Juanyeh Thomas has a message for the fans!

[RonJohn]

Well...we didn't have our best b back have a season ending injury in 2014 :/

We did have our best BBack miss two or three games during that season. Everyone was very worried, but Days stepped up and we ended the season with 2 great BBacks.

 

[Technut1990]

If you read my post you would see that I NEVER claimed that they set up correctly. By arguing that I did you are not arguing against the position I took and are arguing against a “straw man” that you created, hence yours is a straw man argument. My point was not that they made errors but that you oversimplified the situation in order to criticize. These are bright kids who take on hard academics and major college football and take it very seriously. I think you should cut them some slack and give them support.

I'm totally lost with your argument.

My entire point is that they lined up wrong on several plays, you stated "I NEVER claimed that they set up correctly" so it's obvious that you think I'm right, that they lined up wrong, yet you go further and say "My point was not that they made errors but that you oversimplified the situation in order to criticize".

I asked why the mistake was made. I based my lack of understanding of the "mistakes" on the fact that these kids are exceptionally smart, as proven by the classes they take. It seems that you are over sensitive to negative descriptions or questions. I never said they do it on purpose as your objections infer.

I will once again aske how any Tech students (pointing out that they go to Tech - acknowledging they are exceptional), who can take and pass calculus (not required at most other schools) do not understand that 2 DB's cannot cover 3 WR's (simple math upon observation before the snap) ?

The players DID NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY and/or ADJUST TO WHAT THEY SAW, Its a fact !

I doubt that any student is overwhelmed by the disapproving question and I doubt that they will conduct their approach to life any different due to it.

Your thoughts are fine but to infer that I or anyone else whose questions are valid, of not supporting the team is a very unique position you take. I expect a lot of the people THAT I SUPPORT !

It really sounds like you are one who supports participation trophies, I don't !

If it's so nuanced to play football that you cannot look down the line or in front of you and see the situation your opponent gives you then you could have explained those conditions which excuse the failure. Thats my goal, to understand why they mistakes were made

I'm talking about the game of football, the straw man in this back and forth between us is the one you inserted --- it's it called "feelings"

 

[MidtownJacket]

I'm totally lost with your argument.

My entire point is that they lined up wrong on several plays, you stated "I NEVER claimed that they set up correctly" so it's obvious that you think I'm right, that they lined up wrong, yet you go further and say "My point was not that they made errors but that you oversimplified the situation in order to criticize".

I asked why the mistake was made. I based my lack of understanding of the "mistakes" on the fact that these kids are exceptionally smart, as proven by the classes they take. It seems that you are over sensitive to negative descriptions or questions. I never said they do it on purpose as your objections infer.

I will once again aske how any Tech students (pointing out that they go to Tech - acknowledging they are exceptional), who can take and pass calculus (not required at most other schools) do not understand that 2 DB's cannot cover 3 WR's (simple math upon observation before the snap) ?

The players DID NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY and/or ADJUST TO WHAT THEY SAW, Its a fact !

I doubt that any student is overwhelmed by the disapproving question and I doubt that they will conduct their approach to life any different due to it.

Your thoughts are fine but to infer that I or anyone else whose questions are valid, of not supporting the team is a very unique position you take. I expect a lot of the people THAT I SUPPORT !

It really sounds like you are one who supports participation trophies, I don't !

If it's so nuanced to play football that you cannot look down the line or in front of you and see the situation your opponent gives you then you could have explained those conditions which excuse the failure. Thats my goal, to understand why they mistakes were made

I'm talking about the game of football, the straw man in this back and forth between us is the one you inserted --- it's it called "feelings"

I would say that obviously the formation didn't account for the third receiver. The questions I have though are what was the call, what was the presnap read, what (if any) disguise did we want to show against our coverage, was this a total miss by the guys or something else.

I don't think anyone would argue that there were a number of players out of position and lined up incorrectly last week. The thing I think some people on this board (myself included) take issue with is that we have played 2 games thus far in a new system. The game was against a HUNH offense, with two of our starters in the locker room with disqualifications from the targeting calls. I believe there is more context to the situation than simply the guys lined up wrong. There is a difference between excuses and explanations. No one is using the context surrounding this game as justification for why the players missed assignments rather we are saying there is more to the measure of a player's abilities and talent than a single game early in season.

 

[Technut1990]

Midtown,

that was a very well explained thought out point. it was civil and caused me to pause and think, thank you for taking the time - rather than just yelling about my questions

 

[MidtownJacket]

Midtown,

that was a very well explained thought out point. it was civil and caused me to pause and think, thank you for taking the time - rather than just yelling about my questions

Sure thing, thanks for responding back. I think a lot of us come to these forums to talk football, shoot the proverbial bull and spit ball different things. It is healthy to have varying opinions and points of view. I enjoyed our earlier conversation in this thread and have been interested in following people's view on our Defense developments this off-season and through the first two games.

The vast majority of us want to see our young men and women excel in all avenues, it's like you said in an earlier post - the expectation is for excellence. It can be easy to get caught up in the emotion of wanting to see the win. All that said, I do believe we are making strides in improving on the D Side (even with last week being what it was) and am hopeful we will see improvement next week. The good news is that I still think a lot of the errors are fixable, and frankly for the first defensive series think we acquitted ourselves well. I am also really looking forward to the return of BJS.

 

[Eastman]

I'm totally lost with your argument.

My entire point is that they lined up wrong on several plays, you stated "I NEVER claimed that they set up correctly" so it's obvious that you think I'm right, that they lined up wrong, yet you go further and say "My point was not that they made errors but that you oversimplified the situation in order to criticize".

I asked why the mistake was made. I based my lack of understanding of the "mistakes" on the fact that these kids are exceptionally smart, as proven by the classes they take. It seems that you are over sensitive to negative descriptions or questions. I never said they do it on purpose as your objections infer.

I will once again aske how any Tech students (pointing out that they go to Tech - acknowledging they are exceptional), who can take and pass calculus (not required at most other schools) do not understand that 2 DB's cannot cover 3 WR's (simple math upon observation before the snap) ?

The players DID NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY and/or ADJUST TO WHAT THEY SAW, Its a fact !

I doubt that any student is overwhelmed by the disapproving question and I doubt that they will conduct their approach to life any different due to it.

Your thoughts are fine but to infer that I or anyone else whose questions are valid, of not supporting the team is a very unique position you take. I expect a lot of the people THAT I SUPPORT !

It really sounds like you are one who supports participation trophies, I don't !

If it's so nuanced to play football that you cannot look down the line or in front of you and see the situation your opponent gives you then you could have explained those conditions which excuse the failure. Thats my goal, to understand why they mistakes were made

I'm talking about the game of football, the straw man in this back and forth between us is the one you inserted --- it's it called "feelings"

I'm totally lost with your argument.

My entire point is that they lined up wrong on several plays, you stated "I NEVER claimed that they set up correctly" so it's obvious that you think I'm right, that they lined up wrong, yet you go further and say "My point was not that they made errors but that you oversimplified the situation in order to criticize".

I asked why the mistake was made. I based my lack of understanding of the "mistakes" on the fact that these kids are exceptionally smart, as proven by the classes they take. It seems that you are over sensitive to negative descriptions or questions. I never said they do it on purpose as your objections infer.

I will once again aske how any Tech students (pointing out that they go to Tech - acknowledging they are exceptional), who can take and pass calculus (not required at most other schools) do not understand that 2 DB's cannot cover 3 WR's (simple math upon observation before the snap) ?

The players DID NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY and/or ADJUST TO WHAT THEY SAW, Its a fact !

I doubt that any student is overwhelmed by the disapproving question and I doubt that they will conduct their approach to life any different due to it.

Your thoughts are fine but to infer that I or anyone else whose questions are valid, of not supporting the team is a very unique position you take. I expect a lot of the people THAT I SUPPORT !

It really sounds like you are one who supports participation trophies, I don't !

If it's so nuanced to play football that you cannot look down the line or in front of you and see the situation your opponent gives you then you could have explained those conditions which excuse the failure. Thats my goal, to understand why they mistakes were made

I'm talking about the game of football, the straw man in this back and forth between us is the one you inserted --- it's it called "feelings"

Feelings? You continue to attribute viewpoints to me that I do not hold and haven’t expressed hence the straw man comments. The point I originally made was that it may not be as simple as you described. Professionals that have done this far longer and practice far more than our SAs make similar mistakes. No player on the team wants to make such mistakes. It’s regrettable but it happens. If they don’t see their mistakes the coaches will make sure they know it when they go over film. They will get plenty of appropriate criticism then.

 

[Technut1990]

Sure thing, thanks for responding back. I think a lot of us come to these forums to talk football, shoot the proverbial bull and spit ball different things. It is healthy to have varying opinions and points of view. I enjoyed our earlier conversation in this thread and have been interested in following people's view on our Defense developments this off-season and through the first two games.

The vast majority of us want to see our young men and women excel in all avenues, it's like you said in an earlier post - the expectation is for excellence. It can be easy to get caught up in the emotion of wanting to see the win. All that said, I do believe we are making strides in improving on the D Side (even with last week being what it was) and am hopeful we will see improvement next week. The good news is that I still think a lot of the errors are fixable, and frankly for the first defensive series think we acquitted ourselves well. I am also really looking forward to the return of BJS.

I completely agree, I have big hopes for our Defense and team as a whole. Not to get dorky but reading your explanation reminded me of sitting around at a cook out with the guys drinking a beer and actually talking about real football --man I cant wait until Saturday !!!

 

[Technut1990]

Feelings? You continue to attribute viewpoints to me that I do not hold and haven’t expressed hence the straw man comments. The point I originally made was that it may not be as simple as you described. Professionals that have done this far longer and practice far more than our SAs make similar mistakes. No player on the team wants to make such mistakes. It’s regrettable but it happens. If they don’t see their mistakes the coaches will make sure they know it when they go over film. They will get plenty of appropriate criticism then.

Ok I get it Eastman, you think people who don't think like you should shut up, Im done take care. Still dont remember saying any player messed up intentionally but it's cool. BTW way Im not changing, so I would advise you not to read my post from now on ---- they will ask questions and express frustration when I desire them to.

 

[tech_wreck47]

Ok I get it Eastman, you think people who don't think like you should shut up, Im done take care. Still dont remember saying any player messed up intentionally but it's cool. BTW way Im not changing, so I would advise you not to read my post from now on ---- they will ask questions and express frustration when I desire them to.

Don’t worry, imo I think people are not liking your comment because it came across as FACT instead of OPINION. it’s a message board though, we all have different opinions as you hinted to.

 

[Technut1990]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle, not as a scrub or back up in a run away game but as a player and teammate ! He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football, why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

 

[GT_05]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle. He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

Wow! What a great story and thanks for sharing! I’m even more proud of our school and team now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MidtownJacket]

@Technut1990 that’s a really touching story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’m sorry to hear about the challenges facing your family, but so happy that GaTech could be a salve for some of the pain. It’s a magical place that really does change lives for the better.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jwsavhGT]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle, not as a scrub or back up in a run away game but as a player and teammate ! He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football, why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

Thank you for sharing.

 

[iceeater1969]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle, not as a scrub or back up in a run away game but as a player and teammate ! He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football, why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

Thanks
As in your case, step dads are often times the true dads.

 

[Technut1990]

Thanks
As in your case, step dads are often times the true dads.

Thank you for that Iceeater, it means a lot.

 

[Whiskey_Clear]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle, not as a scrub or back up in a run away game but as a player and teammate ! He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football, why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

Fake news. We all know CPJ is an ornery and heartless SOB who only cares about making himself look good and doesn’t care squat about the fan base etc......

All kidding aside thanks for sharing a great uplifting story about your son. Whatever faults our current or former football staffers might have, lacking compassion and class ain’t one of them.

 

[iceeater1969]

Fake news. We all know CPJ is an ornery and heartless SOB who only cares about making himself look good and doesn’t care squat about the fan base etc......

All kidding aside thanks for sharing a great uplifting story about your son. Whatever faults our current or former football staffers might have, lacking compassion and class ain’t one of them.

Right on Whisky (intentionally misspelled)

Few know that this past week coach let a young defensive starter fly home for the funeral of his hs friend who had been murdered.
Due to flight delays he got back at 3:00 am game day.

i love it when coach says he has "no idea what motivates these young kids". In the short term time frame, who does?
Coach never compromises motivating them in the long term time frame.


Now if we could just get coach to crack some more jokes like he did in the Monday press conference - in a funny way when asked about the QB starting at Pitt - he jokingly said = he would be starting the backup = the room irrupted with genuine laughter.

 

[MidtownJacket]

Right on Whisky (intentionally misspelled)

Few know that this past week coach let a young defensive starter fly home for the funeral of his hs friend who had been murdered.
Due to flight delays he got back at 3:00 am game day.

i love it when coach says he has "no idea what motivates these young kids". In the short term time frame, who does?
Coach never compromises motivating them in the long term time frame.


Now if we could just get coach to crack some more jokes like he did in the Monday press conference - in a funny way when asked about the QB starting at Pitt - he jokingly said = he would be starting the backup = the room irrupted with genuine laughter.

CPJ is a class act. That is why people (myself included) feel compelled to give him the benefit of the doubt most of the time. He absolutely cares about developing our young men into adults who will be a credit to both themselves and the Institute. That is a full time mission and something he does not lose sight of. For people who don't believe that, listen to ANY of the players on this board who have played under him.

 

[Supersizethatorder-mutt]

Just for the record I want you guys to know how I feel about Tech.

My step son is a functioning autistic 15 year old. When I say functioning I mean he appears to just be shy but for him the world is moving by very fast. He gets picked on for being “different”. When I met my wife he was in a shell. He never had any experience with any football at all. It took a long time to get him out in the yard just to throw the ball. We worked every afternoon to show him he could do it. Then one day he asked me if I thought he could play middle school ball. I said “hell yes”. I told him he had to talk to the middle school coach to show me and the coach he really wanted to do it. He actually did that, on his own which took a tremendous amount of strength on his part. Then he started worrying about how he would get along with his teammates on the field and in the locker room. In an effort comfort him I turned to Ga Tech. I didn’t know anyone on the team - nobody ! But I sent an email to coach Roof and explained what I was trying to do for my step son. Within 2 weeks Coach Johnson, Coach Roof and Coach Lutz begin to contact me and or arrange a visit. Within 3 weeks my step son, his mother and I were shaking hands with the entire staff. My step son was escorted to the equipment room wher he was put in “shells” and handed a ball. We were taken to the film rooms, the Press room and locker room. We were then put in a gator and driven all over campus. The aquatic center the education buildings and finally to practice. When we stepped onto the practice field EVERY COACH lined up to introduce themselves — to my step son. My step son shook CPJs hand as he was personally welcomed by the coach. He was allowed to hit the tackling dummies, run the indoor field, interact with the players ( as they could). We were made to feel like we were at practice with OUR team. He was given Gatorade, a football ( to take home) and his own personal Tech ID. The entire time he was beaming from ear to ear, his mother crying as she watched her son open up to strangers. I was beaming with pride the entire time. When we were done we were driven to our car as the players walked the “tech walk “ behind us as they returned to the locker room. Techs sports social media director personally interacted with my step son giving him the info he needed to follow Tech football and Tech in general.

All the way home he talked and talked about Tech, Football yes but more importantly computer engineering AT TECH !

The next day my step son ran onto the football field in the 4th quarter where he got in on 4 plays and one tackle, not as a scrub or back up in a run away game but as a player and teammate ! He finished the season without any concerns, he found that he could fit in and that he could be accepted by others. He has now moved on from football, why ? Because he is taking college prep classes and has visted Emory computer camp - because one day “he is going to go to TECH and be an Engineer”. Why ? Because “there is no other school that he can go to that’s even worth it”.

Because of Ga Tech and the very welcoming attitude EVERYONE showed my step son, my step son has a goal. He aspires to greatness “ like you can get at Tech”. And perhaps most importantly he believes he can do anything he wants to now. Because of GA TECH he has a dream that HE believes he can reach !

I was a Tech supporter long ago but for my own reasons, today I am nothing but a Tech guy because I too believe there is no better place I see Tech as the sole reason my step son thrives with self confidence now. He will never play high school ball much less College but he damn will go to Tech and be a very special man and he will always think back to his experience with the football team.

Never ever think I am degrading Tech, never ever think I think the student athletes are stupid or incompetent because like my step son I will always hold Tech, CPJ, ROOF, LUTZ and everyone else in the very highest esteem. I will never ever fail to believe or support. It is from my dedication and love that I will always expect the very highest standards of any Tech athlete and I hold anyone around to that notice. I’m a Yellow Jacket heart and head and always will be !!

Thanks for sharing that. It brought tears to my own eyes to read it. All the best to your step-son now and forever !!! He will be one helluva engineer.

 

[AlabamaBuzz]

CPJ is a class act. That is why people (myself included) feel compelled to give him the benefit of the doubt most of the time. He absolutely cares about developing our young men into adults who will be a credit to both themselves and the Institute. That is a full time mission and something he does not lose sight of. For people who don't believe that, listen to ANY of the players on this board who have played under him.

Not sure about CPJ before the Naval Academy - my gut says he was already the way you describe, but the kids at our Military Academies are the best of the best - kids like my son, who could have went for free to any school he chose, but he wanted to serve something bigger than himself. I am sure that the Academy honed this into PJ even more, wanting to develop these young men into leaders, not just coach them football. In my opinion, we have the right head coach. I wish we could help him with recruiting and getting some better talent. I realize that is his job also, but it is very, very hard at GT.