Aug. 23, 2007
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
Now that football season is virtually upon us most of you, like my family, have started searching for the latest Georgia Tech apparel to sport this fall. And just like you, We are aware that this process can be frustrating. Many times the quantity and diversity of our GT selections are limited – especially in comparison to some of our rivals.
In recently released statistics from the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), our partner in marketing and policing our licensed products, we rank No. 37 nationally in royalty income from product sales. This statistic comes as no surprise to those of us in the athletic department who are frustrated like you. We have taken the last several months to inspire a greater effort in the production, delivery and availability of Tech merchandise. Today, I believe I can tell you that relief is on the way. That being said, be patient.
One persistent rumor, fueled in many cases by sales personnel at local stares, needs to be put to rest. It is not true that Georgia Tech unreasonably withholds permission for companies to produce merchandise. To the contrary, Georgia Tech’s Licensing Director, who, by the way, does not work in the Athletic Department, approves the vast majority of items presented as long as they pass muster with regard to taste, color and logo usage.
What we have come to realize is that we all need to do a better job at the top of the food chain, working down. Manufacturers need to be persuaded to produce a more diverse line of Tech merchandise, “buyers” at the major retailers need to be courted and educated and store managers throughout the region need to be made aware that the Georgia Tech market is alive and well. This responsibility falls on all of us, from CLC, to our Tech licensing folks, to the involvement of alumni, auxiliary services and athletics.
The movement has begun. Over the next year we hope to see some measured improvement. Among other co-conspirators is our sideline apparel partner Russell Athletic, which has committed to a major new initiative to drive merchandise into the marketplace. We have already made a major change in our on line store over the summer which will continue to expand its inventory as it gears up during the fall.
One final note: I am aware of the sensitivity of many of you to the proliferation of blue merchandise and apparel. We are aware that our school colors are White and Gold and our teams proudly wear those colors in the majority of cases. Blue, however, is an acceptable accent color and is an option to manufacturers who wish to produce GT merchandise. Short of taking blue completely out of the product mix there is not a lot we can or should do to curtail its presence. We will continue to encourage the predominance of white and gold in the marketplace, but understand, just as manufacturers do, that blue has proven to be a big seller. When you start at No. 37, encouraging more gold makes a lot more sense than discouraging the blue. At the moment we care mostly about one thing – and that’s more Georgia Tech!
You Should Have Tickets
Season football tickets were sent out via UPS second-day delivery, on Tuesday. In fact, it’s likely that UPS notified you by e-mail exactly when your tickets departed Ft.Smith (Ark.) destined for your home. If you did not receive an e-mail, or more importantly, if you did not receive your tickets, call our ticket office at: 1-888-TECH-TIX.
Parking Information
As of today, just over 50% of the season parking permits have been sent out to customers. All passes will be distributed by August 31st. If by Friday, Aug. 31st you have not received your parking pass, or if you are unable to print your parking permit from home, please contact Click and Park customer service at 1-866-330-7275.
Please be advised that your internet provider’s spam blocker may filter your permit into a “junk” or “spam” folder. We suggest adding the following email addresses to your internet provider’s spam blocker approved list: support@clickandpark.com, info@clickandpark.com.
Annual Report
The Annual Report is completed and will be available at RamblinWreck.com by the end of the day Aug. 24.
Women’s Basketball Locker Room Grand Opening
The grand opening of the new women’s basketball locker room was held Thursday night at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Russell, the company that provides our uniforms and apparel, played a big role in providing the new locker room.
Here’s Where You Can Find The Jackets On The Radio
We often receive phone calls from fans throughout Georgia and beyond about radio stations that carry Georgia Tech football and basketball games. In the list below I include only those stations that carry every single game. There are other stations that carry our games when programming permits, but they are not included in this list. And remember, every Georgia Tech ISP Network radio broadcast is available on XM Satellite.
NETWORK STATIONS (All Games)
Albany WALG-AM (1590)
Atlanta WQXI-AM (790)
Atlanta (night games only) WREK-FM (91.1)
Atlanta (Northwest) WTSH-FM (107.1)
Augusta WRDW-AM (1630)
Bainbridge WBGE-FM (101.9)
Cartersville WXYC-AM (1270)
Claxton WCLA-AM (1470)
Commerce WJJC-AM (1270)
Gainesville WGGA-AM (1240)
Hinesville/Savannah WSSJ-FM (92.3)
Macon/Forsyth WQMJ-FM (100.1)
Milledgeville WMVG-AM (1450)
Rome/NW Atlanta WTSH-FM (107.1)
Tenille-Sandersville WJFL-FM (101.9)
Thomaston WTGA-AM (1590)
Thomson WTWA-AM (1240)
Toccoa WNEG-AM (630)
Waycross/Blackshear WFNS-AM (1350)
West Point WPLV-AM (1310)
Winder WIMO-AM (1300)
On-Line Broadcasts: RamblinWreck.com
XM Satellite Stations: 191-194
Not Going To Notre Dame? Watch, But Listen
The Georgia Tech-Notre Dame football game will be televised throughout the nation on NBC and we are thrilled that our football program will be on center stage on the first Saturday of college football. The NBC announcers – Bob Papa, Pat Haden and Alex Flanagan — are solid people and professionals. But NBC is, after all, the network of Notre Dame. Don’t expect the Yellow Jackets to receive equal billing.
My suggestion: watch the game on NBC, but listen to Durham, Van Note and Strohm on the radio.
Life Member Event
I would like to thank Tom and Pat Boren for hosting the 11th annual Life Member Party at their beautiful home in Roswell. The Life Members enjoyed meeting the special guests of the evening, the Georgia Tech Women’s Tennis Team, along with many of the coaches from the 15 Georgia Tech sports teams and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund staff. Everyone had a good time and it was a great success.
The Great Jacket Encounter
The turnout at the Great Jacket Encounter was amazing. At the same time, the large crowd coupled with the oppressive heat created inconveniences for our fans. We have already had several discussions to create a better flow and make the event even more fan friendly next August.
GT Night At Turner Field
What a great event this was for the Yellow Jackets. From the time Bryan Shelton delivered the starting lineups to home plate until the final out, the night belonged to Georgia Tech. The Atlanta Braves were extremely gracious to us and we are very appreciative.
