UGASports.com and Rivals.com are introducing a new feature today - Text Messages.

You can stay connected to the news on the Georgia football and basketball programs, as well as their recruiting efforts even when you're away from your computer, while you're driving in the car, at dinner with the wife, at the game, etc.

We know a lot of you use text messages for other things, but we're going to start delivering them to you ourselves with updates and breaking news on the Bulldogs.

All you have to do is sign up on the page linked below.

It's free for a limited time (at least a month, maybe more) and it's available only to subscribers, so you can take the service for a test run to see if you think it's something you'll like and use.

Text alerts are available on Cingular Orange, Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, Alltel and many others networks. Rivals is currently not certified for T-Mobile but has applied for certification with T-Mobile and hopes that will come in the next 30 days.

Let us know what you think. We really want your feedback on this, and I'll be happy to answer any questions I can.

So far so good, but it will get even better!Thanks to everyone who has signed up for the new free TEXT MESSAGES that we are offering. It has a been a huge success so far and the response we have received from those getting the text messages has been very positive.

Some people have had trouble replying to the confirmation text message, but rest assured we are trying to work out all the kinks. For now, if you have any trouble, email textalert@rivals.com and they will either confirm your request and get you set up, or somehow get you up and running.

Another issue we have received email about is people only wanting certain subject matter sent to them when breaking news arrives. So, always looking for new ways to make your experience on UGASports.com most enjoyable, we have added check boxes to the Text Alert preferences page to allow you to check just those updates that you would like to receive. If you just want football, or football recruiting, or basketball, or just scores and stats, it is up to you. Or, if you want all the news that we feel you need to know right now, check all the boxes!

Here is the link to check your preferences: http://uga.rivals.com/WirelessPrefs.asp

Lastly, we want to say again that we do not intend to send our more than three or four text messages a day, and that is only when there are that many news items that we feel you would want to know right now, and some days, we might only send one or two. Another thing, we will not be sending out any text messages before 8 a.m. EST or 9 p.m. EST unless it is big time breaking news.

Remember, the point of the text message is to keep you informed when you are away from the website, and it is not meant to be a replacement for our detailed news. When you receive a text messages, you will know that more details are available on the site, or at least on the message boards while we run down a breaking story.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this service.