The Georgia Tech Athletic Association budget approved this week doesn’t have much room for fat. The $58,233,000 budget for fiscal year 2013 is $623,000 lower than the budget for fiscal year 2012.
Athletic director Dan Radakovich called the decrease miniscule, noting that there have not been any cuts in personnel, scholarships or programs.
“Those are things that would be red flags associated with a contracting program,” he said. “This is more circumstantial.”
The department expects increased revenues through TV money and contributions to the TECH Fund, the latter because of the opening of McCamish Pavilion. However, because of the even-year home football schedule that doesn’t include Georgia, Clemson or Virginia Tech, the department expects $10.2 million in ticket sales, compared with the $14.0 million budgeted for last year.
“We’re really going to have to ask [coaches and department heads] to hold the line” on expenses, said associate athletic director and chief financial officer Frank Hardymon at the quarterly board meeting.
One expense not on the new budget — a buyout payment to former football coach Chan Gailey. The department paid out the final $665,000 (of $4million) owed Gailey, who was fired after the 2007 season. The department projects a $100,000 profit for fiscal year 2012.
Changes for Gregory
Men’s basketball coach Brian Gregory’s summer is considerably different this year because of two NCAA rules changes for the sport. The first permits coaches to make unlimited phone calls and text messages to prospects who have completed their sophomore year of high school. Previously, coaches were limited to one call per month to juniors and two per week to seniors, with no text messages permitted. Gregory sees immediate benefits in his staff’s ability to keep track of prospects’ tournament schedules over the summer.
“Plus I think you’ll see the benefits down the road in terms of creating a better relationship with these kids, knowing them better,” he said.
The other rule permits coaches to work with team members enrolled in summer school for two hours per week over the summer. Gregory began the practices last week and plans either three 40-minute sessions or two one-hour workouts, with a strict focus on individual skill development.
Recruiting aim
When Gregory and his staff hit the road in July to evaluate prospects, they’ll be looking for a post player to replace rising junior Daniel Miller.
However, Gregory said, “We’re never going to box ourselves in where we have to get this or we have to get that. We’re going to bring in the best players that fit in with what we want to get done.”
Gregory secured a commitment from Solomon Poole, a rising senior point guard from Jacksonville and the No. 14 player in the country according to recruiting service Rivals. He is the brother of guard Stacey Poole, who transferred to Tech in January from Kentucky.
Etc.
Freshmen Chris Bolden, Robert Carter and Marcus Hunt will enroll Monday and will be able to participate in the remaining summer workouts. Freshman guard Corey Heyward, the son of late Falcons star Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, has been able to practice as he came to Tech from a preparatory school. Gregory said Heyward has physical and mental toughness that the team sometimes lacked last year. ... Tech will open McCamish Pavilion on Nov. 9 against Tulane. The women’s team will open against Tennessee on Nov. 11.
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