Max’s dream kicked off in the most incredible way. Family, friends, and his referral partner from Gigi’s Playhouse gathered for a huge sendoff, filling the moment with love and excitement. With smiles all around, we climbed into a limo and hit the road for a two-hour journey to the UGA Colosseum.
The magic truly began the moment we arrived on campus. The entire University of Georgia Collegiate Dream Team was waiting outside of the Colosseum, holding signs, cheering, and giving Max and his family the warmest welcome. Once inside, we took a special route down secret stairs and found ourselves in the front row, right where the cheerleaders sit. From there, we had the best view to watch the women’s basketball team warm up. Max got to take pictures with the cheerleaders, hang out with the mascots, and then experience something amazing—the entire women’s basketball team came over to high-five every single member of his family!
As the game began, the atmosphere was electric—fire, smoke effects, and the rumbling of the band made for a thrilling start. We enjoyed a delicious concessions dinner, indulged in plenty of snacks, and soaked in every moment of the game. Even though the University of Georgia Women’s Basketball team didn’t take home the win, the night was still filled with joy, excitement, and incredible memories.
Before we left, our amazing host from athletics surprised Max with a huge bag of gifts—Bulldog gear, hats, shirts, and even a stuffed animal! With hearts full and smiles wide, we climbed back into the limo and headed to the hotel, ending an unforgettable first day of Max’s dream.
Day two started with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before heading off for an exciting campus adventure. UGA CDT members created a fun-filled scavenger hunt, leading Max and his family through key spots around campus, ending with a special shopping spree at the UGA Bookstore.
After lunch, the excitement continued at Stegeman Coliseum, where the entire team attended warmups, met the UGA cheerleaders, and took photos. Max had the incredible opportunity to meet every player on the UGA Men’s Basketball team, collecting autographs and even chatting with future NBA star, Asa Newell.
The night ended with an unforgettable game, where Max and his crew cheered the Bulldogs to a thrilling victory. As the final buzzer sounded, the energy in the arena was electric—everyone rushed the court, celebrating alongside the team in an epic, once-in-a-lifetime moment!
Day three started with a walk in the beautiful weather to Jittery Joe’s, a local coffee shop that Max’s mom loved from her time at UGA. It was a great way to kick off the morning before heading to North Campus, where Max, Ben, and the UGA CDT had a blast playing tag, racing across the grass, leapfrogging, and even building some cool pyramids.
After lunch at The Grill, Max headed back to the hotel, where he got exclusive access to the rooftop. From up there, he could see all of Athens, which was a pretty awesome view. After a quick break at the hotel and a stop for a sweet treat at Alumni Cookie Dough, it was time for the the last big event—a limo ride to the UGA Athletic Center to meet the swim team.
When Max arrived at the swim and dive facility, he was welcomed by the head coaches and the men’s swim team. They gave him another new UGA swim shirt before inviting him and Ben to jump into the Olympic-sized pool. Max swam with some of the best—national champions and even an Olympian – Luca Urlando!
After some downtime with the team, Max got to pick his own relay team from the UGA swimmers. Ben picked his own team too, and they decided which strokes each swimmer would do. The boys loved it!
After saying goodbye to the swim team, it was time to head home. Max hopped back in the limo, where he and the family had a quick dinner from Panera and some of his favorite snacks for the ride.
It was an unforgettable Dream Experience full of fun, surprises, and amazing experiences. Way to go University of Georgia Collegiate Dream Team!
