The fans' perspective
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Larry Bumgardner was on hand for one of Gardner-Webb’s biggest wins this decade when the Runnin’ Bulldogs went on the road and upset 1-AA nationally ranked New Hampshire back in 2000.
Before that victory and since then, he has followed various Gardner-Webb teams all over the country.
When the prospect of going with the Bulldogs to Mississippi State arose, it was a no-brainer.
No Gardner-Webb team in any sport has ever played in front as many fans as will be on hand tonight - approximately 40,000. No Big South Conference football squad has ever faced a Southeastern Conference team.
And Bumgardner wouldn’t miss it.
"This is something I’m very passionate about. Gardner-Webb football has grown over time. It’s an environment where there is a lot of excitement," said Bumgardner, a Gastonia resident. "Just being there for the kids and all the teams is reason enough to make these trips. That’s what it’s all about."
According to athletics director Church Burch, approximately 400 Gardner-Webb fans are making the trip to Starkville for the game. Thirty-five were on the team’s chartered flight that left out of Charlotte Friday afternoon.
Anthony Strange, a 1983 GWU grad and a member of the Board of Trustees, made the trek from Richmond, Va..
"It’s a great opportunity to be with the team and players. I love college football, and this is so exciting to see the program play in a venue like Mississippi State," said Strange, whose daughter Ashley currently attends GWU. "Something like this was so far from an idea back when I was in school."
For Burch and the rest of the athletic staff, tonight marks a historical event for the program.
"It gives our football program the kind of recognition that the basketball team has received after playing North Carolina, Wake Forest and Georgia," Burch said. "It gives us the opportunity to showcase our program on the national spotlight.
"I’m also proud for our fans. I’m sure they will be very loud and supportive … they are ambassadors of the university."
Before that victory and since then, he has followed various Gardner-Webb teams all over the country.
When the prospect of going with the Bulldogs to Mississippi State arose, it was a no-brainer.
No Gardner-Webb team in any sport has ever played in front as many fans as will be on hand tonight - approximately 40,000. No Big South Conference football squad has ever faced a Southeastern Conference team.
And Bumgardner wouldn’t miss it.
"This is something I’m very passionate about. Gardner-Webb football has grown over time. It’s an environment where there is a lot of excitement," said Bumgardner, a Gastonia resident. "Just being there for the kids and all the teams is reason enough to make these trips. That’s what it’s all about."
According to athletics director Church Burch, approximately 400 Gardner-Webb fans are making the trip to Starkville for the game. Thirty-five were on the team’s chartered flight that left out of Charlotte Friday afternoon.
Anthony Strange, a 1983 GWU grad and a member of the Board of Trustees, made the trek from Richmond, Va..
"It’s a great opportunity to be with the team and players. I love college football, and this is so exciting to see the program play in a venue like Mississippi State," said Strange, whose daughter Ashley currently attends GWU. "Something like this was so far from an idea back when I was in school."
For Burch and the rest of the athletic staff, tonight marks a historical event for the program.
"It gives our football program the kind of recognition that the basketball team has received after playing North Carolina, Wake Forest and Georgia," Burch said. "It gives us the opportunity to showcase our program on the national spotlight.
"I’m also proud for our fans. I’m sure they will be very loud and supportive … they are ambassadors of the university."
posted by Gabe Whisnant at
11:01 PM
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