Oct. 25, 2012
Issue No. 156, October 25, 2012
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
Happy Homecoming Yellow Jackets!
I hope all Georgia Tech fans are in a festive mood and plan to spend lots of time here on the Flats this weekend. The Yellow Jackets take on BYU at 3 p.m. Saturday in the culmination of our traditional Homecoming activities. Our ticket sales have been brisk for this game and we anticipate a crowd in excess of 50,000 for this great intersectional showdown.
Coach Paul Johnson’s team is coming off a 20-point win over Boston College last Saturday, and with a victory this week can even its record at 4-4. I know our coaches and student-athletes are working harder than ever to make this second half of the season a huge success.
One of the enjoyable things about a Homecoming game is the return to campus of all of our alumni groups. I know the Georgia Tech Band will have many alums joining them this weekend and the same holds true for our cheerleaders and dancers. Traditionally, there are a number of reunions and annual gatherings taking place. So, from our athletic department to all Georgia Tech alumni, we hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Jacket Jammin’
Thanks to all of you who came out to McCamish Pavilion last Sunday for our Jacket Jam celebration. More than 2,000 fans were on hand to meet our 2012-13 men’s and women’s basketball teams. It was also the first time we were able to experience our new home with music, video, band, cheerleaders, dance team and, yes, Yellow Jacket fans. I think those who were present caught an early glimpse of what a great home court we will have.
If you missed the event this year, make note that this basketball jump-start was far different than in past years. There was outstanding entertainment by our talented spirit squads, clever new video productions, challenges and contests featuring our men’s and women’s basketball players, fan giveaways and plenty of occasions to get to know the players and coaches on both teams. All in all it was a lively, entertaining and fun afternoon. Make plans to join us next year when we roll out Jacket Jam II.
Premiere Weekend Just Ahead
Single-game tickets for Georgia Tech’s first basketball game in the new McCamish Pavilion are now on sale. The Yellow Jackets open their 2012-13 campaign, the first in their new home, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9th against Tulane. MaChelle Joseph’s women’s team will christen the new building on Sunday, Nov. 11th, with a much anticipated showdown with perennial power Tennessee at 2 p.m. In addition to men’s single-game tickets for all games (except the Georgia game) going on sale, there is also a special $30 combo ticket for fans that purchase a ticket to both games on Premier Weekend at McCamish Pavilion.
For the men’s tipoff, on hand to help the Yellow Jackets celebrate the official opening of McCamish Pavilion will be more than 100 former Georgia Tech players, coaches and staff who have been invited by head coach Brian Gregory and former head coach Bobby Cremins. All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative t-shirt when they enter the arena.
Tech has all five of its starters back for year two of the Brian Gregory era, and has added a recruiting class ranked as high as 14th in the nation.
Purchase tickets for Georgia Tech men’s basketball
Fans can purchase Georgia tickets as part of a two-game “Tech Pack” including the Tulane game at a price as low as $53. Tech also is offering a “Holiday Pack” — a five-game package that includes Alabama State (Dec. 17), The Citadel (Dec. 22), Fordham (Dec. 29), Chattanooga (Jan. 2) and the Atlantic Coast Conference opener against Miami (Jan. 5) — at prices beginning at $50. The Holiday Pack affords purchasers a chance to sit in available student seats while Tech is on break.
Women’s Opener has Plenty of Festivities Too
Two days later, McCahelle Joseph’s women’s team opens its quest for a seventh straight NCAA Tournament when they take on perennial power Tennessee at 2 p.m. at McCamish.
The Georgia Tech women will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Yellow Jackets’ 1992 National Women’s Invitation Tournament title, the 40th anniversary of Title IX and the 60th anniversary of women at Georgia Tech. In addition, former Auburn head coach Nell Fortner will be launching her traveling women’s basketball pre-game show, “Nell on Wheels”, at McCamish Pavilion that day.
Along with Fortner, Nell on Wheels will have legendary former Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, current Indiana Fever assistant coach Mickie DeMoss and current Indiana Fever head coach Lin Dunn on hand to discuss women’s basketball. The panel will discuss the women’s game in general, the Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee game, sign autographs for fans and take questions from the crowd. Fortner hopes to announce the next destination that day.
Golf Title
Now let’s give a huge pat on the back to Ollie Schniederjans, who dropped in a three-foot putt for an eagle on the 18th hole Sunday to lift Coach Bruce Heppler’s golfers to their second victory in three years at the United States Collegiate Championship at The Golf Club of Georgia.
Ollie is a sophomore from Powder Springs who led the charge, completing a back-nine comeback that saw our 12th-ranked Yellow Jackets erase an 8-shot deficit to 7th-ranked UCLA. Congratulations to all of our guys on claiming the tournament title.
Swimmer and Diver Collect Honors
Georgia Tech sophomore Andrew Kosic has been honored as the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Swimmer of the Week, while senior Brandon Makinson has repeated as the Men’s Diver of the Week. The Yellow Jacket men are one of six ACC teams ranked or receiving votes in the first release of the CSCAA Top 25 poll. Great job being done by Coach Courtney Shealy Hart and her ever-improving squad.
Hall of Fame Exhilarating
Once again last Friday night I had the great honor to assist in the induction of seven deserving Yellow Jackets into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. My sincere congratulations to George Godsey and Jon Carman, key members of Georgia Tech’s bowl teams of the late 1990s, track and field All-Americans Becky Megesi and Tomas Motiejunas, golf All-American Carlton Forrester, ACC volleyball Player of the Year Maja Pachale and All-American pitcher Cory Vance.
As always this is a night to remember. It’s great to have so many former inductees return from year to year for this banquet. Thank you to all who attended and to all who proudly wear the title of Hall of Famers.
Volleyball
The Georgia Tech volleyball team kicks off a four-match road swing this weekend beginning with a contest at Maryland on Friday scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by a noon match on Sunday at Boston College. The Yellow Jackets look to get back to their winning ways after dropping two match this past weekend in O’Keefe Gym to No. 12 FSU and No. 24 Miami.
Cross Country
The cross country team is back in action Friday, Oct. 27 at the ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Va. In the Yellow Jackets’ most recent competition, the men’s team took first for the second-consecutive year at the Crimson Classic led by Alec Clifford ninth place finish out of 111 runners. The woman placed sixth out of 14 teams, nine of which were ranked in the regional polls. Katie Townsend led the Tech women with a 12th place finish. The men are ranked fourth in the South Region in the USTFCCCA’s most recent poll and the women sit in 11th.
Congrats to Juan Spir And Vikram Hundal
Congratulations also to a pair of our men’s tennis players, Juan Spir and Vikram Hundal, for capturing the doubles title at last weekend’s USTA/ITA Southeast Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. Juan, a two-time All-American in doubles who has played most of his matches with Kevin King during his career, and Vikram played together for the first time in competition. They wound up shutting out their first two opponents, then knocked off three seeded teams to win the title. They will represent Tech in the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships Nov. 8-11 at the Billie Jean Tennis Center in Flushing meadow, N.Y.
