Category Archives: Sports

Final Projects, Sports

How 5Ks Contribute to the Community

Classic City Running Culture: How 5Ks Contribute to the Community

 

The 5K Experience

 

On a cold winter morning, as knuckles are chapped and windshields are frozen over, runners flock to Smith St. to line up for the annual UGA Miracle Donut Dare.

 

The directors of the race are decked out in American Flag jumpsuits as they scream through the megaphones to awaken runners for their impending 5K. Music is playing and t-shirts are quickly being distributed as runners assume the position to begin the journey through campus.

 

The cold is not the only factor making this race arduous, as runners are led to eat 10 donuts in the middle of the race and continue the trek to the finish line right outside of the UGA tennis courts.

 

By the time the runners sign their name cards to record their times with cold hands full of sugar, they are officially a part of a community of runners participating in philanthropic events.

 

The UGA Miracle Donut Dare is one of the many 5Ks that are conducted in Athens-Clarke County. The runners that participate are full of energy and they care about issues that can be addressed through 5Ks.

 

The Athens Runner Spirit

 

“I think the running culture is really strong here in Athens,” says Allie Myers, 3rd year student studying marketing and international business with a minor in German from Snellville, GA. “Running is vibrant in Athens.”

 

Myers is one of the many Athens residents who attempt to run every day, regardless of the time of day or night.

 

“I know my freshman year I would go on really late night runs at like 10PM, 10:30… but I also like running in the mornings,” says Myers.

 

In the city of Athens, GA, runners can be seen at all hours of the day and night. Running is a common hobby in the classic city, and the amount of opportunities to participate in group-runs, 5Ks and individualized routes are endless.

 

UGA Miracle’s Doughnut Dare 5k in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, January 21, 2011. (Photo/Devin Webb, devinwebb2@gmail.com)

 

Athens 5Ks

 

Almost every Saturday morning in Athens, there is a 5K race occurring to raise awareness or money for a certain cause. The funds often go towards the Athens-Clarke County community, or towards other philanthropic endeavors outside of the town.

 

For some runners, 5Ks are a time to participate in an event aimed at specifically benefitting a cause that is dear to them. For some, it is a time to have fun by enjoying the specified theme laid out by the creators of the race. For others, 5Ks are simply a way to remain healthy and fit in an enjoyable manner throughout Athens.

 

“We’re getting more local runners, or the number of local runners is growing,” says Jared Bailey, creator of AthFest, an organization aimed at raising money for children throughout Athens at events like the AthHalf half marathon (Morales.) “Basically, the running community in Athens is growing.”

 

With the running community increasing in Athens, the amount of 5Ks is increasing as well. Several student organizations produce 5Ks that raise money for different entities.

 

An example of a student-led 5k is the annual UGA Miracle Donut Dare. The Donut Dare follows a well-used course throughout the University of Georgia campus. The course begins at Stegeman, goes by Sanford Stadium, and targets many points that experienced Athens runners know far too well.

 

The Donut Dare is no conventional race, as it includes devouring ten donuts in the middle of the run. The race also occurs during the winter, so the donuts are nowhere near the heat level when the “Hot Now” sign is working.

 

“It was brutal. At the time I was actually in pretty good shape, but eating 8 donuts and running again after consuming that much sugar greatly impeded my running ability,” said Benjamin Eady, 3rd year political science and international affairs major from Oxford, GA.

 

Eady said, “It was a fun and lighthearted atmosphere with undertones of pain and frustration due to consumption of delicious but deadly Krispy Kreme donuts.”

 

In 2015, the Donut Dare generated $17,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Drake.) Each year the race creates significant funds for the hospital, and is a primary event of the yearlong fundraising efforts of UGA Miracle.

 

For many Athens residents, running specific 5Ks has become somewhat of a tradition. Yearly races provide opportunities for families and friends to come together and enjoy time spent outdoors with their loved ones.

 

“My family does a traditional run every year, the Dog Trot, which is through the Alumni Association,” says Chip Chambers, 2nd year student studying biology and economics from Watkinsville, GA.

 

The specific courses also add to the 5K experience. Data collected on mapmyrun.com show that Athens, GA has 14,943 routes tracked by runners (Map my Run.) Many of the specific 5K routes are run throughout campus or on the more flat surfaces. The city of Athens is full of hills, and race directors often lean towards creating a route that does not have excessively strenuous hills.

 

 

Here is an interactive map showing the one course allowed by the UGA Recreation Department for outside groups to use:

Media is not available right now – ThingLink

Media is not available right now – ThingLink

The Process

 

5Ks involve many members to create a successful event. Directors of specific runs plan for months in order to effectively produce a run. Preparation ranges from stuffing runner packets to gathering volunteers to assist in cheering on runners or passing out waters. The specific factors can require going over the routes several times to ensure a seamless runner experience for all participants.

 

“For larger events, often times community members will gather at different mile markers to support the runners throughout the course,” says Eady. “It does a great job of engaging the community.”

 

Community engagement is created by the idea of running, cheering others on, and it sometimes relates to the direct theme of the individual 5k. The Dog Jog brings dog lovers together to run not only with their friends, but also alongside their beloved animals. The Donut Dare brings college students and other residents alike together to brave the cold and the heavy donuts in the middle of the race to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

 

The directors and organizers of the 5K races are almost as varied as the themes of the different runs. Many student organizations completely organize the races on their own. Other running organizations including Athens Running Company and Fleet Feet Sports organize runs for community members.

 

Different leaders who have experience organizing runs for individuals in Athens include David Shinholser of Fleet Feet Sports, Leslie Trier and Kent Kilpatrick of Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services, David Laggis and Mark Schroeder of Athens Running Company and Julie Thompson, president of the Athens Road Runners.

 

These individuals are passionate about running, and have made significant commitments to enhance the running experience for runners in the community. By organizing group runs open to the entire community, directing 5Ks and selling quality running shoes so individuals do not have to drive to Atlanta to receive the best in running apparel.

 

The routes also play a major role in the runner experience. On the Map My Run website, there are over 4,000 recorded runs made by individuals throughout the community. However, when it comes to 5K races, similar courses are used. With Athens having several hills that add extra challenges to running, flatter surfaces are implemented as much as possible. Benefits of using similar routes are that runners are familiarized with the courses, and they are easier than very hilly areas. Cons of using similar routes are the lack of variety.

 

The running culture is Athens is one that is distinct. Members of the Athens running community run together, plan races together, and cheer for each other as they cross the finish line.

 

5K races make the running community come to life, in ways that often benefit others through raising funds. The different race themes add to the variety in interests displayed by runners. The streets of Athens rarely go without runners passing over them, regardless of the time of day or night. With passionate leaders in the running community, and students and residents showing continued interest in 5Ks, the running culture will remain distinct and supported.

To view 5Ks firsthand through social media posts and videos, check out this Storify! https://storify.com/ckeen/athens-5ks

 

 

Works Cited

 

“Athens Running Trails.” http://www.mapmyrun.com/us/athens-ga/. 11 Apr. 2017.

 

Chambers, Chip. In-person interview. 11 Apr. 2017.

 

Drake, Kallie. “Take the Dare: UGA Miracle hosts Doughnut Dare 5K.” The Red & Black. 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 19 Apr. 2018.

 

Eady, Benjamin. In-person interview. 12 Apr. 2017.

 

Morales, Kristen. “Runners Are Getting Organized as the Sport Grows.” Flagpole. 16 Oct. 2013.

 

Myers, Allie. In-person interview. 11 Apr. 2017.

MOTS, Sports

Biker Safety in Athens

Sharing the roads of Athens, GA can be challenging for bikers and drivers alike, according to data from interviews conducted by University of Georgia students over the past two weeks.

Twelve students were interviewed about their thoughts regarding bike lanes and safety for both cyclists and drivers. Several students voiced frustration with the size of the streets and the aggression of drivers. However, some were content with the status of cyclist safety.

“Generally I feel safe, meaning there’s always room for improvement,” said Jim Stradley, 51, who manages The Hub Bicycles in Athens, GA. As far as cycling goes, Stradley suggested cyclists “give space when appropriate and take space when it’s possible.”

Echoing a need for improvement, Jaico Celka, a sophomore from Suwanee, GA said, “I personally would be nervous to ride a bike in Athens. I feel like a lot of cars think they own the road more than bicyclists do.”

In Sept. 2016, a University of Georgia graduate student was killed and two others were injured while biking when struck by a drunk driver, according to a Red & Black article.

Citizens in Athens were angered as this incident was not the first of its kind.

“I would say this is infuriating and is happening too much,” said Athens attorney David Crowe. “We have a tight knit cycling community in Athens and on the group rides I do, we are always obeying the rules of the road and trying to be good stewards.”

Students interviewed expressed similar sentiments concerning the need for increased safety for cyclists.

“Drivers, like while they’re in the city, should be more consciously aware,” said Nick Johnson, a sophomore sports management major from Lilburn.

According to an article by the Red & Black, Athens-Clarke County has the highest amount of bike-car collisions in the state of Georgia.

Data collected by Georgia Bikes and the University of Georgia shows that Athens is the only city where the fault of the accident more often falls on the driver of the vehicle rather than the biker.

Bailey Smith, Junior International Affairs Major

When asked how she felt on bikers affecting her safety as a driver, Bailey Smith, junior international affairs major from Rocky Mount, Carolina said that the concern was, “not so much my safety as much as like theirs.”

Blake Cleary, Junior Computer Science Major

 

Smith discussed the difficulty of driving through neighborhoods and how cars take up the full lanes pushing cyclists in difficult positions.

Not all students are cyclists, but sensitivity towards those that ride bikes seems to be increasing.

“My computing ethics professor actually bikes everywhere and is a big advocate for bikes in the Athens area,” said Blake Cleary, junior computer science major from Rowell, GA. “So he’s kind of given me a bigger heart for biking in Athens.”

 

 

 

 

Sources

In person interviews with Laura Allen, Ashley Gruber, Cara Silcox, William Lanzilotta, Brian Molley, Jim Stradley, Bailey Smith, Blake Cleary, Wilson Alexander, Jaico Celka, Daniyal Tahir, Nick Johnson, Cole Wilson, Kemani Miles, Lee Jourdan.

UGA graduate researcher killed, two other cyclists injured by DUI suspect in east Athens

A University of Georgia graduate researcher was killed and two other bicyclists were injured Monday evening in east Athens by a suspected impaired driver. Ashley Block, 25, who was a graduate stude…

http://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/athens-clarke-county-works-to-protect-safety-of-cyclists/article_1d13ff7e-cbb7-11e5-8b64-c3fdfe8f72b4.html

MOTS, Sports

Bicycle Safety in Athens

On Nov. 12, a bus attempting to make a U-turn at the intersection of East Campus Road and Cemetery Street struck a cyclist [1]. Although the injuries were not life threatening, it brought up the question, “How safe is bike riding in Athens?”

An informal poll of both non-cycling students and cycling Athens residents conducted by JOUR 3190 showed people’s mixed thoughts on bicycle safety in Athens. 

Jim Stradley

Some interviewees, such as Cara Silcox, a 29-year-old academic adviser at the Terry College of Business said they felt “the bike lanes are great.”

Other respondents, such as Jim Stradley, a 51 year-old who manages The Hub Bicycles store, said that the number of bike lanes is “sorely lacking.”

Riding in bicycles in Athens is “relatively safe,” said Lee Jourdan, a senior from Monroe majoring in mechanical engineering and entertainment media at the University of Georgia. Jourdan compared Athens to cities like Atlanta, which he believes has more traffic and fewer bike lanes.

“You know, I’ve ridden all over the country. I feel just as safe here as I would anywhere else,” said William Lanzilotta, a 48 year-old professor of biochemistry and biophysics at UGA. “Safety is certainly a matter of perspective like so many other things. People in Athens I think are a little more aware of us.”

Lanzilotta said he’s been hit by cars before and that bike riders should be “just as attentive” to their surroundings as people driving cars.

Stradley said that he felt “generally” safe riding a bicycle in Athens. He said drivers should know bicycles are vehicles by law and “entitled to the road” just as much as automobiles.

Others gave reasons why riding bicycles in Athens didn’t feel entirely safe to them.

“I personally would be nervous to ride a bike in Athens,” said Jaico Selka, a sophomore from Suwanee majoring in ecology. “I feel like a lot of cars think they own the road more than bicyclists do.”

Silcox said bicyclists should be doing more to improve their own safety and that many are unaware of Georgia’s bicycle laws.

Cara Silcox

“I can’t tell you the number of people who I’ve seen not wearing a helmet, especially on campus or in town,” Silcox said.

“Helmets are essential…I always wear a helmet,” said Ashley Gruber, a 28 year-old photographer.

Silcox also said there’s a lot of “distracted driving” making the roads unsafe and that drivers need to be aware of their surroundings.

“Put your phone down for one,” Silcox said. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Silcox said she was with her fiancé, Brian Molloy, a 44 year-old who owns The Hub Bicycles store, when they saw a cyclist almost get hit on Highway 441.

“There was no bike lane, no reflective clothing, no lights, no helmet, it was dark, and a truck almost hit them,” Silcox said.

Silcox said that the truck swerved to miss the rider, but maintained that the fault of incidents such as these is on both sides.

Molloy said that it’s important for bicyclists to do whatever they can to “stick out” to drivers and that a helmet and lights — which he said cost around $60 for a quality pair — are the two most important things.
“It’s worth it to make that investment for your safety,” Molloy said.

MOTS, Sports

Are You Getting Ready for Spring Break?

The full week of sun, sunscreen, road trips and beaches is near. Students are preparing for spring break by getting into shape to achieve their “beach bod,” according to an informal survey conducted by JOUR 3190 last week.

Students prefer to exercise off campus instead of occupying the Ramsey Student Center the interviews revealed.

Of 12 students interviewed, five students are working out in preparation for spring break.

“I want to look really good in my bikini,” said sophomore Alexandria Purdue, who is from Conyers, Georgia.

Sophomore Alexandria Purdue from Conyers, Georgia. She works at Burlington Coat Factory.

Of 12 students, less than half said that they work out at Ramsey. The other interviewees expressed how inconvenient the crowds are and how parking is not free throughout the day.

Sophomore Tristan Pugh, an employee of the Ramsey Student Center, said, “It is very crowded during this time, most people are there preparing for spring break.”

Other students find the gyms at their apartment complexes sufficient enough. “I live at The Standard and they have an elliptical and treadmill in the gym so it is more convenient for me to just work out there,” said junior Kelly Higgins who is from Atlanta, Georgia.

Other students are not looking forward to physically get ready for spring break.

Junior Alexa Lee said, “I am not physically preparing for spring break because I am simply not going anywhere. I wish I was going somewhere.”

Some students said they decide to take it a little further and join places off campus to work out. Senior Savannah Kornder from Decatur, Georgia, does an hour and a half long class of hot yoga. “I leave class feeling extremely stretched and also super sweaty,” Kornder said.

Senior, Martha Nixon, has a membership to Pure Bare. “In the classes I take we do more strength exercises like lifting weights, pushups and squats,” Nixon said. Nixon stopped going to the Ramsey Student Center after freshman year. “Parking was too difficult,” Nixon said.

Most popular types of workout regimes were cardio and strength training, according to the surveyed group. Also among the group, the elliptical, weight lifting and treadmills were the most common ways of exercise.

Pugh’s favorite exercise is “anything, but cardio,” he said. “Cardio is the worst. Are you kidding?”

Senior Cydney Karlins from Suwannee, Georgia.

Cydney Karlins, a senior from Suwanee, Georgia, swims for exercise. “I grew up swimming and I am able to think things through unlike cardio where you are focused on running,” Karlins said.

Some students also gave various reasons for why they workout in general and not just in preparation for spring break. Some students exercise to stay in shape or for mental health reasons. Student Fikrte Adebe, who is from Tucker, Georgia said, “I like how it makes me feel rather than how I look.”

The most preferred time to exercise according to interviewees is the late afternoon or evening. Other obligations and extra curricular activities take up most of the students’ day.

 

Exercises, MOTS, Sports

Students and Spring Break: How Their Workout Routines Are Affected

Are students revving up their workouts in preparation for the impending spring break? Apparently, this depends largely on whom you ask, according to an informal poll conducted by JOUR 3190 students at the University of Georgia. This poll revealed students to be divided in their anticipation of spring break.

Five of the 12 students interviewed said they are working out in preparation for spring break, while the others said they are either working out with different goals in mind, or not at all.

“I want to look good in my bikini,” said Alexandria Perdue, a sophomore from Conyers, Georgia.

“I really don’t care,” said Tristan Pugh, a sophomore from Duluth, Georgia. Pugh was one of the six students who said they work out in general but without inspiration from the upcoming break. Pugh said he believes that Ramsey is crowded due to exercisers “definitely” there because of New Year’s resolutions or the impending break.

Emilie Gille is a sophomore from Gainesville, Georgia. She said that she is working out as a result of her New Year’s resolution.

Savannah Kornder, a senior from Decatur, Georgia, is working out because of a New Year’s resolution as well as the upcoming break.

Savannah Kornder being interviewed on campus

A few of the students cited motivations other than spring break or the new year. “It just makes us feel better,” said Chris Cannon, a sophomore from Augusta, Georgia, who works out with his friends in order to boost endorphins. Diana Downward, a senior from south Georgia, said she works out for mental health.

The students interviewed were also asked if they work out on campus in the Ramsey Student Center. Perdue, Pugh, Gille and Cannon are all working out on campus. Others are not.

Kelly Higgins, a junior from Atlanta, Georgia, said that going to the gym at her apartment makes more sense than going to Ramsey. Higgins, who is working out for spring break, was also bothered by the cost to park at Ramsey.

Kelly Higgins being interviewed on campus

Higgins wasn’t alone in mentioning the hassle of parking at Ramsey. Martha Nixon, a senior from Augusta, Georgia, said she stopped going to Ramsey her freshman year because parking was too difficult. Cannon said that he works out on campus only because he lives on campus but has heard from some of his friends that parking is too expensive.

Gille works out on campus for the same reason as Cannon. She lives on campus, and working out at Ramsey is the easiest for her. She said that she sometimes even walks to Ramsey, and appreciates that the extra steps add to her workout.

Lastly, according to a few students who participated in this survey, time constraints have an impact in the amount of working out students can do.

Downward was one of a few students who mentioned that their schedules prevent them from working out when or as often as they would like to. Downward said she would prefer to work out in the morning, but has to work out at night because she is so busy. Higgins also said she prefers to work out in the morning, but her schedule only allows her to work out at night.

Fikrte Abebe said she does not have time to work out at all. Abebe is a student as well as a housing consultant, and said that work and school get in the way of her efforts to work out. She likes the way working out makes her feel, however. “Before, when I didn’t work, I always had time for that,” said Abebe, a senior from Tucker, Georgia.

 

Backgrounder, Sports

160 Years of Change: A brief history of Athens YMCA buildings

The YMCA in Athens was established in 1857, making it the third oldest in the nation.

In 160 years the organization has gone through a number of buildings.

Athens Banner-Herald on Twitter: “.@AthensYMCA awarded scholarship for swimming and water safety https://t.co/srXucNYgUk pic.twitter.com/OdVSpAOLEI / Twitter”

@AthensYMCA awarded scholarship for swimming and water safety https://t.co/srXucNYgUk pic.twitter.com/OdVSpAOLEI

According to its website, for over 30 years after its establishment, the Athens’ YMCA didn’t have its own building. Because membership hadn’t quite picked up yet and the “War Between the States” had interrupted attendance till the 80s, the Athens’ YMCA was held in First Presbyterian Church on East Hancock Avenue.

The first building, which according to the Athens Banner-Herald was eventually converted into the Georgia Theatre, was built in 1889 and located on the corner of Clayton and Lumpkin streets. The campaign to move into this building didn’t start until a year after hiring the first paid employee, CEO Walter T. Forbes.

This facility had a 168 square-foot pool called the “Iron Tank,” which was Northeast Georgia’s first indoor pool. To increase income, the YMCA rented out the first floor of this building to merchants.

In 1919 the YMCA raised over $100,000 in order to build their second facility on the corner of Broad and Lumpkin streets, facing the university campus. The first basketball teams of Clarke Central High School and the University of Georgia practiced in this gym, with Forbes coaching the university teams for years.

This building was sold and demolished in the early 70s, the rear is now a parking lot for Holiday Inn WHICH HOLIDAY INN? THERE ARE TWO ON BROAD STREET – BE SPECIFIC , to make way for a newer more family and community focused building.

At the cost of over $800,000, the third and current YMCA facility of 90,000 square-feet was opened in 1967 on Hawthorne Avenue.

Although the YMCA works to a have a suitable location for its participants to meet at, directors maintain that the YMCA isn’t a building, but an association of people CITE THE SOURCE – ACCORDING TO A WHAT DATE ARTICLE IN the Washington Post.

“Bricks and mortar help define where the YMCA is, but they do not define what the YMCA is,” WROTE WHO WHEN the El Paso Times. “Beyond the four walls of the facilities there is a community that is growing.”

Backgrounder, Sports

AthHalf CAN YOU ADD SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS A HEADLINE, NOT JUST A LABEL

Competing in Sanford Stadium is a dream few thought they could achieve. That changed for many runners as they ran their final lap beside the hedges to the finish line.

The AthHalf gives runners of all ages the opportunity to run through Athens. The route guides runners though several of the city’s distinct locations. The race encompasses Milledge Avenue, Five Points, Bear Hollow Zoo and ends with a victory lap through Sanford Stadium.

Mary Lollis Jones, a junior at the University of Georgia studying agribusiness, participated in the AthHalf for the first time in 2013. Although Jones did not train extensively, she fondly recalls the race as one of her best moments in Athens.

“The feeling is indescribable,” Jones said in an interview. “I think everyone should do one if you have never done one.”

(Status used with permission of Mary Lollis Jones.)

Since 2009 the AthHalf has been a prominent fundraiser and half marathon for the city of Athens. According the AthHalf website, the race occurs every October bringing in thousands of runners.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the main purpose of the organization is to promote excitement and involvement for music and the arts.

The AthHalf is a fundraiser under the larger nonprofit AthFest Educates. AthFest Educates aims to give to programs involved with increasing the artistic and cultural opportunities within Athens-Clarke County.

According to a report by the Athens-Banner Herald, AthFest Educates has given more than $190,000 in monetary assistance so far.

The AthHalf affects the economy of Athens in different ways. According to Flagpole magazine, the Athens Downtown Development Authority refused to give funding for the race in 2013. In an interview, Jared Bailey, Athens-Clarke County commissioner and former Executive Director of AthFest Educates stated he was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d like to see us put a little more into events because, as you know, events create tourism, and tourism is economic development,” commented Bailey.

The last AthHalf occurred Oct. 9, 2016, and this year will mark the eighth year of the AthHalf.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Jones said. “It’s truly a milestone that everyone needs to complete.”

 

Backgrounder, Sports

A Race to the Finish Line: The Twilight Criterium

The Classic City becomes fast and furious when cyclists come from all over to compete in the Twilight Criterium, one of the country’s most challenging bike races.

Athens Orthopedic Clinic hosts the weekend long event, which takes place in downtown Athens, Georgia.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the race was founded in 1980 by Gene Dixon and was the first nighttime race in the United States in over 60 years.

The Twilight Criterium benefits the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity.

According to the Athens tourism website, the competition has evolved from 40 competitors to 150.

The starting line is on Clayton Street at College Avenue and the race goes clockwise and continues on Lumpkin, Washington and Thomas streets.

The large crowds and strong competitive spirits drive the race to be one of the most fast paced, dangerous courses. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, cyclists average speeds of 33 miles per hour during the 60-kilometer race. “If you’ve ever ridden your bike at night, you know that it feels a lot faster to ride in the dark,” Dixon told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. “The racers feel that, too.”

Cyclists can become very aggressive trying to compete for first place, which sometimes can lead to injuries. Some cyclists have resulted with concussions and other minor injuries due to the sharp turns and close corners of the race.

Cyclists can range from Olympic gold medalists to local storeowners.

The crowd’s anticipation of the event and the late night atmosphere stirs up competition among cyclists.

Crowd participants get so excited, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, police had to reinforce safety measures to keep people from getting through barricades and causing hazard to cyclists.

Besides the anticipated women and men’s races, the Twilight Criterium has weekend long events, which lead up to the big race at night. Events included are festivals, amateur and children’s bike races as well as a historic bike tour.

Visit the event’s main website here

Birdoprey on Twitter: “#twilight criterium (@ Downtown Athens in Athens, GA) https://t.co/lQO3M92LLT pic.twitter.com/5glAea45OC / Twitter”

twilight criterium (@ Downtown Athens in Athens, GA) https://t.co/lQO3M92LLT pic.twitter.com/5glAea45OC

Backgrounder, Sports

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Wild: Bear Hollow Zoo and its residents

DJ was rescued after his mother was likely killed, according to Debbie Cylke, who took care of DJ as he recuperated. “If [the woman] hadn’t found him, [he] wouldn’t be alive,” Cylke told the Florida Times-Union in 2007.

DJ is a black bear.

DJ arrived at Bear Hollow Zoo in the fall of 2006, according to Bear Hollow Zoo’s website. Bear Hollow Zoo is a way to see these black bears, like DJ, in a controlled environment.

Bear Hollow Zoo, located in Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia, features native Georgia wildlife. According to Bear Hollow Zoo’s website, all of the animals at Bear Hollow Zoo have suffered some circumstance that prevents them from being released back into the wild. They live indefinitely at Bear Hollow Zoo, and serve as “ambassadors for their species.” The zoo features birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

According to the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the black bear has suffered a “serious population decline” in the past due to human activity. However, they have now reached a “healthy population” of 5,100.

Hollow trees are a “common den site” for bears in Georgia.

The Red & Black on Twitter: “The Bear Hollow Zoo will throw a birthday bash for Athens’ local bears, DJ, Yonah & Athena. https://t.co/UfJZM8UsOz pic.twitter.com/S5c8cD7lV3 / Twitter”

The Bear Hollow Zoo will throw a birthday bash for Athens’ local bears, DJ, Yonah & Athena. https://t.co/UfJZM8UsOz pic.twitter.com/S5c8cD7lV3

Bears aren’t the only wildlife you can encounter at Bear Hollow Zoo, though.

The eastern indigo snake, a reptile featured at Bear Hollow Zoo, is known to reside in the burrows of the Gopher tortoise. The Gopher tortoise can also be found at Bear Hollow – though in its own separate enclosure.

The eastern indigo snake is “federally threatened” in Georgia and Florida, due to habitat loss, according to Andrew M. Grosse of the University of Georgia in a species profile he created for the snake.

“They won’t bite humans, but they’ll pulverize a rattlesnake’s head,” Randy Tate, director of science and stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, told the Florida Times-Union in 2009. “They’ll chew on it until the snake is dead.”

Gopher tortoises share their burrows with over 350 other species, making them a “keystone species,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Bear Hollow Zoo also has a collection of birds.

According to Bear Hollow Zoo’s website, its barred owl took up residence at the zoo in early 2012. His name is Hooch, and one of his eyes was surgically removed after being injured likely by a car.

A facility of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, Bear Hollow Zoo is free to the public and it is open until 5 p.m. (with the exhibition hall closing at 4 p.m.).