Blog Topic: Sports

In the Loop: Ex-Bulldog Tray Matthews Says Talking in Class (Not Theft) Led to Dismissal

By Blake Aued | June 5, 2014 2:42pm

Tray Matthews may have tried to steal hundreds of dollars from the University of Georgia, but that's not why he was kicked off the team. According to Matthews, it was because he talked too loud in class.

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Culture Briefs: Classic City Rollergirls Doubleheader Recap

By David Eduardo | June 2, 2014 11:26am

Photo Credit: T.O. Lawrence

Saturday night, if you had picked the right entrance at the Classic Center, you’d be rewarded with the chance to crash a small, hopeful wedding before dodging a large contingent of tandem bicycle enthusiasts from around the world attending a mixer in the hallway. Evidently these narrow, two walled spaces can be leased. For your next awkward event.

Finally, in a ballroom that wasn’t hosting a high school graduation ceremony, there was roller derby.

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Culture Briefs: Classic City Rollergirls Doubleheader Preview

By David Eduardo | May 30, 2014 10:56am

The 2014 season is officially in full swing for our hometown Classic City Rollergirls. Since we last checked in with the ladies in green and black, they’ve played three exciting bouts far away from the friendly confines of the Classic Center.

CCRG’s road trip began May 3 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center just outside of Augusta, where they participated in the six-team Low Down Throw Down tournament. The team had the unenviable task of getting fired up for a 10 a.m. bout against the hostess Soul City Sirens. Maybe they should schedule all their bouts just after breakfast. CCRG, led by the MVP-jamming of Louis Strongarm and an impressive performance from newcomer Phat Amy, dispatched of Augusta 170-116, in an amazing, come-from-behind victory. The team trailed by as many as 38 points early in the bout but refused to quit.

Unfortunately the ladies tasted not only the thrill of victory but also the agony of defeat in Augusta. Birmingham-based Tragic City Rollers, led by stand-out jammer (and maybe total psycho) Mad Villain along with some bulldozing, lane-opening blocking from Eiffel Power, defeated Classic City 96-75 in a grinding, defensive battle. Being the second half of a double-header, fatigue was obviously a factor for both teams.

More after the jump.

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Culture Briefs: Aaron Murray Is a Kansas City Chief

By Blake Aued | May 12, 2014 12:09pm

Aaron Murray's going to Kansas City. Kansas City, here he comes.

The winningest quarterback in Georgia Bulldog history was taken by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL draft Sunday.

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Culture Briefs: Watch the Trailer for Chris Conley's Star Wars Tribute

By Blake Aued | April 28, 2014 3:31pm

As you may have heard, Flagpole's favorite UGA football player, wide receiver and noted Star Wars fan Chris Conley (aka Conley-Wan Kenobe, aka Con Solo), has been working on what he calls an "epic light saber battle" that he filmed on campus.

Well, here's the trailer. It does indeed look pretty epic.

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Culture Briefs: Photo Gallery: Twilight 2014

By Porter McLeod | April 28, 2014 12:09pm

The annual Twilight Criterium took over downtown Athens Friday and Saturday. After the jump, check out a selection of photos from the event. For the full list of winners, click here.

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Culture Briefs: Here Are the Twilight Criterium Winners

By Blake Aued | April 27, 2014 2:09pm

Athens Twilight Criterium winner Daniel Holloway (left) and David Cueli (center) of Athens-based team The 706 Project turn the corner on a breakaway at the Novant Health Invitation Criterium in Charlotte, NC. Photo credit: Dave Gill/USA CRITS

For the second year in a row, Athens resident Frank Travieso, racing for the locally based 706 Project team, finished third in the Twilight Criterium on Saturday night.

Daniel Holloway of Athlete Octane Cycling won the 80-kilometer race with a time of 45:29.2. Ty Magner of Hincapie Sportswear Development trailed by a tenth of a second; Travieso was 0.7 seconds behind Holloway.

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Culture Briefs: Classic City Rollergirls vs. Chattanooga Recap

By David Eduardo | April 22, 2014 1:20pm

Photo Credit: Caleb Joiner

It was a tale of two halves at the Classic Center Saturday. Fueled by a seemingly never-ending stream of power jams, the visiting team from Chattanooga jumped out to a comfortable first-half lead. The Classic City Rollergirls collected too many penalties, while their opponent’s strong three jammer rotation of Rocket Kitty, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Gisele Bludgeon took advantage of the unforced errors en route to a 64-15 lead before CCRG made strategic adjustments.

Enter Super Smash Fro. Earlier in the week, the standout skater, who spent most of 2013 benched with injuries, was named to the prestigious 2014 Team Georgia squad. With the match slipping away from CCRG, she lined up in the jammer position and plowed her way to the hometown team’s first ten point jam of the evening, narrowing the gap to 67-25, advantage Chattanooga. The crowd went nuts. Unfortunately, CCRG was unable to sustain the momentum and went into halftime down 97-52.

The second half started with High Jinxxx picking up lead jammer status and four quick points before smartly calling off the jam. A few minutes into the half, Louis Strongarm, later named MVP Jammer, had the strongest jam of any Classic City skater, picking up 15 hard-earned points. Fans furiously stomped the bleachers. The bars sold more Pabst. Chattanooga’s big lead was evaporating.

Unfortunately, it was another episode of too little, too late with the furious rally from our hometown team falling just short, with the final score Chattanooga 170, Classic City 139.

CCRG will participate in the six-team Low Down Throw Down Saturday May 3rd in Augusta, GA.

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Culture Briefs: Classic City Rollergirls vs. Chattanooga Roller Girls Preview

By David Eduardo | April 18, 2014 10:43am

A CCRG billboard looms over West Broad Street.

Saturday night, the hometown Classic City Rollergirls are set to battle their counterparts from Chattanooga, and for familiar reasons, they have their work cut out for them.

Chattanooga bested Classic City last season, 128-107. This season the Tennessee team is off to a 1-1 start, having split a home-and-home series with the Bowling Green, KY-based Vette City Vixens. Led by standout blocker Tasty Murder and a pair of high-powered jammers, Gisselle Bludgeon and (recent Knoxville transfer) Drop Dead Gorgeous, the road team looks to improve their record and, at the very least, preserve their No. 122 WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) ranking.

More after the jump.

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Culture Briefs: UGA Hockey Debuts at Classic Center

By Blake Aued | April 10, 2014 11:02am

Ice Dogs head coach John Hoos. Photo credit: Blake Aued.

The University of Georgia Ice Dogs hockey team made its Athens debut Wednesday night at the Classic Center, beating arch-rival Georgia Tech 6–3.

The team has played home games mainly in Duluth, but thanks to the new removable ice rink and bleachers at the Classic Center, now squares off against visitors just a few blocks from campus.

"To be home now in Athens after 27 years is just the biggest thrill we could ever imagine," head coach John Hoos said.

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