AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USContract minutiae
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some odds and ends from Paul Johnson’s contract that didn’t make it into today’s story.
1) It wasn’t merely the season or the apparent direction of the team that factored in the negotiation. Johnson’s agent Jack Reale and AD Dan Radakovich noted that the “very tangible, demonstrable excitement” (Reale’s words) that Johnson has created within Tech’s fan base was a factor. It was leverage for Johnson, as his popularity and the buzz from the team’s success have a tangible effect on Tech’s fund-raising ability.
“As I go out to do my job, whether it’s to sell more tickets or to increase contributions to the overall athletic department, when you have a successful football program, the door opens, the phone call is taken. Just because of the magnitude of the program, as far as how it’s covered in the media and television and radio, all the different media outlets, there’s a value to that.”
2) Radakovich acknowledged it’s possible we all might be going through another re-structuring again next winter. That said, Radakovich said he was “absolutely” confident that Johnson will be here a long time, and Johnson has made statements along the same lines.
Said Radakovich, “Again, it goes to the market and the success of the program. There’s nothing that says it can’t (happen) and there’s nothing that says it can.”
3) It’ll be interesting to see what happens with ticket prices and the Tech Fund giving levels. This has been in the works for awhile, well before the re-negotiation came up, although that could impact prices. At any rate, and you might know this better than me, but evidently in some sections there’s a lot of demand for seats and not so much in others.
So Tech may boost the requisite Tech Fund donation level in the sections with a lot of demand and drop it in others. And if ticket prices go up, it doesn’t sound like they’ll go up a lot. I’m guessing they’re counting on a larger season ticket base for 2009.
Said Radakovich, “I can tell you what it’s not going to be: It’s not going to be a straight ‘X’ percent increase for each of the categories.”
4) I’m not sure how much you can trust the coaching salaries you see published. I’ve seen Bobby Bowden’s salary anywhere from $2.5 million to just under $2 million. We put enough stock in a lower figure to determine that Johnson, for now, is the highest paid coach in the ACC (although we wrote previously that Bowden’s salary was $2.5 million, which was based on a reported figure). But it might not be long before Johnson gets passed if Bowden or Frank Beamer re-do their deals.
5) There apparently weren’t any one or two other coaching contracts that were a benchmark for Johnson’s. Reale said it was based on “a general knowledge of the market.”
6) There are plenty of incentives for Johnson to hit. We’ll hopefully publish those when we can get a copy of the contract.
What do you think?
Comments
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 18, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Ken:
What is the buyout amount?
Please! Thanks for your reporting on this important story.
Go Jackets!!
By CaryJacket
December 19, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
Ken,
Thanks for the all of the articles and blogs. Good stuff.
Regarding the incentives, it will be interesting to see the relative values associated with beating UGA vs. winning the ACC.
Graduating players and keeping them in good academic standing would be a good incentive clause to have in a contract also — especially given Tech’s challenging academics.
By jason
December 19, 2008 3:33 AM | Link to this
Putting in to words or a dollar amount what coach Paul Johnson has done for Georgia Tech is very hard to quantify. The quintissential moment of the game that decided the Governor’s Cup was a 4th and 1 for Georgia Tech deep in Georgia territory. If you watch the Yellow Jackets’ reactions after the conversion, you will see the offensive linemen celebrating like they had just won the national championship. Why? They had. In their minds they had achieved what was unattainable only months prior. Coach Johnson has given a team, a family, a fan base, the confidence to say, “to hell with the doubters and the naysayers, we are here to win the game, the championship, the state of Georgia.” Uniting a team, a school, and a fan base, regardless of what dollars and cents the ticket sales will bring, is a very tough thing to compute. Just ask any Georgia Tech or Georgia fan.
By addicted
December 19, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
All this talk about markets, basically highlights the fact that Tech does not compete in an ACC market, but an SEC market. Now FSU and Miami (not so sure about these guys) are probably the only other ACC schools that also compete in SEC markets, and Bowden is not going anywhere. Another indication of this fact was that there was NO ONE worrying that Clemson would steal Johnson from Tech (although I believe ACC rules that prohibit this were the primary reason for this) while Auburn worried everyone. As a result of this, Tech had to pay Coach a salary on par with SEC coaches, and this amount is very fair for what SEC coaches are paid…
By Blah, Blah, Blah
December 19, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
The only numbers that really factored into all of this are 45 - 42!
Tech folks new they had a gamer during CPJ’s first meeting when his first words were THWG!
By TDone
December 19, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
A very good hire, indeed.
Go Jackets!!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 19, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Ken how much of a raise did the Asst. Coaches get?
DRAD has done a great job, I just hope he takes into account the money Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and Nancy Pelosi stole from us before he jacks up the price too much.
By ken sugiura
December 19, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
To answer the questions - the buyout was raised from $750,000 after the first season to $1 million and from $500,000 each remaining year to $750,000.
The assistants got a raise somewhere between 10 and 15 percent, Radakovich said. Johnson basically gets a budget for the assistants that he, I think with the AD’s help, divvies up. So that budget will increase by about that amount.
It should be in the story.
By ken sugiura
December 19, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
By the way, Addicted makes a salient point. If Auburn was interested in Johnson (and it appears that way), then Tech has to come up with a salary to fend off Auburn and others of like budget, not just other ACC schools. And if Gene Chizik was given $2 million a year, as has been reported, I’d think the price for Johnson might have been considerably higher.
By Tech75
December 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
I think DRad’s statement about being willing to re-do the deal again at the end of next season is a smart public position to take.
The Institute protects itself if it runs into a “one-hit-wonder” kind of thing, while signaling that it recognizes that CPJ’s market value is going to continue to rise if he is successful once again next year.
I am more impressed with DRad each time I hear him speak.
By TechMan91
December 19, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I’m for pricing tickets at a level where only Tech families are attending. We don’t need the sidewalk lot to continue to take seats and represent the Institute. They can go follow the dogs. It’s time to take back BD and Grant Field and return it to the Tech alumni who built it. That’s not a popular opinion, but it’s what we need to think about.
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 19, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
TechMan91,
What exactly is “the sidewalk lot”? And what exactly would the pricing be like so that only Tech families are attending?
You’re either a racist or a snob (maybe both). Ticket prices should be at a level that encourages fan support but keeps the program operating at a high level on par with the other programs GT is competing against. I’m not a GT alumnus (I’m actually a Hornet from up the interstate), but in my humble opinion the actual GT alumni are the worst fans in the stadium. They sit on their hands, and rarely cheer unless there is a score (think golf clapping for a visual). I had season tickets a few years (a few years ago) and one time I brought a UGA fan with me (not to the UGA game) and he cheered for GT louder than anybody around us. Pathetic. So the next time you want to spout off about who should or shouldn’t be at the games, tell me where you’ll be and we’ll talk about it in person you pu$$ y.
By The Price is Right
December 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Ken,
I think you might be mistaken in the story you linked above. From the way you worded it in the blog, the buyout would be about $6 million dollars to leave right now ($1 million base + 7 * 750000 for each additional year left on the contract).
In the “53 percent” story, it sounds like you’re saying that it will cost only a million bucks if he wants to leave right now, and only $750,000 for the rest of the contract. That would be the worst buyout i’ve ever seen.
By Tech82
December 19, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Techman91 – Why on earth would you seek to run off ANY legitimate fan of a program that is currently unable to sell out its stadium for a nationally televised game against a ranked opponent (Miami)?
I’ll take ANY Tech fan that wants to support our program and buy tickets in the process. In my opinion, a sidewalk fan dressed in white and gold looks a lot better than an empty seat.
For your sake, I hope you never have to run your own business.
By the flats
December 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Great job Coach PJ. Well deserved!
By Rusty
December 19, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Techman91,
You are a dope. I am a 1969 grad of TECH, but as a young boy, my working-class Dad and I were your so-called sidewalk fans.
You must have emerged from the womb in bubble wrap and never experienced the Real World which, by the way, our Institute represents.
Rusty
By okeefe59
December 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Hey 91—What on earth are you talking about? I got my first taste of GT sports as a young brat running around the neighborhood.Not as part of the “Tech Family”I became a part of the “Tech Family” as a result of that and then my degree—IE66.I welcome all into our family.I do not mind sharing my pride in GT an never will.You see my name?okeefe59 and GT66 and i’m proud of both.
By rambleonisa sore loooooser
December 19, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
dont talk pol on this football blog ahole
By ??
December 19, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
hey “Ramblin Wrecker”: what NOBODY needs is idiots like you that equate a suggestion of price increases to some sort of racist action!
TechMan91 is referring to the continuous game-by-game selling of season ticket seats (many by season ticket holders) to anyone who comes along, due to recent years of disappointment and lethargy instilled by Chan Gailey. In one season, much of this has been reversed and I hope it will continue to do so. If ticket prices need to be slightly increased then D-Rad understands that the increase must be on par with the increase in value and demand. If people have to pay a little more for their seats to watch a more successful team, then they are less inclined to sell them off at the last minute. To put it another way … if we continue to witness similar success to the ‘08 season, then we can re-strengthen the loyalty that season ticket holders feel towards their investment. That’s the way it works. I’ll be sitting in the Lower East side, north 15 yard line if you’d like to talk to ME about it in person.
By ga_tech_92
December 19, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!
By UGA is so last year
December 19, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
A big article of nothing?! There was nothing in this article except a writer’s speculation.
By Jason
December 19, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
TechFan 91,
I don’t know what you are trying to get at, but I don’t liek the way you put it. As a GT alumni, I am pretty good at math. Accordign to my rough calculations, GT graduates probably around 1000-2000 students a year that stay in America aftewards. Take the large number of 2000, and assume that half stay in Georgia. To fill up bobby dodd stadium we would need 25-30 years worth of alumni showing up to every game with their significant other. Thats pretty unrealistic. I think its great if non-alumni attend our games. They are paying for tickets, just like alumni, and helping to finance the program with their purchases. GT, because of the size of the school, as well as not being snobs, should embrace non-alumni following the program as well.
As far as the contract, I like it all except the buyout. GT is on the hook for well over 20M with assistants buyouts, whereas Johnson can bolt for 1M. I don’t mind paying the man what he is worth, and I don’t think Johnson is a job hopper, I would just like to see that buyout be an obstacle thats large enough to keep every school with an open coaching position from calling him.
By ken sugiura
December 19, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Price is Right - sorry if it was unclear. It’s actually as you understood it in the original story. After the 2009 season, the buyout if Johnson left would be $1,000,000. Any season thereafter, it would be $750,000.
It seems low to me also, but I wasn’t involved in negotiations. Obviously, it was good enough for Radakovich.
I’d debate the assertion that the post was all speculation, particularly given that I quoted Radakovich and Reale speaking to different aspects of the negotiation and contract.
Take 6, for instance. Jack Reale told me that there are a lot of reachable incentives in the contract. Speculation would be “There are likely a lot of incentives in the contract that Johnson can reach”
By the real Old Gold
December 19, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Way to go D-Rad. You are a breath of fresh air.
Tech Man 91 I have been a Tech fan most of my life, and I hold season tickets. I have close friends who have held season tickets in their families since before they were born, and they attend every home (and most away) games with pride, dignity and in keeping with the traditions of the school. I didn’t go to Tech because I spent the last 8 years in the military (including a year and a half in Iraq), and now that I’m in school with a wife a job on the GI Bill, I can’t drive to Atlanta for class every day so I don’t go to Tech. But I love the school and it’s sports teams and their traditions. The problem is actually WITH the alumni that move far away and never come to games at all. From what I can tell, the cheap seats are always full, and full early, and the Gold, fold down seats are empty even at sell outs. Get a life. If you were a true fan, you’d want the stadium to be full of white and gold even if they were bussed in from ten states. THWG!
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 19, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
This ridiculous contract is a disgrace! The coaches get paid tremendous amounts of money, the schools rake in millions from season games and lots more from bowl games and the players? Well, they are amateurs and don’t get paid. If college football is not a professional sport, why are the coaches paid so much money? The answer is obvious, college football is professional and it’s big business! Pay the players, above the table, and stop the hypocrisy!
By DRad
December 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Who controls DRad’s salary? We need to give him a raise!
By CW
December 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
BUYOUTS - may make you feel safe about your coach, but that is an illusion. Any school that really decides they want your coach can come up with $2 million, $3 million or whatever. Buyouts also tend to be antagonistic in negotiations because the coaches and their agents hate them. The bottom line is, if your coach or employee decides he’d rather work somewhere else, why in the world would you want to try to force him to stay? Pay the guy a competitive salary and let him do his work and he’ll stick around.
As for the discussion about sidewalk alumni, I’ll echo some of the comments above. As a Georgia State grad who bought student tickets on the Plaza at GSU during Tech’s lean years in the 80’s, I know for a fact that I’ve attended more games than many of my friends who actually went to Tech. Rather than get indignant, I’ll just assume that what Techman91 meant to say was that he’d rather not see so many fans of other teams in Bobby Dodd Stadium. On that point I’ll agree, but I suspect that after this year, we’ll start seeing a lot more Tech fans at Grant Field.
BTW Techman91, please tell me you’ve already got your Peach Bowl tickets.
By wreckmaniac
December 19, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
I’me very impressed that DRAD jumped on this quickly and strongly. Congratulations to our AD. He has his finger on the pulse of Tech fans and the overall college business environment today which is to steal a coach at any minute for any price. So ticket prices may go up and, for the right product, thats fine. As far as I’m concerned, we could have lost ten games but as long as we beat UGA, the coach deserves a raise. We’re simple here. Bowl games, rankings, recruiting and all that other bla-bla is insignificant to Tech fans when it comes to beating UGA.
By Dean
December 19, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
When I go to the ajc blogs of my school UGA, it is littered with trash talking Techsters. But I come on here and I don’t see UGA fans doing the same. Why is that. And instead of talking trash I can actually say congratulations on a great game back in November and you have a quality coach. Now, I would not let recruits know that you think bowl games, recruiting and the other “bla-bla” is insignificant to beating UGA.
By goldarchie77
December 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
I deeply respect TechMan91’s opinion I just think its very short-sighted. My grandfather went to Tech and saw the glory years, my family has had season tickets since and have supported the I when nothing else was in town and even now that there is plenty competition for our entertainment $’s. We are now three generations removed from anyone in our family attending Tech. Does this constitute “Tech family” or are we the “sidewalk lot.” I would be willing to say that we give the athletic department more than many if not most alumni. I don’t agree that Tech only market to Tech, I think they miss a huge demographic of Dawg haters and folks who are native Atlantans, there are not many but many that are associate all good things about Atlanta with Georgia Tech and it’s athletics. For my family and I, real Atlanta, it’s history and much of its culture is Georgia Tech. I would never cheer for the Dawgs and though I don’t represent Tech as a alumni, I respect everything about the Institute and I’m proud of it as an Atlantian. Go Jackets! DRad and PJ are great for Tech, let’s keep them around along with all Tech fans.
By The Dude
December 19, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
To Algonquin J. Calhoun,
They don’t make people much more ignorant than you, do they? How about the free education the student-athletes receive? Why don’t you ask Dr. C. Wayne Clough what his degree was worth to him? Call up the new CEO of Wal-mart and ask him what his Georgia Tech degree has been worth. Obviously you don’t place a high value on education; and thusly will play little or no role in your current or future offspring’s education. They’re likely on the fast track to being card carrying members to the Future Felons of America club.
By cleetis
December 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
ken- is DRad going to give you a copy of the contract or are you going to have to go thru the open records act to get it? either way, please put a pdf copy on the web when you get it. also, what does GT owe CPJ if he is terminated early? is it the balance of the contract(like chan’s) or a fixed amount? thx
By Class of 2000
December 19, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
I think college sports have no place at Georgia Tech. Our academics haves suffered and so has our reputation due to our football and basketball teams’ respective graduation rates and the off field issues in the athletic department.
Georgia Tech could be the MIT or Cal Tech of the south if it dropped sports and focused on attracting the brightest and funding additional research.
The administration has sold out to the old school alumni and “fans.” A tech diploma could be worth so much more.
By The Dude
December 19, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
To Class of 2000,
You don’t know much about what you speak, either. Tech doesn’t have to give up athletic programs to be the MIT or Cal-Poly of the South… they already are. Tech is consistently ranked in the top four in engineering amongst MIT, Cal-Poly, and Cal Berkeley; and they do all that while being public and offering strong competition in all three major D1-A sports (football, men’s bball, baseball).
I’m guessing you’re a “dawg” fan in disguise.
By Techman91 is a Moron
December 19, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Where’d ya go buddy? Got everyone all riled up and then vanished after everyone started bashing you. How would Tech survive if non alumni didn’t show up? It would be a financial disaster for the university. It would also be an embarassment on National TV with empty seats everywhere (you think it’s bad now…wait till you exclude all non alumni from entering the stadium). You’re probably the dude behind me who sits on his hands the whole game and keeps saying “down in front”. I’ll make sure and spread the word that you want Tech games to be held as PRIVATE EVENTS. Should we take thumbprints of students so we know who is a “fake” at the gate? Freakin Moron.
By Wreck'EmTech
December 19, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Want a current student’s perspective on sidewalk fans? We’re in Bobby Dodd early being loud at every home game. We sell off textbooks just to travel to away games and bowls. We wear gold, sing the songs and scream our heads off. When we graduate and come back to Bobby Dodd what do we get along with our alumni seats? Silence and seemingly boredom. I’m sorry but while I love that you paid a boatload of money for your spiffy cushioned seat, I’d MUCH rather your team’s players hear your voice yelling for them. Because that helps them win. And enough wins allow our AD to replace your tired, lazy hindside with a whole section of amped up bandwagon fans.
Whom would I rather Tech market to in the seasons that our men are winning? The city of Atlanta!
By Born2Buzz
December 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
I’d rather sell the top 10 rows of the North stands for $5 each to the “sidewalk lot” than see them empty or full of the other teams fans.
I’ve read TechMan91’s post 5 times and still don’t quite get it. Did someone of a different color than you come sit next to you at a game and make you uncomfortable?
I have several friends who did not go to Tech but have bought season tickets because they like college football. I say bring on more of them. Eventually with CPJ there will be a lot of Tech converts filling the seats.
By macrotech
December 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
the Dean…ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Our blogs have been littered by the dribblings of uga fans! Their little middle school playground jargon has painted an amazing tapestry of the intellect celebrated by dawg fans! ‘Nerds with pocket protectors’ and ‘Yo mamma’ statements have threaded themselves throughout our blogs as true as the tides of the oceans! There have been some classy statements made by uga fans, and for them, i have great respect! Truly, their dribblings have lessoned as, in the end, they can’t come up with an answer to ’ tech won and the dawgs lost’ without looking into the rear view mirror! uga has enjoyed a great streak for seven years. we get that! Tech, NOW enjoys a new streak of ONE! Next year will play itself out, but this is the NOW! As for the new contract…GO TECH!!!!!
By ??
December 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Dean: I’m not sure where you’ve been hiding since Nov. 30, but the TECH blogs (all of them, no matter who the writer or what the subject matter) have been littered with insults from the DAWGS. “delusional nerds”, “pencil-necked geeks” … this is just a sampling of the insults that are spread across the TECH blogs right now (it only took me a few minutes to find them). And things have actually calmed down a bit since it has been almost 3 weeks since the game in Athens.
Dean, thank you for the congrats on the win over UGA and our having a great coach. I hope this stirs up the DAWGS and revives the CLEAN OLD FASHIONED HATE that makes our in-state rivalry what it should always be, every year. But, if you claim that it is only the “Techsters” (your term) that are doing the trash-talking, you are ignorant, blind and sadly unread.
By GT 90
December 19, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
PAY THE ATHLETES? THEY ARE GETTING A FREE EDUCATION THAT MOST OF US HAD TO PAY UPWARDS OF $20,000 TO OBTAIN. Squash that notion right now!! Pay the walk ons, maybe…..
By NYJacket
December 19, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Techman91,
You are an embarrassment to Georgia Tech.
I am also a tech man, class of 1965, and a former Tech player.
I can tell you that as a player when the old Grant Field was sold out, it did not make any difference to me where the GT fans came from as long as they made noise and helped to energize the team.
Do you believe that the people that fill the Notre Dame stadium at home and away all graduated from Notre Dame? If they did, that small school in Indiana must have the longest living alumni group in the country.
By Mark
December 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Techman….pathetic…I went to The Citadel and moved here 5 years ago..I’ve been a season ticket holder every year since. I scream my head off and pull for the Jackets. I’m glad the majority of Tech fans arent’ like you at all.
By SideWalkFan
December 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
techman91 & ?? I am a sidewalk fan as you can tell from the handle , it is so tough to be a GT fan , you are everything that i hate about GT. your pampas attitude grates my nerves , you disgust me with your holier than thou GT alum degree attitude. GT would have more sidewalk fans but techman91 & ?? turn away possible fans because they didn’t go to your precious school and you treat them like second class citizens .Stop with the stupid academic name calling like 3rd graders. MY gosh , please pull out your report card so we all may stair in awe over your brain power . I love football and root for tech because of what the institute stands for and have pulled for tech since i was a small boy( over 30 years ), but again i say , I hate the losers like you that want to only fill up the stands with GT degree holding fans . Bobby Dodd would have accepted anyone who wanted to cheer for his team. BY the way , if either of you would like to talk , i will be sitting in sec 206 row 2 seat 11 come and visit ,
By 61RAT
December 19, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
91 is no true fan.Fill the stadium with fans who want to see good football. Maybe their children are athletes/students who will want to go to Tech.Quit disparaging the foreign students who study here, they could learn their trade in Moscow, Islamabad, Cairo, Tehran and anumber of other nice cities.
By TechCrybaby
December 19, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Given that TechMan91 is wrong, and has been justly stomped for it by everybody, Ramblin Wrecker’s rebuttal to him has something we all ought to pay attention to: namely, Tech fans’ lethargic non-cheering during games. I have seen this forever, and have deplored it, since I was quite young.
UGA fans are hungry cavemen, roaring animal cries. Tech fans are nice, disciplined, non-cheerers, even if we had 92,000 in the stands. What’s wrong?
By GT GRAD
December 19, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
The Techman 91 comments are embarrassing to GT.
I personally think Techman 91 should post an apology or a better explanation of his point unless he truly believes what he posted.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Go GT!!
By Gman
December 19, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Why sweat it with Techman 91? He’s probably another Dawg fan trying to disguise himself as a Tech supporter. I will take anyone that roots for the Jackets - who cares about their race, creed or level of income? Just wear white, gold or navy and cheer for the Ramblin Wreck!
Class of ‘78.
By ??
December 19, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Perhaps I didn’t illsutrate my point well enough: I want ALL GT fans to come to the games. When I stated above that too many GT season ticket holders seem to sell their game-by-game tickets to anyone who comes along, I meant that WAY too often those tix are bought by fans of the OTHER TEAM!! Come one, come all to the GT games, but lets all work together to ensure that an overwhelming majority of attendees are GT fans! This is the biggest way to instill a constant home-field advantage for the team! Far too often this past season I looked around my section (an neighboring sections) and saw fans of the other team who were sitting in seats that I KNOW belong to GT season ticket holders. It seems that far too often these seats get sold at the last minute on the street, on Craigslist, on E-Bay or whatever. You can interpret that as snobbery if you want … I really don’t care. The bottom line is, CPJ is locked in long term … GT has illustrated its cocmmitment to his and the team’s continued success … now its time for ALL GT FANS to get their butts to the games. Peace out SideWalkFan.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Dudette, it’s nice to know there some constants in this world and your ignorance is certainly one of them. The coach of the Ga. Tech team gets 17 million over the next few years. The Athletics Director will get paid a lot of money and the broadcasting entities will realize many, many millions from Ga. Tech football. The ticket revenue alone will be tremendous. the only people not paid in this will be the guys puttin’ butts in the stadium and in front of television sets. You are a complete moron if you call that amateur athletics. It’s a product being churned out by a system that is nothing more than a modern-day plantation set-up. Ole Massa Johnson gettin’ his money. Everybody gettin’ paid but the ho sellin’ that thang boy!
By ??
December 19, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Dear Algonquin J. Calhoun:
These are STUDENTS?? They are there to go to school AND play football. If a player is good enough in HS, he gets a scholarship to play in College, the purpose of which is to pay for his EDUCATION! If that player is good enough in College, he gets (wait for it …) a PROFFESSIONAL CONTRACT to play in the NFL.
College Coaches are PROFESSIONALS (who happen to coach students) with PROFESSIONAL JOBS and their pay increases as their value increases in a PROFESSIONAL MARKET.
When in the history of student-level sports have student-athletes been paid for playing (legally anyway)??? Are you suggesting that a successful High School quarterback get paid when he leads his team to victory? Or, maybe if that were the case, you’d be angry over the fact that the quarterback was probably making more money than the High School Coach??
Good Grief … I’m dizzy with astonishment at your outlook on College Football.
But, let me repeat from above: The bottom line is, CPJ is locked in long term … GT has illustrated its cocmmitment to his and the team’s continued success … now its time for ALL GT FANS to get their butts to the games.
By jabster
December 19, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
If you’re not LOUD and PROUD at the games, especially this year, something’s wrong.
If you’re not hoarse the next day, you didn’t give it enough effort.
Keep it G-rated for the kids’ sake (“hell” is OK for obvious reasons)…but make sure everyone knows you’re there.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 20, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
This situation with so many of our fans being very laid back, lethargic, and spending too much time in the club seat lounge is frustrating. I have thought a lot about it, and I really don’t know a solution. We need their money and their ticket purchases, but they do not seem to have a passion for football like many of us on these blogs. The team needs them to be up and yelling during the games, especially when the other team’s offense is up to the line. This makes it more likely for illegal procedure penalties, and it also makes aubibles much more difficult for the quarterback.
I almost wish they could enclose the club section so that no one could see when more than half of these seats are empty.
I can beg all of these fans to yell, cheer, be in their seats BEFORE the game starts, etc., but they are not passionate about the team, so they are not reading this blog.
Anyone got any ideas on how to improve this situation?
Go Jackets!!
By The Dude
December 20, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
To Algon… grab bag name, Again, you refused to address the role that education plays in college athletics; yet you call me ignorant as though you honestly believe I don’t understand the monies involved in ticket sales. Your language alone is proof of your lack of understanding of the value of a Georgia Tech education. I sense a fear in your written language most assuredly commensurate of a man who lacks the ability to comprehend the value of classical education. My guess is you’re a former high school student who fell short of the menial academic requirements of a college athlete. Perhaps you could mentor the Reid kid from Lowndes. And all this from a man who sold himself short of a degree from Georgia Tech with lack of discipline. Hornet class of 2007.
By Darren in the Springs
December 20, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
I too share the sentiments of most everyone regarding “sidewalk fans.” I must be one since I did not go to Tech, but my father was a ‘66 IE grad (like okeefe59). I had season tickets for 10 years as a kid, and loved going to every game. Now that I have not lived closer than 700 miles from home in the last 20 years, I am still an avid Tech fan. I have spent that time in the military, and I must say I am surprised at how many people know the Tech logo when they see it.
In keeping with my “sidewalk” tradition I must say that my second favorite team is Air Force, whom I have had season tickets to the last 3 seasons. Nothing beats the atmosphere of an academy game here in Colorado Springs. I wish Tech would somehow get Air Force on their future schedule. I love what CPJ has done with Tech in such a short time, and the same is happening here with Troy Calhoun.
Like “the real Old Gold” my college days have been on hold for many years due to unforeseen circumstances, and various overseas tours. I am finally close to my degree, and it will be from Troy University. Even though I will be an official “Trojan” alum, I will still be 100% committed to Tech. This, I guarantee you, will never change.
May everyone have a safe and Merry Christmas!!
Go Jackets, THWG!!!! and THWLSU!!!!
By Wes
December 20, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
I hope there is a clause in there for when he starts losing we don’t to go bankrupt to pay him off.
I think he’s a great coach and all but I question is loyalty at this time. We are at the beginning of the worse recession any has ever seen and he’s getting a huge raise.
He’s a great coach and has done a great job this season and I hope he continues too……but if he starts to slip from here I will have little patients for it after this “Restructuring” of his contract.
By pete
December 20, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
I grew up in the old Atlanta.I became a lifelong Tech fan during their glory days in the early 50’s.Tech and Bobby Dodd were it back in the day.The 6-0 loss to Tenneessee in 56 broke my heart.The 7-6 win over aladamabama was THE highlite.Atlanta grew, times changed and Tech football for years took a back seat to pro sports as well as Ga.Vince arrived in 64 and the series has been owned by Ga. ever since.I honestly believe that Paul Johnson can revive our program long term and fill the seats again.
By GTJay
December 20, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
First, I’m pleased with CPJ and with his renegotiated contract. I hope he’s around for a long time. While we’re at, DRad deserves a raise as well. It’s been a long time that I’ve been this excited being a Tech fan!
Second, I want to echo almost everyone else here who heartily welcomes all GT ‘sidewalk fans’. I’m a Tech grad (‘93) but I was “sidewalk fan” for many years before that, getting season tickets every year with my dad and cheering for the Jackets during the good, the bad, and the ugly seasons. I plan on bringing my own two sons in the next year or two to BDS, as I’m raising a couple of new “sidewalk fans” regardless if they end up ever attending Tech or not. Hopefully with the continued success and excitement on the Flats that CPJ has already brought here, we’ll start selling out BDS with TECH fans, whether they are alumni or not.
GO JACKETS and THWG!
By GTSteve
December 20, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I became a Tech fan as a 9 year old little boy who was fortunate enough to have a friend with a Tech Alumni father with season tickets. I never attended classes at Tech but I have attended many sporting events both home and away. I guess that puts me in the “sidewalk lot” that you refer to, but I sure did have a big smile on my face a few Monday mornings ago when my son asked for a Tech t-shirt for school that day.
By bearcasey
December 20, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
PETE: you are “the man!” I remember those great games and love GT football for the same reasons. We now have a great, passionate coach. I remember how Dooley energized the downtrodden Bulldogs with his 7-0 victory over the Jackets in 1964(I was there and cried.) Now, CPJ has done the same for us. GO JACKETS!
By GT
December 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Atlanta. I went to high school here back in the 60’s. Most of my high school classmates are Tech fans because it was their home town college football team. Many went to Georgia and still pulled for Tech. Atlanta is what is going to make Tech football work now and in the future. The talent has been at Tech for a while we just didn’t have a coach that wanted to work that hard. Even a talented team takes work in this day of parity. Calvin Johnson is a perfect example of wasted talent. CPJ is a football coach. He knows this town recruits players for him and he doesn’t hide from that fact. He also knows this town will support winning always has. Atlanta was forced to go to Athens because of the program here treated it like a step child they were stuck with. CPJ should be a lesson to all of us about not assuming negative people know what they are talking about and that the bully next door has always got to scare us and take our lunch money. And the men that hired him have certainly gotten my attention as knowing what they are doing too. Thanks for not buying the Kool-aid.
By Hans Delbrooke
December 20, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
I am a high school dropout; I got a GED at age eleven. I got my bachelors at Whassamatta U and masters Bethune Cookeman. I bought some GT tickets off the sidewalk and used them to shim the bottom of my toilet so it wouldn’t wobble. I know some good GT people who used to buy moonshine from me on game day. The told me it made them less bratty so they could yell like a maniac for their team; and sometimes the other team. Maybe moonshine is the answer for GTs fan support problem. Try it: I’m on the corner of North and Spring every game day. My moonshine, known as ‘panty remover’ is sold risk free.
By Hans Delbrooke
December 20, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
The article being about Paul Johnson (I spell the whole words), I apologize for getting off track. He’ll be fine until all football criminal activity is publicized and bratty tech fans realize that their players come from the same talent pool as everyone else’s.
By TJ
December 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
TechMan91 may have the dumbest post I have ever seen.
By GTGirl
December 20, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Sorry TJ but I have to disagree. I think TechMan91 is the 2nd dumbest, taking a backseat to Hans Delbrooke. I would assume he never went to Tech considering how he doesn’t like to use acronyms, which, in my 3 years so far as a student, seems to be all that we use!
By gt728
December 21, 2008 3:33 AM | Link to this
I’ve looked at it dozens of time and didn’t realize it until a couple days ago, there is something really odd with one of the headline photos on the AJC’s tech sports home page under the caption “GET BUZZED, WIN TICKETS!”.That girl in gold and white face paint in the upper left corner isn’t a tech fan….. she is clearly painted her face as an LSU tiger. So why do we are showing how much school spirit the tiger fans have when we are suppose to be showing GT spirit!? Or am I wrong and that is a gt fan? Someone please explain or get rid of that photo!
By Hans Delbrooke
December 21, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this
GTgirl; I gave details of my education background in my first post..but I did go to Tech as a moonshine business owner/operator..You say I came in first for dumb posts; thanks, that was my goal. The only other thing where I came in first was the tech campus moonshine belch contest..I sang the French national anthem while belching (several minutes)..They called it the TCMBC grand prize..I asked them to take the acronym off and put the actual words on the trophy; it p** them off. They said “listen here buddy;, if you’re gonna enter tech contests, you’re gonna have to learn our language.” So, how long do you think it’ll take for Paul Johnson to start bringing in thugs for Tech’s football team?
By The Big Bug
December 21, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
The Tech “sidewalk alumni” who have posted here and the fans of UGA for whom I coined the term many months ago are two different species entirely. I think we all can acknowledge that fact. As for you Tech fans who are not alumni, we welcome you with open arms. You display courage , intelligence and a willingness to depart from the common. You can’t just walk into Wal-Mart and become a Tech fan. It takes more than that.
Please,do not be offended by that term. It was not meant for you.
By Techman91
December 21, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Wow. I touched a nerve with the non-alumni and the lurkers. I guess that’s a good thing. In all honesty I had forgotten about my post - I had gotten a bit pulled into the Falcons this weekend. But I remembered making what some would consider a controversial statement and I was curious as to how it was received.
I never knew people cared that much. Or listened to what i had to say. I applaud you on both counts.
As to the motive, some idiot referred to it as racism. Please. How can you attend a worldly institute like Tech and disregard the intelligence of folks different from me? Race has nothing to do with it. But maybe it’s easier for some of you to think that way.
To all of you Tech grads and honorary members of the Tech family, I respect your thoughts and your comments. The others, I could care less. The sidewalk lot gets a little worked up when you separate yourself from them.
My point remains valid. Tech tickets for Tech family first. This is more of a challenge to the Tech family than it is a smack at the sidewalk lot. I appreciate you buying jerseys and such, but I want the Tech family in the seats. It’s why I selected the Institute in the first place.
By spectator #1
December 21, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
they gave this guy an extra two million for beating a sub-par UGA team and winning nine games (with the weakest schedule ever) in his first season…did i miss something here, what did they do that was so spectacular????….
By Techman91 = Irrelavant
December 22, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Hi Techman91
Notice how no one sided with you and your ridiculous comment. It’s because it isn’t right. Quit being a snob. With open arms we should let any fan come to the game. Or would you rather see empty seats on National TV. Let me guess. You’re the guy behind me at games that says stuff like “down in front”. Maybe you’re the one who should stay home and watch the games on TV. If it were only TECH grads at the game half the stadium would be empty. It’s too bad your plan to eliminate sidewalk fans will never happen lil’ buddy. Considering the fact that our AD is attempting at all costs to recruit more outsider fans. Have you not realized this yet? He also doesn’t give a sh*t what you think and will continue to try and get money and fans to come watch GT no matter what their background. Get a grip moron. Merry Christmas!
By Hey Techman91
December 22, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Look up “Techman91” in yahoo search. He posts on Halo Message boards. I think we all know who we’re dealing with. This isn’t some long time Alumni. It’s a little kid. Isn’t that right lil’ buddy. Ignore the lil’ guy. He’s harmless and his dumba#s options will not change a thing. He might be mad about it but the fact is that there will be more and more “sidewalk” fans the more we win. So get ready buddy. Your little heart is about to be broken. Cheer up though little man….Halo is always there for ya!
By TechMan91
December 31, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Last man wins.
I win.