398 / Sports All Levels of Athletic Competition are Found at Tech Between Varsity sports, Club sports, and intramural teams, athletics at Georgia Tech have a place for everyone. For the serious athlete, Georgia Tech has the Athletic Association which organizes the varsity sports and demands real dedication from its players. Under the G.T.A.A.'s guidance, high school athletes are transformed into All- Americans and pro-athletes. For those dedicated athletes whose sport is not provided by the G.T.A.A., Club sports provide their organization. Georgia Tech club sports compete against stiff competition from other col- lege teams across the the nation. For many students who just want play their favorite sport every week, the In- tramural Program provides the opportuni- ty, teams to enjoy a competitive game each week and the possibility to win the school championship. TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Laura Rullman waits for a serve. Men's gymnastics is in its last year at Tech. One of the most successful club sports is the rugby team. BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Tripp Isenhour shows perfect form in his swing. Richard Hills looks for more yardage after catching a pass. The shot put demands both strength and accuracy. Women's soccer is working towards varsity status. Sports/399 Bobby Ross Takes Over as New Yellow Jacket Coach When Tech students returned to school himself and the rest of the team answer "Bill (Curry) was a great man and an ex- in early January, the big news on campus student questions. "Without student sup- cellent coach. I know that I am inheriting a was that Bill Curry, head football coach of port our team has no motivation to play. It very good and sound football program the Jackets, had resigned to become is a great feeling when you hear here," Ross said. Changes will be made, head football coach at the University of thousands of people yelling and cheering however, both on and off the field. "I want Alabama. An era had ended. Seven years for you for the entire game." the team to represent Georgia Tech for of fond football memories had been com- The first task that Ross encountered what it stands for — a great educational piled under the Curry regime. While upon coming to Tech was the replace- institution with a superior athletic Coach Curry's first two seasons were ment of the assistant coaches who went program." dismal because of very inexperienced to Alabama with Bill Curry. Within two On the field, Coach Ross feels that a teams and a very tough schedule, his last weeks, Coach Ross brought in a staff of new offensive scheme should be im- five seasons were productive. Curry's "proven winners" from schools located all plemented at Tech. Ross explained, "We teams won six games twice, three games around the country. "I feel very fortunate will shoot from the hip — we will make once, with his best season at Tech being to have such good men to work with," things happen. My team will be on the at- 1985, when the Jackets went 9-2-1. That said Ross, "the ACC conference will be tack for the full sixty minutes of all eleven year, the Jackets won the All-American very strong next year, and I now feel that games." As for the passing game, Ross Bowl against Michigan State and finished we will contend for the season title." says, "most schools promise to throw the the year ranked in the nation's top 20 for Looking back on his championship ball; at Georgia Tech, we now have a the first time in many years. years at Maryland, where he won the ACC commitment to throw. You will be seeing Bill Curry was well respected, a man title two out of five years, Ross compares a different Yellow Jacket team next year - who loved Georgia Tech and everyone his new team to his old Terrapin teams. and you will like what you see!" associated with the school. Whether deal- ing with alumni, students, or players, Coach Curry was always friendly, caring, and considerate. Tech could waste no time finding a replacement at the height of the recruiting season. Athletic Director Dr. Homer Rice and his search committee found a replacement within twenty-four hours of Curry's departure. Bobby Ross, a well known ACC per- sonality and former head coach of a suc- cessful University of Maryland program, answered Dr. Rice's call. Ross had been greatly distressed by the state of athletics at Maryland and resigned his position in December. While preparing to move to the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League, he received an invitation to discuss the position at Tech, flew to Atlanta, and accepted the job of head coach. Ross based his quick acceptance on Tech's "strong commitment to ex- "The Yellow Jackets have excellent per- Joining Ross and the coaching staff as cellence." The new head coach firmly sonnel, and there is no reason why we new Jackets will be new high school believes that "Ga. Tech's strong athletic should not be a very successful team very recruits and college transfers. They will program and outstanding academic cur- soon." While at Maryland, Coach Ross hopefully help the team drive to an ACC riculum help make it perhaps the best had five straight winning seasons and championship with Coach Ross at the overall school in the country." He openly four bowl trips, including last year's Gator helm. As for goals for the 1987 Georgia says, "Having my players graduate with a Bowl win over Stanford. Tech football team, Coach Ross wants meaningful degree means more to me Asked about Maryland's biggest rivalry, "to go out and get better each day, repre- than winning a bowl game. A guy goes to Ross answered that it was North sent Tech for what it is, win the ACC title, college in order to learn. Football should Carolina's Tar Heels. "I don't compare it and of course, go to a major bowl game." be, and will be, secondary to my player's to the intensity of the Tech-UGA rivalry, Coach Ross, welcome to Georgia Tech. studies." but it was our biggest game every year." One area that our new coach wants to Coach Ross added that his favorite place improve is the football team's relationship to play is Clemson's Death Valley. "I LEFT: Coach Bobby Ross is introduced to Georgia with the students. Coach Ross wants to never saw so much of one color (orange) Tech fans during halftime at a home basketball game by Tech athletic director Dr. Homer Rice. put microphones on the field by the stu- at one place at one time," said Ross. "I'm ABOVE: Busy as a bee, Coach Ross takes care of dent section after each game and have glad to be going back there again." some paperwork at his desk. Sports / 401 VARSITY FOOTBALL Opponents Deprive Jackets of Early Wins The 1986 Yellow Jackets began the game. The Jackets won 28-14. I guess it was our day." season with a home date with the Furman The Ramblin Wreck, led by sophomore Another team with revenge on their Paladins. A large crowd at Grant Field Cedric Stallworth and senior Reginald mind was the North Carolina Tar Heels, saw the Yellow Jackets struggle through Rutland, forced seven Cavalier turnovers who hosted Georgia Tech for the the entire game which ended in a very and gave the Tech offensive unit very Engineer's third ACC battle of the frustrating and disappointing 17-17 tie. good field position for most of the game. season. Laying to rest their shellacking by After a strong finish last season, Tech had Quarterback Rick Strom passed for 150 Tech last year, the Tar Heels mounted very high hopes for the '86 season. Coach yards and two touchdowns and two impressive second half drives to Bill Curry called the Furman game "a very sophomore back Nate Kesley ran for 107 come back and beat the Yellow Jackets big emotional downer" for the whole yards and scored one TD to lead a very in a very close 21-20 game that was not team, but continued that "this game will impressive offensive attack of the Virginia decided until the last few seconds of the teach us what we need to improve on to defense. battle. make this season successful." The Jackets' third game was another After a sluggish first half, Tech's of- Although the game was disappointing, ACC battle, this time against Clemson at fense, led by tailback Jerry Mays and there were several Tech players who Grant Field. Coming off the impressive quarterback Rick Atrom, finally got on played well. Cory Collier rushed for 50 victory of the week before, the Engineers track and scored two second half yards. Quarterback Rick Strom passed were looking to defeat a very tough Clem- touchdowns. After a late field goal by for 180 yards and scored a touchdown, son team who had revenge of last year's placekicker David Bell, the Jackets' 20-14 and receiver Gary Lee caught a loss on their mind. The Tigers got their lead seemed to indicate a Yellow Jacket touchdown pass. revenge, and then some, as they gave the victory. A lapse in the young Tech The Jackets' second game of the Yellow Jackets an "old-fashioned whipp- defense, however, allowed the Tar Heels season was an ACC battle against ing," and won the game 27-3. "We got to move 70 yards very quickly and score Virginia in Charlottesville.