Nov. 8, 2011
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
It’s not very often — the last time came in 1998 — that two teams ranked in the nation’s top ten have visited Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in back-to-back games. So, let’s welcome the 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies to the Flats on Thursday night. Coach Paul Johnson’s 20th-ranked squad has had a few extra days to catch its collective breath after the stirring two-touchdown upset of No. 6 Clemson.
We are expecting another fired-up crowd in excess of 50,000 for the 8 p.m. kickoff, in front of a national television audience on ESPN. Needless to say, there is a lot at stake in this one. There are still tickets available for this great showdown. Purchasing seats is easy by going to www.ramblinwreck.com/tickets or simply calling 1-888-TECH-TIX (1-888-832-4849).
Thursday night games, for all of their positives, bring about their own special side effects. For those of you coming out to the game, I would urge you to take a few minutes to visit a greatly enhanced “Game Day Central” that can be found on our web site. This feature gives you links to almost any game-related question you may have. We cover everything from directions to the stadium, to parking maps and suggestions, to team rosters and stats. Our staff has worked hard to give you the most complete and accurate information so that your trip to our campus is pleasant and enjoyable.
Parking and Traffic
Here are a few thoughts if you are coming out to the game Thursday night. Please try to arrive as early as possible. All of our on-campus parking lots will be accessible at 5 p.m. and some lots may have space available even earlier as they clear from regular workday personnel. If you would still like to purchase game-day parking on or near campus, there are still spaces available. Go to www.ramblinwreck.com/parking. It’s easy and it’s a print-at-home transaction.
You may have also heard by now that Atlantic Station has started a shuttle service to our games that has been met with rave reviews. Originally, the Atlantic Station shuttles were only to run for Saturday home games, but due to increased interest and ridership, we have arranged for the shuttle service to run this Thursday for the Virginia Tech game, beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $10 for the parking and free shuttle. Buses will run for two hours prior to kickoff and two hours after the game for the return.
Time to Think Bowls
While there is still much left to be determined on the field in the ACC, it’s time to start thinking about bowls. If you are a Georgia Tech season ticket holder you should be receiving, today or tomorrow, an e-mail with our on-line bowl application. Applications will not be mailed this year. The deadline for completing your order, which includes the potential for the ACC Championship game in Charlotte, is November 21st. For all the information you need on bowl or championship game tickets, please visit www.ramblinwreck.com/bowl.
Basketball Openers are Friday
Brian Gregory will coach his first game at Georgia Tech and MaChelle Joseph’s team will open its quest of a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance when our two squads play a doubleheader Friday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Our women’s team takes on Alabama State at 5:30 and the men follow that with a contest against Florida A&M at 8 p.m. It’ll be our first voyage up to Gwinnett as construction continues on McCamish Pavilion on the Tech campus.
The first 1,000 kids attending the Friday women’s game will receive a free t-shirt and all fans will be treated to a meet-and-greet autograph session with the women’s team between games. The Arena at Gwinnett Center will be the season-long home for the Tech women in 2011-12. They will play their second contest on Sunday at 2 p.m. vs. Old Dominion. The men will play five games at Gwinnett, including a Monday night date with Delaware State, and a 10-game schedule at Philips Arena.
Season Ticket Purchase Important for Move to McCamish
I wanted to take a moment as we begin the 2011-12 basketball season to talk about the future and our transition to McCamish Pavilion.
To guarantee the opportunity to select your seats when Georgia Tech opens McCamish Pavilion in 2012, we encourage you to become a season ticket holder this season. Your purchase of one, two, four or eight season tickets this year does not mean you purchase the same number next year. Most importantly is that you become a season ticket holder today and be in the first priority group for season tickets next year. The deadline to purchase season tickets for 2011-12 at Philips Arena is Tuesday, November 29.
When Georgia Tech basketball opens McCamish Pavilion next year, the opportunity to select your seat location will be based on your season ticket status in 2011-12 and your Alexander-Tharpe (A-T) Priority Point total. As with the previous reseating of AMC and Bobby Dodd Stadium, you must be a season ticket holder in 2011-12 at Philips Arena to be in the first priority group for seat selection in McCamish Pavilion.
We anticipate the seat selection to occur in the spring of 2012, with complete details of the process (including ticket and priority point deadlines) available shortly after the first of the year. The seat selection process will be based on overall priority points, so please consider additional donations to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund to increase your A-T Fund priority points and your overall ranking. If you have additional questions, please contact an Alexander-Tharpe Fund staff member at 404-894-5414.
Remember, with your season ticket purchase for our 2011-12 season at Philips Arena, other benefits will include preferred seating in Philips Arena, special pre-sale opportunities and an application for tickets to the 2012 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Atlanta.
Hall of Fame Induction is Wednesday
We are all looking forward to a great night at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center tomorrow night as we welcome five new members to the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. Two national players of the year — golf’s Bryce Molder and baseball’s Mark Teixeira — as well as Atlantic Coast Conference tennis player of the year Benjamin Cassaigne, Georgia Tech’s all-time leading receiver Harvey Middleton and two-time All-ACC punter Rodney Williams will be honored. Three of the five will be guests on the field for Thursday’s football game. Molder, who recently won his first PGA Tour Event, will present Bruce Heppler’s golfers with their ACC Championship rings for their 2011 record-setting performance.
Tickets for the induction dinner are $50 and can be purchased through the A-T Fund, at 404-894-6124 or 894-5414.
Coaches Radio Shows
Coach Brian Gregory’s radio call-in show got off to a great start last night on 790 the Zone and True Oldies 106.7. The broadcast each week will emanate live from STATS Restaurant and Bar, 300 Marietta St., from 8-9 p.m. After last night’s debut, the show will air each Monday at 8 p.m. beginning Nov. 21. And, the Paul Johnson Show continues from Hudson Grille each week. Because of the Thursday night game, this week’s show takes place tonight at 7. Next week’s show returns to Wednesday night.
NCAA 2013 Final Four Logo Unveiling
NCAA President Mark Emmert, NCAA Basketball Committee chair Jeff Hathaway, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and others conducted the official unveiling of the 2013 NCAA Final Four logo earlier today in the museum lobby of the Edge Athletics Center. Georgia Tech is the host institution for the 2013 Final Four, which will be held at the Georgia Dome. Click here to view the 2013 Final Four Logo.
More Honors for Mead
In volleyball, junior Monique Mead was named Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Player of the Week. The honor was the fourth of Mead’s career and her second this season.
Coach Tonya Johnson and the Jackets will be back in action this weekend with their final away games of the season at North Carolina on Friday night at 5:15 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at NC State at 1 p.m., a game that will be shown live on the league’s regional sports network.
Cross Country Heads To NCAAs
The Georgia Tech men’s and women’s cross country teams will continue with their postseason action when they head back to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the NCAA South Regionals held at the Harry Pritchett Cross Country Course on the campus of the University of Alabama. The men’s 10k race will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the women’s 6k race at 11:15. The last time on this course, Tech saw much success as the men’s team took home the victory over countless SEC schools. They hope to keep the success going into this meet.
Michael Isenhour Toy Drive
Georgia Tech Athletics begins its 11th year associated with the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive. Yellow Jacket student-athletes, staff and volunteers will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, or cash, outside of Bobby Dodd Stadium for the November 26th Georgia game.
Anyone not attending the game but wanting to donate toys or cash can do so at the ticket office.
All proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.
