25: Vault: Can older people still be diehard college football fans?

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: The Bert Show
Episode: 25: Vault: Can older people still be diehard college football fans?
Air Date: May 15, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode dives into the enduring passion of college football fans, specifically focusing on whether older generations maintain the same diehard spirit for their teams as they age. The hosts bring on two guests—Joan (71, lifelong University of Georgia (UGA) fan) and Joanne (74, lifelong Georgia Tech fan)—to discuss their unwavering loyalty, team rivalries, and decades of fan experiences, culminating in both being offered tickets to the big UGA vs. Georgia Tech game.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Depth of Lifelong Fandom

• Generational Passion:
  • Joan and Joanne embody the argument that age doesn’t diminish loyalty; if anything, it strengthens it with lived experience and personal/family ties.
  • “If you're an old school UGA fan, there's a different kind of passion, a burning desire… than there would be [for] somebody in their 20s or 30s.” – Host 2 (01:25)
• Length of Devotion:
  • Joan has been a UGA fan for 30 years, even though she’s never attended a game in person due to ticket scarcity. She’s watched every game on TV and family tradition runs strong.
  • Joanne has been a Georgia Tech fan since she was 18, inspired by her father, even though her own children attended and root for Georgia.

2. Family and College Football

• Split Loyalties:
  • Joan’s daughters attended UGA, but her son-in-law, despite being a graduate, roots for Tennessee.
  • Joanne’s children attended Georgia, but she remains resolutely loyal to Tech, even joking that her favorite teams are "Georgia Tech and whoever plays Georgia" (04:40).

3. The Highs and Lows of Fandom

• Heartbreak and Elation:
  • Both guests recount how losses to rival teams can be crushing, but victories are thrilling. The emotional pendulum swings wider when you’ve experienced decades of peaks and valleys.
  • Joan says, “The most heartbreaking part would be when they would lose and, you know, come so close…” (03:03)
• Real Stakes and Superstition:
  • Joanne shares playful rituals and competitive spirit, including betting on her team and the drama of game day nerves. “I get so nervous when they’re playing, I can’t even watch sometimes when the game’s close, I have to turn into something else.” (06:37)

4. Banter and Rivalry

• Probing Team Myths and Stats:
  • Joanne points out Tech’s championships and knockout wins; Joan volleys back with Georgia’s dominance in recent years.
  • “We have four championships. I don't think Georgia has that.” – Joanne (05:15)
  • “For my 30 years, I think UGA has been more dominant.” – Joan (05:29)
• Playful Trash Talk:
  • Joanne jokes about not wanting to sit next to a Georgia fan at the game and about being “brought in on a casket Monday” if Tech loses (08:54).

5. Coaches and Team Culture

• Coaching Styles:
  • Joanne critiques UGA’s coach Mark Richt for lacking fire: “I think Mark Richt is just too blah… When you’re a football coach, you don’t need character.” (09:41)
  • Joan defends him, saying, “This man has character… you can still have a lot of character and get the same job done.” (09:45, 10:11)

6. The Big Game: Rituals and Hopes

• Game Week Excitement:
  • Both women express cautious optimism (or dread) for the upcoming UGA vs. Georgia Tech matchup.
  • Surprisingly, Joan has never been to a game in 30 years—a fact that sets up a heartfelt moment as the show offers game tickets to both guests (10:57).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family Divided:
  • “My favorite teams in the world are Georgia Tech and whoever plays Georgia.”
    — Joanne (04:40)
• On Team Devotion:
  • “I have Georgia, they’re going to come to the forefront this time.”
    — Joan (06:18)
• On Coaching Passion:
  • “When you’re a football coach, you don’t need character… you need some fire and get behind those players.”
    — Joanne (09:41)
• On Game Stress & Humor:
  • “If we lose, I’ll probably let them bring me in in a casket Monday.”
    — Joanne (08:54)
• On Loyalty’s Longevity:
  • “I might be old, but I listen to you every morning.”
    — Joanne (12:16)
• On the Rivalry’s Enduring Spirit:
  • “They’ve been saving up all this year for it, and I think they’re going to really come to the point.”
    — Joan (10:41)
• The Ticket Give-Away Surprise:
  • “This is going to be the first time you see a UGA game in 30 years. We’re gonna make sure you’re there.”
    — Host 2 (10:57)
  • “Do I have to go?… I’d give them to a granddaughter!”
    — Joanne, resisting but still grateful (11:44)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Hosts set up the rivalry: UGA vs. Georgia Tech; team rankings discussed | | 01:16 | Introduction to Joan (UGA fan, 71), 30-year fan, never attended a live game | | 02:49 | Family dynamics: rooting for rival teams within households | | 03:03 | Joan shares fandom highs & heartbreaks; emotional toll of victories & defeats | | 04:12 | Introduction to Joanne (Georgia Tech fan, 74), fandom since youth, family’s Georgia allegiances| | 04:40 | Joanne’s playful “favorite teams” jab at Georgia | | 06:37 | Joanne confesses to serious game-day nerves and her betting tendencies | | 08:54 | Joanne jokes about needing “a casket Monday” if Georgia Tech loses | | 09:41 | Coaches debate: Mark Richt’s character vs. “fire” in Tech’s coach | | 10:57 | Emotional moment: show gives both women tickets to the UGA-Tech game (first ever for Joan) | | 12:00 | Hosts offer each guest extra tickets for family to join | | 13:15 | Episode closes on a light note: singing and joking about team traditions |

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Conclusion: Can Older Fans Still Be Diehards?

Absolutely—if anything, time deepens the connection. Joan and Joanne’s stories are full of humor, emotional investment, and unshakable traditions that outlast wins or losses. The episode is not just about college football, but about how sports fandom weaves into the fabric of life, family, and memory, proving the diehard spirit only grows with age.

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For Further Engagement:

• The Bert Show invites both women back for post-game reactions and offers a relatable look at how college football isn't just a game—but an enduring passion for fans of all ages.

Transcript

[Host 1]

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[Host 2]

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[Host 1]

Prices may be higher for delivery.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Get it? The Birch Show.

[Host 2]

There's a big football game this weekend between UGA and them. Georgia Tech is having an outstanding season.

[Host 3]

Fantastic. What's Georg ranked?

[Host 2]

They're ranked number seven right now in the country. It's a phenomenal year for them.

[Host 3]

Top 10.

[Host 2]

Georgia is not ranked in the top 25 this year.

[Host 1]

How come? Just wanted.

[Host 2]

They're having a bad year, man. They're having a bad year. Just wanted you to say it out loud. I can live with that. Okay. I'm really torn as a UGA fan on what I actually want to happen this weekend, to be honest with you. And I know this goes against everything that UGA believers feel. And I know when we get. I got two Jones.

[Host 1]

Joanne. I think maybe it's Joan, but we got two Joann's 171. 174, I believe the young lady is a dog fan and the old lady is a Tech fan.

[Host 2]

I think this is Joanne.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Older.

[Host 2]

Yeah, I think this is Joanne. Are you a UGA fan?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I am.

[Host 2]

Okay. And you're 71 years old?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I'm 71.

[Host 2]

Thank you very much for calling.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Uh huh.

[Host 2]

Now, Joanne, here's our feeling on this is that if you're an old school UGA fan, there's a different kind of passion, a burning desire.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Oh, you bet there is for your school.

[Host 2]

Then there would be somebody in their 20s or 30s because they just haven't lived the highs and lows the way you have.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, that's true with this team.

[Host 2]

There must have been some years where it was crushing to lose to Georgia Tech and other years that you were just absolutely elated, right?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Absolutely, yes.

[Host 3]

And my condolences on aga.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

All right. Poor thing.

[Host 2]

So as you're remembering back now, you've been a UGA fan for how long now?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

30 years.

[Host 2]

30 years.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

My daughters graduated from. From there.

[Host 2]

Okay. Do you. Do you remember your first UGA game that you attended?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I've never been able to attend one because we could never get tickets.

[Host 2]

In 30 years, you've never been able to go.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

But I never missed a game on television. My daughter comes from Georgia every year and if she can't get tickets, she. She goes and just waits around and tries one and usually always gets in. But she and her husband Live in Knoxville. And he's a Tennessee fan, but he went to Georgia. But she's got both her kids brainwashed, and they're both Georgia fans.

[Host 3]

All right, that's great. I'm sorry, your son in law is a Tennessee fan, but he went to Georgia.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

He went to Georgia. Yes.

[Host 3]

Okay.

[Host 2]

Melissa here is a Tennessee fan.

[Host 3]

Yeah, I was a Tennessee grad. Yeah.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Okay. We got something else in common.

[Host 2]

All right, so now. Okay, so as you've been watching for the last 30 years, right. What has been the most heartbreaking part of being a Dogs fan and the best part of being a Dogs fan?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, the most heartbreaking part would be when they would lose and, you know, come so close because I think they've beat Georgia Tech more times than. Than Georgia's beat them, certainly. Or when they beat Georgia, like the

[Host 2]

last decade, for sure. Here's. Here's where I know I'm gonna lose you here. I'm a UGA fan also. I didn't graduate from the school, and I've only been following them for about eight years.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

O.

[Host 2]

But the sports fan in me almost wants them to lose this weekend. So we can. Here's why. I know. I feel like if we sacrifice this weekend, it's better for the future because maybe we'll get rid of that crappy defensive coordinator.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Oh, well, I got you there, but I wouldn't go that far.

[Host 3]

Yeah, of course not.

[Host 2]

You can't wrap your mind around Georgia losing to Georgia Tech and that being a good thing.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I still have high hopes for him this week.

[Host 3]

And that's the difference between her and someone who has only been a fan for eight years is, like, you said that different. Like, it's ingrained in her. There's no way she could ever say, yeah, absolutely.

[Host 2]

There's a different level of fandom there, for sure. Okay, so let's get our Georgia Tech fan on with us also.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Uh.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Oh,

[Host 2]

good morning, Georgia Tech fan. What's your name?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I'm Joanne.

[Host 2]

Hi, Joanne.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Hi, Joanne.

[Host 2]

How are you this morning?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I'm great, thank you.

[Host 2]

All right, Joanne, you are how old?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I am 74.

[Host 2]

74. And you have been following Georgia Tech for how long?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Oh, far. Since I was probably 18 with my father. Okay, that's awesome.

[Host 2]

Great. Did you attend Georgia Tech?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

No, sir, I didn't. And all my children attended Georgia.

[Host 2]

Oh, no.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

My favorite teams in the world is Georgia Tech and whoever plays Georgia.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I love it. There we go.

[Host 2]

I love it. And this is where we were hoping this was gonna go because we wanted to get two people that have been watching and been fans of their respective teams for as long as you guys have.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, you must have been disappointed quite a bit.

[Host 2]

No, not at all. No, not at all.

[Host 3]

Well, I also want to say to Joanne, because we spent so much time on the. On you, Jay, that Joanne, congratulations on Georgia Tech being ranked number seven in the country.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Isn't that wonderful? And I have a pen I was trying to find. I think we have over the decades, we have four championships. I don't think Georgia has that.

[Host 3]

She is.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

She's got her stats beat Georgia more than they've beat us, too.

[Host 2]

Joan, do you want to stick up for Georgia here a little bit?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I don't know.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

For my 30 years, I think Georgia's been Georgia. UGA has been more dominant.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Oh, they may have been more dominant, but we have the best coach in

[Joan (UGA fan)]

the world right now, NFL and become stars like Heinz Ward and those.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

We have stars like Joe Hamilton.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I ever heard of him.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Oh, he was our quarterback. Wait a minute, let me see. What was the one last year that beat you? And this year we are going to slaughter you.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

That's the consensus.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

And let me tell you something. I have a family business and all the guys in here are Georgia except for one, and he's Kentucky. So he came in really going full this Monday morning.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, we'll just have to wait and see because I have Georgia. They're going to come to the forefront this time.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I don't think they're going to make. I don't think they're going to make it Saturday. If they do, they'll have to bury me probably.

[Host 2]

That's Georgia Tech, Joanne, right there.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I get so nervous when they're playing, I can't even watch sometimes when the games close, I have to turn into something else. Well, but I'm more money on them this year.

[Host 2]

How much money have you won on Georgia Tech?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Join. $100 even.

[Host 3]

Okay.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

A betting woman. I'm a betting woman. You believe in your team. You either win or you lose. Hey, Joan, don't give any points or take any.

[Host 2]

So, Joan, there has to have been years past where Georgia Tech was heavily favored like they are this year. But Georgia won.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Right, right, right. And if that happens this year, I'll just die. I have my Georgia Tech on desk with hanging the Bulldog over. I don't know whether it's Flea diary, flea dip, what it is.

[Host 2]

Now, Joanne, I want you just. I want you to prepare yourself because

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

like I said, I mean, I'm trying to prepare myself for it.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Oh, my.

[Host 2]

There Is a chance that. I mean, come this week, there is

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

a chance that Jo Cox might have a good game. But it's like my Kentucky fan said, Jo Cox was the best Kentucky player Saturday.

[Host 2]

Oh, God. Show up. Joan, you gotta help us out here.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Come on, come on. Tell her. She hasn't been in the construction business for 70 years. And with all these young men that went to Georgia and are Georgia fans, and they walk in here with their faces really down this year. Their faces are really down. They don't even come into my eyes.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

What about all those sad years you've had? You had all those sad years. You can gloat this year, but you still haven't won yet.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I still managed to grow.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

You still haven't done yet.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

With my head held high. Well, I have a big Georgia Tech yellow jacket, stuffed animal sitting in the corner of my desk.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

You don't have any help. Your children went to uga. My children went to uga, and they're still fans.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Well, my Georgia guys are, too. My Georgia son.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Yeah, but you're all by yourself.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

But he pulls for Georgia Tech when they're not playing Georgia.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, that's their problem. We got to give them each a

[Host 1]

pair and then talk to them on Monday.

[Host 2]

Yeah, Put them next to each other.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Well, I'll probably be. If we lose, I'll probably let them bring me in in a casket Monday.

[Host 2]

Oh, don't say that.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Let them go ahead and cremate.

[Host 2]

Georgia Tech. Joanne, why is this game. I mean, is this one that you're putting so much weight in this one, Is it because they've been.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

They've been so good this year?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

They deserve it. It's really been good. And I think our coach is fabulous.

[Host 2]

Yeah. All points. I mean, the. Really. The pressure is on Georgia Tech.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Yeah.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

We have a great coach. That's the reason why we get the players we get.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

But what players do you think had a bad year?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Everybody gets a bad year.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

But I won't.

[Host 2]

Hey, Georgia Tech. Joanne, what do you think about Mark Rick, the UGA coach?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I think Mark Rick is just too blah. Oh, my goodness.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

He has.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

No, he has. Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

This man has character I love.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Oh, no, no. It's not character. When you're a football coach, you don't need character.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Character.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

And believe me, coach, you need some fire and get behind those players. You see, when Tech was losing the other week, when in halftime, what'd they do? They came back and won because he put some fire in them. I Don't think Coach Rick can put fire in them.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Like, you don't have to have fire. You can still have a lot of character and get the same job done. He just doesn't have the players that he's had.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

The. I don't think so. I love a fiery coach.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

That's the difference between Georgia and Georgia Tech.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Right, Right, right, right, right. I love a fiery coach. All the coaches are fiery except for Mark Rick.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Well, the bottom line is. Well, I don't like that. The bottom line is it's going to be a great game.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I hope so.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

And.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

And I hope the best man win.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Yeah. They've been saving up for all. They've been saving up all this year for it, and I think they're going to really come to the point.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Our turn now. We're going to take the next seven.

[Host 2]

Well, here's what we're going to do for you guys. Georgia's own wants to give both you guys tickets to the game this weekend.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Goodness.

[Host 2]

All right, so, uga Joan, this is going to be the first time that you see a UGA game in 3:30 years. We're gonna make sure you're there. And, Joanne, we've got tickets for you, too, if you want to go to the game this weekend as well. And we'll sit you guys right next to each other.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I have enough arguments when I go to the break when a Mets fan shows up, so I don't want to have a Georgia fan sitting by me.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

That's funny. No, I wouldn't want that.

[Host 2]

So, Joanne, are you saying that you would rather turn down the tickets than sit next to a UGA fan?

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

No.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Wouldn't go that far.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

No, I wouldn't go that far.

[Host 2]

Okay, so you both want the tickets?

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I love the tickets.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Do I have to go?

[Host 1]

Well, what else would you do with them? She gets a better angle at home with her tickets.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I give them to a granddaughter.

[Host 2]

Sure you can.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I was thinking about doing giving to my. To my daughter if I. If. But I'd go if I had to. What if I'd be so busy my

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

daughter would just take two blood pressure pills if I went.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

All right, listen, all right, yelling, cussing, do whatever I want.

[Host 1]

Well, how about this? What if we gave you four tickets each, and then you could bring your granddaughter whoever you want, but you guys could still go.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

My daughter.

[Host 1]

Your daughter.

[Host 2]

So, Joan, we will give you four tickets, and we'll give Joanne four tickets also to the game.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Oh, my goodness. You are wonderful. I listen to you.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

I might be old, but I listen

[Joan (UGA fan)]

to you every morning.

[Host 1]

Thank you very much, but we gotta. When we put you on hold, this is gonna sound really crazy, but Joan and Joanne, give Joanna your information. And we're gonna call you on Monday morning. Cause we wanna rec.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

Game went okay.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

What if I don't go?

[Host 2]

We still want to talk to you. Yeah. Still have to talk to you. Yeah. Especially. Yeah.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Because you want to make me feel bad if I lose. Is that what you're saying?

[Host 2]

I personally probably will. Yes. I can promise you that.

[Joanne (Georgia Tech fan)]

Okay.

[Host 2]

Okay. Hold on. You got. Thank you very much.

[Host 3]

Y' all have a great Thanksgiving.

[Host 2]

Thank you, guys. All right, so that's Joan. She's 71 years old, big old UGA fan, but had never been to a game. Now she's going to. And you've got Joanne. She's 74 years old from Georgia Tech. And she is ready for a big time win this week. She's fiery. She's ready. It's your Georgia fight song. And we can't forget our Georgia Tech students from a couple of years ago.

[Joan (UGA fan)]

I'm Georgia Tech, a hell of an engineer. I'm a rambling wreck Georgia Tech and hell and engineer I'm a rambling gambling hell engineer Fight, win, drink the bird show.