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The Good Word

Nov. 30, 2006

TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics

FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics

This is an exciting week around Georgia Tech athletics as we prepare to play for the ACC Championship Saturday in Jacksonville. I can’t be more proud to be a part of the Georgia Tech family as we head south having sold more than 13,500 tickets – well above our commitment of 10,000. There is no telling how many more thousands of Tech fans will also be at the game, having purchased tickets from other sources. This show of support certainly sends a message to the college football world that Georgia Tech packs a powerful post-season punch.

Regardless of the outcome on Saturday our bowl opportunities are very desirable. I urge all Tech fans to keep this positive image rolling by contacting our ticket office and making plans to attend this season’s bowl game.

By now you all should know that I am a believer in accentuating the positive in every situation possible. For that reason, I have turned 100 percent attention, and have urged our staff and fans to do likewise, toward our ACC Championship game. I have, however, received and responded to many comments regarding our game with Georgia. Make no mistake that we are all disappointed that we could not pulloffa win last Saturday that would have finished off our already magnificent regular season. Our team played hard and competed fiercely asthey have all season long. For the lack of one break here or there, we could have secured the victory in an incredibly hostile environment. Everyone here understands the importance of the game with Georgia and we will never diminish its importance.

Having said that, I hope you feel a sense of pride as I do in these facts:We stand at 9-3 and ranked 22nd in the nation in the latest BCS standings. Our 7-1 ACC record was clearly the best in our league, which, by the way, has two 10-game winners, two nine-game winners and two other teams at 8-4. We are playing in the league’s championship game on Saturday and are one win from our first trip to the Orange Bowl in 40 years. At the very least, we will play on New Year’s Day in our 10th straight bowl game – a claim that can be made by only five other programs in America.

BASKETBALL

I continue to be impressed and excited by the early play of our women’s and men’s basketball teams. I congratulate Coach Paul Hewitt and the men’s team on a stellar performance at the Maui Invitational with wins over Purdue and 11th-ranked Memphis. It was also nice to return home to notch a win for the ACC with a victory over Penn State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

I hope all of you will make a special effort to get out to Alexander Memorial Coliseum this Sunday at 2 p.m. as our Georgia Tech women’s team takes on Georgia. Let’s make this one of the truly memorable afternoons at the AMC as Georgia makes only its second appearance there in a decade. Our promotions and events staff has worked very hard to provide a myriad of fun activities in and around the event. It is also a special faculty/staff appreciation day. All faculty and staff receive free admission by simply presenting your Buzz Card at the gate. Bring the family and lets get after those Lady Bulldogs.

TRIBUTE

I was reminded this week of the story of Wake Forest’s outstanding linebacker Jon Abbate (#5), whose younger brother died tragically in a car accident earlier this year. Wake Forest players and fans hold up five fingers between the third and fourth quarters in honor of Jon’s brother. A member of our marching band wrote me to suggest that it would be great to get as many Tech fans to participate in this as well at the ACC Championship game this weekend. He asked if I would mention this tribute in The Good Word. I find it a nice idea and one that would make a tremendous statement for the class and sportsmanship of Georgia Tech.

Again, thank you for your positive response to “The Good Word.” We welcome your feedback at goodword@athletics.gatech.edu While I cannot guarantee a personal response to every email that we receive, please know that they will all be read, so I do encourage your continued participation in this process. Some of your questions could become topics for future issues of The Good Word.

I also encourage you to share this letter with any Tech fan who may not have access to the Internet. Our goal is to inform and engage as many Yellow Jacket supporters as we possibly can.

I want to personally thank you for your continued support of Georgia Tech Athletics as we move forward with our vision for excellence.

Go Jackets!

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