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Thursday, February 21, 2008
How would a statue go over at Tech?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m thinking a little outside of the box today, more about politics than sports. And my question has been triggered by reading one of Chip’s recent Georgia blogs.
Before you stop reading, consider the question: What kind of fuss would there be if there was an attempt to erect a statue of a sports figure at Tech?
I don’t know all the ins and outs of politics at Tech, not by a long shot, but I know the old guard is not exactly revered by the new guard (which is, what? whoever isn’t in the old guard?).
So would the old guard, the Hill, etc., favor a statue?
I understand it would have a lot to do with who was proposed for the statue. I’m guessing the fuss among old guarders would be greatly reduced if it were to be a statue of someone with whom they could easily relate, like, say, Bobby Dodd.
Yet there are some clear old school views among the old guard, and I’m not smart enough to know if the idea of a new statue on campus — no matter who it might be of — would rankle just on principle.
Sure, location would also be a trigger point for dissent, and size, etc.
But, I wonder, in general, how would the idea go over?
Tech’s a very different place than Georgia, obviously. And the forum for political wrangling is therefore much, much smaller. There are fewer students, far fewer alumni, and — at least from my view — a much greater percentage of the alumni base is disenfranchised from Tech than at Georgia. More move away, more never cared about athletics in the first place, etc.
That leaves a much smaller group of people to get ticked off, but probably increases the volume of voices within a crowd of potential dissenters. And those who are passionate about Tech are every bit as passionate as alumni anywhere. There are just fewer of them, and there is a more distinct split in the nature of their passions (athletics vs. academics) than at a lot of other schools.
Thoughts?
Matt
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