All for Sport

Professional teams in Atlanta might get the national attention, but Gwinnett County boasts plenty of opportunities for fans, both rabid and casual

BY TONY REHAGEN

Arena Warriors

Hockey teams in the area have a tendency to either “flame” out or “thrash” away after only a few years. Meanwhile, there’s one squad of skaters that have called Gwinnett home ice for nearly two decades. Here’s a happy history of the Atlanta Gladiators.

1995

Team is founded in Mobile, Alabama, as the Mobile Mysticks.

The Mysticks teleport to Gwinnett County.

2002 2003

The Mysticks are rebranded as the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack . . . and a Catfish Sandwich

The Gwinnett Stripers offer the best in Triple-A baseball action. But there is nothing minor-league about the food and drink options at Coolray Field. You can still get the traditional hot dog and soda. Or you can try to stretch the single (and your stomach) and sink your teeth into a specialty hamburger from Flashpoint Grill—like the half-pound Southern Burger topped with pulled pork and mango salsa. Or grab something more portable, like tacos, street corn, or the foot-long bacon-wrapped corn dog. The Slow Pour Brewing Taproom features the finest local craft beers to wash down wings, a brisket sandwich, and a catfish sandwich with a gluten-free bun. Just remember to save room for some Georgia peach cobbler topped with soft-serve.

2006

The Glads make their first appearance in the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals, losing to the Alaska Aces in five games.

The Glads update their primary colors from garnet and black to navy blue and gold.

How to Be a Swarm Fan

Everyone wants to root for a winner, and Gwinnett County is home to a world champion: the Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. This is indoor, or box, lacrosse—a faster and more action-packed version of the traditional outdoor sport. There’s always plenty of room on the bandwagon, but games at Infinite Energy Arena are very much an interactive experience; the crowd regularly gets involved in the action. Here’s a primer so you can blend in with the die-hard fans:

Any time the Swarm score, the Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger” comes blaring over the PA for the fan Goal Zone Dance— essentially just standing and alternately pumping each arm up and down.

Whenever an opposing player is slapped with a penalty and sent to the box, the PA announcer leads the taunt of

“Hey (player’s number), TAKE A SEAT!”

When goalie Mike Poulin makes yet another save, you chant:

“You’ve got nothing! We’ve got Mike!”

After dalliances with a number of affiliations, the Glads announce an affiliation with the NHL’s Boston Bruins, which has lasted ever since.

2015

The team changes its name to the Atlanta Gladiators to appeal to the entire Atlanta metro area—and console mourning fans of the Thrashers, who just left for Winnipeg.