Georgia Tech will submit its written appeal to the NCAA on Friday to challenge the July ruling that stripped the school of its 2009 ACC football title.
Friday is the deadline to file the appeal document with the NCAA’s infractions committee. Along with the ruling on the ACC title, Tech also will appeal the committee’s finding that the school failed to cooperate and failed to meet the conditions and obligations of membership during the NCAA’s investigation into possible improper-benefits violations by two former members of the football team.
A former member of the appeals committee has a suggestion for the written appeal. Harvard attorney Allan Ryan said a written appeal is received well “if it is short and to the point.”
To assist in the appeal, Tech has hired the Birmingham-based law firm of Lightfoot, Franklin and White, whose attorneys include former NCAA infractions committee chairman Gene Marsh. Tech president G.P. “Bud” Peterson and athletic director Dan Radakovich declined comment. Attorneys from the firm did not return phone messages seeking comment.
Upon receipt of the appeal, the infractions committee will have 30 days to respond, part of a series of permitted alternating responses.
Jersey solution
Tech’s jersey quandary has been solved. After receiving numerous complaints that the gold numbers on the Yellow Jackets’ white home jerseys were difficult to distinguish in the season opener against Western Carolina, Tech plans to wear a new batch of jerseys with navy numbers at its next home game, Sept. 17 against Kansas.
The rest of the uniform, including gold accents on the collar, sleeves and side panels and gold pants, will remain the same. “Unless somebody can’t see the [pants], then we’ll have to change them,” equipment manager Tom Conner said.
