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CAMPUS CLOSEUP


Currently a senior majoring in finance, Demarrio McClary won first place in the state’s Roadeo. He will take part in the international competition in May. (Photo by Dot Paul)


Driven to victory: UGA bus driver wins first place in state competition

By Andrea Sarisky
andi86@uga.edu
UGA is now home to the best bus driver in the state of Georgia.

Demarrio McClary, a campus transit bus operator, recently took first place in the statewide Roadeo, in which bus drivers from across Georgia competed in three different categories to determine who has the best driving abilities in a 40-foot bus, Cut-a-way van and a 15-passenger van.
FACTS
Demarrio McClary

Bus operator
Campus Transit
At UGA: 2 1/2


Describing the experience of winning McClary said, “It felt good. I kind of knew I did well, but I wasn’t sure if I came in first. . . it was exciting.”

The competition was held on Dec. 3 in Macon. Participants had to complete an obstacle course, a written examination covering laws and safety and, in some cases, a uniform inspection.

McClary is currently a senior at UGA majoring in finance. He has worked for campus transit for two-and-a-half years as a bus operator, and enjoys the challenges his job provides.

One of the favorite parts of his job is maneuvering around some of the tighter turns on campus, but he also likes the core tasks of his job.

“Mainly it’s just driving around campus while at the same time maintaining a schedule, providing a smooth ride and courteous service to our passengers,” McClary said.

This semester, he drives the East-West route most often. Although his driving on campus helped prepare him for the competition, he had to place in the local campus transit competition to go to the state competition.

Every year, campus transit holds its own competition to determine who qualifies to move on to the state competition. Prior to this local first trial, bus drivers are given the opportunity to practice at a course set up at the transit base.

McClary spent a lot of his own time practicing at the course, which also helped prepare him to compete locally. He placed third in the local competition, which qualified him to compete at state. Only the top three local drivers are eligible to compete at state.

Even though he placed first in the state, McClary has a sense of humor and humility about the whole competition.

“I’m the first in the state, but the third at [campus] transit,” he said, laughing. “The main thing is to have fun, have a good time and laugh with each other.”

Because he placed first in the state, McClary will compete in the International Roadeo competition in Tennessee during in May.

In his free time, McClary has fun playing video games and practicing photography.
 


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