Here's hoping 2016 brings you and your families safety, good health, and plenty of smiles.
As far as GT Athletics and GT in general that bonds us on this board, 2015 was a tough year on the athletics side overall. But, as always, GT in general always shines and gives us so much to be proud of. It is my honor to share thoughts and my favorite, the occasional quips and humorous anecdotes, on this board with you mates daily.
Hopes for 2016 in no particular odor...
10. To Danny Hall...how's about overachieving for a change? Get back to the NCAAT should be an achievable goal, but certainly not overachieving by any means. Let's get to a Super Regional for the first time since 2006 (read: that's TEN YEARS folks!).
9. To Machelle Joseph...taking this young team with the departure of Kaela Davis back to the NCAAT would be a very nice achievement. I fully admit going into the ACC schedule, I was not overly optimistic based on what I saw during the pre-ACC schedule. But, last night's effort and execution in South Bend against a national title contender has my optimism back and belief that you and the LJ's can do it.
8. To Paul Johnson...finish this signing class off strong. The rest of the ACC Coastal is raising their respective games. We need to raise ours as well and it starts with the talent. More with you shortly...
7. To Rodney Harmon...you've built it back up via excellent recruiting. Your entire roster returns. You have the experience. An ACC title, Sweet 16 appearance at the NCAAT, and perhaps even a strong run towards the Final 4 at the NCAAT is all possible. Good luck. Go get 'em.
6. To Jenna Goodrich...you can be the difference maker for the Softbees. Couldn't come at a better time. Good luck in your rookie campaign. I look forward to seeing what you can do leading the Jackets.
5. To Marcus Georges-Hunt...this is it. You've had to see other guys leave. You've had to see a lot of new faces come in. You are the one steady factor for the past 3+ years. This is your team. This is your chance. Make it happen. Go dancing before you leave Ma Tech.
4. To Bruce Heppler...if you can take this extremely young, yet very talented, bunch to another ACC title and qualify for the NCAA Championships, then you deserve consideration for national COTY. I hope you can keep the dominance at the ACC Championships going. It's our tournament and trophy.
3. To Michelle Collier (and to Teegan and Anika Van Gunst, et al)...great improvement and steps up from Year 1 to Year 2 under your leadership. Now, 2016 is the time to get up into the top 4 of the ACC and earn that NCAAT postseason invite.
2. To Paul Johnson again...I wish you a more healthy team in 2016, better blocking, defenders who execute basic techniques of tackling and reading plays, and most of all better team chemistry. Getting off to a good start in Ireland would be a great plus.
and...
1. To Brian Gregory...kind of the same wish as to MGH above, but would love nothing more in 2016 than for you to get your team to the NCAAT. You've represented Tech with class, haven't whined and complained like our previous HC nor made endless excuses, and you came so so close last year so many times. My biggest hope of all is on Selection Sunday, it is not a matter of if we get in, but instead where and who we will play. Best of luck to you!!
Go Jackets!!!!!! May 2016 be the best year ever.
As far as GT Athletics and GT in general that bonds us on this board, 2015 was a tough year on the athletics side overall. But, as always, GT in general always shines and gives us so much to be proud of. It is my honor to share thoughts and my favorite, the occasional quips and humorous anecdotes, on this board with you mates daily.
Hopes for 2016 in no particular odor...
10. To Danny Hall...how's about overachieving for a change? Get back to the NCAAT should be an achievable goal, but certainly not overachieving by any means. Let's get to a Super Regional for the first time since 2006 (read: that's TEN YEARS folks!).
9. To Machelle Joseph...taking this young team with the departure of Kaela Davis back to the NCAAT would be a very nice achievement. I fully admit going into the ACC schedule, I was not overly optimistic based on what I saw during the pre-ACC schedule. But, last night's effort and execution in South Bend against a national title contender has my optimism back and belief that you and the LJ's can do it.
8. To Paul Johnson...finish this signing class off strong. The rest of the ACC Coastal is raising their respective games. We need to raise ours as well and it starts with the talent. More with you shortly...
7. To Rodney Harmon...you've built it back up via excellent recruiting. Your entire roster returns. You have the experience. An ACC title, Sweet 16 appearance at the NCAAT, and perhaps even a strong run towards the Final 4 at the NCAAT is all possible. Good luck. Go get 'em.
6. To Jenna Goodrich...you can be the difference maker for the Softbees. Couldn't come at a better time. Good luck in your rookie campaign. I look forward to seeing what you can do leading the Jackets.
5. To Marcus Georges-Hunt...this is it. You've had to see other guys leave. You've had to see a lot of new faces come in. You are the one steady factor for the past 3+ years. This is your team. This is your chance. Make it happen. Go dancing before you leave Ma Tech.
4. To Bruce Heppler...if you can take this extremely young, yet very talented, bunch to another ACC title and qualify for the NCAA Championships, then you deserve consideration for national COTY. I hope you can keep the dominance at the ACC Championships going. It's our tournament and trophy.
3. To Michelle Collier (and to Teegan and Anika Van Gunst, et al)...great improvement and steps up from Year 1 to Year 2 under your leadership. Now, 2016 is the time to get up into the top 4 of the ACC and earn that NCAAT postseason invite.
2. To Paul Johnson again...I wish you a more healthy team in 2016, better blocking, defenders who execute basic techniques of tackling and reading plays, and most of all better team chemistry. Getting off to a good start in Ireland would be a great plus.
and...
1. To Brian Gregory...kind of the same wish as to MGH above, but would love nothing more in 2016 than for you to get your team to the NCAAT. You've represented Tech with class, haven't whined and complained like our previous HC nor made endless excuses, and you came so so close last year so many times. My biggest hope of all is on Selection Sunday, it is not a matter of if we get in, but instead where and who we will play. Best of luck to you!!
Go Jackets!!!!!! May 2016 be the best year ever.
