36 • Friday, August 30, 2002 • Technique pageSPORTS 36 Back Home Booze and Beware. A.J. Suggs plays his Watch out party-goers, the Dean of SPORTS first game in Georgia since high Students Office recently approved school this Saturday. Page 33. new alcohol fines. Page 1 Technique • Friday, August 30, 2002 by Vandy kicks off Gailey era Lady Jackets on the national TV The Women’s Bas- numbers ketball team is scheduled for seven televised games this year, including a nationally televised contest with 16 Virginia on February 16. The match- up will be the first time in program Number of returning starters for history that the team has appeared the Georgia Tech football team. The in a nationally televised competi- Yellow Jackets have nine players re- tion. The game will be shown on turning on defense, 5 on offense, as ESPN2 at 2p.m. well as a punter and place kicker. Five of the returnees earned all-ACC honors for 2001. “Lunch with Football” begins 4 this Friday Number of freshman scholarship The Georgia Tech football staff players as of now who have signed will host the first of their season- with the Georgia Tech Men’s Bas- long lunches this Friday with Coach ketball. Jim Nyström, from Swe- Gailey. The lunches are open to the den, Chris Bosh, from Texas, Jarrett public, admission is free and there Jack, from Maryland, and Theodis will be a complimentary lunch pro- Tarver, from Louisiana, round out vided for the first 200 arrivals. The the incoming freshman class. lunch will be held at Alexander Memorial Coliseum from 11:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.

By Daniel Uhlig / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Greg Gathers is on the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player Track team to be 28 of the Year Award. He is an All-American defensive end and is considered one of the nation’s top pass rushers. The number of years that Tech Head honored at Coach has been coach- By Ryan Peck “The first time I run on the field The Jackets averaged 31.8 points ing football. He spent the last eight Contributing Writer behind the Ramblin’ Wreck will be per contest last year under O’Brien’s Saturday’s game seasons in the National Football very exciting for me,” said Gailey. watchful eye, to go along with 417.9 Tech’s Women’s Track Team League, including two years as the The Georgia Tech football team Jacket fans should expect more yards per game of total offense. Tech’s will be honored this Saturday be- head coach of the . kicks off the 2002 season tomorrow of the same from the Ramblin’ Wreck passing offense ranked first in the fore the football season opener against evening when the Jackets play host from an offensive standpoint. Gailey ACC in 2001. Vanderbilt. The team will be rec- to the Vanderbilt Commodores at Ted Roof is out as defensive co- ognized for their outstanding year, Bobby Dodd Stadium. Saturday’s ordinator, and so is his laid-back, which resulted in a their first-ever meeting, scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. read-and-react style of football. En- ACC championship title. The team kickoff, will mark the first gridiron “The first time I run on ter Jon Tenuta from North Caroli- took the championship from the 11/17 meeting between the two schools the field behind the na. In only one year as UNC’s nine-time defending champions The date that Georgia Tech’s Wom- since 1967. defensive guru, Tenuta directed the North Carolina. en’s Basketball will kick off their There is an aura of freshness sur- Rambling Wreck will Tar Heels’ defensive corps to first 2003 season. The team will host rounding the Tech football program. be very exciting for place finishes in the ACC in total Charlotte in the opening round of The Jackets are breaking in a new defense (305.3 ypg.) and passing the Preseason WNIT. coaching staff, as well as several new me.” defense (180.5 ypg.). Volleyball opens position players. The Chan Gailey Tenuta employs an aggressive, Chan Gailey era officially begins for Georgia Tech attacking defensive scheme, and he season in Virginia Georgia Tech Head Coach tomorrow evening. has openly stated that he is salivat- The Yellow Jackets open their Gailey, a long-time NFL coach ing at the opportunity to continu- season under new head coach Bond football and assistant, undergoes his third ally blitz Shymanski this weekend in Fair- college head coaching stint, but his retained Bill O’Brien as offensive Tech’s experienced linebacking fax, Virginia. The team will be com- first in nearly 10 years. A home- coordinator and, despite Gailey’s corps. He would like to see Tech peting in the George Mason forecast town product from Americus, GA, offensive-minded football IQ, he return to its 1998 form, as far as Tournament against nationally Montana vs. Hofstra Gailey expects tomorrow evening insists that O’Brien has been given ranked Northern Iowa, George to be very special. free reign with the play-calling. See Vandy Preview, page 31 Mason, Villanova and Rice. Indiana State vs. Western Michigan Oklahoma vs. Tulsa Lock Haven vs. Northeastern Tech builds on success with solid freshman signees Notre Dame vs. Maryland By Al Przygocki visit to Omaha come June. Missouri vs. Illinois Senior Staff Writer Headlining the incoming fresh- Troy State vs. Nebraska men is a trifecta of high draft picks The 2002 Yellow Jackets base- in Major League Baseball’s amateur Clemson vs. Georgia ball team had one of the best sea- draft who many thought would be Oklahoma State vs. Louisiana Tech sons in school history, but all signs in the pros. Jason Neighborgall, LSU vs. Virginia Tech point to 2003 being even better. It Micah Owings and Tyler Greene will be hard to replace the outstand- could all be Major League stars in a Submit your picks at: ing play and overall leadership of few years, but they all chose Tech nique.net/footballforecast the group of players including Vic- over the minor leagues. tor Menocal, Jason Perry, Tyler Park- Jason Neighborgall has first round er, Matthew Boggs, and Wes talent, but he dropped to the Bos- on Rynders. ton Red Sox in the seventh round All five of those players were in because of concerns over signabili- the starting lineup in the College ty. Neighborgall has a fastball in the deck World Series, and most teams would mid 90s, has been clocked as high as Event Date be devastated by such losses. Tech, 98, and has drawn comparisons to however, had quality backups who Florida Marlin phenom Josh Beck- WV at GM Tourny 8/30–8/31 played with regularity and also will ett. F vs. Vanderbilt 8/31 add some impressive new faces both Concerns over a shoulder injury WV vs. Florida A & M 9/06 in the lineup and on the mound. in his junior season and his high WV vs. Louisville 9/06 By Scott Meuleners / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Combining a core of talented and price tag reportedly in the neigh- F at Connecticut 9/07 The Joltin’ Jackets look to repeat their winning year and CWS trip in the experienced veterans with the new WV- Women’s Volleyball, F – Football coming season with the addition of another stellar freshman class. freshmen should lead to a return See Beesball, page 30 30 • Friday, August 30, 2002 • Technique SPORTS

Micah is a tremendous talent and a get better. That’s a major coup to by dropped to the Arizona Diamond-

Beesball from page 36 great competitor. Another way that see a guy who is a second round backs in the 45th round because of he is going to be able to help our pick walk away from the Atlanta his clear intentions to attend Tech. borhood of $4 million scared off we have never had two guys with team is that he can really hit. Not Braves and decide that he wanted to The incoming freshmen also include most teams. He should join the start- the amount of talent that they bring only is he a great talent on the mound, spend the next three years at Geor- pitchers Ryan Self and Jared Hyatt, ing rotation right away and has the in right away. If Jason wanted to be and that is where his future is, but gia Tech.” catcher Andy Hawranick, first base- talent to one day be the team’s ace. a first-round pick, he could have he will be a major factor for us of- The rest of the incoming class man Ryan Stanley, and outfielder Micah Owings is both a power fensively.” Steven Blackwood. pitcher and a power hitter. At Gaines- Tyler Greene will be wearing the Commenting on the non-head- ville High, Owings had an amazing “Getting Tyler Greene number 5 this season. As the suc- “We have had some liners in his recruiting class, Head career, putting up unbelievable num- cessor to Nomar Garciaparra and Coach Danny Hall explained, “We bers. His total of 69 career homers was a major coup. Victor Menocal’s number and po- great pitchers in the needed another catcher and I think was one short of tying the national Tyler is a tremendous sition, Greene has some awfully big 10 years that I have that Andy Hawranick was the best record, and he put up a 1.03 ERA shoes to fill. He has the talent as catch and throw guy available. Steven in his senior season as well. athlete with great evidenced by being selected to Base- been here, but we Blackwood is probably the sleeper Those numbers put Owings on skills. He is going to ball America’s high school All-Amer- have never had two of the group — every time that I Baseball America’s All-America sec- ica second team and the Atlanta saw him this summer with the East ond team both as a hitter and as a do nothing but get Braves drafting him in the second guys with the amount Cobb Yankees he hit the ball on the pitcher and led the Colorado Rockies better. ” round. Greene has been known more of talent that they money.” to draft him in the second round as for his defense than for his offense “Jon Crosby and Ryan Self are a pitcher. Owings should also be- Danny Hall but that will be more than enough bring in right away. ” the two forgotten pitchers in the come a regular in the rotation right Head Coach of Tech Baseball as he grows into his talents. Danny Hall recruiting class, but both of those away and will help make up for the On landing such a talent to re- Head Coach of Tech Baseball guys are outstanding pitchers in their loss of Jason Perry at first base on place the departed Menocal, Coach own right,” Hall said. “Ryan Stan- his non-pitching days. Danny Hall said, “Getting Tyler ley is a guy that gives us some more Head Coach Danny Hall is un- been if he had said that he would Greene was a major coup. The left depth with out position players and derstandably excited by his pair of settle for ‘slot money.’” side of the infield was a hole that we have not gotten the same amount I think he will compete with some freshman aces and commented, “We Hall added, “He [Jason Perry] were really worried about, and Tyler of national recognition but will def- of our older guys for playing time.” have had some great pitchers in the felt like he was better than that and is a tremendous athlete with great initely be important contributors 10 years that I have been here, but I think that he is better than that. skills. He is going to do nothing but in the upcoming season. Jon Cros- See Beesball, page 35 SPORTS Technique • Friday, August 30, 2002 • 31

Vandy Preview from page 36 turning defense into offense. The lete to stand on the sideline for the Jackets set a NCAA record that year entire season, so we’ll get him into with seven fumbles returned for the game somehow, some way.” touchdowns. Suggs is not short on big game “That’s our number one goal, to experience. He started four games score on defense,” Tenuta said. “I for Tennessee in 2000, two of those think our players understand that if four against SEC powers Florida you score on defense, you’re going and LSU. Suggs posted a 2-2 record to win the football game. That’s in those games, with five touch- our number one goal every week— downs and 3 interceptions. score on defense, create turnovers On the whole, Tech’s receiving and create havoc for .” corps may be even better than last The Jackets return five starters year’s edition. The loss of Camp- on offense. Gone are two-year starting bell, Tech’s all-time leading receiv- quarterback George Godsey, lead- er and touchdown reception ing receiver Kelly Campbell, and producer, will be assuaged by the leading rusher Joe Burns. Howev- return of three very proven go-to er, the cupboard is hardly bare at all guys, and some gifted newcomers. The talented trio of seniors Will Glover and Kerry Watkins, along with junior Jonathan Smith, com- “That’s our number bined for 136 receptions, 1,810 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2001. Speedy one goal every sophomore Nate Curry returns af- week—score on ter missing all of 2001 with an ACL defense, create injury. By Chris Gooley / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Sophomores Levon Thomas and Georgia Tech Head Coach Chan Gailey will make his debut with the Yellow Jackets this Saturday at 6 pm turnovers and create Mark Logan add depth at the posi- against the Vanderbilt Commodores at the newly renovated and expanded Bobby Dodd Stadium. havoc for tion, and true freshman LaKelder- ick Bridges is expected to contribute sent the left side of the Jackets’ of- primed for All-American accolades Malone, and promising sophomore quarterbacks.” as well, following a very impressive fensive line. Sophomores Leon Rob- in only his second season. Tony Hargrove as part of a line fall. inson (315 lbs.) and Nat Dorsey Sophomore Kyle Wallace and short on depth, but not on talent. Jon Tenuta Running back is another area (330 lbs.) spearhead an extremely senior Raymond Roberts-Blake bol- Any coach in the country would Defensive Coordinator where the Jackets are relatively un- ster the right side of the line for the relish the opportunity to utilize tested, yet talented. Junior Tony Jackets, while steady junior Hugh Tech’s linebacking corps. Senior Hollings, a converted safety, won Reilly moves over from right guard Recardo Wimbush has started since three of those positions. Tennessee the starting job in the spring. He “We want to have the to assume the center position va- he stepped foot on the Flats in 1999. transfer A.J. Suggs has been named showed an impressive burst and a best defense in the cated by the graduated David He has led the Jackets in tackles in Tech’s starting quarterback. He and tendency to hit the hole quickly in ACC. We’ve still got a Schmidgall. two of the past three seasons. redshirt freshman Damarius Bilbo practices. Defense should be a considered Joining him will be junior sensa- battled long and hard into fall prac- Senior Sidney Ford will also see lot of work to do, but a major strength for the Jackets this tion Daryl Smith, who was plagued tice to determine who would take significant playing time. He bounced as long as we stick season, highlighted by the return of by an elbow injury for most of 2001. the first snap for the Jackets against back from nagging injuries in the senior defensive end Greg Gathers. Smith was a freshman All-Ameri- Vandy. spring and fall, and impressed the together and stay Gathers, a potential first round pick can in 2000. Although Suggs was named the coaching staff with his quickness injury free, we can in next spring’s NFL draft, is on Athletically-gifted junior Keyaron starter, Coach Gailey insists that and strength. The Jackets will also pace to become the ACC’s all-time “Key” Fox rounds out the speedy, the athletically-gifted Bilbo will see welcome back redshirt-junior Jer- reach that goal.” sack leader this season. With just talented trio, which will receive depth six sacks this year Gathers will break from senior Matthew Etheridge, his share of snaps under center. maine Hatch. Hatch saw signifi- Jeremy Muyres the previous mark of 35.5 shared juniors Ather Brown and Anthony “A.J. has come out this fall and cant playing time at the end of the Georgia Tech Defensive Back played very well,” said Gailey. “He 2000 season prior to sustaining a by former Virginia star Chris Slade Lawston, sophomore Tabugbo An- has established himself as the start- season-ending knee injury in fall and former Florida State stalwart yansi, and redshirt-freshman Ger- er, but I think we’re going to keep practice last year. Reinard Wilson. ris Wilkinson. All are expected to our same thought process at that A combined 645 imposing lbs. talented first unit. Dorsey, who will Gathers will be joined by senior position. Bilbo is too good an ath- of physical girth and agility repre- not turn 19 until September 9, is Gary Johnson, sophomore Alfred See Vandy Preview, page 34 32 • Friday, August 30, 2002 • Technique SPORTS Senior swimmer takes Tech and his sport to an international level By Kimberly Rieck and I wish them all the best. I’ll do has been immense. It’s been a plea- Senior Staff Writer everything I can to support them,” sure having him around,” said Bar- said Ayalon. on. Ayalon was the only swimmer While Coach Seth Baron was This summer Ayalon competed on both mens and women’s teams recruiting his second class at Geor- in the 26th European Champion- past or present to be recognized as gia Tech, he received a tip from ships. He shattered a national record one of the top 50 swimmers in ACC Yoav Bruck, a former NCAA All- by over 20 seconds when he placed history. American swimmer from Auburn 6th in the preliminaries for the 1500 Baron attributed the omissions University. Baron worked with meter freestyle. He placed 8th at of other notable Tech swimmers Bruck, a former Israeli national team the finals with a time that stands including diver Brandon Long and swimmer, when he was an assistant amongst the top 25 in the world. swimmer Tim Howard to the vast coach at Auburn. He also placed 17th in the 400 meter wealth of great swimmers in the “Yoav brought Shilo [Ayalon] freestyle and broke another Israeli ACC’s history. to my attention and helped me fa- record in the event. Ayalon’s previ- Besides excelling in the water, cilitate [recruiting relationship] with ous international competitions in- Ayalon has successfully balanced him,” said Baron. Ayalon was an up clude the 2001 FINA World academics with his hectic practice and coming swimmer attending Hof schedule. Hasharon, a school that also serves “The coaches always tell us that as a training ground for junior and academics come first and swimming national team swimmers in Israel. comes second. I try to give the Ayalon traveled to Atlanta and “I devote myself fully same attention to both. I don’t think became a part of one of the most anything suffers from it. I devote influential classes in Georgia Tech to both of them and I myself fully to both of them and I swimming history. Baron said in do well in both I do well in both I guess. One doesn’t each of the members of the 1999 come instead of the other for me, class’ years, they’ve been the the guess. ” it’s both. My sleep gets hurt but highest scoring class at any school Shilo Ayalon that’s life,” said Ayalon. in the ACC including perennial On his academics and He has earned Academic All- champion Virginia. swimming American status, Dean’s list hon- The group consists of Ayalon, ors, and Faculty Honors. He co-captain, Josh Hersko, co-cap- currently maintains a 3.8 gpa in tain, James Salazar, co-captain, To- Electrical Engineering despite a monori Tsuji, Jorge Oliver, and Championships, and the European workout schedule during the sea- Robbie Foster. Junior National Swimming Cham- son that includes twenty hours in “We have a really good group of pionships. the pool a week and weight lifting. seniors. They are top contributors On the NCAA level, Ayalon After graduation, he plans to attend to the team in every aspect-academ- earned All-American status when graduate school. ics, social, swimming, and they’re a he placed 8th in the 1650 yard free- Ayalon wants to see the men’s great group of guys” said Ayalon. style at the 2002 NCAA champion- team beat their record finish of 27th At the 2000 ACC championships, ship. He was an honorable mention in the NCAA this season and for the team finished sixth. Last year All-American the year before. the women’s team to move up in the team placed second, behind Vir- In addition, he has been an ACC the ACC. Both teams will face six ginia. All-American in numerous events out of seven opponents in the con- Since Ayalon joined the team, and holds five school records in- ference this season. The main goal the number of swimmers from his cluding four individual records in will be to beat No.1 Virginia and home country has also dramatically the 500, 1650, 1000 yard freestyle defeat the rest of the team’s confer- increased. Itai Eden joined the Yel- and 400 IM events. ence opponents. low Jackets in 2000. The freshmen “He’s done an absolute wonder- “It’s going to be hard. Not a lot class this year includes Yonatan ful job while he’s been here. He has of people believed last year that we Cohen and Ofir Sorias from Hof and will continue this year as a se- could get 2nd but we gave every- Hasharon. nior to provide leadership and ex- thing we had and did it,” said Aya- By Shelley Hoyal / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS “Itai’s a great friend and I’m glad posure to Georgia Tech swimming lon. The dual meet season begins Senior swimmer Shilo Ayalon is making big splashes all over the he’s here with me. Now Ofir [So- on a collegiate and international level. on October 25th against Emory at international swimming scene because of his success in his sport. rias] and Yonatan [Cohen] are here His contribution to our program Emory. SPORTS Technique • Friday, August 30, 2002 • 33 Battle-tested Suggs comes back home to Georgia Tech A near-death experience, school transfer and hard-hitting opponents haven’t stopped the new Tech quarterback from becoming an impact both on and off the playing field. By Ryan Peck has never seen their life flash before season Suggs was pulled in favor of Contributing Writer their eyes. fellow freshman Casey Clausen, and “I feel very fortunate to be where the rest is history. Suggs is a com- Throughout the course of his I am today doing what I am doing,” petitor, a warrior, a survivor. Sit- relatively brief, yet accomplished life, said Suggs. ting on the bench was no place for Georgia Tech quarterback A.J. Suggs A two-sport star at Georgia high him. has dealt with his fair share of ad- school powerhouse McEachern High Following the 2000 season, Suggs versity. Both on the field and off, School, Suggs was rated amongst met with Tennessee coach Philip Suggs has consistently hurdled daunt- the best prep quarterbacks in the Fulmer and expressed his intention ing obstacles, some more momen- country in his senior season of 1998. to come home and transfer to Georgia tous than others in the grand scheme After Suggs led the Indians to the Tech. Fulmer wished Suggs well, of things. AAAA State Championship Game, and the Yellow Jackets accepted him Suggs has found himself back with open arms. home at Georgia Tech, a place he Per NCAA transfer rules, Suggs adored throughout his childhood. was forced to sit out the entire sea- Whether fighting for his team on “I feel very fortunate son last year and could not even the football field, or fighting out- to be where I am stand on the sidelines during the right for his life, Suggs has truly game. Suggs described the transi- come full circle. today doing what I tion period as “an extremely diffi- Suggs has been a starting quar- am doing. I feel cult time” for him. terback as a freshman at McEach- comfortable with the In practice, Suggs apprenticed ern High, as well as at the University under former star quarterback of Tennessee in the pressure-cook- offense and look George Godsey, an apprenticeship er that is the Southeastern Confer- forward to getting that Suggs feels was very beneficial. ence. In Godsey, Suggs has some very So why is it that Suggs can re- back on the field” big shoes to fill—don’t expect him main so calm in the huddle and so to shy away. In fact, Suggs couldn’t AJ Suggs poised in front of 100,000 chaotic be more anxious. Tech Quarterback fans primed to turn on him with “Looking back, I do think it was just one arrant pass? Inquirers need good to have a year to watch an look no further than a frightening experienced player and learn the incident Suggs overcame at just seven he decided to conclude the recruit- offense,” Suggs said. “I feel com- years of age. ing process by accepting a football fortable with the offense and look As a child growing up in nearby scholarship to Tennessee. forward to getting back on the field.” Powder Springs, Georgia, Suggs The history of the school and Suggs also welcomes the oppor- learned an early life lesson. In a clas- the bright lights of the SEC were tunity to return to his roots and sic scenario of being in the wrong just too much for Suggs to pass up. play close to home. place at the wrong time, a young After redshirting behind former Vols’ “Being a local product adds some Suggs was run over by a trailer load- star Tee Martin in 1999, Suggs was special incentive to playing here at ed down with approximately one cast into the fire in 2000. Tech,” he said. ton of hay bails. Suggs started the first four games “I have many family members His frail bones were pinned be- of the season for the Volunteers and and friends around which will make tween piercing metal and the earth, tied Peyton Manning’s single-game it convenient for them to come and a terrifying situation for an individ- completions record in the process watch. I grew up a Tech fan so it ual of any age to find him or herself during a 38-31 loss to LSU in over- makes it that much more special.” in. time. One thing is for certain. Suggs Before Suggs was pried out, the He came off the bench in the will tackle his new role as starting gigantic, heavy apparatus came with- season opener and completed four quarterback at Georgia Tech in ex- in just inches of crushing his rib of nine passes for 75 yards and one actly the same fashion in which he cage, which would have most likely touchdown against Southern Mis- has confronted all of his previous resulted in fatality. sissippi. While at Tennesse, Suggs challenges: with determination, heart So forgive Suggs if fickle fans or completed 81 of 139 passes for 785 and grace. By Chris Gooley / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS 250 lb. defenders do not easily rat- yards with five touchdowns and three AJ Suggs will compete in his first regular-season Georgia Tech game this tle him. He has a perspective on life interceptions. For supplemental coverage online: coming Saturday as the Jackets host Vanderbilt in their season opener. differing from that of anyone who However, midway through the www.ramblinwreck.com Crossword Puzzle Answers From Page 25 AFR ICA BASE ALGAL SOUDAN OLAV NOOSE KR ISPYKREME NURSE SEN OBOE UNH INGE STOP BES IEGERS PIECED DELE PETTY ECRU YOUR TW O SON WEIRD RACE ETC RE CREM EDEM ENTHE AL YOU SUCK SALVO NED DDT SEEK SK IT SOUSE EPEE OFTEST IN S H R IN E S BLUE ATLANTA SEAL GMT ERGON BOSTONCREAM EDUCT ER IE URAN IA CONKS DEPP TANTAN 34 • Friday, August 30, 2002 • Technique SPORTS

Vandy Preview from page 31 Jody says “Yeah, c’mon!” see playing time this season. The smallest player on the Georgia Tech secondary features three seniors and team, but has the opportunity to one junior. make some of the biggest plays. Jeremy Muyres and Marvious Like the Jackets, Vanderbilt is football forecast Hester, two three-year starters, com- also breaking in a new coaching nique.net/footballforecast bined for six interceptions and 128 staff. Bobby Johnson arrives in Nash- tackles in 2001. Muyres is very op- ville via Furman University, where timistic about the defensive unit, as he compiled an impressive 60-36 nique editor-in-chief jody shaw chal- play online, and if you pick more well as Tech’s chances this year. record in eight seasons at the Divi- lenges the entire tech community in games correctly than jody, your “We want to have the best de- sion 1-AA school. The Commo- fense in the ACC,” he said. “We’ve dores must replace talented this season’s football forecast. name will appear in the next issue. still got a lot of work to do, but as quarterback Greg Zolman, along long as we stick together and stay with four other offensive starters injury free, we can reach that goal.” from 2001’s squad. Senior Cory Collins, a punish- Easing the loss of Zolman will ing hitter, will start at strong safety be senior wideout Dan Stricker. alongside Muyres. Jonathan Cox, a Stricker hauled in 65 receptions junior from Chi- last year, amass- cago, will man ing 1,079 yards the other corner and eight touch- spot. “Bilbo is too good an downs. Special athlete to stand on the On the defen- teams remain a sive side of the considerable sideline for the entire ball, a consis- strength for the season, so we’ll get tently solid unit Yellow Jackets. under former Senior Luke him into the game Vandy coach Manget is on somehow.” Woody Widen- pace to break the hofer, the Com- record of most Chan Gailey modores consecutive Georgia Tech Head Coach welcome back P.A.T.’s con- seven starters. verted this sea- Vanderbilt must son. Thus far, Manget is perfect on replace both spe- extra points in three previous sea- cialists. The Commodores face the sons at 131-131. He needs 31 this frightening prospect of having two season to break the record. freshmen handling both the place- In senior punters Dan Dyke and kicking and punting duties. Chris Morehouse, the Jackets pos- Bobby Johnson is a good coach, sess two very reliable kickers capa- but it is highly unlikely that he will ble of dictating field position, an be able to end Vandy’s 20-year post- important intangible that is all too season draught in 2002. Vander- often overlooked. bilt is notorious for playing teams “Rhino! Rhino!” is the chant tough for a half or three quarters of heard on punt returns, as electric a game, particularly in the early senior Kelley Rhino is back to re- stages of the season, only to fade turn punts for the Jackets. Rhino near the end. set an ACC record for punt return Look for both teams to struggle yardage in a season last year with early tomorrow offensively, as they 515 yards and is 17th in ACC his- search for consistency. However, tory. Rhino ranks third in Tech the Jackets should gradually wear history in career punt yardage, just down the Commodores with their following his father, Randy and superior talent and speed, and pull Willie Clay. He is currently the away in the second half. SPORTS Technique • Friday, August 30, 2002 • 35

Beesball from page 30 f Most of the credit for recruiting degree at Georgia Tech is an insur- this class and convincing them to ance policy to these guys that if o nique editor- follow through on their commit- baseball fails then they will be able o in-chief jody ments to Tech goes to Assistant to use a Georgia Tech degree to be shaw wants Coach and Recruiting Coordina- successful.” t you to bring it tor Scott Stricklin.Coach Hall talked Tech’s core players in the field, about the amazing job pulled off by at the bat, and on the mound would b on. Stricklin, commenting that he “was already have been enough to project relentless all sum- another 40-win a mer with these season and freshmen. You spark talk of a l first see the re- possible return cruiting class in “The new stadium has to Omaha. l the fall and feel helped .” With the high enter your good, but you re- level of talent alize that you are Danny Hall being mixed in picks in the foot- Head Coach, Tech Baseball ball forecast taking a chance to that core, f by signing these look for those and try to beat high profile guys. expectations to o the editor. Then you see them taken high in go up and include another 50-win the draft in June and you think that season and trips to Omaha becom- r you will lose a lot of those guys.” ing a more regular occurrence. Tech “But Scott deserves a lot of cred- has had top-notch talent in the past e it for identifying their talent and but has not always been able to then getting them here in school at translate that talent into success. c Georgia Tech,” Hall added. Hopefully, last season has taught “The year we had last year going the Jackets that team chemistry and a to the College World Series defi- unified focus are critical factors in nitely helped a lot as these guys saw getting results. s www.nique.net/ we had a nucleus of young players The leadership of the upperclass- footballforecast returning and they want to try to men, particularly the seniorswill go t By Daniel Uhlig / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS win a national championship.” a long way towards the team being Tech ace Kyle Bakker will soon have some help in the starting rotation. “The new stadium has helped more than just a collection of tal- Pitching signee Jason Neighborgall has major league quality talent. tremendously. The idea of getting a ent, but indeed a champion.