CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — The University of Georgia is facing controversy because of the overlap of its homecoming football game and the holiest day of the Jewish faith.
This year, Yom Kippur and UGA’s homecoming against Vanderbilt are both this Saturday.
UGA student Madeline Hill told Channel 2’s Diana Davis that Yom Kippur is a full day of fasting, worship and time for family.
“For me, it’s kind of insulting a little bit that they have it on such a big holiday,” said Hill.
A group of Jewish students wrote a letter to UGA’s president. The students say both the SEC calendar and the UGA calendar are set long in advance, and scheduling a big game on Yom Kippur seems insensitive.
“I’m sad because I’m such a big Dawgs fan and I love being at home games. And as a fourth-year student, missing a home game is out of the question for me,” said student Tyler Andrews.
But this year, Andrews said he will miss the game, choosing to worship with his family instead.
Students said they are especially disappointed that they will be missing UGA homecoming, one of the biggest games of the season.
Tuesday afternoon, UGA President Jerre Morehead said he had directed his staff to inventory important holidays like Yom Kippur and place them on the calendar several years in advance to help avoid similar conflicts in the future.
One UGA player, left guard Brandon Kublanow, is Jewish.
In 1965, Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax, who is Jewish, opted out of pitching in game one of the World Series because of Yom Kippur.
Some UGA students said they wish the university had been more sensitive.
“I think they could have done a little bit more to show their support of the holiest day for us,” said student Nicole Gillman.