TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
It was great to see such an amazing crowd of Georgia Tech fans at our annual fan day a couple of weeks back. It just goes to show how excited we all are for the coming season. Coach Paul Johnson and the Jackets have been working extremely hard in this year’s pre-season camp and you can feel the sense of urgency and intensity. After all, opening the season on national television Labor Day night in Blacksburg, Va., is not your everyday occurrence.
I would also like to thank the fans who attended the North Metro Alumni Club “Lunch Bunch” this past Monday. It is always great to start the year speaking to this group of outstanding Yellow Jacket faithful.
Kickoff Luncheon is August 24th
Before the season begins, though, you’ll have another chance to gather with fellow Jackets and get that last minute send-off as we celebrate the third annual Kickoff Luncheon at the Cobb Galleria on Friday, Aug. 24. If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of these luncheons you have really missed a treat. This is a fast-paced, Yellow Jacket extravaganza with highlight videos, the marching band, Buzz, cheerleaders, new apparel for the season on sale and the like.
This year we are delighted to have on the dais Col. Shane Kimbrough, Atlanta native, Georgia Tech graduate and NASA Shuttle Astronaut, to share stories of space and his love for the Jackets. His story is fascinating. Also, Coca-Cola Enterprises CEO John Brock, a two-time Tech graduate, will share some thoughts as well. Of course the highlight of the day is Wes Durham’s off the cuff interviews with some of the 2012 players and Coach Johnson’s final expectations as he heads into his fifth season on the Flats.
Look for information on purchasing tickets or tables to the luncheon in the coming days or call our ticket office at 1-888-TECH-TIX (1-888-832-4849) for information.
Football Season Tickets
I’m happy to report that your 2012 season football tickets are being sent out this week under the care of our great partners at UPS. You should be receiving your tickets in the coming days. Purchased parking should be arriving in your e-mail inboxes around this time as well.
Our ticket sales push for football is far from over, and in the coming week we expect to surpass the total number of season tickets sold in all of last season. We have just reached the 23,000 mark. This is significant because it reverses a three-year trend of declining season ticket sales. If you’re interested in season football tickets or know someone who is, either call our staff at 1-888-TECH-TIX (1-888-832-4849) or go on line at www.ramblinwreck.com/tickets.
Basketball Season Tickets
Our men’s basketball season ticket sales have also surpassed those of a year ago as well and we believe when fans have an opportunity to tour our new home at McCamish Pavilion, we will see a large spike in sales in September and October. Our plan is to have open houses prior to the Miami and Middle Tennessee State football games. Three hours before kickoff the doors of McCamish Pavilion will be open so fans can get a full view of our new basketball home.
If you haven’t invested in season basketball tickets at this point, I would urge you to remember that this is a golden opportunity to stake your claim in the new arena. There’s only one opportunity to buy the ground floor tickets and secure the seats you’ll want to have as Brian Gregory works to return our program to greatness, and our new home court becomes the talk of the city. Securing your basketball seats is easy and convenient.
Volleyball Opener is August 24th
At the same time all of this football discussion is taking place we have another team here on campus looking toward an even earlier season-opener. Coach Tonya Johnson’s volleyball team is led by five experienced seniors and is looking for a breakout season. The team opens play on Friday (Aug. 24) when it takes on Cal State-Fullerton at 7 p.m. in the friendly confines of O’Keefe Gymnasium. If you’ve not been to a volleyball match here at Georgia Tech, this is an experience I highly recommend. But bring your loudest cheers and be prepared for a truly great atmosphere.
Football Notebook
Congrats to former Yellow Jacket Ken Swilling, who will be our Legend at ACC Championship weekend in Charlotte… make sure to check-out our Preseason Central page this week before it is replaced with Gameday Central.
Women’s Basketball Tickets
Season tickets for another exciting year of Yellow Jacket women’s basketball are on sale now as well for only $65. This is a great deal as Coach MaChelle Joseph and her squad try for a seventh straight NCAA Tournament bid and host an exciting schedule, tipping off McCamish Pavilion against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers Sunday, Nov. 11. The Jackets will also host rival Georgia Dec. 2 and nine ACC games this season.
