Most of you probably got this letter this morning, but for those who didn't, here is why the future is bright for GT Athletics . . .
| Dear Friends: If you’re confused by the ongoing changes in intercollegiate athletics these days, you’re not alone. I’ve been involved in this business for more than two decades, and I am equally perplexed. And yet, with all the uncertainty we face, I have no doubt that our athletics program will continue to thrive, will keep offering life-changing opportunities to hundreds of talented student-athletes, and will be a major net contributor to all of Georgia Tech. Unlike many of you, I didn’t grow up watching college sports. Back in Spain, like most everywhere else in the world, university students only play club sports, and few people care to watch. Only the professional leagues can provide anything close to what we experienced during the Homecoming game a couple of weeks ago (minus the band, the cheerleading, and the goalpost affair). The first time I attended a Georgia Tech football game in the fall of 1991 as a newly arrived international graduate student, I was blown away to see a spectacle of such caliber happen inside an academic institution. It was not until I got to run one of these universities that I understood the incredible value college sports can create — not only for the student-athletes whose lives are transformed in countless ways, but also for the institution at large. Here’s the math. This year, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association will spend just under $140 million to cover scholarships, coach and staff salaries, events, travel, food, facilities, and a host of services provided to student-athletes. Most of that money is self-generated from television, sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandise, and donations from generous alumni and fans. The balance is supported with student fees and other forms of institutional support. The Institute’s total subsidy of athletics amounts to about 0.5% of our annual budget. What do we get in return? First, we get an incredibly effective brand awareness tool. Georgia Tech’s academic reputation, of course, rests on the exceptional education we offer, our talented students, our world-class faculty, and our impactful research. But being good is not enough to build a great brand. You need to be known before you can be appreciated. Thanks to football, the interlocking GT (now the Institute’s official logo) is projected on millions of television screens around the country for four hours pretty much every Saturday in the fall. Almost 5 million people watched the win against Florida State in Dublin, and the game’s online coverage had 2 billion hits globally. Our victory over Miami earlier this month attracted 3.5 million viewers and — because of the stunning result early in the day — dominated sports programming for the next 24 hours. During commercial breaks, we get to run our ad free of charge; this year’s promo tells the story of twin sisters Jacqui and Caitlin van Zyl and their CREATE-X startup that makes a device for children with epilepsy. When you factor in men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and other sports — plus the fact that we now have a dedicated ACC Network to show them widely — the impact is even bigger. Sporting events also allow us to keep our community and donors engaged and emotionally connected. College sports bring us together and energize our campus. They create shared memories and a lasting bond between the Institute and our alumni while stimulating new interest in the Institute. They drive alumni involvement, donor contributions, and corporate partnerships — think of our 20-year collaborative agreement with Hyundai Motor Company, which not only benefits athletics but also supports the Institute’s sustainable mobility and renewable energy research. Just ask any of our deans, school chairs, and development officers how athletics helps them bring donors to campus and create excitement about our work. And while many donors give to help us compete on the field and support our student-athletes, the majority of our top donors to athletics also give generously to our academic mission. Georgia Tech’s unique combination of academic and athletic excellence sets us apart from many of our peer institutions. We’re one of the world’s finest research universities, but we also boast a rich athletic tradition that has produced impressive alumni and includes some of the most revered names in college sports history. This unique combination is part of our DNA and the driver of our growing national and global reputation. We’re indeed navigating uncharted waters in intercollegiate athletics, but with the guidance and support of our community, I am confident we will fare well! Thank you for all you do to support Georgia Tech. I wish you a happy Thanksgiving! In Progress and Service, |
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