Feb. 8, 2007
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
We’re coming off a very exciting day at Georgia Tech with yesterday’s incredibly successful Football Signing Day. Congratulations to Coach Gailey and his staff and everyone who works with the recruiting process for putting together such a tremendous class. And thanks to all of you who turned out for last night’s Signing Day Celebration, which was certainly our best yet. We all look forward to seeing these young men wearing the White and Gold next fall.
CONGRATULATIONS TO WOMEN’S TENNIS, BASKETBALL
What a tremendous week for our women’s tennis program! The win over top-ranked Stanford, which had not lost a match in three years, was truly remarkable, and then the victory over Notre Dame clinched the ITA National Indoor Championship. The icing on the cake is a No. 1 ranking for Georgia Tech in the latest poll that came out this week. The team’s first home match is scheduled for Feb. 17 vs. Auburn. I hope you will come out and support Bryan Shelton and his squad this spring.
I also want to congratulate MaChelle Joseph and our women’s basketball team for the great win last week over fourth-ranked and reigning national champion Maryland. The women’s team has won three of their last four games and looks to finish strong and earn a postseason bid. After Friday’s game at Florida State, we play four of our last five games at home, beginning Sunday against NC State at 4 p.m. – stop by after the men’s game against Connecticut at the Georgia Dome.
Speaking of the Connecticut game, over 20,000 tickets have been sold for this game, which serves as a test event for the Final Four in Atlanta as well as a charity game that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Camp Twin Lakes. So thanks to all who have purchased tickets, which are still available through TicketMaster.
After playing Connecticut, Paul Hewitt and his squad have a tough stretch next week with back-to-back road games at Florida State and Duke. Then we play three of our last four games at home, so let’s help our team finish strong with great home crowds.
Despite the chilly weather this week, spring sports are upon us. The baseball team opens at Georgia Southern this weekend, followed by next Tuesday’s home opener (Feb. 13, 4 p.m. vs. Kennesaw State). The softball team opens Saturday at home against Georgia Southern with a 1 p.m. doubleheader as head coach Sharon Perkins makes her debut. Men’s tennis hosts No. 1-ranked Georgia next Tuesday (Feb. 13, 4 p.m.). Track and golf seasons are also underway.
THE TECH FUND
By now, I hope that all of you have received the mailer on the TECH Fund and have had an opportunity to at least review the information, if not digest it fully.
I certainly understand that the TECH Fund represents not only a change in the way we do things but also a change in culture, and change can be difficult at first.
As you familiarize yourself with the program, please let me clarify a couple of points that may have been portrayed inaccurately in news reports. First, the TECH Fund contribution is in place of, NOT IN ADDITION TO, annual donations to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund. For many of you who are already giving to A-T, this is simply a change in the way that you will make your annual contribution.
Second, the TECH Fund applies to only about 18,000 of the 55,000 seats in Bobby Dodd Stadium. There are season tickets available in the East and West stands, as well as in the North end zone, that require no TECH Fund contribution at all. Our staff stands ready to assist season ticket holders in understanding their options.
The implementation of the TECH Fund represents a critical element as we build a successful future for Georgia Tech athletics. An equally critical piece is our student funding. I’d like to thank Dr. Clough and many others on campus, as well as our student leaders, including Undergraduate President Alison Graab, for working with us on the student fee increase from $128 to $224 per year. It is clear that our campus leaders, beginning with Dr. Clough, appreciate and value the role that athletics has in the total package that is Georgia Tech.
As you might imagine, I have already received a tremendous number of emails and I expect that I will continue to receive many more in the coming weeks ( goodword@athletics.gatech.edu ). While I’d like to be able to provide a lengthy personal response to each one, I’m sure you understand that’s not always possible. But let me stress that I do read all your correspondence and carefully consider all your feedback. Again, thank you for your support and your passion for Georgia Tech.
