AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLotta games left to be played
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day. Its been awhile since my last blog, but here goes:
Tennis gaining groung
Amanda McDowell will be playing for the NCAA women’s singles title today. This is illustrative of the quality and depth that Bryan Shelton is creating in his squad.
We took the team title last year and have a player going for the singles title this year ? after the team was bounced out by Florida in the Elite Eight. Tech tennis is in the early stages of developing into a national power, similar to how we have watched the men’s golf team develop in the past. With Bryan Shelton leading the program they’ll always be in the national title discussion.
Pitch for baseball team
The men’s baseball team played valiantly against Miami in the ACC tourney, but fell in the end. The luck that pushed us past NCSU in the first game seemed to switch allegiances and gave the Canes the late inning heroics needed to progress while our Jackets were sent to face Clemson and await our fate. It looks like we’ll be on the road for the regional but I think we’ll be a relatively high seed.
The ACC is very strong this year with UNC, Miami, and Florida State all being ranked in the top 5.
Lastly…
Drugs and substance abuse appear to have cost cost Michael Hutts his life and Joe Hamilton his job and a good bit of reputation here in the recent past. I just don’t understand it ? how do you mess things up like that when by all appearances you are on top of the world? Hutts was a Dean’s List
student who was pitching his best since arriving on campus at Tech ? and Hamilton had just been handed a job on the Tech athletics staff which would have definitely put him onto the coaching track at his alma mater. My condolences to the Hutts family and Hamilton’s career … But I have to say, what were they thinking and why didn’t someone see this coming and speak up? If you see a friend getting involved with drugs … speak up. If you see someone leaving a party or social
gathering when they shouldn’t be driving … speak up. If you sit by and silently allow people to harm themselves or others, you are just as guilty as if you facilitated their addictions or actions.
Comments
By Jacketnation
May 26, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Hang in there Jackets. Hope you go far in the tourney. I hope Obama chokes on the koran and doesn’t make it to the whitehouse. How American is baseball. How un-Amercian is a man who makes excuses as to why he doesn’t salute the flag or sing the national anthem. And people want this imposter to be president?
By Tech Student
May 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Give ‘em hell Tech!
and as always:
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!
By 74wrek
May 26, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
This is an excellent column abd should be posted on the bulletin board of every college athletic team in the country.
It is a shame when people cannot find the inner strength to avoid bad choices when they have every thing to loose and nothing to gain as these 2 guys did.
By YELLOWJACKETS REQUIRED
May 26, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Regarding Chris Boggs question “why didn’t someone speak up”? to M. Hutts or J. Hamilton. People have spoken up to both of them. I personally have spoken up to J. Hamilton vis-a-vie his alcohol and drug use. This was back when he was a student here. M. Hutts was a personable kid and beloved by many. People like this aren’t stupid, and they don’t go through life without SOMEONE pointing out the errors of their ways.
This can serve as a “wake-up” call for Joe. So he pays a fine and does a stint in the graybar. If he has a decent attorney he can get back into coaching. Others have done far worse and gone on to be successful.
As for Michael, there is not much we can say except prayers for his family
I think that Tech and Georgia fans will all agree that these were two superb athletes with bright futures ahead. We also agree that no one school is immune from the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse. All races, all walks of life are involved.
So when we do encounter someone that we love or respect who is abusing substances, say something! I do. I let them know that I care about them and that what they’re doing can only end up in shipwrek.
By yellowblood
May 27, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this
If only Joe had stuck to Tickle Piles he would have been so much better off. There he could have let down his hair without fear of embarrassment.
By WillieD
May 27, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Good post, YJRequired. In his early thirties, Joe has time to right his ship and make a name for himself in coaching, or whatever else he might choose.
Unlike many who have made a major mistake in their lives, Joe has a golden opportunity to use this experience as the “before” in his “new after life.”
Don`t be bashful, Joe, about admitting your error. Instead, use it to influence the many young people who are confronted by the same temptations. Show them that your error in judgement was the “awakening” you needed to get your life in order.
There are many famous people who have made mistakes and used the occurrence as support for turning their lives around. A young man who was a highly successful athlete and who reversed a significant error in life will make an exceptional coach, if he can live as he should and can use his experience to influence and lead young men.
Good luck, Joe. We know you can get back on track.
By Tech need another assnt coach?
May 27, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Call Jeep Hunter…he was not retained by Coach Johnson.
By JustMe
May 27, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Could someone that knows college baseball explain something to me?
Tech had a better record than GA. Tech had a stronger rpi than GA. Tech played in a tougher conference than GA.
Why did GA get to host the regional over Tech?
Also, why did GA get an easier 1st round opponent compared to Tech?
Is the NCAA baseball committee all UGA graduates or something?
By b
May 27, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Just Me: Don’t forget GT won the season series agianst UGA….your guess is as good as mine on this one. Maybe it was because UGA won the SEC… and Tech could not beat the big 3 in the ACC.
By WillieD
May 27, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
JustMe- I dont pretend to be a baseball expert, but it seems rather obvious that when ugag won the SEC regular season that qualified them for a regional host slot - especially since the SEC didnt have anybody close to a UM or FSU level team.
Other than that, I see no other reason. Altho they were nationally ranked, which I guess we can`t claim.
By nebraskka option faithful
May 27, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
I live in Omaha but am a HUGE jacket fan. Hope to see tech here for the CWS!!!!
By Jacketnation
May 27, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Hope to see Tech in the CWS and Obama go back to Indonesia to stay.
By joe
May 28, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
It’s easy to understand actually. The NCAA does not want to have regionals on a campus that holds Tickle Piles.
By Herm Willingham
May 28, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
joe, shut up before i p** in your paper Burger King hat. The timer went off. Get back to the fry station.
By Big Bee
May 29, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I see that Quincy Carter is getting his 251st last chance. Maybe there is hope for Joe Hamilton.
By Genius Jacket
May 29, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
I thought all of our Yellow Jacket athletes have 4.0 GPAs and drink milk on the weekends.
By dandydawg
May 29, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Here’s wishing both teams luck in their quest to get to the CWS. I think I read where NCAA decided the host sites through a bidding process. I could be wrong, but I think I read it. I am looking forward to some great competition!
By dandydawg
May 29, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
I was wrong. It’s awarded to each team!
By Jacket95
May 30, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Perfect Day!!! Tech wins and U(sic)GA loses. Gooooo Jackets!
By gt45
May 31, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Good luck tonight, Jackets! All the way to Omaha!
By HomeDawg
June 2, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Perfect day: UGA wins (twice) and the herd loses (to UGA). Will repeat second part of this on tomorrow’s blog.
By SECCoachnDallas
June 2, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
What a poorly prepared baseball team. ERA’s that are astronical, infielders that cannot catch a ground ball and pitchers that cannot throw a stike. The most amusing thing was the banner in the outfield that said “Joe Hamilton for Heisman.” I saw a baseball team as inept as your last seven football teams. Even in the ACC, you are a bottom feeder. Ghetto Yech is no longer a rival of The University of Georgia. A rival has to bring some semblence of competition to the contests and that has ceased to happen for the last several years.
By HomeDawg
June 3, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
(As promised yesterday)…and the herd loses (to UGA).
There is good news, however. The DragonCon founder has been released from house detention stemming from his child molestation conviction.
By HomeDawg
June 3, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
And, Chrissy: Time for a new blog. Your headline (and topic) definitely applies no more.
By HomeDawg
June 9, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Oh, now I get it. Your headline refers to the Dawgs.
By DAWG LOVER
July 3, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
TODAY ismy 30th birthday. I BOrowed my moms cumputer to write this letter. I LIKE THEM BULLDOGS AND I LIKE PEANUT BUTTER. IF YOU know what I sayying. GOTTA go, must cut my lawn to bye ciggarettes