Under soft blue skies, above green turf and against the backdrop of Midtown Atlanta, the familiar sights and sounds of autumn Saturdays at Bobby Dodd Stadium returned in full for the first time since the final game of Georgia Tech’s 2019 season.
The marching band, kept in the stands throughout the 2020 season as part of COVID-19 protocol, formed its “T” at midfield in its pregame performance. The crowd, garbed in white for the annual whiteout game, exceeded the 20% attendance cap instituted for last season. The Yellow Jackets ran out of the northeast tunnel behind the Ramblin’ Wreck and cheerleaders, another group confined to the stands a year ago. Tech fans largely unmasked, roared their delight.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Shirley Plunkett, a season-ticket holder for 36 consecutive years.
A year ago, Plunkett continued her season-ticket purchase, but did not attend. As kickoff and dusk approached, Plunkett sat with her close friend Laura Strickland, friends since they were 13 years old growing up in Bowdon. Both were dressed head to toe in white, fully committed to the whiteout.
Said Strickland, “It’s a beautiful day to be out, and there’s nothing like being at a college football game on a Saturday afternoon.”
Across Bobby Dodd Stadium and the country, throngs of college football fans shared the sentiment.
