Gregory Fish

My name is Greg, and I was taught to despise the University of Georgia ever since I was a kid. Both my parents, and the vast majority of my extended family grew up in Florida as well as attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. Consequently, I war raised a die hard Florida Gators fan. Growing up in suburban Atlanta, with Athens only an hour away, I was substantially outnumbered by Georgia fans, and rooting for Georgia’s biggest rival was not popular to say the least. Among other schools, I applied and was accepted to both the University of Georgia, and Florida, and when presented with both the Zell Miller and Hope scholarship, I could not turn down the opportunity to become a Dawg.

Now I was faced with the overarching question of whether to keep my family ties close and continue rooting for the Gators, or disregard my roots and commit to the G. To me, there was no debating. I was going to be a Dawg, and start my own legacy. During the summer after my senior year I was in a very peculiar transitional state. Half my closet was still Gator paraphernalia, my room decorated with Gator posters, and most of all my emotional attachment of being such a dedicated fan, all needed to be wiped away.

As my freshman year comes to a close I can confirm that I made the right decision to leave my sentiment for the University of Florida behind. College is a unique place which I have embraced aside from simply cheering for a different football team. Getting involved and gaining leadership position with organizations around campus, striving to preform well academically, and staying physically active are forms of my self expression.

“Isn’t it weird going to UGA when you grew up such a big Gators fan” -everyone that I know. Well yes, it was different at first, but I never had any doubts that I would not encompass the full culture of attending the University of Georgia into my continually evolving identity.