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The Good Word

Feb. 10, 2011

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

FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics

Greetings from the Flats! I begin this edition with the sad news of the untimely passing of Lisa Truitt, a member of our athletic department staff for the past five years. Lisa was a mainstay in our business office and passed away Saturday night at the far-too-young age of 39. Lisa was a dedicated and dependable employee who brought much joy to the lives of our staff – especially those who worked close to her in the business office.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa’s mother, Patricia Knox, sister, Shira Truitt, and all of the extended members or her family. I also offer condolences to Lisa’s many friends both inside and outside our department. Lisa’s funeral will be on Friday in her hometown of Baton Rouge, La. We have scheduled a memorial service for our employees here in the athletic department on Friday as well.

Football Season Ticket Renewals / Schedule
I appreciate the early response to our football season ticket renewals. Our renewals have been steadily flowing in. Remember, by getting in early you can take advantage of our multi-payment plans, which will spread your commitment out over several months depending on when you renew. Go to www.ramblinwreck.com/tickets to renew your season seats today.

Of course one of the hottest questions I am getting is about the release of the final football schedule. We are anxiously waiting to receive the dates that correspond with our conference opponents to be released by the ACC office any day now (most likely next week). As previously reported in the media, we will open the season at home on Thursday night, Sept. 1 against Western Carolina (Paul Johnson’s alma mater).

Our other early-season non-conference games are set as well. We travel to Middle Tennessee State Sept. 10 and play at home against Kansas Sept. 17. The Georgia game here in Atlanta is scheduled for Nov. 26. The remainder of the home schedule includes ACC games with North Carolina, Maryland, Clemson and Virginia Tech. We’ll get the dates to you as soon as they become available. Seven terrific home games fill our schedule in 2011.

Brock and McCamish Projects
We continue to barrel forward on our construction projects — most notably the John and Mary Brock Football Practice Complex. This facility is underway and you can see the progress photos. Also, we move ever closer to the construction phase for the new Hank McCamish Pavilion. That process will go into high gear immediately at the conclusion of our basketball season. For those of you looking for more information and insight to the new arena, you have a great opportunity next week. Our good friend and former basketball player David Cole has arranged, through the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, an evening presentation on the project.

On Tuesday (Feb. 15), I’ll be joined by Trevor Pitt, project manager for Whiting-Turner Contracting, Norman Freidman, from our building architect Populous, and Sachin Shailendra, President of SG Contracting, as we give you a sneak peek at what’s ahead. I’ll have a personal presentation, and we’ll all join in a panel discussion that will provide some great insights into what we can all expect from the new Yellow Jackets’ basketball home. This event begins at 6 p.m. at the Georgia Tech Alumni House. For more information, please visit www.gtbn.org.

Lots of Hoops Ahead
Our men’s basketball team received some bad news this week as sophomore Brian Oliver may miss the next three weeks with a broken thumb. I wish Brian the best in his recovery from the injury suffered in last weekend’s game vs. Clemson. The good news is that Nate Hicks should return from an appendectomy soon. The Jackets host Florida State tonight at 7 p.m. on our home court and then travel to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech on Sunday at 1 p.m.

We should have a memorable evening at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum with MaChelle Joseph’s ladies this weekend when they take on NC State in our annual “Pink Zone” game Sunday at 5 p.m. This one is being televised live on ESPN 2 – the first time we have garnered such national television coverage under Coach Joseph. We should have a fine crowd as our great partner Emory Hospital is sponsoring the game, and we will honor hundreds of breast cancer survivors. MaChelle’s mother, Marilyn Joseph, herself battling breast cancer, is scheduled to travel in for the game from her home in Auburn, Ind. The Yellow Jackets also play on the road Friday night at Florida State in a game that will be televised by Fox Sports South.

Great Tennis on the Home Courts
The early part of our “Pink Sunday,” pits Bryan Shelton’s women’s tennis team against Auburn. Match time at the Bill Moore Tennis Center is 2 p.m. as we host Ace For The Cure day and pink t-shirts will be given to anyone making a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. There will be a special recognition of our 2007 National Championship team between the doubles and singles matches. Be sure to wear pink!

Also, if you have a hankering for a little Georgia Tech vs. Georgia action you can also take care of that this weekend. Kenny Thorne’s men’s tennis team hosts the 11th-ranked Dawgs Saturday at 1 p.m. It’s Alumni Day for both tennis programs and many former players are expected to return for the festivities. They’ll begin the day with a tailgate gathering at 11:30 a.m.

Softball and Baseball Openers Upon Us
I know it’s hard to believe, but within the next few days our softball and baseball teams open their respective seasons. Sharon Perkins’ club is in Florida this weekend to open the season in a tournament outside of Orlando. The first game of 2011 is at 2:30 p.m. Friday vs. Florida Atlantic. And Danny Hall’s young charges get their first action next Friday the 18th when they open a three-game home series with Kent State at 4 p.m.

Mark Teixeira
On the baseball front, it was a pleasure to have former Jacket and now New York Yankee great Mark Teixeira in town for a couple of days. Teixeira is becoming very active in helping our baseball program raise funds for endowed scholarships and facility improvements. I would urge you to take a minute to watch this interview we captured with Mark while he was in town. His comments about his commitment to Georgia Tech are classic and should make all of us feel proud. What a marvelous representative of our athletic program!

Swimming Set To Host ACC’s
Beginning next Wednesday (Feb. 16), Georgia Tech will serve as host for the 2011 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships. Admission to the four-day event is free of charge. This is a great chance to see some of the top amateur swimmers in the United States compete in our facility.

Tech is also hosting the men’s swimming championships, Feb. 23-26.

Football Sets Spring Game Date
Our annual spring football game will be played April 23rd in Bobby Dodd Stadium. Kick-off time for this intra-squad scrimmage will be determined soon.

Track’s Final Tune-Up
Georgia Tech’s men’s and women’s track and field teams are in Clemson, S.C., this weekend to participate in the Tiger Paw Invitational. This will be the Yellow Jackets’ last event before participating in the Feb. 24-26 ACC Indoor Championships in Blacksburg, Va.

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