Sept. 29, 2011
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
We’re off to NC State this weekend in hopes that our good football fortunes continue. You have to admit it’s been an outstanding start to the 2011 season. We’re all enjoying our first 4-0 start since 1990 but also understand each week presents new challenges. The Wolfpack took it to us last season here at Bobby Dodd Stadium, so I know our team is focused on settling that score Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC in the Southeast, and on ESPN throughout most of the rest of the country.
Our guys have put up staggering numbers through the first four weeks of the season and lead the nation in total offense (630.5 yards per game), scoring (53.2 points per game) and pass efficiency (283.5). The Yellow Jackets rank second nationally in rushing offense (398.8 yards per game).
N.C. State is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC and has not played since last Thursday’s 44-14 loss at Cincinnati, but the `Pack are unbeaten (2-0) at home.
The Wolfpack has been led by outstanding receiver and kick returner T.J. Graham, who averages 107.0 yards receiving per game, 24.7 yards per kick return and a remarkable 24.2 yards per punt return. NCSU, which has recorded eight interceptions, has been led on defense by Audie Cole, who has 7.5 tackles for loss, and David Amerson, whose four interceptions rank among the nation’s leaders. Saturday should prove to be a great ACC contest up in Raleigh.
Maryland Game Time Set
By now you’ve probably heard that our Maryland game next Saturday, October 8th, will kick off at noon and will be televised on ESPNU. I’ve gotten plenty of feedback on the noon starts so far this season and I can only repeat that these game times are out of our hands completely. We have one request that we make to the ACC each year and that is for Homecoming to be a 3:30 start to accommodate the many campus activities. This is not a Georgia Tech specific issue as all of college football has start times dictated by the television networks. The one thing we do know now is that our showdown with Virginia Tech November 10th will kick off at 8 p.m.
Yellow Jacket Alley Timing
I received a couple of notes this week about the timing each week for our team walk down Yellow Jacket Alley. First, we appreciate you coming out to support Yellow Jacket Alley and the team walk. We do advertise 2.5 hours prior to kickoff in most of our promotional material because the actual walk is a bit of a moving target. Our team spends Friday night prior to home games at a hotel north of the city. While their departure from the hotel is relatively well-timed it occasionally changes due to various pre-game meetings, meals and other logistics. The arrival at the stadium can change due to traffic conditions and other factors as well. Generally speaking, Coach Johnson likes to have the team in the locker room two hours prior to kickoff. So here’s a rule of thumb: I’d be there 2 hours and 15 minutes prior the announced kickoff and you should be fine. You may have a short wait, but you won’t miss the walk.
Ticket Specials are Available
Folks, we are really working hard to encourage Atlanta sports fans to come out and catch one of the nation’s most exciting teams in one the America’s greatest venues. To that end, there are a number of ticket specials available that make Yellow Jacket football affordable. Our Triple Option Package offering three games for just $99 has been very popular and is still in play. You can see games vs. Maryland, Clemson and Virginia Tech for less than 100 bucks. We also offer a single-game package with four tickets and four food vouchers for $100.
We have promotions in play with Delta Skymiles members, the Girl Scouts, employees of Coca Cola and Emory Health Care, NYO Youth Leagues, Atlantic Station (Tech Town) patrons and many more. There are many other options available, so I urge you to contact our ticket office (1-888-TECH TIX) and put together a day of college football that fits your family, friends or group and your budget.
Basketball is Right Around the Corner
We are investing mightily in your men’s basketball program here at Tech and we need you to on board to support the effort. Coach Brian Gregory is bringing a zest for Yellow Jacket basketball that is refreshing and contagious. Our construction of McCamish Pavilion on campus is going great. Now, we need you. Our season ticket package for this season is such a great option — 10 dates, all high-profile games (8 ACC games, Alabama and Northwestern) played in the plush confines of Philips Arena. Great seats are available, parking is a breeze and Coach Gregory is in full gear to re-build our program. Call today or order your tickets online. It’s fast, easy and secure.
Women’s Basketball Begins Practice Monday
The Yellow Jacket women’s basketball team begins practice for the 2011-12 season on Monday as head coach MaChelle Joseph’s team begins its quest for a sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Jackets return nearly everyone from last year’s squad that won a school record 24 games. With the ongoing renovation to McCamish Pavilion, Tech will play all home games except the finale against Clemson at the Arena at Gwinnett. The match-up with the Lady Tigers will be held at Forbes Arena on the Morehouse College campus in Atlanta. Season tickets are now on sale for an exciting home schedule which features games against Nebraska in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and ACC contests with Maryland, Duke and Miami. The season ticket package, which includes tickets for all 12 games in Gwinnett and a free ticket to the Clemson game, is on sale for $30 – a great bargain for a family-friendly event. Single game tickets are $5 per person or $2 for groups of 10 or more go on sale tomorrow.
Volleyball at Home, Dig For the Cure is Saturday
Our Georgia Tech volleyball team (8-5, 1-2 ACC) opens up a four-match homestand this weekend at O’Keefe Gym against NC State (13-2, 1-1) Friday at 7 p.m. and North Carolina (10-3, 2-0) Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Coach Tonya Johnson’s team is coming off a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Wake Forest on Saturday for their first ACC win of the season. Saturday night will be the annual Dig for the Cure match as the Yellow Jackets will raise money for breast cancer research. One-hundred percent of the money raised will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Atlanta. The team will wear special pink jerseys and a silent auction will be held for those. Bids will be accepted in the lobby of O’Keefe Gym beginning Friday night and continuing until the conclusion of Saturday’s match. You can also pledge a donation for each dig Tech records on Saturday night against the Tar Heels. There will also be special pink give-a-ways and raffles throughout the night.
ACC, Nation Starting To Take Notice Of Jackets
— Following the 35-28 win over North Carolina on national television last Saturday, folks around the country are beginning to pay attention to this very young Yellow Jacket football team.
— Tech is ranked 21st nationally in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.
— Sophomore LB Jeremiah Attaochu was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers.
— Three Jackets – Attaochu, Isaiah Johnson and Omoregie Uzzi – were named the ACC Player of the Week at their respective positions last week.
Cross Country To Compete In Charlotte
The Yellow Jacket men’s and women’s cross country team will return to the course when they compete at the Charlotte Invitational on Friday afternoon at McAlpine Park. The women will begin things with a 4 p.m. start time and will be followed by the men’s race to kick off at 4:30 p.m.
The field will be comprised of 42 different schools as the women will run a 5k while the men tackle an 8k. Results can be found on flashresults.com
