Nov. 15, 2007
Tomorrow, November 16, 2007, marks a very significant day for Georgia Tech Athletics. It is a day that otherwise would be just another Friday; Another day closer to Saturday’s match-up with North Carolina at Bobby Dodd Stadium; Another day that our student-athletes and coaches work to improve their games and hone their skills.
But the significance of this day will only be marked in a file cabinet near downtown Indianapolis, IN. Somewhere within the building that houses the National Collegiate Athletic Association the page will turn tomorrow, officially ending a two-year probation for infractions at Georgia Tech that primarily took place prior to the fall of 2002.
For the last two seasons, our Georgia tech football team was limited to a maximum of 79 scholarships, six less than the limit for Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) schools. Georgia Tech last had a full complement of 85 football players on scholarship in the fall of 2005.
Prior to my arrival in April of 2006 there was much good work done on behalf of Georgia Tech to minimize the sanctions that were eventually levied against the program. We certainly look forward now to a future with the full complement of available scholarships. But, we must remember that the toll those restrictions took on the program will continue to make some impact. The senior classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011 will all be small in number compared to other seasons.
Rest assured, we work extremely hard every day to play within the rules and to keep our coaches, players , administrators and fans up to speed on NCAA policies and regulations. I am happy to say that we have coaches with great integrity here at Tech. I am equally proud of the job we are doing in the area of NCAA Compliance, with constant supervision and monitoring.
While there will be no celebrations or parties planned to mark the day, I wanted you, as Tech friends and supporters, to know of the quiet passing of this probationary period.
IT’S BOWL TIME AGAIN
At Georgia Tech we appear to be headed for our 11th straight bowl appearance. With that in mind, our bowl ticket applications are now available both on-line and in hard copy through U.S. Mail. There is an application deadline of Nov. 30.
I don’t have to tell you the importance of all Georgia Tech folks to stepping up at Bowl time. Our fan participation effects future opportunities in so many ways. We had a wonderful showing at last year’s Gator Bowl and fans that made the trip were treated to one of the most exciting bowl games of the entire post-season. There are many intriguing prospects for different games and opponents this year. Don’t miss out.
WELCOME LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONS!
For the second year in a row it is our good fortune to welcome the Little League World Champions to a Georgia Tech football game. This time, the team from Warner Robins, GA., captured the title in thrilling fashion and they follow the team from Columbus, GA who were last year’s champs.
The Warner Robins group will arrive on campus early Saturday and be treated to a tour of our baseball facility before making their way to Bobby Dodd Stadium. They will be honored at halftime for their magnificent accomplishment. We are proud to host Coach Mickey Lay and this most distinguished group of Georgians. I understand that after the Tech-UNC game they are slated to visit Governor Sonny Perdue at his home before returning to Warner Robins.
RECYCLING
Georgia Tech continues to expand its “Game-Day” recycling program. GTAA has been working closely with numerous campus stakeholders and its vendors to initiate this program. We will continue to focus on the most populated tailgate areas. Student volunteers will be handing out blue recycling bags to tailgaters .Please assist our student volunteers by using these blue bags for your aluminum, plastic and glass containers. Please DO NOT place other waste in these bags. Your participation in expanding our campus-wide recycling program and keeping our campus beautiful is greatly appreciated.
GEORGIA GAME SOLD OUT; WATCH OUT FOR FAKE TICKETS
The Nov. 24 Georgia Tech-Georgia game at Bobby Dodd Stadium is sold out. Fans are advised to look out for counterfeit tickets, which have shown up at venues across the Southeast.
VOLLEYBALL SENIORS’ LAST HOME GAME IS SATURDAY
Three senior members of the Yellow Jacket volleyball team play their final home game Saturday night at 7 p.m. vs. FloridaState. Stick around after the football game and watch what promises to be an outstanding game.
THREE NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Congrats to Kevin Tuminello and Darryl Richard of the football team and Ulrike Stegemann of the volleyball team for earning ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams. All three will advance to the national ballot in their respective sport with hopes of becoming Academic All-American.
