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GT Athletics needs to step up in the "new" ACC

GTJT622

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2014
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Tech Athletics better wake up. Other than Football and Golf, practically every other program is treading water and most are drowning. Let's take a look at how Tech has done in the major 4 sports against the new additions to the ACC which started 2 years ago...

Football: 3-0...Tech has defeated Pitt both meetings and scorched Syracuse at home 2 seasons ago. We did not face Louisville in their first season this past fall and our first regular season matchup will take place at Louisville in 2018. Though technically not a conference game, Tech will of course visit Notre Dame this upcoming September 19th. So far, so good.

Men's Hoops: 2-7...well, to be fair, we stink against pretty much everybody in the ACC (and outside the ACC other than Georgia thank goodness). Men's Hoops is a money sport in the ACC. Louisville, Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse (even with probation issues) beg for Tech to step up and get serious about this sport. It is the 2nd money sport at Tech and the list above doesn't even include Duke, UNC, Virginia, NC State, and others.

Baseball: 4-8...wow! Just, wow! If there was ever one sport you'd think Tech would hold its own from newbies entering the conference, it would be this one. 2-4 vs Pitt, 0-3 vs Louisville, 2-1 vs Notre Dame. Syracuse of course doesn't field a D1 beesball team.

Women's Hoops: 1-7...to be fair 0-3 vs Notre Dame isn't necessarily all that surprising. They are a powerhouse. Same for Louisville who we lost the lone game against them this past season at the Yum Center by 27 pts. 1-1 vs Pitt. 0-2 vs Syracuse. It won't get any easier. Notre Dame and Louisville aren't dropping in quality. Like Men's Hoops mention above, this isn't even including the likes of UNC, Duke, FSU, Miami, etc.

The sample sizes aren't huge. The influx of these programs are not surprising. The strength of the ACC has been upgraded significantly. Tech had better manage this properly and invest appropriately or otherwise this overall athletic program is in serious trouble. I think it is already with the noted exceptions. This overall athletic program just experienced its worst school year in a very long time. It won't get any easier.
 
Good question. Tech is a special place that requires special people to lead it. Guys like Shelton Collier and Bond Shymansky were able to figure it out. Though I understand there were some unusual circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Sharon Perkins, she did have her teams at the top of the ACC. That softbees program has been run 6 feet under since. Bummer.
 
softball needs pitchers, e best pitchers are identified very young now. I know a young lady who is going to be 8th grade next year. She is getting her video ready this summer to send out to colleges.
 
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