Greetings
First, I apologize for not introducing myself a few days ago.
My name is Doug Roberson, and I am the new beat reporter for Georgia Tech. Trying to follow Ken and Larry, and and MIke and Matt before them, won’t be easy.
I was the college sports and golf editor at the AJC, but was given this opportunity last week.
A bit about myself:
I’m an Atlanta native. I grew up in Mableton (near Six Flags), or Mablevegas, as it’s sometimes humorously called. Graduated from Pebblebrook High (go fightin’ Falcons) in ‘88. Played soccer, a lot of soccer.
Went to Oglethorpe, transferred to UGA to major in journalism. (Attending Georgia doesn’t mean that I hate every other school).
After graduating, I worked at several papers in North Carolina, then moved to Florida for a bit, then to Virginia for many years, before finally coming home.
I went to a few Tech football games when I was a young ‘un, and ate more hot dogs at the Varsity than I can remember.
Please don’t hestitate to send your ideas on things you’d like to see covered to my email address at droberson@ajc.com. I’ll be twittering, as well, at ajcgatech, if you’d like to follow me.
Thanks,
Doug
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117 comments Add your comment
ThereIsADoddinHeaven
April 24th, 2009
8:50 am
Go write about someone else…You can’t be objective or honest when writing about Tech and to be honest we’d prefer someone from primary school to a dawg.
THWG
jacketbacker
April 24th, 2009
8:52 am
whatever??…
Red Elephant
April 24th, 2009
8:53 am
Doug,
I think you picked a great time to start covering GT. As you know, they are an old southern football power but have been mostly in a slump the last 40 years. However, with Paul Johnson at the helm it looks like good things are in store for the Yellow Jackets.
I would like to see some stories of some old GT players like Billy Lothridge. My grandfather said he was one of the best football players he had ever seen.
I’m sure you will do a good job. Good luck!
Roll Tide.
Tech82
April 24th, 2009
9:02 am
Welcome Doug. I have to give you kudos for being man enough to admit you graduated from UGA. A lesser man would have left that out. While your pedigree won’t make you popular on this board, hopefully your reporting will. Good luck.
GO JACKETS! THWG!
razorjacket
April 24th, 2009
9:09 am
Folks, to question someone’s professional objectivity based on their alma mater is ludicrous, condscending, and insulting. Our QB coach is a UGA grad, for god’s sake. Welcome, Doug! Go Jackets!
Not Disappointed
April 24th, 2009
9:13 am
Okay Doug, your on Probation for now! When I first read you went to uga, I thought, “Maybe he should fall on the sworn!”
Nevertheless, I will give you a chance.
Minn Jacket had come some good tips. We want the truth about what’s going on at in the Georgia Tech nation. Plain and simple. Welcome aboard & “Ramblin Wreck!”
Stumpy's Bear
April 24th, 2009
9:24 am
It’s a shame really. Ken was excellent and his spring coverage showed this. Not sure what the details of Ken’s departure, but to replace him with a dawgy is pretty suspect. They fed us the same stuff over at 790 the Zone when they hired Pollack. “Just b/c he’s a UGA grad doesn’t mean he won’t be fair to Tech on your flagship station.” Yadda Yadda Yadda. Listening to him talk Tech football is so condescending. He’s completely out of touch and disinterested in the Ramblin’ Wreck and loves to make remarks regarding our rousing success on the gridiron in 2008 like “hey, good for them, they found a niche,” or “it’s a great gimmick,” etc. . . . Give me a break. I’ll do my best to be fair to you, but I’m obviously already worn down by this sort behavior from our media outlets. Good luck.
MinnesotaJacket
April 24th, 2009
9:46 am
I agree…I have a feeling it will be like reading the GT win over Georgia in the AJC last year where literally every story wasn’t talking about how well GT played but how BAD UGA played…or how the UGA had no offensive line, and they made stupid plays….
I mean the AJC is always going to be biassed we all understand this but I will miss Ken and Larry and always having a new blog every morning when I get to work to talk on
Saint Simons
April 24th, 2009
9:52 am
ajc =fox news
Jack G.
April 24th, 2009
9:56 am
You folks dont seem to know the difference in Reporting—Comentary—and Cheerleading.
ShutUpMutt
April 24th, 2009
10:06 am
Doug, I can’t WAIT for you to meet M. He’s a character.
Atlanta Jackets
April 24th, 2009
10:15 am
Hi Douger! Welcome aboard. I can get my pizzas and my football updates from a mutt.. no worries! LOL! Just razzing you. I hope you do well. I look forward to reading your updates.
A word for the newbie, you’ll hear people refer to the Robot on here on occasion. That’s our nickname for Josh Nesbitt. He’s automatic and made of reinforced steel plates… like a robot. LOL! Just so you know.
THWG!
JJ
April 24th, 2009
10:15 am
Last article I’m reading from this guy.
Nate
April 24th, 2009
10:29 am
M’s phrase is TGAG (Thank God and Greyhound), which is referring to Tech’s decision to can Chan Gailey. Where is he anyway?
Welcome!
April 24th, 2009
10:29 am
Welcome to the beat! I wish you well and look forward to your insights.
Baba O'Riley
April 24th, 2009
10:58 am
Insert foot in mouth… “and I still root for the Dawgs”. NEXT!
The Dude
April 24th, 2009
11:05 am
Can we get some freaking baseball coverage please?
Supersize that order, mutt
April 24th, 2009
11:27 am
Doug, one of my best friends is a sometimes golfing buddy of yours. Just know you are being watched. LOL
JimGT
April 24th, 2009
11:31 am
Doug, welcome. I don’t think it’s a matter of how long you last, but how long will the AJC last. Good luck.
Ignore the critics (both sides). They should have known by now that UGA has a journalism school and GT doesn’t. At least you kept it in-state.
As for suggestions, how about some coverage for GT Baseball.
Glynn
April 24th, 2009
11:49 am
unfortunately, you cant help it, the fact that you attended and admitidly root for UGA will affect how you write about Tech, its unavoidable
buzztrip
April 24th, 2009
11:51 am
Welcome Doug! Glad to have you. Looks like your perceived conflict between alma mater and beat coverage touched a nerve with some folks (both sides). They’ll get over it.
BTW, I graduated from Tech and worked night shift at Waffle House one summer to earn college $$.
William Casey
April 24th, 2009
11:57 am
Welcome Doug! I taught and coached basketball at Pebblebrook from 1975-1980. I’ll always be grateful to Bennie Farmer and Ralph Williams for giving me my first chances!
Give us as much info about GT football and basketball as you can. We hard core (since 1960) Jackets are starving!
GTinChamblee
April 24th, 2009
12:13 pm
Welcome Doug! Don’t really care if you “root for UGA” as long as you keep me informed about my Jackets. It’s what you do now where you come from. Plus….your rooting for a losing team anyways….
GTMan
April 24th, 2009
12:22 pm
I for one am offended AJC would bring on someone who openly says he “roots for Georgia” to be our TECH beat writer!
Baba O'Riley
April 24th, 2009
12:29 pm
Pollack working for Tech’s “flagship” station…an admitted UGA homer is Tech’s beatwriter…what’s next? Sonny Perdue the Grand Marshall of Tech’s Homecoming parade???
GTMan
April 24th, 2009
12:31 pm
Give him a chance guys…..so he said he “roots for georgia”…so what?!?!…he’s our beat writer now! and we should accept him.
osu gt fan
April 24th, 2009
12:32 pm
hey UGAIsSoLastYear right on about the buckeyes. i am fan of both schools.
and yes i agree that the long layoff really hurts the buckeyes as far as the last few bowl games they have played.
i have attended games at most stadiums in the sec and acc and i can say unequivicably that osu has something that none of these schools have as far as an atmosphere on game day. even hbo did a osu vs michigan documentary. osu is a special place.
ill bet that none on this board know that osu led the world in attendance for years and years during the woody hayes era. AND the fans are nice fans to boot. you wont find many drunk hooligans like you find as sec games.
the real OLD GOLD
April 24th, 2009
12:33 pm
How about you go get a few tickets out of Hartsfield-Jackson for Frank Wren, Jo Jo Reyes, David Pollack and yourself and stop trying to ruin everyone’s life. NEXT!
the real OLD GOLD
April 24th, 2009
12:35 pm
How about Frank Wren, Jo Jo Reyes, David Pollack and yourself go elsewhere and stop trying to ruin my life. To HELL with Georgia!
gt fan
April 24th, 2009
12:35 pm
hey dawg i mean doug… try hyperlinks to grey out your posts.
i think larry hartstein or ken did that.
m is an idiot
April 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
1) Welcome Doug! I look forward to your reports.
2) Regarding m: He’s an idiot and a liar.
Is Paul Johnson a better coach for GT than Chan? YES! But that could be said if you compared him to any coach in college, because I believe he’s the best in the nation. A BIG reason for the unexpected level of success last year and great optimism this year and next is talent from the ‘07 recruits that was brought in under Chan. Paul’s a smart guy, and I think one of the factors in taking the Tech job was knowing that he would inherit some good talent.
Also, there’s a lot of “name” coaches (including the one in Athens) that wouldn’t have overcome the HUGE handicap of being short SIX scholarships per year, along with other challenges Chan inherited that were not his fault, and had as many wins as CG did.
Chan represented GT well, with class, dignity and integrity. There were no scandals on his watch. He recuited high character student-athletes, many of the leaders we are so proud of on this team.
Coach Johnson will take us to a much higher level, and I’m EXTREMELY happy he replaced CG. It was best for GT football that Chan go.
But to claim he’s the worst coach ever at GT, much less in the history of football, shows m not only knows very little about football, but he’s probably the biggest idiot to ever comment on the subject.
m, you’ve demonstrated that nothing said about you will stop your stupid tirade, but just know that everytime you post you are exposing your monumental ignorance to everyone else. You’re not funny, you’re not being cute, you’re not being truthful, and most of all you’re not being believed.
Do EVERYONE here a huge favor, and disappear FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saint Simons
April 24th, 2009
12:56 pm
Doug if your pulling for UGA, YOU don’t need to be TECH’s beat writer!!Like Bill O’Reily reporting on the Democrats, FAIR & BALANCED!!!
wes
April 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
Doug, no barking allowed. Can u handle it?
Tom
April 24th, 2009
1:06 pm
Wonderlic results are out.
In-state results (best score)…..
Darryl Richard 37
Matthew Stafford 35
Andrew Gardner 32
Mohamed Massaquoi 30
Michael Johnson 27
Brannan Southerland 26
Vance Walker 25
Asher Allen 25
Jahi Word-Daniels 23
Dannell Ellerbe 22
Corvey Irvin 15
Knowshon Moreno 13
Jarius Wynn 12
Tom
April 24th, 2009
1:10 pm
This is just a test.
Nothing to see here.
yellowblooded
April 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
If a GT grad was the lone beatwrtier for the Dogs their would be a mutt mutiny!
Prove me wrong, Doug. Prove me wrong!
To the AUC editors: You’ve gotta be fu**ing kidding me!!!
Mac
April 24th, 2009
1:46 pm
Welcome, Doug. R.L. Bynum says you’re a good ‘un.
Baba O'Riley
April 24th, 2009
1:50 pm
Good point yellowblooded. What if the spitcup was in the other hand dawg fans?
Buzzbelle
April 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
Doug,
Welcome. We might not always agree with you, but if you write fairly, it can make the blog interesting. Best of luck and I do want to hear something about baseball. THWG
Whisk E. Clear
April 24th, 2009
1:57 pm
Welcome, Doug. Good luck with the new opportunity. As some on here have yet to figure out, journalism is a profession, and you (probably) have a family to feed. I’m sure those two issues will have a greater influence over your work than what school you earned your degree from.
Two suggestions: 1) A little more Beesball coverage would be great; and 2) Lets all (Tech fans and the AJC) stop measuring Tech with a UGa ruler.
Dean
April 24th, 2009
2:14 pm
Good luck Doug! I find it amusing that there’s not a single person in the state that is a Tech fan that could write a cohesive article in support of their school for the home newspaper. They have to get graduates of The University of Georgia for such capabilities. Good luck to you and I’m sure you’ll do a fine, non biased job when writing for this school. I hope that while you presevere through the hatred they will spew at you that eventually you will be given the chance to report for the University that you love. We understand professionalism over in Athens. So give it your best and you’ll always be a Dawg at heart and the Bulldog nation will openly welcome you when you report during GT/UGA matchups.
Tony Shumpert
April 24th, 2009
2:56 pm
Doug, do you have any pics of yourself?
Reckbert
April 24th, 2009
2:58 pm
for y’all wondering about whether Tech will be playing Louisville soon, get a load of this:
2011
9-3 Louisville @ UGA
9-17 Coastal Carolina @ UGA
2012
9-15 UGA @ Louisville
Moses
April 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
Can’t the AJC hire a Journalism Major from some school other than UGA to cover Tech. How can you cover your own arch rival? I don’t get this at all. You better do a great job or you will catch it here. Beware.
Take It Easy People!
April 24th, 2009
3:44 pm
Just cause the guy said he “roots for UGA” doesn’t mean he HATES Tech. We need to calm down here and just let the man do his job. Don’t read too much into what he has said about his passion for the school he attended. That doesn’t mean he won’t speak highly of our Jackets.
ggodsey
April 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
I bet Doug does deep down HATE Tech. I would also bet that he’s thankful that he went to UGA where he actually socialized with women.
Not Disappointed
April 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
MOSES!!!!!!!!! “Don’t close the Red Sea on Doug just yet!” He’s on probation for now. We must see his works and if not up to par we will unlease the WRATH!
Doug,I wonder how you will react if Georgia Tech beats the pups in late November, 2009? Shalom…. Ramblin Wreck!
Not Disappointed
April 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
“Take it easy is right.” LOL to ggodsey, though I didn’t have a problem with the socializing with ladies at Georgia Tech. Ramblin Wreck!
ggodsey
April 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
Hey Remember when I was QB at Tech and whooped up on the Dawgs. Just making sure you remember.
unreal
April 24th, 2009
4:31 pm
have you read some of this guy “doug’s” comments so far? he “roots for UGA”. why would you say that your first day on the Tech blog? if the same happened on the dawg blog it’d would be utter insanity….