TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
Even though things didn’t turn out the way we all wanted last Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium, I want to thank all Georgia Tech fans for loudly supporting our team on one of the hottest September 25ths on record. I have great confidence in Coach Paul Johnson and our football team that they will rebound to have another outstanding season. This week’s trip to Wake Forest is followed by back-to-back home games.
Please note that our Homecoming game vs. Virginia on October 9th has been set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised by ESPNU. Among the special guests we’ll welcome at Homecoming are a group of more than 75 former players from the Bobby Dodd era. Passionately referred to as “Dodd’s Boys,” the group will hold a pre-game function in the Success Center Festival area on the stadium’s west side. Coach Dick Inman and former Yellow Jacket standout Taz Anderson have been instrumental in pulling this group together.
Plans are also progressing well for our grand reunion of the 1990 National Champions scheduled for Nov. 12-13. More than 100 players from that team and many coaches, trainers, managers and support staff have reported that they will attend. We will celebrate this very special occasion at the Miami game and it promises to be a day that GT fans will not want to miss. I’ll have more details on that big weekend in the coming weeks.
I also don’t want to forget a special gathering of our 1985 football team, a significant year which produced a 9-2-1 record and ended with a 17-14 victory over Michigan State in the All American Bowl. Quarterback John Dewberry and his teammates are planning to rally for some revelry at our Duke game on Nov. 20th with a game-day event and some on-field recognition.
Not to be outdone, we also have some razzle dazzle scheduled for the Middle Tennessee State game on Oct. 16th. This is our Hall of Fame Weekend as we welcome back a sterling 2010 class. All-American golfer and PGA Tour star Matt Kuchar headlines the class, which also includes All-ACC basketball guard Drew Barry, All-American offensive lineman Chris Brown, All-American pitcher Chuck Crowder, cross country All-American Beth Old and track All-American Jonas Motiejunas.
Also at the MTSU game we will have representatives from the 2011 PGA Championship – to be played next August at Atlanta Athletic Club – on hand with the internationally famous Wannamaker Trophy. The trophy will be on display in the Edge Center Museum prior to the game for photographs and members of our current golf team will sign autographs. Our golfers will be presented with their 2010 ACC Championship rings at halftime of the game.
It will be nice to have Matt Kuchar and his wife, Sybi (former Tech tennis star) on hand for these special golf events just a week or so removed from their appearance at the Ryder Cup matches. Congratulations to Matt and former Jacket Stewart Cink for being selected to the 12-man team competing this weekend in Wales. I’m certain that Georgia Tech will receive much notoriety with two Yellow Jackets representing the USA.
Women’s Hoops Takes Center Court
Be on the lookout tomorrow (Friday) as we open our single-game ticket sales for a historic November event. The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team visits the Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, November 21. What a great opportunity for Georgia Tech fans to cheer on MaChelle Joseph’s nationally-ranked Jackets as they attempt to end UConn’s historic winning streak. Hometown star Maya Moore leads the Huskies into town. Tickets for this game will go quickly, so log on to Ramblinwreck.com starting tomorrow to make sure you get in on the fun.
Volleyball Looking For First ACC Win
Coach Tonya Johnson’s team, 7-7 overall and 0-3 in the ACC, begin a four-game road swing Friday night at Virginia (7 p.m.). The Yellow Jackets will bus from Charlottesville to Blacksburg for a Saturday game at Virginia Tech (6 p.m.). Tech’s next game at O’Keefe is not until October 15th – Dig Pink Night vs. North Carolina.
Cross Country In Bluegrass Country Saturday
The Georgia Tech men’s and women’s cross country teams, coming off solid performances earlier this month in Athens (Ga.), will run Saturday morning at the Greater Louisville (Ky.) Cross Country Classic – the men run at 9:30 a.m., followed by the women. The Yellow Jackets and a number of other teams will be running at Tom Sawyer State Park.
Gomez Emerging As One Of Nation’s Best
It’s been a highly-successful fall season for Georgia Tech All-American Guillermo Gomez, who on Monday captured the Southern Intercollegiate Championship in Athens. Gomez breezed through the 64-player field, beating Georgia’s Javier Garrapiz, 6-3, 7-5, in the finals. Gomez’ teammates, Kevin King and Juan Spir, fell in the doubles championship.
Women’s Tennis At All-American Championships
Coach Bryan Shelton’s women’s tennis team, coming off a successful fall debut last week in the Georgia Tech Invitational, is at the ITA/Riviera All-American Championships beginning Saturday.
Golf Team Playing In Macon Next Weekend
Coach Bruce Heppler’s eighth-ranked golf team will be playing in central Georgia next Friday-Sunday at the Brickyard Collegiate. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a seventh-place finish in the highly-competitive Ping/Golfweek Preview in Stillwater, Okla. Tech was just one stroke off the pace heading into the final 18 holes.
