Georgia's Kirby Smart still hopeful for 93,000 at spring's G-Day game

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is still campaigning to fill Sanford Stadium for this April’s G-Day game.

The spring practice showcase, which will take place on April 16, will be the first for Smart. In January, Smart first publicly said he’d like to have 93,000 people at the game during an address at halftime at Georgia’s basketball win over Arkansas.

Smart said it will be a good opportunity for the fans to get a first look at the 2016 team, including the quarterback battle between Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Jacob Eason.  

"Come to G-Day, make your observations," Smart said. "Post them on your Internet sites, do whatever you gotta do. Tell me how crazy I am on email."

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said he’s beginning to plan for a large crowd and is also hoping for a full house like Smart is. One reason McGarity thinks the G-Day game could feature a big crowd is due to the busy day of events on campus that day.

There are softball and baseball games in Athens on April 16, as well as an engineering event at Stegeman Coliseum. There will also be other events drawing crowds to Athens at the university’s Miller Learning Center.

Also, the G-Day game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff as opposed to one closer to noon. The later kick could create a tailgating atmosphere, McGarity said. The athletic department has already begun coordinating with parking services to prepare for the potentially large crowd.

"We’re all preparing for 93,000-plus," McGarity said. "We’re being sure that we have a tight, coordinated plan, because there are so many other functions going on campus that day. It’s remarkable."

As for Smart, he seemed at least somewhat serious about hearing from the fans after the spring game, especially if Sanford Stadium is overflowing like he wants.

"I’ll take all opinions," Smart said. "Y’all email my secretary. She’ll send them to me. I’m sure there’s a lot in here smarter than me with quarterback play."

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Georgia's Kirby Smart still hopeful for 93,000 at spring's G-Day game."