries using large walls of glass. The interior of the arena complements the modernized feel of the exterior, fitting right into the red and black color scheme of the Bulldogs. In coming years the massive UGA mural at the south end of the arena will be replaced with the largest indoor collegiate videoboard in the country. There is not a lot of debate that Stegeman Coliseum is a very comfortable venue for all of Georgia’s programs that use it.
Many of the school’s fight songs and cheers, along with their most recognizable chants, are a big part of the total UGA women’s basketball experience. The University of Georgia athletics department does a good job creating an atmosphere where its brand is consistent throughout all its programs, with the prideful spirit of all things Bulldogs.
Breaks in the action here are filled with the Georgia pep band playing the UGA classics, while popular music also fills the time before the ball is put back into play.
Neighborhood 5
Athens is everything that could be asked for in a college town – far enough from Atlanta to avoid the breakneck pace of a major city, yet brimming with enough of the hustle-and-bustle of a college town to create a perpetual buzz of excitement in the air.
Georgia’s athletic facilities are spread out, with concentrations of both on and off campus facilities – Stegeman Coliseum is part of an on-campus cluster which includes baseball’s Foley Field, the outdoor track, football’s practice and training facility, and the Butts-Mehre building, the hub of UGA athletics.
The epicenter of Athens and the University of Georgia’s culture can be found along Lumpkin Avenue and Broad Street; this area has nearly an endless number of shops, bars, restaurants, and music joints, providing seemingly endless options to fill time at any hour of the day. New in 2024 are the Athens Rock Lobsters (ice hockey), who call the newly completed Akins Ford Arena in downtown Athens home; adding in one of their games could certainly help make for a full visit of sports during a weekend in Athens.
Fans 3
Georgia has benefited from decent support over the years. Over the last decade, average attendance at Stegeman Coliseum for women’s basketball has hovered around 3,500 fans per game. While this only ranks around the middle of the pack in the SEC, it is still a mark that many Power 4 Conference teams would be proud to draw.
Fans are into the game as would be expected by typical crowds – there is not a definitive home court advantage created by the fans, but they are responsive to the ups and downs of the game.
Access 3
It is no secret that getting to Athens from the metro Atlanta area on a weekday can certainly test one’s patience. While Athens is just 70 miles from Atlanta, getting there for a weekday match typically takes in excess of two hours. The most direct route is via Interstate-85 to Georgia 316, which leads to Athens. Fans coming from the north on I-85 will have a bit less traffic coming through Jefferson, while from the east, accessing Athens is most convenient on I-20 to US-441N.
Just south of Stegeman Coliseum, the Carlton Street parking deck is the most conveniently located parking option near the arena. Parking is free in the Carlton Street deck, and unless there are multiple events on campus or an extremely large crowd, it should offer plenty of room.
Once inside the facility, Stegeman’s outer concourse makes navigating the coliseum relatively easy, but the walkway does not wrap completely around the arena. A secondary, interior concourse does fully encircle the court level seating area, but it does get narrow in places.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets in the second tier of seating start at $11 before ticket fees are accounted for, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Parking is supposedly free in the Carlton Street parking garage, but be sure to check the signs, as some of them indicate this is no longer the case.
Concessions do seem to be a bit high when considering the overall quality of food that has been sitting under heating lamps. This is a cost that can easily be eliminated, however, or reduced if you only purchase snacks or beverages.
Extras 3
The concourse showcases a full history of the Georgia teams that call Stegeman home – trophies, along with highlights of the Dawgs’ most notable players and teams, are featured in a timeline displayed on the walls of the concourse.
The Butts-Mehre building holds a place of high regard in the Georgia Bulldog community; not only is it the center of Georgia athletics, but it is also home to a museum of Bulldogs athletics history. The Butts-Mehre building is open for tours until 5pm Monday through Friday, making this a real option to visit prior to a game at Stegeman.
UGA mascots Hairy Dawg and his inflatable counterpart, Spike, make the rounds throughout the game, stopping for photos and interacting with fans, along with trying to jinx the opposing team.
Final Thoughts
Georgia women’s basketball has not lately been the powerhouse program it was during the 1980s and 90s, but they typically have been good for a 20-win season and an NCAA tournament appearance even during their down years. Despite not enjoying the elite status the program was once measured by, there is still enough excitement surrounding both the team and the game to make Georgia women’s basketball a fun college basketball experience.
Commenti