UGA says nix to playing Tech in the Dome, and I understand
Next on the Bradley agenda: Tech-UGA hoops in Philips. (AJC photo by Pouya Dianat)
I understand why Damon Evans didn’t want to do it. He has a program to run and home games to protect/hoard. He’s not the president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He’s the athletics director at Georgia. Still …
It would have been nice. Just to try. Just once.
Dan Radakovich, who’s Tech’s AD, told me in Tallahassee he couldn’t see a Tech-Georgia game in the Dome as the 2011 installment of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic really happening. I told him I couldn’t, either, even though I’d just written how much I’d like it. But I’ve got no dog (pun intended) in this fight. I’m just a guy who writes for the Atlanta paper and who gets in free. (Unless Gary Stokan threatens to ban me from covering a game, as once was threatened regarding the Chick-fil-A Bowl.)
It made way more sense for Tech than for Georgia, which is why Radakovich pushed, if gently, for it. Tech is the program looking to market itself and make more money. Evans presides over an athletics department that essentially mints money. To have thrown off the rotation of home games — especially seeing as how Georgia-Florida, which counts as a Bulldog home date every other year, is always played in a different state — wouldn’t have served Evans’ constituency. (Here’s the report of Evans’ demurral, as written by esteemed colleague Tim Tucker.)
Me, I’ve got no constituency. I just would have liked to see Tech fans and Georgia fans jammed under one roof for one night in August/September. Just once. Just to try it. But now we move on to my next doomed-to-fail dream:
Tech and Georgia moving their basketball game back to Atlanta, this time to Philips Arena. I miss the Cremins-Durham days at the old Omni. I suspect some of you do, too.
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102 comments Add your comment
P Rose
October 13th, 2009
10:35 pm
Good! Let’s keep this tradition on real grass, in the open air, after Thanksgiving.
misterwax
October 13th, 2009
10:37 pm
Maybe Damon Evans get get our Marxist President to appoint him as President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve…..then he can print even more money……food for thought.
dawglover
October 13th, 2009
10:38 pm
I agree, for once the almighty dollar does not rule.
Matt Sterbation
October 13th, 2009
10:39 pm
well since this is out I guess this will open the door for Alabama to come to Atlanta and get all the Headlines again.
John Coctosten
October 13th, 2009
10:40 pm
This Tech fan agrees: Moving the bball game to Philips would be great But, moving the rivalry football game to the dome? No thanks.
truth
October 13th, 2009
10:43 pm
Truth is uga could not stand to potentially lose back-to-back games to GT
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
10:44 pm
I think Georgia will eventually have to play someone in the Dome in the Chick-fil-A Classic. Can’t let Alabama make this a yearly showcase.
buzz is wiser
October 13th, 2009
10:45 pm
I would have liked to see the game at the Dome for at least on year as well. How is it that Mr. Evans agrees a couple of weeks ago to continue to have a home game in another state but not one in his own state capital. Money has to be the issue for the continual cocktail party, which benefits the state of Florida, why not get some of the money into the state. But right know he has other issues with his football program this year.
U Gotta B Kidding Me
October 13th, 2009
10:47 pm
Evans would have been stupid to move the game to the Dome with the stipulation that the following year the game would return to GT. Why give up a home game in Athens? Stupid demand by DRad so blame him for it not happening.
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
10:48 pm
Here’s the key, Buzz: Georgia people love the Florida game in Jacksonville (even though they haven’t won there often of late), and they like the Tech game the way it is. Damon Evans is catering to his audience, which is smart on his part.
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
10:50 pm
On Dan Radakovich’s part: Tech fans were afraid they’d give up a home game in which they’d be outnumbered by Georgia fans if they played in the Dome. That’s why Radakovich made the stipulation that Tech would move to the Dome only if Georgia would play at Tech in 2012.
buzz is wiser
October 13th, 2009
10:52 pm
I guess your right Mark, maybe its just that I wanted that game, for that year, so maybe I’m a little biased. Its just mind boggling to me that they would host a home game where if the team were to drive they would have to to 85 to 75 to 10. Doesn’t seem like much of a home field, especially with Jacksonville being Tebow and Gator country.
OedipusTax
October 13th, 2009
10:54 pm
I applaud the decision of UGA. The Dome is a lousy place to play football, as admitted by the owner of the Falcons, who wants a new stadium. I won’t attend another game there unless somebody gives me the tickets. Why should Georgia would leave a 92,000 person stadium to play at the Dome? Why? Makes no sense to me. Loyal UGA fans want the home game once every two years rather than playing 2 miles from the GA Tech campus, which really would make it an away game every year. Maybe Mark Bradley has an inside take on this, which will end up helping his pocket book, and maybe help the AJC in some way to stop losing readers?
Roswell Dawg
October 13th, 2009
10:59 pm
If you, Radakovich and others want UGA – GT in the Dome, why not play in the Dome when it’s Tech’s home game. Why should UGA give up a game in Athens for the convenience of Tech? UGA doesn’t need the Dome. As for playing the basketball game at Philips Arena, I was one of many who attended every game at the Omni but argued that it should be home & home. Why should UGA give up a home game in anything to play in Atlanta? We do give them a game at Turner Field every year for CHCOA.
Alabama Jack
October 13th, 2009
10:59 pm
I still think the best deal for Tech would be to open at Bobby Dodd with a strong SEC team that first Saturday with an ACC-SEC matchup in the Dome that night. Win-win for everyone.
buzz is wiser
October 13th, 2009
11:02 pm
Roswell Dawg, do you agree with having a home game in Jacksonville?
Alabama Jack
October 13th, 2009
11:02 pm
I still think the best deal for Tech would be to open against a strong SEC opponent at Bobby Dodd that Saturday and have an ACC-SEC matchup in the Dome that night. Win-win for everyone, with 3 out-of-town teams and Tech getting a great home game.
Native Atlantan
October 13th, 2009
11:03 pm
Mark, I think this was a bad deal for UGA all along. They already lose a huge SEC game every other year, and now they would be asking the season ticket holders to give away another big game.
UGA has suffered with some really bad deals lately: Willie Martinez, John Jancek, the group of clowns running special teams, an over matched OC in Mike Bobo and a Strength & Conditioning coach that apparantly can’t do either. Anyone notice how UT and LSU could run a simple dive play or lead play at UGA future NFL DT’s and get five yards while UGA struggles to make 3rd and less than 1? If it’s 3rd and 2, UGA has to pass because they are so weak on the line.
The basketball game at Phillips is not good right now either. I’d rather give Fox some time and build a program and increase the fan interest before making that move. At the OMNI, Tech would have 9K to 10K of fans while UGA had 5K to 6K.
Alabama Jack
October 13th, 2009
11:03 pm
Sorry for the double post. All this rain is playing heck with the phone lines.
GT76
October 13th, 2009
11:08 pm
Yes! Real grass, open air, Thanksgiving with Turkey not Chicken!
Da
October 13th, 2009
11:08 pm
Enter your comments here
wrf
October 13th, 2009
11:11 pm
Bama comes to Atlanta to play anybody and Georgia drive 60 miles to play Tech for a pre-season bowl game? WFT is wrong with UGA?
Native Atlantan
October 13th, 2009
11:21 pm
wrf, look at the out of conference schedules of UGA and Bama. Tide has three patsies of FL International, North Texas and the Moving Mocs of UTC. UGA only has one in Tennessee Tech. Eventhough VPI win was impressive, the rest of ALA’s OOC schedule is very weak.
Lee Roy Mercer
October 13th, 2009
11:24 pm
All i wanted to do was get this thing settled…….
natvatln
October 13th, 2009
11:29 pm
Mark: No matter what we Tech fans AND uga have to play in some of these games to protect our recruiting base.Of course in all honesty I believe this Saturday’s game is of much more critical concern. GO JACKETS
buzz is wiser
October 13th, 2009
11:29 pm
Native Atlantan, Mr. Evens choose to put those teams of UGA schedules in an attempt to make the UGA brand nationwide, or something like that, so why doesnt UGA add a couple more “patsies” and a kick-off game that gets national exposure
doc
October 13th, 2009
11:29 pm
wtf it is a sign of a desperate program going downhill not realizing it has to change to keep up. to allow alabama to waltz in and play and be afraid in any way of playing tech “because of its constituency” has a constituency too dumb to realize the benefit of playing tech there. i am not even suggestting they might lose as the issue. they are losing and too blind to see it right now. there are programs on the rise and a game of this magnitude might help them in the long run. instead alabama has the center stage for an early weekend to influence recruits out of uga’s back yard.
whatever
October 13th, 2009
11:31 pm
Native you are high as heck Az state is a punching bag Vandy will probably beat UGA. UGA sucks and they know there is no end on the horizon.
Bob
October 13th, 2009
11:34 pm
Actually Alabama’s OOC Schedule has been a joke for a long time and even though they are picking it up a bit, it remains far below Georgia’s in the future.
From 98-09 Bama has played 9 OOC BCS opponents. Four of those teams wound up ranked including Va Tech this year. Bama has played 2 games in opponents stadiums.
During the same period Georgia has played or will play 19. Eight of those teams wound up ranked with Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State likely to be ranked this year. Nine of those games have been in opponents stadiums.
Bama hasn’t remotely played the OOC schedule Georgia has. They have far more flexibility since they don’t play a non conference in state rival nor do they have a neutral field game with another SEC team. Bama tries to play one decent OOC team a year and the rest is garbage.
Native Atlantan
October 13th, 2009
11:37 pm
Buz, I understand where you are coming from but I don’t think you got my point with Bama. If you are going to talk big about scheduling out of the league, please do more than North Texas, UTC and FIU. Play three tough games out of the league instead of one and then you can talk.
Your suggestion is a pretty good idea, and I think Georgia would be very open to it if the UF game went home and home.
Buford T Justice
October 13th, 2009
11:41 pm
The idea of movin’ the UGA-TECH game to the Dome is pure and simple communism
buzz is wiser
October 13th, 2009
11:41 pm
Native Atlantan, I could be wrong but a couple of weeks ago AD Evans and whatever the president’s name a UGA decided to keep the game in jacksonville instead of a true home and home
MariettaDawg
October 13th, 2009
11:44 pm
I have an idea. Play the game in 2012 as a “home” Georgia game where Georgia get’s the lion share of tickets and revenue and Tech can always claim.. “well we were the visitors and only allotted the visitor’s share of tickets.” “Obviously” thats why they have fewer fans……Right?
Beautiful Monte
October 13th, 2009
11:46 pm
Why doesn’t Mr. Bradley ask Saint Mark if opposing defenses have “figured out” the UGA offense?
Native Atlantan
October 13th, 2009
11:46 pm
Whatever, you are calling me high? Hmmmm so you are putting Arizona State in the same class as North Texas, FIU and UTC. As for mentioning Vandy, the discussion was out of conference schedules and last time I checked, Vandy is in the SEC. I don’t understand your thought process, but we are all entitled to an opinion.
If you think UGA is really that bad, just remember this. Two years ago, Bama was losing to minor programs at home and barely beating a bad Colorado team in the Weedeater Bowl. Look where they are now. Point: You’re not as good as you think you are, and you are not as bad as you think you are.
Native Atlantan
October 13th, 2009
11:49 pm
Buzz, yes Evans and Adams decided to keep the UF game in Jax. How many other teams in major leagues have two neutral site games?
Ross
October 13th, 2009
11:50 pm
C’mon Mark this is simpleminded! Would you like it if your rivalry was converted into a corporate spectacle? The game belongs at the trade school and the agriculture academy.
MtnDawg
October 13th, 2009
11:58 pm
Good. Why would UGA give up a home game? Makes no sense. Atlanta is a terrible city. Athens is great.
sean
October 14th, 2009
12:01 am
Hey why not one year let the Dawgs and Jackets play in the Chick Fil A Bowl after the annual clash on Thanksgiving weekend? Just food for thought…….
Michael
October 14th, 2009
12:06 am
Not all Georgia people love that game in Jacksonville. It’s not the worst thing on the planet, but it’s not in a neutral area. You can’t practice in Athens in the morning and then bus to the game if it’s an afternoon or night game. You can do that in Gainesville. About the only reason people don’t want to change it is “tradition.” It literally means nothing, they just don’t want to see something change. Me, I’d like to see 92,000 people booing the heck out of Tim Tebow every play just once, but the old fuddy duds won’t let it happen. For the people who like it in Jax because it’s closer to where they live, it’s not my fault they moved four hours from Athens.
As far as the Kickoff Classic, I could definitely see UGA playing in it against someone. Maybe Clempson? The key is to not schedule three tough out-of-conference games in one year (GT is already one) since nobody else in the SEC will.
JonnyGT
October 14th, 2009
12:12 am
I was against this idea and am glad to hear it won’t happen, but you GA fans need to check your calendars and schedules. You host the rivalry game next year, and the proposed game would have taken place the following year in 2011. Then, the home-and-home cycle would have resumed with GT hosting in 2012. Neither team would have lost a home game; each team’s next home game would have simply been delayed a year.
Papa
October 14th, 2009
12:13 am
Don’t care to Dome it for football … but Mark, you are right about old Tech-uga hoop games … one of the greatest was Jacket triple OT win, what, like 20 years ago? an excellent evening of hollering and a great game both ways.
JoeDawg
October 14th, 2009
12:28 am
MariettaDawg quit makin us mutts look bad. The 2012 game is Lane Kiffen’s Vols and the woofies from Raleigh.
ToccoaDawg
October 14th, 2009
12:47 am
Again Mark you show your bug wings wanting UGA to come to the bug nest to play a game. No win situation for the dawgs.
Big B CH 99
October 14th, 2009
12:54 am
I think both AD’s the the right thing for their respective programs:
D-Rad shouldn’t be willing to give up a home game to play at the dome when no matter what the allotment was, it’s gonna be over 50% UgaY. But be willing to play at the dome & move the Tech home game to 2012.
Evans doesn’t want to give up a home game, & doesn’t want the game to be out of Athens for 2 yrs. UgaY arrogance says that Tech should give up a home game.
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Metal Jacket
October 14th, 2009
1:10 am
Richt wants to play younger players, the poor guy just doesn’t get it.
RHW
October 14th, 2009
1:10 am
To me GA and GT playing early in the year makes sense because it is a great game that would garner attention nationally, it keeps the Alabama’s, Clemson’s, etc…from getting even more publicity in our own state, and with the emergence of GT in the last 2 years and GA’s run, it is in the interest of both schools to get this game done earlier in the season so even a loss doesn’t hurt as much on the national scene as playing this game at the end of the season.
Heath
October 14th, 2009
1:48 am
I’m sure Evans would agree to let Tech have it in the dome in their home years. This way, Tech could play in front of almost as many people as real college programs. Sure, half the fans would be for the other school, but how would that be different than any other game they play at home?
Frank
October 14th, 2009
2:00 am
Bradley, Tech is welcome to move the 2011 game to the Dome. The issue is not the idea, but the terms. It remains their home game in 2011. Why would UGA play in Atlanta two years in a row to make this happen? The Dome seats 20K less than Sanford. The Dome seats more than Grant Field. Let Tech play their home game there for one year, and then play in Athens the next year.
Larry
October 14th, 2009
5:01 am
Yes…please move the basketball game to Phillips!
George
October 14th, 2009
5:45 am
Let’s decide not to bring up this subject again in our lifetime and concentrate on more important things.
Big time?? Not
October 14th, 2009
6:29 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes
DisplacedFloridian
October 14th, 2009
7:14 am
Do you think answer from Damon would be same if Chan was on Flats instead of Paul?
Old Timer
October 14th, 2009
7:14 am
Sanford stadium was built to get game on UGA campus. We already did the “Atlanta thing”! What headlines? Ninety per cent of the state of Georgia don’t get an Atlanta paper.
m
October 14th, 2009
7:21 am
Glad this IDIOTIC idea has been put to rest.
We need to schedule a TECH-tennerrseeee matchup to start the season.
Ugag will just have to wait until the end of the season to get their annual arse whipping from Paul Johnson.
Their is a new sheriff in town…his name is Paul Johnson.
Thank God and Greyhound that chan gomer gailey is gone forever.
Rick Moore
October 14th, 2009
7:26 am
Mark
You are right about the basketball games in the Omni. They were GREAT!! Even when Tech had more talent, you knew that Hugh’s coaching would make it an exciting game. Nice observation.
jerry
October 14th, 2009
7:34 am
“Georgia people love the Florida game in Jacksonville” Not all of them. As a matter of fact, I would say a great many don’t.
David
October 14th, 2009
7:34 am
Mark,
I think this was a silly idea, but for a good reason. As it is, Tech’s home schedule in odd years is lights-out (Clemson, UNC, VPI, and Georgie). In even years, the only chance for a good home game at BDS is if we can schedule a powerhouse OOC opponent other than Georgie and if we draw FSU on the divisional rotation. This is and will continue to be the problem. It seems we will have to come up with another solution. Maybe if John Swofford had not been on LSD when he aligned the divisions, we could have avoided this. How can you not have a north-south alignment. Oh wait, it might hurt the state of North Carolina. Any idea what Radakovich’s next move is?
GoVols
October 14th, 2009
7:39 am
I failed to see why this would be a good move for the game itself. Staging a game between two Georgia teams would not generate much interest beyond the state’s borders. Sure it would sell out, but how appealing would it be to national advertisers? My opinion is not based on the merits of the teams but on the limited attraction to a bigger audience.
Byron
October 14th, 2009
7:47 am
For those of us who have actually been through these so-called “kickoff classics” before, it is welcome news that UGA has nixed the idea. I was in the Meadowlands for Tech vs. Penn State in the early 90s. Nothing good came from that exposure and a lot went wrong.
The only way Georgia Tech should consider one of these games is if they can play a current football power (that they are not already scheduled to play), and thus enhance their football status by beating them. Just like BYU did this year in playing Oklahoma and beating them. Playing in the Dome against UGA, a team in decline for the foreseeable future, makes absolutely no sense.
jerry
October 14th, 2009
8:01 am
The only time UGA would have a national appeal is if they were to play for a NC. They are not USC/Notre Dame. Their biggest claim to fame is the 1980 FLUKE, which, outside of Georgia, most people don’t even care.
fluke n 1: a stroke of luck
Ted Striker
October 14th, 2009
8:05 am
The Tech game still gets a little boring, year after year.
You could play the game in Hawaii with three gorgeous triplets rubbing me down with suntan lotion and I’d still rather see UGA play a Southern Cal, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State, or Michigan every once in a while.
I ain’t buying Damon’s lunch no more.
reebok
October 14th, 2009
8:05 am
play a season-opening acc/sec doubleheader, tech vs south carolina & uga vs clemson, or something similar…great visibility and tons of press and hoopla opening weekend.
MaDoubleT
October 14th, 2009
8:08 am
31-0 @ halftime… Nice BLACKOUT! RMFT! our coach is better than your coach….
GT FAN PA
October 14th, 2009
8:13 am
First off all the Tech fans saying UGA is in decline are insane. Does UGA have issues? Yes- do they need to be addressed? Yes but you don’t get the recruiting classes they get and say it is a decline-You may say I’m not a true Tech Fan but that is not the case-I’m stuck in in Big Ten land and that my friend’s is a joke of a conference-say what you want about the ACC but the Big Ten is the joke- UGA I’m sure will circle the wagons- if not then serious questions will be asked at the end of the season- it’s time we focus on the hokie pokie and run-run-run! Good luck pups on the rest of the season- GO JACKETS- BEAT VPI- and oh yeah…..THWG!!!!
Sautee Dawg
October 14th, 2009
8:16 am
Mark
What’s the problem with Alabama taking on the ACC in the Dome to start the football season? I’m sure they wouldn’t turn down a chance to play Ga. Tech in the Kickoff Classic.
By 2018 Alabama will have defeated the ACC conference.
You’ve mentioned Alabama getting Too much exposure in the area? You continue to win ballgames and you get exposure no matter where you play or against whom.
coach smith
October 14th, 2009
8:20 am
I can definetly see UGA vs FLST or Miami in the Dome
Though I wish it could be UGA vs Southern Cal
leland
October 14th, 2009
8:23 am
Dear Mr. MB–me, I don’t care where nobody plays or when they do it. I just want to be happy. Your pal, Leland
Mark Bradley
October 14th, 2009
8:26 am
If you’re happy, Leland, we’re all happy.
SEC4Life
October 14th, 2009
8:31 am
From a business standpoint, having two Georgia schools play in the Kickoff Classic does not benefit Chik Fil A or ESPN. Nor does it have national appeal. That’s why that will never happen.
As for UGA/GT playing in the Dome after Thanksgiving, given UGA’s huge north Georgia alumni/fan base and Tech’s proximity to the Dome, you could call it a “home” game for both schools. I understand why Tech would want it. What I don’t understand is why UGA wouldn’t want it? I know money is at the root of this somehow, but I like to deceive myself every once in a while and act like it isn’t. I hope AD Evans doesn’t think that keeping the game in Athens gives UGA some sort of home-field advantage because Tech (and Willie Martinez) disproved that theory last year.
So AD Evans, we can play a “home” game in Florida every year, but not in Georgia?
The more I try to understand, the less I understand.
Tech Tony
October 14th, 2009
8:34 am
Just as Tech doesn’t want to be outnumbered playing in the Georgia Dome, I have a hard time imagining the basketball series moving to Philips; certainly UGA wouldn’t want to be outnumbered 15,000 to 6.
GT92
October 14th, 2009
8:37 am
I would love to see the Chick fil A game alternate every year between Georgia and a random opponent (maybe from the ACC as a default, or not) and then the next year Georgia Tech and a random opponent (maybe from the SEC as a default, or not) from here on out.
It would be good for both of the local schools recruiting and marketing.
Chris
October 14th, 2009
8:40 am
Tech and Tennessee need to play in the kickoff classic. Immediate sellout. UT would do it for recruiting advantages. Don’t think Tech fans would be outnumbered for this one either, they would come out of the woodwork to see us play UT. Next to UGA, UT is our biggest rival.
Dawg Fud
October 14th, 2009
9:02 am
roundball contest at philips would be cool
Dawg Fud
October 14th, 2009
9:04 am
i agree with GT92. it would be huge for both schools and if you lost you would have the entire season to climb back into the polls.
it would be great for both programs.
PMC
October 14th, 2009
9:11 am
Or he can imagine the heat that would be on his own head if they lose a game early to Tech and it’s on National Television.
The bowl type atmosphere would have been good for both teams. Instead we whine about thanksgiving tradition and BS like that. Tradition has worked so well for the Big 10 right?
PMC
October 14th, 2009
9:13 am
Georgia fans money is just as good as Tech fans money… who cares if they are outnumbered didn’t they win in Athens last year. The money gained alone would be worth playing that game outnumbered or not.
Old Dawg
October 14th, 2009
9:15 am
Mark, why were you threatened about covering the Chick fil A Bowl? Sounds like a PR guy gone nuts.
This Just In...
October 14th, 2009
9:18 am
The Nobel Prize selection committee has released the first BCS rankings, at # 1 is Obama.
In other news, a joint press conference was held to announce the winners of the Heisman and also the Cy Young – it’s Obama.
Your local lottery winning ticket holder? You guessed it, Obama.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
October 14th, 2009
9:25 am
m, careful what you wish for. And please, please stop with the “god and greyhound” comment, it’s NOT funny and it’s BORING
Frankly Dawged
October 14th, 2009
9:38 am
What no one on this blog seems to understand is that, if Tech were to get the 2012 game at their place, the game rotation would be altered so that, in even-numbered years from that point forward, UGA would have both Auburn and Tech on the road. That is what Damon Evans was referring to when he said the 2011 Dome proposal would affect future home schedules.
Mark Bradley
October 14th, 2009
9:42 am
I had called the game a “third-tier” — not to be confused with “third-rate” — bowl. (First tier, in my view: BCS games. Second tier: New Year’s Day games that aren’t under the BCS umbrella. Third tier: Non-New Year’s Day bowls that aren’t based in Shreveport or Boise. Bottom tier: Bowls based in Shreveport/Boise.)
Time
October 14th, 2009
9:56 am
Umm, Tech can’t even sell out their own stadium consistently. Why in the world would UGA give up a home game just to make Tech happy? Nevermind the fact that the Dome just sucks.
Also, you Techies who think you’re dancing on the grave of UGA football better watch out. As bad as UGA is this year, you’re all going to be eating big crow sandwiches after UGA crushes you this year. Yep, I said it, a mediocre and badly coached UGA will crush Tech this year. Take that to the bank.
Dogs don’t need to move any games to Atlanta | The Junkyard Blawg
October 14th, 2009
9:57 am
[...] my esteemed colleague Mark Bradley (sounds like I’m making a speech on the floor of the Senate) floated the idea of Tech and [...]
pws
October 14th, 2009
9:58 am
Well, if we moved the basketball game to Phillips arena on the years that we are supposed to play at Athens, then at least the players would be able to see each other! Stegman is the worst basketball arena I have ever watched a ball game in, the lighting is terrible and the seats are wooden benches. It’s like being in a high school gym. You would think that Damon Evans would have spent some money over there and updated it a long time ago, instead of waiting until now. The inside of that place still looks like you are in the 1940’s……
DRC
October 14th, 2009
10:01 am
Mark, what do you think about a GT vs uga bb game where one game is played at uga, the next at Tech, and a so called “rubber game” be played at Phillips?
OZZFEST
October 14th, 2009
10:01 am
BREAKING NEWS: AJC reports on fairy tales.
We all knew damn well the game would NEVER be played in the Dome…but the AJC ran with it. Just like the AJC dropped a hint about a UGA-Michigan match up. (The Richt/Evans/Arthur Johnson trifecta are too gutless for that.)
I suspect the AJC just charges more for the ads that flank these particular stories; for there is no conceivable reason to report on fairy tales.
OZZFEST
October 14th, 2009
10:04 am
….Oh…and the basketball game would be more “fair” for UGA fans/students if held at Gwinnett instead of Philips. (I think Gwinnett holds more than Alexander anyway plus there are bars within walking distance!)
Selah.
Slick Ric Flair
October 14th, 2009
10:08 am
Mark, why are you failing to see that this is still about the almighty dollar? You have 71,000 seats at the Ga Dome…..You have 92,000 at UGA. That equals 21,000 more a$$es in the seats every other year. There’s no way this series ever goes to the Ga Dome……Ever. If GT wants more money, maybe they should do something really radical….like, maybe expand the stadium? UGA would still fill up the extra seats, but at least BDS would be full one time every other year!
Saint Simons
October 14th, 2009
10:20 am
Uga will play in dome if its a cupcake team!!!!!!!!!!!! 45 – 19 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
KDawg
October 14th, 2009
10:24 am
Kickoff game double header would be HUGE…but I think you need to have teams from 4 confrences, so maybe OSU-GT and USC-UGA, now tell me that wouldn’t be a hell of a “kickoff” to the season!
UGA-GT B-Ball, if it’s gonna be neutral, play it in the middle, The Gwinnett Arena is an awesome arena for B-Ball.
MrSEC.com » Blog Archive » Georgia Headlines – 10/14/09
October 14th, 2009
10:35 am
[...] has decided not to okay the proposed 2011 season-opener with Georgia Tech at the Georgia Dome.10. This writer understands his decision, even if he doesn’t necessarily like [...]
GT Fan for Life
October 14th, 2009
10:40 am
So glad this game wasn’t moved to the dome. There need to be some traditions that you just don’t touch; Tech vs Ga on Thanksgiving weekend is one. This is a true rivalry, and part of the fun is alternating home field advantage. I know most athletic depts are motivated by the almighty dollar these days, BUT LEAVE THIS TRADITION ALONE!!
cantondawg
October 14th, 2009
10:41 am
Whatever happened to the Scottish Rite Junior varsity games between UGA and GT. That was a fun game to attend.
Barry
October 14th, 2009
10:51 am
For myself, I like the football games just as they are now. I love having the game at the end of the season. Their is something fun about going to Atlanta and beating Tech, and there is also something stirring about Tech between the hedges. The home and home venues adds emotion. It’s tough watching Tech running off with pieces of the hedges. On the basketball front, I am four square behind you. I would LOVE to see the game Phillips, like it used to be at the Omni. That made the game a real event. That would serve both programs very well, I think.
Not Disappointed!
October 14th, 2009
10:55 am
Glad that’s settled! Now, it’s going to be a good football weekend on the Flats.
Hope the tech fans are there! Ramblin Wreck!
Jackette
October 14th, 2009
10:58 am
No way! If Tech lost the first game of the season to UGA, Bobby Dodd stadium would be empty for the rest of the season…tumbleweed in the stands. GT fans look forward to, and worry about, that game all year. Why deprive them of that?
All I'm Saying Is...
October 14th, 2009
11:20 am
UGA and Tech football in the Dome never made sense (or dollars and cents) for UGA (unless they keep losing SEC games and games to Tech in which case their program will be the one looking up to the North Avenue guys).
UGA and Tech meeting off-campus for hoops was good for UGA but not really for Tech as Cremins had the superior basketball program (meaning over the duration although Hugh had his moments i.e. Final Four run or SEC tourney win). When they met in the Omni, atmosphere was not as fever-pitched for Tech as games in the ThrillerDome (as AMC was known in those days).
What we need is a major, 16 team pre-season hoops tourney with games played in the Dome and Phillips. Unlikely to find a major corporation to underwrite but we can dream can’t we….Chik-Fil-A Hoop It Up Classic sounds good…
Gwinnett Arena for BBall game
October 14th, 2009
11:45 am
Why not play the BBall rivalry game in the Gwinnett arena? The arena is located right between the two schools and is a great venue with free parking. Lots of alum from both schools in the area. I’m a Tech alum and I live 3 miles from it. :^)
bama3712
October 14th, 2009
12:39 pm
Alabama has a home and home with GA Tech for 2013 and 2014. Bama will continue to pull in more and more recruits from under UGAs nose.
For Native Atlantan, Bama is also playing Penn State in 2010/2011. Think about it for a minute, was Arizona State and Oklahoma State really the cream of the crop in the Big 12 and Pac 10 when UGA scheduled them or was Georgia Southern just not available?