About Recognized by Hall-of-Fame Coach Vince Dooley as the Heart of the Bulldog Spirit, the Redcoat Band is fundamental to the identity and culture of the University of Georgia. Founded in 1905, the band has since become both creator and keeper of the university's most beloved traditions while proudly representing the institution in thousands of appearances. Central to the Redcoat Band's contributions to UGA are the efforts and creativity of its 400+ student members, who come from a broad set of the university's over 140 major fields of study. The Redcoat experience is among the most rewarding forms of involvement on the University of Georgia campus, yielding thousands of loyal alumni in countless career paths and lifestyles. The relationships that develop during this experience--both among members, and between members and their alma mater--are relationships they maintain and treasure throughout their post-collegiate lives. Purpose The purposes of the Redcoat Band are:• To provide to its students experiences that are as rewarding and enriching as possible• To connect the institution with members and prospective members of its community• To preserve the university’s most valued traditions• To contribute to and elevate the institutional culture• To demonstrate, in all its pursuits, the University of Georgia’s core value of excellence• To publicly represent the university with dignity, vigor, and creativity. In pursuit of these purposes, the Redcoat Band performs at all home football games, select road games (including the annual Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville), and bowl and post-season games. Together with its extensions--the Drumline (front and battery), the Auxiliaries (visual ensembles), the Derbies Pep Band, and the Fall and Spring Sports Bands--the Redcoats perform in over 100 appearances annually at a wide variety of athletic, community, and outreach events. The Redcoat Band was recognized by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2000 with its celebrated Sudler Trophy--the first such award among bands of the fourteen Southeastern Conference universities. If you are interested in being a Redcoat, please see our page for prospective members. Redcoat Band Directors Brett Bawcum Dr. Brett Bawcum is director of athletic bands. He directs the Redcoat Marching Band, guides and administers other athletic bands, guest-conducts concert bands, and teaches courses in other areas including Songwriting and Marching Band Techniques. View his complete bio. Rob Akridge Mr. Rob Akridge is associate director of athletic bands and assistant director of bands. He assists with all aspects of the Redcoat Marching Band including operations, drill design, and instruction. View his complete bio. Mia Athanas Dr. Mia Athanas is assistant director of athletic bands and assistant director of bands. She assists with all aspects of the Redcoat Marching Band including membership, fall and spring sports bands, and administration. View her complete bio. Redcoat Staff Ashley Clark Ashley Clark is a native of Martinez ,Ga. She is a proud alumni of the University of Georgia. As a competitive twirler, she won many national and world titles, including College Miss Majorette of America and the National Collegiate Twirling title, while representing the University of Georgia. She represented Team USA at 2 World Championships in 1996 and 1999. She earned 2 gold medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze. She was selected as the Feature Twirler for the Redcoat Marching Band and was named a recipient of the Phyllis Dancz Award. During her time at UGA, she was a member and captain of the UGA Dance Dawgs (Athletic Dance Team). She has used her twirling and dance background to coach the following teams from the date listed to the present: Dance Dawgs-2004 , Majorettes-2009, and the Georgettes- 2011. As a coach, she has also been a part of the Majorettes winning National Championships held at Notre Dame in -2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2023.She considers it both a privilege and honor to work with such hard-working, talented performers throughout the years! Go Dawgs!!! Amanda Foley This is my 7th season as the UGA Redcoat Band Flagline Coordinator. I was a member of the Redcoat Band Flagline during undergrad, and was hired as the Flagline Coordinator in 2017. I was a high school color guard instructor for over 15 years, and stepped back from that role in 2021 to spend more time with the UGA Flagline. I graduated from the University of Georgia in December of 2009 with a Bachelors of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, and earned my Masters in Instructional Technology in 2013 from Troy University. Outside of Redcoats, I am a full time high school teacher. I taught Nutrition and Food Science for 13 years at Monroe Area High School, and transitioned this year to Work-Based Learning Coordinator in Walton County Schools. I serve as President Elect for the Georgia Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, and do contract work with the Department of Education and other CTAE professional associations. I bleed red and black, and have been a Georgia fan my entire life. GO DAWGS!
