AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe Golden, olden days were better
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wonder if Tech students and fans cared more about the Yellow Jackets a half century ago. Follow along here …
Pretty amazing response to the previous blog, sent out Tuesday morning in search of long-time fans who might have seen Jake Rudolph’s famous tackle of Alabama running back Bobby Marlow in 1952.
I didn’t hear from anyone in time to include them in the story, but I’ve received several e-mails from older fans with great memories. And there is far more anecdotal evidence in the responses to that blog that although Tech’s golden era in football was 50-plus years ago, a lot of hearts still warm to the memory of that age.
So I started to think about this, especially after talking to Darrell Crawford, who quarterbacks those SEC championship teams at Tech in ‘51 and ‘52. I spoke to him about Rudolph, and his pending funeral.
It is pretty obvious from what Crawford said (and others have said at various times) that much was different. That’s no shock. Gas was cheaper. Cars looked almost completely unlike they do today. Communism, not terrorism or religious fundamentalism, was the anchor around which most fear and loathing were wrapped.
So sure, times have changed. But just how much, and why?
Don’t have time to quantify how much other than to pass along some of Crawford’s thoughts.
He said, “Your classmates, the students, it seems like it was so much more loyal then. Those people kept up with you for years after you left Georgia Tech. They would bring things up [years later]. Us old football players sometimes forget things, but your spectators, students and friends remember in detail.
“I’ve had them come up so many times and tell me about a special play coach Dodd put in for me against Auburn. He called it the Kingsport play, the hidden ball play, and that was the only way we could score against Auburn. Their defense was so great.”
Kingsport, Tenn., was the hometown of Bobby Dodd and Crawford, by the way.
My theories on why the interest in Tech was so much greater is neither revolutionary or original. Obviously, there are so many, many more distractions in this day and age. Students, alumni and potential fans do not have the bombardment of mass media to wade through and distract them, to peel away their interest.
Plus, Tech won and won and won back in the day.
And that was a two-part equation. The Jackets were highly skilled, and by all evidence immensely cohesive.
I’ve opined before that chemistry is the most under-rated element of success. Crawford said nothing to change my mind.
“All of our team had just such a bond,” he said. “For a team to have what we had back then was highly unusual. We had great players, but everybody was on the same wavelength so to speak. When you have that kind of bond, respect, that’s when you have championships.
“Coach Dodd always told us, ‘Men you’re down here at Georgia Tech. We’re not like other schools. It’s unique. We’re going to win, but we’re going to be good students.’ He always used that word unique. Our players were unique to be able to bond together with their talent. Usually you have players that play for themselves.”
Players from the ‘51-‘52 teams are especially committed to one another to this day. Their numbers continue to dwindle, as there is no other way. But they gather regularly, even with the loss last year of former captain and uber-organizer George Morris.
That will continue for a time. I told Darrell I’d like to catch up with him and former teammates this fall, when they gather at an as yet undetermined date. Maybe Steve Hummer could write something about that and do it justice.
“It’s an unofficial board of officers with myself and Dick Inman and Harry Wright and Bucky Shamberger. We are the committee that kind of keeps the team going. George was obvious the primary mover and shaker,” Crawford said.”We miss George. It’s be a great big gold and white wreath [at Rudolph’s funeral], and it will be from the we call it a team, not teams (‘51 and ‘52).
“We still consider ourselves one group. It’s amazing how we still get together. We’re trying to arrange a get-together for this fall. I talked to George Maloof today. I just can’t tell you how unique and unusual it is.”
Unusual indeed, and powerfully reminiscent of a by-gone era, no?
Comments
By GTA
July 10, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
That’s pretty interesting stuff Matt. I almost with the fans of today were as passionate. But it’s always, win now and then we’ll support you later with most fans, especially ours in Atlanta. If they want more fans in the seats, start winning. That may not happen this year, but I’m confident it will happen sooner rather than later with Johnson.
By T
July 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Great article Matt. Hopefully Coach Johnson can reenergize the program, I have a feeling he will. On another note, I heard good ole boy david Pollack on Tech’s flagship station 790 say ” Tech is irrelevant”. He also said we’re not a rival because somebody has to win every now and then, even Vandy and Kentucky can beat us, Tech can’t, Tech is irrelevant, we beat Tech down every year, Reggie Ball was Georgia’s MVP for four years and he’s one his favorite players, we get talented guys every now and then, but overall we don’t have talent, blah, blah, blah. At one point he said “I don’t mean any disrespect”, and Woolvey said well it’s pretty disrespectful, watch your mouth. A real class act. He also went on to make fun of the Big 10 and other things. I hope Coach Johnson heard this and is going to replay this to the players. Thank you David Pollack for saving this rilvary.
By T
July 10, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Great article Matt. I hope coach Johnson can reenergize the program, I have a feeling he will. On another note, I recently heard good ole boy David Pollack on our flagship station 790 say ” Tech is irrelevant”. He also said we’re not a rival because somebody has to win every now and then, even Vandy and Kentucky can beat us, Tech can’t, Tech is irrelevant, we beat Tech down every year, Reggie Ball was Georgia’s MVP for four years and he’s one his favorite players, we get talented guys every now and then, but overall we don’t have talent, blah, blah, blah. At one point he said “I don’t mean any disrespect”, and Woolvey said well it’s pretty disrespectful, watch your mouth. A real class act. He also went on to make fun of the Big 10 and other things. I really hope Coach Johnson heard this and is playing for our boys. Givem hell Tech.
By Joe Hamilton
July 10, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Can anyone give me a ride to any of the Tech games this year? For some odd reason the judge took my driving permit away. I can be reached at the Waffle House off of Auburn Ave. Thanks guys!!!
By sugarPikeGang
July 10, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Doing the same things year in and year out breeds insanity (and results in apathy). There are Atlanta alumni out here craving to be a part of a winning program, but we’re deemed irrelevant as fans. We play in an irrelevant conference when it come to football. The system in inherently hierarchical and Tech-men like myself have other things to distract us from mediocrity.
I love this program, but they have proven nothing to anyone in 8 years. There are many good ideas amongst the people of Tech but nobody has ever listened! I care about the program but the program doesn’t listen!
By Wreck Em Tech
July 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
I’m not one of the old-timers, but as a current student who has spent 3 years at home games (some that truly scare me) I love to hear that the program has an illustrious history. That said, I think the students (those of us who are still fans of the team…a large portion is cheering for Auburn, Florida, and many others in case the Alumni weren’t aware) are really hungry to see a stadium that’s more full and more exciting. Even if the team is still going to obscure bowls I just want to see that other people love the team the same way we students do.
SO I propose the best way to be part of a change for the better is to bring the whole family to the game, wear gold (NOT NAVY!), and yell like a real fan! DO YOU GUYS STILL LIKE YOUR SCHOOL OR NOT?!
By chuck
July 10, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
I’m a younger generation fan of 19 years old. I have been a diehard fan since I was 4. I go to Duke, but I wore gold to both the football and basketball games and ticked off many home fans. I am not ashamed to admit I sometimes tear up a bit after tough losses. I don’t care if we ever win a championship or not I’ll always be a fan through and through. I am so emotionally attached to the players and the school that it’s unhealthy. So yes, true Tech fans still exist. I know this is rambling but this is my comment.
By TechFanatic
July 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
One of the hardest things about being a Tech fan is keeping Tech Fans. I grew up bleeding Gold and White. My family grew up this way as our grand father played for Coach Heisman in 1917.
We grew up on the flats. But it has hurt to see my nieces and nephews lifelong Jackets as well go to UGA becasue it had their major and Tech does not… The students that go to the Tech games are amazing but there is a very diverse student base with very differant interests.
It is hard to build fan base when you can’t keep them. It also is hard to build fan base when there hasn’t been much to cheer for…
By Joe Hamilton
July 10, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Chuck since your such a big fan could you hook a former player up with a ride?
By Big Bee
July 10, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Techfanatic, don”t pay any attention to those noisy and stupid UGA fans. You are only 19 yrs. old and the majority of them were 25 when tey graduated from HS and the rest were 32 when they got their GED. They think years makes them wiser, but in their case they are only wise a*##.
By Joe Hamilton
July 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
I would catch a ride with Michael Lemon but he’s a felon and can’t drive ‘cause of his DUI.
By girls love dawgs
July 10, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Big Bee: The one thing I know is your mama’s a Dog!
By surfrider
July 10, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the information on the early 50’s. Tech’s Heyday of the last 60 years or so. The formula for success was developed by Dodd and reverified by Ross. It’s recruit good athletes and some role players who are good students and want to be at Tech and appreciate the educational opportunities there. That means starting in Ga. and nearby by states but expanding up north and out west if one has too. Considering we did’nt have a Joe Hamilton type offense we played the Dawgs pretty close the last six years except one or two of those years. Matter of fact we were in position to win those games. The Dawgs seem to forget they lost to Tech three years in a row, unacceptable in Athens, which brought in Richt. If we can keep a good defense and improve our offense the tide may be about to turn in the Rivalry again. Bill Curry also recruited well for Tech and he really wans’nt full throttle in the ACC yet and so did Pepper. So Tech can recruit. The key is to develop some consistency in the next level and we are close to that thanks to the work of the last twenty five years or so.
By TheBlogger
July 10, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Most Tech fans are like other fans. They are the “band wagon” fans and will be there if the teams are winning.
The problem is that Tech has been average in football for too many consecutive years. A 7-5 record really will not excite anyone.
The memories of the 50’s games are because the Tech team was great - and that resulted in drama and wonder memories.
I hope that PJ will be able to get the team on a winning way quickly. As a Tech fan, I am eager to see Tech return to the ‘glory days.’
By SecondGenJacket
July 10, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
I’m 32 years old, and I feel lucky to have talked to guys like George Morris, Darrell Crawford and many of their teammates on a regular basis over the years. Not only does it give you an appreciation for a different era, but it’s amazing to see how deep their loyalty to Georgia Tech runs.
I’m sure this isn’t unique to Tech by any means, but it’s an eye-opening experience to hear these guys talk about football in the 40’s and 50’s when many of them went straight into military service and weren’t motivated by the dollars and fame of professional football.
By Buzz Belle
July 10, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I love Tech - always have, always will. I always tell the Ga. people who like to brag that the one thing Ga. will never have is me as a fan and that’s the truth! I am hanging in no matter what! THWG!
By Josh
July 10, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
that triple option crap won’t fly in the ACC or SEC…good luck w/ that lol. defenses at this level r too fast.
By ugagrad
July 10, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
I’m a UGA grad and fan, but when I moved to GA in the mid 60’s Tech was rocking. My brother and I both loved the Jackets until we became Bulldogs. Deep down I still only root against the Jackets when the play the Dogs. I was also a big Rich Yunkus fan in hoops. I used to try and shoot left handed like he did. Things were better at Tech back then. Of course, it could have something to do with the fact I was just a boy who loved sports.
By Wreck Em Tech
July 10, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Hey, that “triple option crap” doesn’t have to fly against anyone but Georgia for all most Tech fans care!
By GT
July 10, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
In those days men wore ties to the games. They dressed up for airports, church and football games. My mother wore gloves. Ivan Allen was a Tech grad and mayor of the city. He would be there dress hat on head maybe a Muse’s overcoat. Bobby Dodd was one of the best dress coaches ever. He had a deal for free clothes at Muse’s and was very fashionable, sitting in a foldout chair on the side line. Furman Bishop the editor of the paper was in the press box every Saturday, WGST was draped over the window where Al broadcast the game Games started at 2 pm on Saturday, no rearranging because of television. The other score of games in the southeast were reported on the loudspeaker that echoed across the stadium, all starting at the same time. The crowd would get a good boo when the Georgia game was announced. A local preacher would pray and some band would play the stars and stripes, all stood not a muscle moved. There was the smell of bourbon in the air but no obvious drinkers. Tech had natural rivalry with the SEC conference. We played Auburn and Tennessee every year along with Georgia. The downtown was a sleepy area that saw coat and tie all during the week. You might stroll from shopping at Rich’s down to the game or drive; parking was so easy the school itself was about half its size now and the town maybe a 10th. You knew everybody or they at least they looked familiar. You came early to the game to get a good look at somebody you had read about from Auburn like Tucker Frederickson or LSU’s Billy Cannon. They would let you walk the side line track, while they warmed up you could hear them yelling out numbers to the routine or joking around with each other. I can remember when the games were over the crowd and visiting player would leave the same exist mingled in together. Great place for a kid to grow up.
By Jerrard Tarrant
July 10, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Joe I will give you a ride if you can find this nice candy bar i have hidden in my pants……you silly bear.
By Tampa Dawg
July 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Tech Fans, I wish you well this season with your new coach. Serious question? How come you guys don’t wear your throw back uniforms on ocassion. Dude, those are cool! Just curious!
By Big Bee
July 10, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
girls love dawgs—Yoyr dad may be a dog also, too bad you don’t know who he is.hehehehehe
By Charles Corbett
July 10, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
I will always be a diehard UGA fan.However,I have tremendous respect for Coach Dodd and all his players.I am sad to hear about all GA.TECH and UGA former players passing.The best of fans from both teams do not post these ugly remarks that you read on these blogs.
By Charles Corbett
July 10, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
I will always be a diehard UGA fan.However,I have tremendous respect for Coach Dodd and all his players.I am sad to hear about all GA.TECH and UGA former players passing.The best of fans from both teams do not post these ugly remarks that you read on these blogs.
By Bob
July 10, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
“Hey, that “triple option crap” doesn’t have to fly against anyone but Georgia for all most Tech fans care!”
What a sad pathetic statement about the current state of desperation on the flats. I’d be longing for the good ole days too if I were a Tech fan.
By one man can make a diff
July 10, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Dodd had it over uGa. Dooley changed that. MR had it over gailey. Perhaps Johnson will have it over MR.
When I was young, Tech beat uGa every year…that was normal and expected.
Can hardly wait to see what Johnson has hatched!
By Georgia
July 10, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the younger fans realize what a great tradition Georgia Tech had. They had great teams that were to be admired. As a lifelong Georgia fan, I admired them greatly. Quite simply, they won. Coach Dodd had as much class as you will ever see anywhere, anytime. Georgia suffered a great deal through Georgia Tech’s great run. If you beat Tech in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, it meant a great deal to the winner. I’d like to see that Tradition come back. Sure, we will lose some games, but Georgia fans will understand again, what it really means to beat a great rival when we win.
By BravesFan79
July 10, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
GT Hoops will be back in top form soon, i have full faith in Hewitt. Now that we dont have a freshman pt guard and with the addition of another top 5 player Shumpert GT will again be a top ACC team!
Lets all have some faith in Hewitt and give the program another year or 2 at least. Lets see what he can do with Dickey/Shumpert this year….and perhaps Derrick Favors/ Shumpert next year!
O by tha way… GT Hoops is ALOT closer to a national title than in football.
I mean seriously what ACC championship team not named Miami or FSU would get enough nation respect to be put in over USC, OU, OSU, Texas, or the SEC champ??
anyone against a playoff system is either a USC/ Ohio State fan…. or just a IDIOT.
By Wreck'EmTech
July 10, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Bob, I’m not sure you understand hatred. You ever live next to somebody who has a really loud dog that wouldn’t stop barking? Well, failing to beat Georgia year in and year out is kinda like that. We let it go any longer and, yes, it’ll get way more desperate! So even if Tech was the kind of famous team it used be and even got to compete for some more “mythical titles of destiny” or whatever these writers call them, we as fans would all still be under the curse of that non-stop barking if they failed to beat Georgia even in that year. It’s hatred, Bob. It’s ALWAYS priority number one!
By Bob
July 10, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Fair enough.
By MisterT
July 10, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Matt,
I had the opportunity to interview coach Dodd back in 1982 for a paper I was writing as a freshman at Tech. I think I still have the cassett. Very interesting his take on the then resurging Tech Football program.
I knew I was priviledged even back then, but looking back even more so.
Let me know if you are interested. I will see if I can rummage up the tape. The quality was poor, but it was really interesting.
By Talking Smack in the Ghetto
July 10, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
Talking Smack in the Ghetto
By halfmetaljacket
July 11, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
Matt,
Great topic. Many tenticles… differences in era, values, and in the GT program.
The blog about Jakie Rudolph brought back many great memories. Too bad that UGA posters took it down a bit with rather hateful and distracting posts.
Think about the most special sports memory you have as a boy, Matt. Whatever that was, wherever it was, it would compare in magic to being an Atlanta native youngster following Tech football in the 50s… . The Saturdays at Grant Field were always the same: golden sunlight, a HUGE crowd of 40,000+, poised Tech players running their schemes just as they wanted, a nervous opponent scrapping but making fatal errors, and a gracious Dodd saying that ‘Georgie Tech’ was lucky to have won another.
The 50s and early 60s mystique were a convergence of several things: really fine young men who were smart and capitalized on opportunities; a great ‘gamer’ coach in Dodd (played checkers with him at Bitsy Grant where he hustled folks to play tennis or checkers), and an emerging sense of social climbers in Atlanta that Grant Field was ‘the’ place to be (not unlike early 90s Braves ‘fans’ who showed up to chop and support a winner).
It was a unique and special time which cannot be repeated since the program, but particularly the times, were so different. Then it was more about Tech winning and being above a pedestrian fray. Now college sports, Tech’s included, is more like pro sports and not just winning but winning big is the annual imperative. Fortunately Tech fans keep it a little more in perspective (just a little) than do other college sports fans in the South.
hmj
By Sam
July 11, 2008 5:13 AM | Link to this
“saving the rivalry T? LMAO!! The rivalry was over the day CMR arrived in Athens and promptly put a 2 TD beatdown on fat George O’Liary, who promptly left town on the first thing smokin.
By Art
July 11, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this
WreckEmTech, the last defense that triple option will fly against is UGA’s. Get a grip nerd. This years game has the potential to see you little girls getting beat down worse than that 51-7 fiasco. Maybe you should consider establishing Ga. Southern as your in-state rival. Of course you are scared that their triple option would blow you off the field. Tech is hopeless and it’s fans are an even bigger lost cause. I can’t wait to see all the enraged foaming at the mouth little tech girls hurling those tech hats out the window of their cars as they sneak out of Athens after this years game. All 2 of em.
By Robert
July 11, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
Big Bee, just go ahead and bend on over right now. Assume the position. You know the one. Tech fans call it the here it comes again excercise. Cause you know that big red and black weinie is comin for ya again this November. Rumor has it though Big Bee, that you have come to really enjoy that. See ya later sissie boy.
By GT82
July 11, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
With 22 scholarship offers, Love is considered one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. He picked Georgia over Florida and Penn State, and called the other finalists to let them know he is going to sign with the Bulldogs.
How did Georgia land one of Virginia’s top players? Love said competing for SEC and national championships was appealing.
The rich just keep getting richer don’t they guys?
By dawglickthemself
July 11, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
Robert How often do yoy have these fantasy of having sex with men?
By WFC
July 11, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Great article, Matt. I was born in 1949 and came of age a full generation after GT’s “glory years” but was well-schooled in Tech lore by my dad.
I had the extreme honor in the 1980’s of coaching under the legendary George Maloof at St. Pius… the same George Maloof who scored four TD’s against UGA in 1951. I was in awe. I was a coaching “nobody” at the time yet Coach Maloof welcomed me as if I were Knute Rockne. I’ll never forget his kindness and encouragement. Those early 1950’s at GT under Dodd were truly magical times.
I hope that Coach Johnson will restore the Jackets to greatness.
By Wreck Em Tech
July 11, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Wow, Art. Big words you probably wouldn’t say if I were standing in front of you. But alright, since you wanna stick your finger in the outlet…
I never said I thought the triple option would work against anyone. Reading comprehension, Art. My comment was a response to another reader’s post in which I was half-mocking the Tech fan base’s general attitude. Now, we won’t really know if his T-O scheme will work in the ACC or against GA until Johnson has a more mature team whom he recruited himself, but I still hope he surprises you arrogant punks and wipes the floor with your prematurely dubbed “championship” team!
By T
July 11, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Sam and Fart, sorry I meant Art, you honestly believe that Richt will never lose to Tech? ROFL, thats really funny. You guys better get ready ” to assume the position” and sooner than you think. So laugh and make fun of Tech all you want because pretty soon, I’m going to be laughing. Oh and what accomplishments has your savior “MR” brought to the Rednecks? Get your butt kicked by UF, Tenn every year just about. Wheres the National Titles? To be such a good coach and “classy” guy, one would think he would be a force to reckon with. Give me a break, theres not a team out there afraid of UGA. And the rivalry has been saved thanks to Mr. Pollack and Coach Johnson. The spread will work, just ask West Virgina when they kicked your ace!
By Oakland
July 11, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Nice article Matt.
Old times are not forgotten….but they are harder to remember.
By David A.
July 11, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
By dawglickthemself
July 11, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
Robert How often do yoy have these fantasy of having sex with men?
Maybe, dawglickthemself, it occurs everytime one of you sissy boys from the trade school opens that big mouth to welcome anything that can be inserted. To include your own feet. You guys bring it all on yourselves. All mouth no performance. They should rename the trade school Catfish Institute of Can’t Walk the Walk. Now as the man said dawglick themself, bend over, assume the position. You little techmites are soooo good at that. Must be something about November that activates that bend over gene you all seem to possess.
By CrystalBall
July 11, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Butch Davis and UNC beating Tech is right over the horizon. How far behind can Duke and David Cutcliffe be? Do you realize guys that there is not a sure win on Tech’s schedule this year among the 1As? Expect a multitude of blowout losses against the better teams on the schedule. Tech could realistically go 4-8 or worse.
By Smoot Langston
July 11, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
When I was in grammar school i lived one block from Brown High School in West End. I would go down to the football field and stand outside the fence and watch the likes of Pepper Rodgers, Cecil Trainer, and the team that went on to play for Tech. If i remember correctly something like eleven players from Brown went to Tech that year. I also was an Boy Scout usher at all the Tech games, the last two years i worked in the radio booth.
By Tech75
July 11, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I’m a fan… used to be a rabid fan… no more. My enthusiasm began waning shortly after the hiring of Chan Gailey.
What will bring me back to my prior enthusiasm level?
Good recruiting from inside the state. We have to get the athletes, and they have to feel the rivalry in their gut. Guys for CA, OH, PA and FL do not get it and never will.
I want to see motivated, fired up players. I want to see max effort, every play, every player. I know Gailey’s philosophy was to limit errors by managing the emotion, but too many times we lost games to teams we shouldn’t have because we were not motivated or not playing hard enough.
I’d love to see a punishing, ball control offense combined with a crushing defense - my favorite style of football. I can still remember yelling “Kill, Rock, Kill” in the early ‘70’s for Rock Perdoni. You talk about a motor? That dude had a motor!
In general, Tech is a far different place than in the ‘50’s, ’60s, etc.
As everyone knows, Tech now draws many more students from out of state, and around the world; they did then as well, but the percentages were lower. As well, women are now more visible on campus - I think I saw a 30% number recently. Demographics have changed. Interests of the students over time has changed. Many of the graduates now have varied interests and little spare time, and have put Tech athletics behind other interests due to the time commitment more than anything else.
I think it is a far tougher school than it was, as well. Tech now ranks 7th in the nation among public universities. Keeping some of the athletes eligible is a major undertaking, and it makes no sense to bring in a kid that can’t or won’t do the academic work.
A side observation made by others - there are not many actual UGA or Tech graduates that post ugly messages on these blogs… likewise, both stadiums, if full, would have quite a few butts (literally) occupying seats that had no connection to the universities other than being a fan and having enough money to buy a ticket. I have observed first-hand, however, that the non-UGA fan’s of the Dogs in general exhibit behavior that is several cuts below what I think is “acceptable”. When my son was young, I took him to the Tech/GA game in Atlanta, and we had to leave due to the nature of the crowd, which was mostly (even then) pro-UGA, and extremely rowdy, drunk, and obnoxious. Not what I wanted my son to experience. The year before I had taken him to Auburn/Alabama in Birmingham, and saw a bit of this kind of behavior, but it was tolerable. To see evidence that UGA fans are lower class than Auburn or Alabama fans is kind of a double-edged discovery for me, though; it’s kind of funny to think about our rivals in this way, but it still ruins the experience on a “live” basis.
On another topic: David Pollack’s comments. What a fool. He just proved it by opening his mouth. Richt should speak to him, and 790 most likely will not have him back without advising him on what he should/should not comment on. I have not, and I hope I NEVER hear a Tech player speaking of UGA in that fashion, much though they may feel that way inside.
By Al S
July 11, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Be careful what you ask for Tech75. Reggie Ball was “emotional”. Maybe Chan was on to something with that. Your QB was a trainwreck.
By KC Kid
July 11, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Tech 75,
I’m on your side, but I’m gonna tell you some things you aren’t going to like. I’ve got a kid starting at Tech this fall. We’ve lived in Atlanta for 20+ years, but my wife and I graduated from Big 12 schools. We went to the BC and Army games at Tech last year. One of the most discouraging things about Tech football is the empty seats on the lower level on the 50 yard lines.
True fans show up. Simple as that. By your screen name, I’m assuming your an Alum. You guys have GOT to start showing up, or the program is going to keep sliding.
I was in Athens a few years back when Vandy kicked the Dawgs asses on Homecoming day. Plenty of empy seats there too, back then. But not anymore, because Mark Richt turned it around. It wasn’t long ago that they lost to Kentucky and Vandy in the same season too. The difference is, their fans show up now. Tech fans have got to do the same, win or lose. Especially with a new coach.
I know there’s a bunch of reasons (excuses) why the seats aren’t filled. You’ve heard them all so I won’t bore you. The point is, until the Alumni show up, the program is going to be in trouble.
By UGA Fan
July 11, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Tech has not won a game using only academically eligible players against Georgia since 1990.
By Tech2011
July 11, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Hey KC Kid, I go to Tech and if your kid is looking for college football, they have picked the wrong place. Most of the students just laugh at the football team.
Tech students are smart, but the average Tech player is not a typical Tech student. Most of them are kinda stupid, and other students talk about how they manage to get them into school here.
A lot of the students take road trips over to the games in Athens or Auburn and then the parties. We just dress kind of neutral and blend in.
Students are young and like to have fun. We don’t care what happened at Tech when Harry Truman was President.
There are some good bars and good looking women in Atlanta though. That’s about it.
By RobertE
July 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Good point UGA Fan. And O’Liar couldn’t even do it that way against Richt. Tech is 0 for forever against Richt and probably will be when he retires. Tech is dropping like a rock in comparison to the rest of the ACC, forget UGA. It’s not even the same planet when it comes to Tech vs UGA.
By Tech75
July 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
KC Kid - I understand your perspective.
I also have a kid admitted to fall quarter 2008.
The empty seats you point to are a visual reminder that some pretty big and regular donors to the Alexander Tharpe Fund are ++ssed off. I think they’ll be back this year.
I couldn’t get those seats if I tried !
And you are correct, true fans show up. However, if it is a choice between watching my son play soccer on Saturday, and attending a tech football game, guess which wins… it ain’t Tech.
By KC Kid
July 11, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Tech 2011,
Let’s face it, by and large football players everywhere are kinda stupid. Not all, but a lot of them are only there for football, praying for that NFL dream to come true. That’s not just Tech.
I’m hoping for better things in the future for Tech football. There’s nothing better than a football Saturday when you’re teams competitive and people are in to it.
Maybe Paul Johnson can bring it back. Still, current students and Alumni have got to be part of the solution, or you’re part of the problem. That’s all I’m saying.
By Reggie Ball - A Tech Man
July 11, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
I thought the Tech glory days was when me and Reuben Houston was the MAN on the Tech campus.
I made people forget about Joe Hamilton, until recently anyway.
By Dr. Dr.
July 11, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
This is actually pretty simple Tech fans. Don’t overcomplicate things. That’s what stupid people do and you guys are supposed to be smart, right? Okay, so maybe common sense and logic are not your bag. I’ll try to put this in terms that you can understand. I hereby submit to you that there is a strong statistical correlation between the number of wins and the number of butts in the seats. Few people want to spend an entire Saturday just to watch a 7 win team. However, an 8 win team might attract a couple of thousand more observers. 9 wins and those tickets might be worth more than toilet paper on ebay. 10 wins and you’ve got a stadium full of people, a parade down Peachtree Street, and a gigantic statue of Paul Johnson in front of Bobby Dodd Stadium. 11 wins and hell has frozen over, so a football game probably isn’t happening at that point.
You see how it works Tech fans? You aren’t like the Georgia’s and the Ohio State’s and the Alabama’s of the world where people show up for the games because their dads did and their grandparents did and so on and so forth. You don’t have that kind of tradition. You need a strong product to get people interested and a strong product in football is measured by wins. Good luck.
By Wreck'EmTech
July 11, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Dr. Dr, I agree with you, but I’d posit that the tradition is there, but it’s been lost/destroyed since the glory days. About the legacy fans I’m thinking that the school’s historically smaller size means we have fewer of those fans left today proportionate to our current size. You’re dead on about the product, and with Ga State about to get a team the Atlanta market is about to get a lot tougher. This would be the year we need to regain fans…but we’re rebuilding. I think this year’s a big coin flip for the program. But that’s just me.
By J-KEEZA
July 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
to ugagad: YOU ARE A TOTAL LOSER!YOU REALLY THINK TECH IS COOLER THAN UGA? GET A LIFE THE 50’S ARE GONE AND ARE NOT COMING BACK FOR TECH HAHAHAHA!
By Rabun Dawg
July 11, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Hey, UGA people who come on here and throw mud at Tech, stay off, this is a Tech blog! If you cannot say anything decent, quit embarrassing the rest of us with your garbage! Growing up in Atlanta in the 50’s, I was a huge Tech fan because I knew a lot of the players, and Coach Dodd was such a class act, and they won a lot of games. I would love to see the rivalry get strengthened again, as most of the younger Dog fans do not know about Tech of the past. They just throw stuff at the Gators, Vols,etc., and do not respect Tech. I personally think that Coach Johnson will change all of that, it may take a few years, but UGA should not get too over zealous. Tech is recruiting a lot of Georgia kids, and I think that will make a huge difference in the rivalry. I am sure that my remarks will bring out the ire of some of the UGA “so called ” fans, but so be it!!
By Steve M
July 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
I liked the article. Bobby Dodd was a great coach and he beat Georgia when they had a great coach in Wally Butts. The problem with the fan base at Tech, is the need to get over the SEC days and win big in the ACC conference.
By mowreck
July 11, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Anyone know whatever happen to Brent Cunningham??
By Philip
July 12, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
I’m an Atlanta native from way back and can remember when it really was something special to go to Tech game.The stands were full and you knew you would see tremendous effort every week.The teams from the 50’s and early 60’s..the names from the past..Lothridge..Martin..Morris..Rudloph and of course THE COACH..Bobby Dodd.Kinda makes you wish for the old days.
By fred
July 12, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Yes, Tech’s athletics have been on a “slide” for more years than I want acknowledge. We have been through Clough (poetry, music when the key to success is always to focus on your niche), Braine as AD and Gailey. Changes took WAY TOO LONG, and the entire program suffered.UGA has been through the malaise of indecision (several years ago), but the Dawgs are now on track with a superb Richt in charge. Weak leadership is a “killer”.Not too many folks want to face the tough decisions, but—-that comes with the turf. Now, I believe, Tech has righted the ship.Those in place must make things work, and alums must support our Institute.
JUST DO IT!
Go Jackets!!!
By Sports Guy
July 12, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Perhaps if Tech wore leather helmets again…like in 1952.
By Rabun Dawg
July 12, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Joe Hamilton, I would love to give you a ‘RIDE’ to all the Tech games, I live near where you works, question, what do you look like, and how old are you/ Also, we needs to pick up some “Shine”, as I wants you all toasty for what I have in mind. I likes em tight and white. How ,bout it.
By Joe Hamilton
July 12, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
I am a Taurus, 22 years old, and works at the Waffle House to pay for my education. Willing to do anything for a ride until I get my license back, as I have previously appeared on You Tube in a clip called ‘Old Man and the Grope”.
By Southside Drug Rep
July 12, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
My dad (lifelong Tech fan) took me to a game when I was eight. The Jackets lost and I started pulling for the Bulldogs. I am very excited this year. It’s not because of the “National Championship” talk. Rather, it’s because Georgia has the opportunity to tie Tech’s record of eight straight wins in the series. I would have never dreamed this would happen. Good luck Jackets (for Dad) until Thanksgiving weekend. Oh yea…UGA Class of 1990! I love Theron Sapp.
By Bulldawg Bill
July 13, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Like many native Georgians, I grew up in the ’50s a bigtime Tech fan. I saw the beatdown put on the Jackets in Athens in 1969 and swore I’d never go to Sanford Stadium again! Well, I’m UGA Class of 1975 - I had to eat those words! Tech and Coach Dodd were the epitome of class and excellence during my childhood. There’s no team I’d rather see the Dawgs destroy annually than Tech - they’ll always be the Dogs biggest rival as far as I’m concerned. My greatest memory is Andy Johnson/Jimmy Polus on Thanksgiving night my freshman year - what a fantastic finish! Tech’s biggest mistake was leaving the SEC - this is SEC territory. The ACC may be basketball bigtime, but everyone sees the ACC as AAA compared to the MLB level SEC. While I cherish my memories of singing “Rambling Wreck” as a kid, I now love “It’s Great To Be A Georgia Bulldog!” cheer as I leave Sanford. (My son’s about to enter Auburn - a new era of trash - talking has already begun!)
By gtforever
July 13, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
The sun will rise again for our beloved Jackets! A coach who can recruit can win football games, and beat thug university! Let the bullpuppies gloat! There time is coming to an end…..THWG!
Go Jackets…
By WFC
July 14, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
BULLDOG BILL: You err, my friend. The “beatdown year” was 1968, the infamous “cherry pickers” game. GT beat UGA in 1969— 6-0 behind Jack Williams and Rock Perdoni.
By scooter
July 14, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Tech75:
The dogs seem pretty happy with their pretty boys Stafford and Knowshon from Tx and NJ respectively. I always thought O’Leary had the right idea going after kids in the North East and he was pretty successful too. They may not feel the love (or hate) as intensely but as long as they can play ball, whats the difference
By John Dewberry
July 14, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Hey Joe Hamilton I can give you a ride. You can tell everyone you are going with the best dang player to ever grace Grant Field and the smartest developer in Atlanta !
By John Dewberry
July 14, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Joe Hamilton I can give you a ride. You can tell everyone you are going with the best dang player to ever grace Grant Field and the smartest developer in Atlanta !
By winkystinky
July 15, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Matt, Hey man, focus on the upcoming season. Sure it is nice to think about the past, but hey, focus forward. I challenge you to really report the Jackets this year—win a pulitzer. Go Jackets. -1990 national champion.
By gt45
July 16, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
The University of Georgia just released a statement saying since UGA VII won’t be available for picture day, fans can have their picture made with any of the UGA cheerleaders, since they have very similar features. It goes on to say, be sure to bring a wide angle lens or be prepared to have to take pictures at a distance to include all the cheerleader!
By HomeDawg
July 16, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Heck, gt45: We probably need to offer Coke and hotdogs just to get people to show up. Attendance will be off to nearly as many as show up for one of your home games. Shoot, we might as well just fold for the season. Taking shots at OUR cheerleaders. But thanks for your envy and interest.
By DawgBite
July 16, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
1990 1/2 NC winkystinky. Get your facts straight. The latest CONSENSUS NC in Georgia isn’t Tech.
By Mike
July 16, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
O.K., I’m a Bulldog alumni and 20-year season ticket holder. For that matter, my Dad was as well.
My Dad was also a long-time football coach at Hogansville, Southwest Dekalb and Sylvan High School in the 50’s and 60’s. Although a devoted Bulldog, my Dad worshipped Bobby Dodd and attended many of his clinics. Coach Dodd gave many a ticket to the high school coaches in those days, so I was raised seeing far more Tech games than UGA games. Even today, I always pull for Tech except when they, of course, play Georgia.
Tech, their players, coaches and alumni simply need to get that pride back that Coach Dodd worked so hard to obtain. Tech was a powerhouse once and can be again.
By Doug
July 17, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
I bet in the “golden olden” days they didn’t have to throw Tech tickets onto the sidewalk at soup kitchens and give away hotdogs and cokes just to get homeless guys to fill the seats. And by the way. How in the hell can all you techmites claim to be so affluent when the money seats at the joke by the coke go empty and over at UGA they pay 10,000.00 + the price of a ticket? Explain that to me. And before you launch into the win and we will come BS how will you ever win showing recruits an empty stadium or one filled with the colors of oppossing fans? What you morons are doing is insuring that Tech becomes the next Duke. Damn! Broke and dumb. What’s with you techmites anyway?
By Doug=duesch
July 17, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Hey Doug- go kill yourself. All the bandwagon mutts have been hopping on in the past few years, but they will soon be off the wagon. Any moron paying $10,000 for mutt tickets is going to be very disappointed with the upcoming season. I have season tickets to Tech games, I do my part. Not my fault that Indians don’t understand football. And just so you know, the only broke and dumb kids from any ga schools come from uga, with pysch, sociology, horticulture, turf management, sport science, physical educations, etc. etc. degrees. So go finish cooking that meth before your trailer explodes, because LORD knows you aren’t buying those $10,000 mutt tickets.
By Doug
July 17, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Doug=duesh, struck a nerve huh? Got your supply of paper bags to wear over your head to those games? Or are you one of those boys down at the soup kitchen getting comped those tickets. Admit it Doug=duesh, you put yourself through that torture for the hotdog and coke don’t you, light wallet?
By Shrink's Hubby
July 17, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Doug=duesh my psch major wife made 200K + last year. Made a bunch of it talking techmites out of killing themselves over tech football. I didn’t realize that your lack of self esteem and feelings of inadequecy could be fatal to you. Chill out little girl. In the words of the immortal Reggie Ball, “Yo dog! It’s just a game.” Somebody has to lose. By the way. Enjoy being Duke.
By Coach Paul Johnson
July 17, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I cannot remember if Grant Field is called “the Choke by the Coke” or “the Joke by the Coke.”
Which is it?
By the way, is it true that there may be a coaching vacancy at Furman next year? Just asking.
By bb
July 17, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
I have to laugh every time I see someone post that defenses are too fast in the SEC and ACC for the triple option offense to work. Those kind of defenses are exactly what option offenses are BEST against. Why do you think that the spread offense is so popular now???
There are two ways to beat speed. You can either run right at it or you use mis-direction to get the defense headed in the wrong direction (i.e. use their speed against them). Option offenses are built on MIS-DIRECTION. The triple option actually employs both methods of beating speed (the spread option offense as WV runs it does as well).
All that remains to be seen is if the players at Tech can execute the option well enough to win. And/or if PJ can recruit players that can execute it well (I think he’s proven previously that he can).
I think Tech’s offense will be okay in the long run (if not this year), but you also still have to play good defense to win a this level (if you score 40 but the other team scores 42 you still lose). That will likely be the deciding factor in how well Tech does in the PJ era.
By exNFLplayer
July 17, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
bb, fast disciplined Ds are the triple option’s worst nightmare. Discipline being the key. Speed also allows a D to recover from initial misreads. That’s fact. Why do you think most teams in the top conferences gave it up years ago. And by the way bb, Johnson’s TO is not the spread as run by WVU, UF, and now AU. Would you be willing to tell us all why, if it is such an unstoppable offense that offensive teams much more talented than Tech are not running it? Just my take.
By doug=beusch
July 18, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Shrink’s hubby- good for your whre bag wife. I bet she is sleeping with some of her clients as well. Must suck to be in a relationship where your wife wears the pants, brings in all the money, and then sleeps with her clients. And Doug- are you a fairly new member on the ugay bandwagon? Probably, and don’t worry, your ride won’t last long. Everyone wants to forget South Carolina beating ugay (you couldn’t even score a freakin TD), UT whipping you 28-0 in first half, as well as Vandy completely GIVING you the game, come on. Yes, ugay got hot the second half of the season, but when they were not playing hot, they sucked. See other championship teams can play well, even when they are not playing at their best. In no way do I believe GT is a championship team (yet), I am just explaining to you stupid mutts why ugay is NOT either. Ugay has two speeds, full throttle, and full of excuses/ “we’ll get them next year” mentality.
Its just a matter of when you mutts start to choke in ‘08, because it will all be downhill from there. The SEC is certainly the pinnacle of NCAA football, but the problem is that week in and week out, you have to play darn good football, or you will lose. The mutts will not be able to maintain the same level of play that they did the second half of ‘07 season throughout the entire ‘08 season. They will choke, multiple times. Its what ugay does. You can then all start saying that ‘09 will be your season. Then Shrink’s Hubby, your wife can talk to all the ugay alum who are thinking about killing themselves b/c they just wasted $10,000 to watch the overrated mutts choke, AGAIN. Oh yeah, she can also sleep with them too, what a whre.
PS. If you aren’t full of crap (I think you are) then I bet she has a PhD in pysch, not just a BS from ugay….
By doug=beusch
July 18, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Shrink’s hubby- good for your whre bag wife. I bet she is sleeping with some of her clients as well. Must suck to be in a relationship where your wife wears the pants, brings in all the money, and then sleeps with her clients. And Doug- are you a fairly new member on the ugay bandwagon? Probably, and don’t worry, your ride won’t last long. Everyone wants to forget South Carolina beating ugay (you couldn’t even score a freakin TD), UT whipping you 28-0 in first half, as well as Vandy completely GIVING you the game, come on. Yes, ugay got hot the second half of the season, but when they were not playing hot, they sucked. See other championship teams can play well, even when they are not playing at their best. In no way do I believe GT is a championship team (yet), I am just explaining to you stupid mutts why ugay is NOT either. Ugay has two speeds, full throttle, and full of excuses/ “we’ll get them next year” mentality.
Its just a matter of when you mutts start to choke in ‘08, because it will all be downhill from there. The SEC is certainly the pinnacle of NCAA football, but the problem is that week in and week out, you have to play darn good football, or you will lose. The mutts will not be able to maintain the same level of play that they did the second half of ‘07 season throughout the entire ‘08 season. They will choke, multiple times. Its what ugay does. You can then all start saying that ‘09 will be your season. Then Shrink’s Hubby, your wife can talk to all the ugay alum who are thinking about killing themselves b/c they just wasted $10,000 to watch the overrated mutts choke, AGAIN. Oh yeah, she can also sleep with them too, what a whre.
PS. If you aren’t full of crap (I think you are) then I bet she has a PhD in pysch, not just a BS from ugay….
By Doug=douche
July 18, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
It is spelled D-O-U-C-H-E you fvcking retard!
By Remedial Spelling Course
July 18, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
learn to spell moron, it is D-O-U-C-H-E, not duesch or buesch! As in you are a retarded douchebag.
By T
July 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
David Pollack is a loud mouth turd
By Casey-Tiffany
July 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Doug=Douche,…Hi big fella, remember me, Casey, we went together at Johns Hopkins to get my “snip-snip operation, so,s we could be Man and Wife. What happened at the Altar, cold feet again, eh? Well, I met a gent named Zeb, and wez married now, His gain…Your loss. Still cruising for youngins over at the Peidmont Waffle House, from what I hear. Lets get together some time, bring a man with a plan, Foursomes are a Sweet Treat. BTW…Your Daddy still spanks you, then turns around and says…”Now do me Son”?
By Boy Doug D
July 19, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Cama Cama Cama Chamealeon..You come and go..You come and go……Light up my red rosy dreams, red rosy dreams, red rosy dreams. Every day, youre my lover, my lover, not my rival. Cama cama cama Chamaeleon….Let me see your tight pink booty, lick it up, taste the doody.
By jjacket
July 20, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
So sure, times have changed. But just how much, and why?
Matt, I’m sure they’ve changed a lot since you wrote this blog. It is 10 days od and still on the front of the sports page.
By Coach Paul Johnson
July 21, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
I think I may have inadvertantly included an error on my resume, although I think it was a clerical thing.
By Donald
July 24, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
The ‘Glory Years’ alumni of Tech usually stepped into an engineering career around Atlanta. They produced something that America needed as America was in the process of developing fields of endeavor it had never had. i.e. wire for electricity, surveying for roads and building, electrical engineering and civil engineering for hydroelectric dams, etc. I’m not so sure that’s the case in todays graduates. Thus, less loyalty and interest in staying in the Atlanta area. Case in point, my grandmothers brother-in-law worked for Southwire as he was a Tech graduate. When I was about 5 years of age, we came to Atlanta one Saturday. Uncle Comer had taken his son to a Tech game—-we went by his home just in time for he and his son Comer,Jr. to get home from the game. Excitement does not justify their state of mind—Ecstatic may!!! Never had I nor have I since seen such an outburst and thrill of victory!!! Tech alumni you have a very, very, very rich tradition——uphold and respect it!!!!