UF President Bernie Machen continues his fight for safety at Florida-Georgia game

Negotiations between Florida president Bernie Machen and City of Jacksonville officials continue as Machen pushes for more stringent efforts to help curtail drinking during the weekend of the annual Florida-Georgia game.

The game's contract with the city ends in 2010, and Machen told me recently he's eager to renew the contract, but only if the city agrees to address several issues he has concerns with. Many are based on the excessive drinking and what he perceives as a lack of crowd control at bars and restaurants at the Jacksonville Landing.

Machen has been a strong proponent of trying to curb drinking among college students since his arrival at UF. But changing the culture of an event once dubbed "The World's Largest Cocktail Party'' won't be easy.

In a recent letter to the City of Jacksonville, Machen requested that the city limit occupancy at the Landing, decrease the number of temporary alcohol vendors and refuse to sell shots at Landing establishments. Two UF students have died during the weekend festivities in the past few years, Machen reminded me, saying his overall concern is safety.

Meanwhile debate continues over whether the game should remain in Jacksonville on an annual basis once the contract expires. Many Georgia fans, and coach Mark Richt, would like to see the game either moved to a home-and-home series, or played in the Georgia Dome on a rotating basis, possibly every third year.

Many continue to weigh in on the issue. The AJC recently ran an item from Georgia fan Bill King who wonders if the game will remain prominent on the national stage if it's not played in Jacksonville?

I'm a Jacksonville native, so I understand why those who've attended the game for decades don't want to see it changed. But I can also understand Richt and other Georgia fans who want change.

So I'm asking you . . . . should both schools renew the annual contract in Jacksonville after the 2010 season or is it time for a change? And can city officials really do anything to cut down on the drinking at the game?

Comments

[Smarry]

Very nice information.............

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Smarry
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[jrmerc]

I totally agree with Georgia fan Bill King, and this coming from a Gator fan. I think the prominence of the Fl.-Ga. game would decrease on the national stage if it were a home and home game. There is so much history and tradition that would be destroyed by moving the game. You know, back in the 80's when Georgia was winning the war, you didn't hear Florida calling for a home and home. Makes me feel that Georgia is just a crybaby. What makes you think it will be any different anyway? One more thing. If the Georgia dome wants this game so badly, how about giving up the SEC championship to the Gator Bowl every other year. I bet if they had to do it that way they would say "no way".