Beyond the Hedges: And so the season begins

It's August, which means football is coming soon.  And we can read all about it.  We are less than a week into practice, and three weeks from today we can sit down and watch a real, live college football game between SEC foes.  But in addition to all that, schools are starting up for fall.  And there's a lot more than just football played in the fall.  So, as we go outside the confines of Butts-Mehre and the hedges surrounding the field at Sanford Stadium, and we'll see quite a few others sweating in the August heat as they prepare for games where they can don the red and black and go for glory.  So Sanchez, wha'dya got?

Soccer

The first live event you can watch on the SEC Network will feature Georgia Bulldogs, when women's soccer takes on Ole Miss in Oxford at 7 on Friday the 22nd.  Right now, the girls are practicing and preparing, with the first game being an exhibition at Clemson on Sunday (that's right three days from today).  And this team has plenty of talent, with Mexico international Mariel Guitierrez and US international Becca Rasmussen in the mix.  You can catch their games at the Jack Turner complex off Milledge, with free admission.

Softball

Lu Harris-Champer doesn't have her girls get going until spring (at least not for official games), but she's still been busy.  Former volunteer assistant for the Dawgs Tony Baldwin will join her staff to help hitters and infielders after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at North Carolina.  Rick Pauly also joins her staff to focus on pitchers, having spent the last three seasons with USC-Upstate.

Baseball

Before we leave the diamond, if you are a student, or know a student, who really enjoys playing baseball and is pretty good at it, Scott Stricklin will have tryouts.  The tryouts aren't on that August 19th date, but if you want to try out and attempt to walk on with the Diamond Dawgs, that August 19th meeting is mandatory.

And if you were wondering what your favorite former Diamond Dawg is up to in the pros, Dawg Haus has got you covered.

Cross Country/Track and Field

Wayne Norton proudly announced his men's team won National Scholar Team of the Year, thanks in part to 7 Academic All-Americans. Cross Country season begins soon, with the UGA Invitational starting their 2014 campaign on September 6th.

Equestrian

Meghan Boening has finalized the schedule for her horses, which begins with an intrasquad scrimmage in September and then facing the rival Gamecocks in early October.  The squad had a strong summer, but will still look to add to their national championship contending team with a mandatory meeting also on August 19th, followed by tryouts on the 20th and 21st.

Volleyball

Lizzy Stemke's crew has had picture day, and have the honor of being the second batch of Bulldogs to compete this fall when they head to San Francisco on the last weekend of August to face Fordham, SMU, and host University of San Francisco. Their first home matches will be the following weekend on the 5th and 6th of September.

Women's basketball

Andy Landers has his ladies touring Italy right now. They'll be in Europe's boots for 10 days, and you can catch video and diary updates on georgiadogs.

Golf

Third year coach Josh Brewer announced the women's golf schedule for the upcoming season. Their season begins Sunday, September 7th.  And Glimmer Twin is continuing his tremendous work all summer long keeping us abreast of the goings on of the many Dawgs excelling on the PGA Tour. The PGA Championships gives our boys one last shot at a major title this year, and we've got several on the course.  As I type, Brendan Todd sits one shot back of the lead at 3-under after 13 holes.  Harris English and Russell Henley are both at even par, and TNT will cover the tournament later this afternoon.

Gooooooooooooooooo Dawgs!