Georgia followers flock to Indianapolis from close to and much

Hutchison’s passion naturally became the passion of his children, Gunnar and Claudia Hutchison. Hutchison’s kids, now grown up, went to the Bulldogs with their dad every year to watch them play. One year they went to Nashville to see Georgia against Vanderbilt and the next year they went to Lexington, Kentucky to see the Dogs against Kentucky, since those were the next games to play.

In fact, Hutchison has attended one game in Georgia at Sanford Stadium in his lifetime. It happened in 2018 when his girlfriend Tai Blythe surprised him with tickets to the game in Middle Tennessee. Hutchison and his son actually made another pilgrimage to Athens in 2020 when they received the news that the Vanderbilt game had been canceled due to the Commodores’ COVID-19 problems.

“We were actually in Chattanooga when my son got the news on his Twitter feed,” said Hutchison. “We had to turn around and go home.”

This year, however, the Bulldogs are coming to the Hutchisons, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Hutchison’s son couldn’t make it to Nashville this year because Ann Bobbitt – Gunnar’s and Claudia’s mother and Tim’s ex-wife – was diagnosed with leukemia just days before their planned trip.

Gunnar and Claudia have lived with their mother at an Airbnb hotel in Indianapolis for months, taking care of Bobbitt while she received stem cell treatments for cancer. Over Christmas, Tim Hutchison surprised his son with two tickets to the College Football Playoff Championship game.

“He’s 27 and I’ve seen him cry twice in the last month – once when she was announced cancer free and the second time when I showed him the ticket order,” exclaimed Tim Hutchison. “All he could say was ‘Go Dawgs!'”

Aside from Bobbitt’s remarkable recovery, the best part about this whole ordeal is that they still have the Airbnb in Indianapolis. There Hutchison and his son will stay over the weekend as they prepare for Monday night’s championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs No. 3 and Alabama No. 1 (8 p.m., ESPN).

“We’re so excited,” said Hutchison. “We lived and died in Georgia’s last national championship game against Alabama. We’re really looking forward to it because all of our southern Indiana family are big Georgia fans. “

The Hutchisons story is just one of a dozen Georgia Bulldogs fans shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who posted a social media call ahead of the game Monday night to hear their travel and ticket stories. As you would expect, they are diverse.

Here is a selection:

BOBBY MARIENCHECK, Raleigh, NC

Hey chip Happy New Year! I’m going to Indy to meet Manny (Diaz), Allen Miller, and many former tennis buddies. Can’t fly to Indy. Much expensive and limited options. So I’m going to Louisville and pulling up. Buy extra layers – hear the next Monday night the low is 8 degrees. Hope to see you after Dawgs wins big. Fate is waiting!

STEPHEN BAILEY, Greenville, SC

In September, before the Clemson game, I felt like we would go all the way this year. I paid a little under $ 100 for a voucher that can be used to purchase a lower tier ticket at face value ($ 625) through Sports Illustrated Tickets. I couldn’t get a flight to Indy, so I fly from Greenville to Louisville, Ky. And drive the remaining two hours. My brother-in-law, who is a UGA alum, flies out of Louisiana and meets me in Louisville. I married a die-hard Bama fan. Her name is literally Crimson. My father-in-law named them after the team. We just had our first baby, a son who got the middle name Herschel. It should be a great game! I just hope I can finally brag next Christmas. Go buddy!

LEE EIDSON, Woodstock

My daughter (Mallory Stavrinakis) and my son-in-law (John Stavrinakis) gave me a Christmas poem and it reads as follows:

Ho ho ho!

Are you wondering where are you going to go?

Is it near or is it far?

Do you go by plane or by car?

Now I have completely confused you

Let me give you a point or two

The last time you were there it was seven eight o’clock

Oh dear, I wasn’t even a baby yet!

If that doesn’t reveal now

We could be here all day

You could even act while we’re there

“I know I ask a lot of you, but let it rip again!”

On the opposite side was a ticket to the Indianapolis National Championship! I’m 70 now, but I was in New Orleans in 1980. I hope to be 2-2 by the end of the game. Go buddy!

SCOTT KEEBLE, Champaign, Il.

I’m going from Champaign to Indy. One-way trip. About the same as Alpharetta to Athens. My brother and I went to the Rose Bowl four years ago. Hopefully our personal happiness will hold up!

JIMMY TAYLOR, Berkeley Lake

Due to the stupid decision to host this game in a cold weather city that requires a three night stay, we made the decision and are fortunate enough to travel to the game on a private jet from (DeKalb-Peachtree Airport). Leaving the game day and returning immediately after the game. As a long-term season ticket holder, we were able to secure UGA tickets. Our group includes my wife, brother, nephew, niece and their spouses.

JOHN BRANYAN, Athens

We set off by car early on Sunday morning. Qualified for two tickets as a Bulldog Club member and got two more from a friend who had also qualified but didn’t leave. We just bought two parking permits for our entire group of 10. Made hotel reservations in October but the only place we could afford is about 30km south of the stadium. I made the mistake of not going to New Orleans for the 1980 Sugar Bowl and said if the Dawgs ever played for it again I wouldn’t miss it!

TY WHEELER, Woodstock

I am a former UGA sprinter and have been a Dawg fan for 53 years of my life. I haven’t missed a game in 11 years (other than the COVID year). … I have a hotel in Indy, but I’m flying to Louisville and going up on Sunday. Still looking for a ticket.

MATT PEELE, Atlanta

After long negotiations with my wife, which could rival a peace talks in the Middle East, I secured transport, accommodation and, yes, a ticket to the last game of the year. I fly alone as I was able to use delta points, but will meet my other pals who either drive up or fly separately. … I’ll fly on Sunday morning (and look for activities until my friends get there later) and fly back to Atlanta around noon on Tuesday. I’m staying northeast of town, where I’ve given up most of my hotel points and had to spend a few hundred more dollars to fulfill their wishes. I’m equally thrilled that I’m lucky enough to be there in person and I’m nervous about the possible outcome. I’ve never seen a soccer championship in my entire life and I hope and pray that it will end next Monday night!

KIM ROGERS, Watkinsville

My daughter Jennifer and I are leaving their home in Atlanta early Saturday morning with my brother Al Quillian, his wife Thea, my nephew Drew, and his fiancée Jessica Ruffo.

I’m so looking forward to the trip! Will the Dawgs win? Who knows? But if so, we want to be there. I am 71 years old and did not attend the 1980 championship game. Remember the season well since I was pregnant with Jennifer. … My husband Al and I have been Dawg fans since we were born! My daddy was studying law at UGA, so some of my first words were “To Hell With Tech!”

JESSE L. MACK, Indianapolis

I’m a native of Atlantis, Decatur to be precise, and I’ve secured tickets here at Indy. The great thing is that I live here and love the city. I can’t wait for the Dawgs to win! If you have any questions about Indy please let me know. I will always keep my 404 area code!