An embarrassing day for Tech, which hates embarrassment
"See this? Not any longer." (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
It’s an embarrassing day for Georgia Tech, and Tech alums don’t like being embarrassed.
The Jackets have been forced to vacate the 2009 ACC title, have been placed on NCAA probation through 2015 and have been fined $100,000 — what is this, the NFL? — to boot. We can extrapolate from this that the NCAA likewise doesn’t take kindly to embarrassment.
The NCAA has found that “staff members” not only failed to contribute to an investigation but also sought to cast enough doubt on the allegations that they couldn’t be proved. In plain English, the NCAA believed Tech tried to cover up. And the NCAA hates cover-ups way worse than it hates violations.
Update: In offering Tech’s response to the NCAA’s findings, both president Bud Peterson and AD Dan Radakovich insisted there was no intent to influence anyone’s testimony to the NCAA. Indeed, Radakovich admitted it was he who had spoken to coach Paul Johnson about the NCAA’s interest in a particular student-athlete.
I’ll have more at greater length soon, but for now I leave you with this: Until today, Georgia Tech fans had great confidence their athletic department was under sound management. I’m not sure they still do. The school that prides itself on knowing how to run things managed to take a molehill of a violation and turn it into a mountain range’s worth of sanctions. Yikes.
By Mark Bradley
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474 comments Add your comment
George O'Liary
July 14th, 2011
7:16 pm
Tech lies, Tech cheats.
Paul Hewitt
July 14th, 2011
7:16 pm
I got out while the gettin’ was good!
Paul Hewitt
July 14th, 2011
7:17 pm
Glad now Bark Madley was on my ass all that time!!
Paul Hewitt
July 14th, 2011
7:20 pm
Puzzled, I got your post right here!
Paul Johnson
July 14th, 2011
7:26 pm
Apparently, the NCAA investigator took offense to my punching him in the nose.
NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!!
July 14th, 2011
7:31 pm
NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!! NERDSS!!! 9-1!!! $312!!!
threetrone
July 14th, 2011
7:37 pm
Tech’s gotta copy Auburn now, copy their plays, copy the all white unis with the dark blue jerseys- what a coincidence sharing all those colors except orange, we could look like them about 95%, and share Heisman for about 15 yrs each, we need to look to them for guidance since we share Heisman, because we are really looking foolish; we’ve never had a Heisman winner like Bo Jackson and Newton were; we need help; we need the GTs on the white helmets for those 95% unis, and no bw flashy mod shoes, we need white shoes to go with the white socks; we need to raise the white Heisman flag of surrender to Auburn and Clemson who share the color white with us
JB
July 14th, 2011
7:49 pm
You can’t spell CHEaT without Tech
nerds are funny
July 14th, 2011
7:51 pm
It already sucked bad enough just to be a tech fan, but now…….DAMN! That is all I can say…DAMN!
BiggerFishtoFry
July 14th, 2011
7:57 pm
Georgia Tech football is a JOKE!
gcs
July 14th, 2011
8:00 pm
Tech’s football team is going on probation? I didn’t even know Tech had a football team.
.
1eyedJack
July 14th, 2011
8:19 pm
They were also investigating Coach Fishfry for giving his guys free fish and hushpuppies, but as he had eaten all the evidence, they didn’t have wishbone’s chance.
Heavy Dawg Walkin'
July 14th, 2011
8:19 pm
Now tech nerds have something else to worry about besides lifetime virginity. Sorry, dudes.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
July 14th, 2011
8:34 pm
HAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
GT is a 4th rate high school team
July 14th, 2011
8:36 pm
This is what the JOCKITCH get from Paul Johnson. HAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHA
GT is a 4th rate high school team
July 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
And Classy Cheaters. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Horford Fan
July 14th, 2011
8:43 pm
Bark Madley strikes again. How bout you and Schultzy Poo write something without a slant. To the point, Green selling his OWN jersey and getting 4 games was too much AND $312 worth of clothes gets Gtech’s Title “taken away” is too much. NCAA is throwing their power around right now with every team they find something on. Oregon, Ohio State, Auburn (possibly, yet likely), and who ever else. Don’t give the kid a free sample at Sam’s Club he might get his school a secondary violation. WTGW!!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
July 14th, 2011
9:01 pm
You know I was sort of one of the people who use to through out the cheater word every now and then. I apoligize to yall for that. Another thing I was a big NASCAR fan but have learned how there was life beyond watching racing every Sunday, I think I am going to spend more time with my FAMILY on Saturdays and less time worrying when GT is going to play. Again I apologize !!! Hello Life !!!
RedandBlackDAWG
July 14th, 2011
9:04 pm
What probably led to the pretty stiff penalties is the fact that TECH. hadn’t been off of probation from the previous offense. Repeat offenders are not look on too friendly, when the offenses are that close together.
1962 DAWG
July 14th, 2011
9:13 pm
Just so you know Tech fans, this IS the same NCAA you folks were patting on the back last season for suspending A J Green. The same NCAA who allowed Cam Newton to play. Now this NCAA can’t be trusted because it’s against you?
GT Fan...
July 14th, 2011
9:33 pm
Sooo many of you F’N fools are hilarious!!!
A couple of guys took some “gift” clothes, and somehow the history (past, present, future) of the ENTIRE GT football program is … insert your best negative comment.
It is going to be even more hilarious when the NCAA’s biggest cheaters (GT) beat UGA in 2011. Imagine all the whining from UGA fans then!
Gonna be funny as H#LL to read! Can’t wait!!!
Kirk Corso
July 14th, 2011
9:49 pm
Another embarrassment for the Atlanta media/”journalists”, that no one was aware or this development ahead of time.
Gen Neyland
July 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
Well, it just goes to show we ALL get our turn in the barrel, huh..?
Fan of the Game
July 14th, 2011
10:08 pm
I am not a big Tech fan and they probably deserve this, but I am ready for Ohio St., North Carolina, and all these other schools to get hit. It is funny how it takes so long for some schools and then some schools are never punished. The NCAA needs to look at themselves. They let the Ohio St. players play in the Sugar Bowl just so money could be made. Maybe the NCAA needs to be put on probation for abusing their power by making money by letting these kids play when they know they broke the rules.
Andre "Pulpwood" Smith
July 14th, 2011
10:17 pm
It is Christmas in July! Thanks, Techies.
Wes Durham's Gigantic Bottom
July 14th, 2011
10:18 pm
GT athletes are no different than those from any other major program…they take money and gifts, they drink and smoke weed, and get help to stay in school….wake up GT fans…….also, CPJ clearly knew why the NCAA was investigating when he spoke to Thomas and Burnett…..he and Radakovic should resign or be fired.
Technophobia
July 14th, 2011
10:20 pm
Say what you will UGA fans, you still attended and cheer for a diploma mill and party school. You live with the embarassment of your academics every day.
Tech-nically Speaking
July 14th, 2011
10:21 pm
Yeah, we have to vacate the Championship, but we all saw those wins that year. You can’t take away those magic memories.
I’ll most savor the win over thUGA!
Pull My Finger
July 14th, 2011
10:41 pm
Embarrassment? Crap, Tech ought to be used to embarrassment by now…….especially in football.
Pope UGA XXIII
July 14th, 2011
10:44 pm
Possible pontification from random Techites over the past few weeks:
“Just look at those stupid ignorant hicks over in Athens. Why Washaun
Ealey is an embarrassment to the program with his sideline dancing antics
and Caleb King is personally responsible for lowering UGA athletes GPA to
a 0.2 range. They will all be working for us one day, but first the NCAA needs
to investigate the program thoroughly, and furthermore… rant, rave ”
“Wait a second, I got a phone call from one of my brothers at the Tri-Lam
house… W H A T T T T T ??? We’ve been stripped of our 2009 ACC title ?
The title we slipped up and won because Clemson couldn’t beat Brookwood ?
How dare the NCAA even question the sanctity and wholesomeness of our
storied program. We have been the total person ever since Bill Curry told us
we were the total person. Why I have never been so insulted in all of my life.
These investigators should be giving Auburn the death penalty and closing
the entire Ohio State University.
W w h h a a a h h h h h h !!! I’ll throw my slide rule !! “
Pull My Finger
July 14th, 2011
10:44 pm
The home of “Flag Boy” embarrassed?…nah, never.
Pull My Finger
July 14th, 2011
10:45 pm
The home of original “tickle pile” defense embarrassed?……nope.
Pull My Finger
July 14th, 2011
10:46 pm
The home of the ugliest campus in the U.S. embarrassed?…..not at all.
sports
July 14th, 2011
10:47 pm
I find this very amusing and hilariouly, those haughty yellow blowflys look down their noses at other programs and now look what the cat drug in…couldn’t have happen to a better bunch
Wes Durham's Gigantic Bottom
July 14th, 2011
10:50 pm
Tech-nically Speaking…..you lost to UGA in 2009….2008 was the one win in ten years against UGA….it happens so rarely I would think it would stand out in your memory…..fire Radakovich and Coach Triple Chin.
Pull My Finger
July 14th, 2011
10:50 pm
The beautiful place where you could be shot, mugged, stabbed, robbed, or slapped with a plastic pocket protector at any moment embarrassed?………not a bit.
BiggdawgK
July 14th, 2011
10:54 pm
I haven’t posted on the AJC in a while because I got tired of all the biased coverage and pathetic vitrol spewing UGA haters who live on the message boards. After seeing several stories today about gt being slammed for their lieing and cheating I was stunned. Not because of the shame that the hypocrisy and dishonesty of gt has brought to our great state, but because the AJC had never even mentioned an investigation.
How is it possible the South’s most well known newspaper fails to cover a major investigation of a college only a few miles from their offices? Can this be the same paper who consistently turns a UGA backup punter forgeting to return a library book into a week long witch hunt? Weekly we are treated to stories about misdeeds of any kid who has the slightest connection to UGA. Any recruit that UGA considered offering who picks another school is given bold headline treatment.
Somehow though an intense investigation of a corrupt and humiliating conspiracy of lies conducted by a large tech school within walking distance of the AJC’s squad of intrepid reporters doesn’t warrant even a brief mention. Are these bloggers that inept at their job or is the AJC guilty of biased yellow journalism intended to libel the University of Georgia while covering up countless crimes by the north avenue trade school?
who cares
July 14th, 2011
11:18 pm
last i checked GT’s endowment was 1.2 billion so what’s $100,000. And as far as the ACC championship goes, I saw the game and we won.
rx-dawg
July 14th, 2011
11:36 pm
Here’s why you got hammered….quit your complaining. You were on probation from 2005-2007. This is from the ruling…
“If Tech commits another major infraction before Nov. 17, 2010, it will be subject to added penalties as a repeat violator.”
The NCAA filed the NOI on 9/13/10. Consider yourself served added penalties.
ramble on
July 14th, 2011
11:38 pm
i’m a wamblin wek from georgia tech and a helluva freakin queer!
macrotech
July 14th, 2011
11:51 pm
Hey “sports”…we STILL do!!!
uga_alum_93
July 14th, 2011
11:53 pm
Hey Georgia Tech fan…with your multiple probations from the NCAA in recent years you now have the “street cred” to get back in the SEC…WELCOME BACK BROTHER
macrotech
July 14th, 2011
11:55 pm
uga_alum_93, THAT was a good one…truly, made me lol!
wreckmaniac
July 15th, 2011
12:25 am
What did Tech propose as punishment ? The NCAA says you determine your own punishment and they will then tell you if it is enough. Perhaps the Tech athletic staff should whip themselves until the NCAA says ” thats sufficient”.
wreckmaniac
July 15th, 2011
12:27 am
At least we didn’t have to give up this state’s last NCAA championship (1990).
dawgforlife
July 15th, 2011
12:48 am
I agree that an investigation over 312 dollars is stupid. However, the only thing more stupid is getting busted for failing to cooperate on a 312 dollar investigation. Techies never cease to amaze me. They play in an inferior conference. They literally lose to UGA 90 percent of the time. They can’t sell out their home games to the point that UGA backers are able to buy TECH season tickets just to get a ticket to the game when it in BD stadium. They just got put on four years probation from the NCAA for a cover-up; and yet, they still come on here and try to discuss problems with the UGA football program. Folks, get the log out of your own eye.
TheAntiMe
July 15th, 2011
1:06 am
People that get their thrills out of other peoples’ misfortunes because their lives are so pathetic are called LOSERS. Glory, glory!
Wes Durham's Gigantic Bottom
July 15th, 2011
2:04 am
fire Radakovich and Johnson……my gigantic bottom is going to take the UNC job…..I am leaving the sinking ship that is GTU…..if I can just get my large dumper out of my chair.
macrotech
July 15th, 2011
3:24 am
dawgforlife, there would be NO mention of uga if weren’t for all you pups barking on a blog that has NOTHING to do uga…WHAT in the hell did you expect? “The only thing more stupid” is that you would probably DID expect us to just sit back and listen to all your yelps. The best part of all of this is that there are a number of Dawg fans that ACTUALLY read the article and recognize this whole thing for the bad joke that it is…you, sir, have proven to just be a dog….for life!
Holy Smoke
July 15th, 2011
4:36 am
boooooo