You know those folks who just light up a room without even trying? The ones who, no matter how crazy or stressful things got, always had a way of making you laugh? Today’s a tough one for the Dawgs community because one of those people is gone. He wasn’t just some guy with a title. He was the guy behind the scenes at the University of Georgia who made everything feel vibrant. That electric feeling in Sanford Stadium on game day? The replays, the graphics, those stories that hit you right in the feels? That was him. Quietly, humbly, and brilliantly running the show as UGA’s Assistant Athletic Director of Digital & Production.
On Sunday, the Georgia Bulldogs’ official X account made a post everyone dreads to see. A black-and-white photo. The kind that makes your chest tighten before you even read the caption. And that’s when it hit—“Georgia Athletics mourns the loss of beloved staff member and friend, Mike Bilbow. Our prayers are with the Bilbow family during this difficult time.” Mike Bilbow passed away on April 6th, 2025. Just like that, gone at 56—totally unexpected, no warning, no chance for a goodbye.
Georgia Athletics mourns the loss of beloved staff member and friend, Mike Bilbow. Our prayers are with the Bilbow family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/A53kB9SnPI
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) April 6, 2025
Mike Bilbow graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1991. His major was Radio/Television/Film focusing in News and Public Affairs. Then, his first stint at UGA from 2009-14 was as the Executive Director of New Media for IMG College. His role in Georgia wasn’t for praise or spotlight. Most may not even realize who was pulling the strings behind those iconic UGA digital productions. But he didn’t mind. He just loved what he did. He lived for it.
Before his role at UGA, Mike Bilbow helped launch the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. That place? The energy, the interactive exhibits, the feeling of nostalgia wrapped in modernity? Yeah, his fingerprints were all over it. But none of that captures who Mike truly was.
Mike Bilbow was a husband. A dad. A son. He lived in Watkinsville, GA, with his wife, Molly, and sons, Jackson and Connor. His dad Jack was part of their daily life too. And if you ever talked to Mike for more than five minutes, you’d hear about them. He was so proud of his boys. He beamed when he talked about his family. You could see it in his eyes—they were his everything. And of course, the tributes came pouring in almost instantly.
Georgia alums grief-stricken with Mike Bilbow’s tragedy
Mike Bilbow was a damn good Dawg, as this Georgia alum described him. “Bilbow was such a fun person to work under during my time at UGA—he always made us laugh, loved his job, and was such a damn good dawg. I’ll always consider myself an honorary Bilbot ,” they wrote. He shaped how the world saw Georgia athletics. But more than that, he shaped the lives of those lucky enough to know him.
It’s hard to explain the loss. He wasn’t the loudest. This person knows it better than most—“Bilbow did so much for the University of Georgia behind the scenes that most will never even realize. This is heart breaking. RIP DGD ” You felt him in every piece of content, every perfectly timed video, every emotional tribute played on the big screen.
Back in March, Bilbow’s family let everyone know he was in the final stretch of his cancer fight. And Bilbow, always the good-humored guy, even shared his chemo sessions with his IG fam, captioning a pic with a lighthearted, “Allow me to reintroduce myself…RIP the beard for the time being.” Now the heartbroken crew mourning his loss? It wasn’t just alums.
These are people who loved him. Who felt seen by him. He wasn’t the kind of leader that barked orders behind the desk. “Mike was always laughing, had a smile and willing to help. He will be missed. RIP,” another person wrote. He got involved. He stayed late. He cracked jokes. He made things fun. And in the high-stress world of college sports, that’s not a small feat.
Mike had a motto: “Education first, excellence always.” He didn’t just believe in building winning teams; he believed in building good people. Another person poured out their pain writing, “Sad news. We’ve lost a good man.” A good man he was. He cared about everyone beyond their uniforms.
His door was always open. Not for meetings but for conversations. Real ones. The kind you remember long after you graduate. “All of our love and prayers are with the Bilbow family,” an alum wrote. It’s like the heartbeat of the program just stopped. Here’s to the laughter he sparked. The memories he made. The stories he told. And the love he poured into everything and everyone around him. Rest in peace, Mike Bilbow. We’ll miss you more than words can say.
The post “RIP”: Tragedy Rocks Georgia Football Community as UGA Alums Mourn Sudden Death of Beloved Member appeared first on EssentiallySports.