April 19, 2007
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
The hot topic of the week seems to center around the response we have had to the newly-instituted TECH Fund. With the April 13 deadline for invoices to be paid, we are now getting a sense for the effects of our paradigm shift and I have had many questions and inquiries as to the response of our Georgia Tech season ticket holders.
Though we are still a few days away from completely sorting through all of the mail, fax and e-mail information that arrived on or near the deadline, I can unequivocally say that we have enjoyed a most overwhelmingly positive response. Based on the early returns it appears that the Georgia Tech faithful have dealt with, if not embraced, the changes we feel are essential to our continued growth and success.
As I write this communication we have accounted for nearly 70 percent of our anticipated revenues – a response rate significantly higher than some had predicted based on past performance with regard to various ticketing deadlines. That percentage is even higher in the prime seating areas such as sections 104, 105 and 106 on the lower west side. The other encouraging news is that there has been an active trend in transfers and relocation requests as our fans have understood and used these procedures an d opportunities to their advantage.
I will have a much better handle on all the numbers in the next couple of weeks, but I would be remiss in not thanking all of you for your input and ultimately your support of this critical initiative. And, in the event that some of you have been delinquent for any reason with your own personal ticketing decisions, I urge you to call our ticket office immediately so that your questions and concerns may be addressed. Please understand that we are beginning the seat allocation process very shortly and you simply don’t want to miss out on you opportunity to continue as a season ticket holder in whatever fashion you see fit.
BASEBALL
It is very hard to believe there are just two home series remaining for our Yellow Jacket baseball team. It appears that Danny Hall’s team may be peaking at just the right time to make some waves in the ACC Tournament and beyond. The 8-2 victory over Georgia on Wednesday night was resounding and the crowd of over 2,400 at Russ Chandler was nice to see. I hope you will all try to get out to the ballpark to cheer them on against NC State this weekend (Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.) and against Florida State on May 17-19 (Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m.). And don’t forget our annual meeting with Georgia at Turner Field next Tuesday night.
SOFTBALL
I also can’t say enough good things about the performance of our softball program. First-year coach Sharon Perkins and her staff have crafted a magnificent season and currently rank No. 22 in the nation. Although they play their final eight regular season games on the road, we are anxiously awaiting the opportunity for post-season play.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Congratulations to Bryan Shelton, who was named today the ACC Coach of the Year. Our women’s tennis team has grabbed a share of the ACC regular-season title for the third year in a row, the latest accolade in a remarkable season for the ladies, who have been consistently among the top six in the nation all year long, including a stint at No. 1. The Yellow Jackets will take a No. 2 seed into this weekend’s ACC Tournament, which they have won the last two years.
Good luck to all of our teams competing at ACC Championships this weekend – golf, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field.
MARKETING
Those of you who will attend some Atlanta Braves games this summer at Turner Field will see a dramatic Georgia Tech presence. We have entered into a marketing and brand-building relationship with the Braves that will give us nightly messages on the stadium’s ribbon boards. In addition, our season-ticket holders will soon learn of discounted Braves ticket opportunities. Also, we will have a night or two at the ballpark this summer with student-athletes signing autographs, the Tech band providing entertainment and the Rambling Wreck circling the field. This is part of our overall marketing strategy to build our Georgia Tech brand by partnering with long-standing Atlanta organizations and icons. More information on this initiative will be forthcoming.
Keep sending your feedback ( goodword@athletics.gatech.edu ). Even if I’m not able to send a personal response, please know that I do read each and every email and value your input.
