Nov. 23, 2011
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of Georgia Tech Athletics
FROM: Dan Radakovich, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics
Here’s wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Yellow Jacket fans. We all have so much to be thankful for — our eight-win football season (and counting), a beautiful weekend ahead when we take on our arch-rivals at Bobby Dodd Stadium, two exciting, energetic basketball coaches and a few hundred of the finest, most well-rounded student-athletes in America.
I know many of you will be out on the campus Saturday, and it shapes up to be a great day for football. Kickoff happens at precisely 12:01 p.m., so be here early and be ready to be loud and supportive of Coach Paul Johnson and the Jackets. Let’s be courteous to our opponent and their fans. Our parking lots will open at 7 a.m. on game day and many activities are planned in and around the stadium. Wreckfest will be more festive than ever and the atmosphere should be electric.
Make it a point to be here for our Yellow Jacket Alley tradition as the team arrives and walks the alley beginning at approximately 9:45 a.m. We need to get them revved up and ready from the time they arrive on campus.
I want to make you aware of a couple of components at the game Saturday. First, during our pre-game activities, at about 14 minutes on the countdown clock, we will have an acknowledgement of the passing of two iconic figures in the long Georgia Tech-Georgia rivalry. Hal Miller, co-captain of our 1952 National Championship team passed away this week, as did longtime Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson. Wes Durham will be issuing the tribute on the MegaJacketTron. Immediately after that we will have our Senior Day celebration as we acknowledge 15 senior players and managers in their final home game.
Also, we have a real treat at halftime as we will honor NASA astronauts with Georgia Tech degrees. Georgia Tech boasts an astounding number of astronauts, with six still active in the space program. Four of our astronauts will be here live and introduced on the field. Since the beginning of the U.S. space program, NASA has launched 14 Georgia Tech graduates into outer space, beginning with John Young in 1965. Georgia Tech astronauts have accounted for over 45 missions, orbited the earth more than 5,200 times and traveled over 180,000,000 miles. They have commanded several shuttle missions as well as assuming command of the International Space Station. This tribute will take place at the beginning of halftime, prior to the performance of both bands.
I would like to finish with a word or two about men’s basketball events coming up next week. First, I hope you’ll join us for a meet and greet autograph session with Brian Gregory and our men’s basketball coaching staff, along with former Yellow Jacket greats Monday night, November 28th at Stats. The party begins at 6:30 p.m. and culminates with the live broadcast of the Brian Gregory Radio Show at 8 p.m.
Coach Gregory is scheduled to be joined by Drew Barry, James Forrest, Matt Harpring and Duane Ferrell, who will be signing autographs and talking Georgia Tech basketball. Coach Gregory’s show airs live from Stats every Monday night at 8 p.m.
Then, don’t forget our first game at Philips Arena takes place next Tuesday night the 29th when we take on Northwestern in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
Again, have a great Thanksgiving weekend. Go Jackets!
