This is borrowed from another forum, but I thought what Mike Bobinski said was interesting. I like Mike, he's not 'flashy' like DRad, but Tech doesn't need flashy, Tech needs some foundation repair......
LegalBees wrote: I was there. You know, every time I start to get down on MBob and the GTAA for various reasons, I hear him speak, and I always come away so impressed and appreciative that this guy actually gets it. I'll report what I remember, in no particular order, and hope others will fill any gaps or corrections. With so much going on in college athletics now, there was probably less about GT specifically and more about the general direction things are heading.
- He is really impressed with the way the football team is much more focused and playing together and harder this year over last year at this point. While he mentioned no names, having everyone fully committed to the team, each other, the goals, and the process is making a big difference. Went two weeks at full intensity. At a recent practice, they ran 110 plays and never put the ball on the ground.
- Smelter is stepping up and showing signs he may have a future after college.
- All three quarterbacks contributing and taking many reps.
- Front line was big issue last year, but has some depth and promise this year.
- D will be biggest question, but not for lack of talent or effort - just needs some experience.
- The floor in the weight room had become a safety hazard, so they have totally rebuilt it, including a nutrition station where the athletes can get proper nutrition right on site.
- Has just about finished reorganizing upper management at the GTAA. Expects to announce soon the return of a very familiar name to a major role in AA. Has had to make some tough decisions and replace some excellent people, but they also need to be the right people for us to move forward. No longer good enough to say this is how it is. Will now be what are we doing to improve and move forward.
- No magic number of wins, but more wins than losses is always a good starting place. It really all depends on whether they did the best they could or could have done better under the circumstances. Goal is to lay the ground work for consistent performance, not sacrifice the future for now. Also, must be successful in a manner consistent with the school's traditions and reputation that we can all be proud of.
- "We need to have each others back more." Surprised by so much general negativity. As outsider coming in, he is so impressed with everything TECH does and is, so he has a hard time understanding why we are not more proud of what and who we are instead of being so negative about who and what we are not. We have so much to be proud of and others are envious of us, but we elect to focus on other things and fight among ourselves. We must define ourselves instead of letting others do it for us.
- There are currently 3 major lawsuits working their way through the system that will affect every aspect of college athletics.
1) Involving concussions - similar to the what the NFL already had. No real argument because deals with player safety. Tech is already ahead on this issue and will basically level the playing field because it will force others to live up to the same standards.
2) The Obannon (sp) case - dealing with player names, likeness, images, etc. NCAA is appealing and vows to take to the Supreme Court so it will be years before resolved. While generally hard to argue in concept, the execution will be a mess, mainly because of #3. Requires colleges to compensate athletes for televising events and using their image, number, etc.
3) Anti-trust lawsuit. This is the one that has the potential to destroy college athletics. The claim is basically that any rules that force all schools to treat athletes the same violates anti-trust laws. Schools could no longer say "here is what athletes get for coming here." Instead, each player would be allowed to negotiate their own, individual scholarship amount and other perks, so they would go to the highest bidder.
- Basically, the BEST possible outcome from the direction college athletics is moving now is everything stays the same but it just costs everyone a lot more to get the same results.
- Question about school colors. Understands it is important, but dreams of the day when THAT is his biggest problem left to resolve.
- Ollie is returning for senior year and is currently number 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world. Had MANY offers to go pro and played some tournaments over the summer, but will return to lead team, finish his degree, watch his brother play baseball for us, and be close to his girlfriend on our (Tennis?) team.
- Back areas of Chandler stadium are being completely renovated. Were never really completed originally and has to be done.
- CBG is working hard with the team to play more as a team later in the games. We typically play very well until the last 10 minutes or so, then everyone tries to win on their own instead of as a team.
- The Hill is doing everything they can to assist. Approved 12 of 12 non-standard admissions, but now the athletes have to prove they deserved the opportunity. All of the support is there, now just have to make sure they take advantage of it.
- About 1/2 of all living GT alum graduated since 2000. Must get them more involved now so they will continue later when they become more successful, while also keeping the older alum happy, who currently contribute so much.
LegalBees wrote: I was there. You know, every time I start to get down on MBob and the GTAA for various reasons, I hear him speak, and I always come away so impressed and appreciative that this guy actually gets it. I'll report what I remember, in no particular order, and hope others will fill any gaps or corrections. With so much going on in college athletics now, there was probably less about GT specifically and more about the general direction things are heading.
- He is really impressed with the way the football team is much more focused and playing together and harder this year over last year at this point. While he mentioned no names, having everyone fully committed to the team, each other, the goals, and the process is making a big difference. Went two weeks at full intensity. At a recent practice, they ran 110 plays and never put the ball on the ground.
- Smelter is stepping up and showing signs he may have a future after college.
- All three quarterbacks contributing and taking many reps.
- Front line was big issue last year, but has some depth and promise this year.
- D will be biggest question, but not for lack of talent or effort - just needs some experience.
- The floor in the weight room had become a safety hazard, so they have totally rebuilt it, including a nutrition station where the athletes can get proper nutrition right on site.
- Has just about finished reorganizing upper management at the GTAA. Expects to announce soon the return of a very familiar name to a major role in AA. Has had to make some tough decisions and replace some excellent people, but they also need to be the right people for us to move forward. No longer good enough to say this is how it is. Will now be what are we doing to improve and move forward.
- No magic number of wins, but more wins than losses is always a good starting place. It really all depends on whether they did the best they could or could have done better under the circumstances. Goal is to lay the ground work for consistent performance, not sacrifice the future for now. Also, must be successful in a manner consistent with the school's traditions and reputation that we can all be proud of.
- "We need to have each others back more." Surprised by so much general negativity. As outsider coming in, he is so impressed with everything TECH does and is, so he has a hard time understanding why we are not more proud of what and who we are instead of being so negative about who and what we are not. We have so much to be proud of and others are envious of us, but we elect to focus on other things and fight among ourselves. We must define ourselves instead of letting others do it for us.
- There are currently 3 major lawsuits working their way through the system that will affect every aspect of college athletics.
1) Involving concussions - similar to the what the NFL already had. No real argument because deals with player safety. Tech is already ahead on this issue and will basically level the playing field because it will force others to live up to the same standards.
2) The Obannon (sp) case - dealing with player names, likeness, images, etc. NCAA is appealing and vows to take to the Supreme Court so it will be years before resolved. While generally hard to argue in concept, the execution will be a mess, mainly because of #3. Requires colleges to compensate athletes for televising events and using their image, number, etc.
3) Anti-trust lawsuit. This is the one that has the potential to destroy college athletics. The claim is basically that any rules that force all schools to treat athletes the same violates anti-trust laws. Schools could no longer say "here is what athletes get for coming here." Instead, each player would be allowed to negotiate their own, individual scholarship amount and other perks, so they would go to the highest bidder.
- Basically, the BEST possible outcome from the direction college athletics is moving now is everything stays the same but it just costs everyone a lot more to get the same results.
- Question about school colors. Understands it is important, but dreams of the day when THAT is his biggest problem left to resolve.
- Ollie is returning for senior year and is currently number 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world. Had MANY offers to go pro and played some tournaments over the summer, but will return to lead team, finish his degree, watch his brother play baseball for us, and be close to his girlfriend on our (Tennis?) team.
- Back areas of Chandler stadium are being completely renovated. Were never really completed originally and has to be done.
- CBG is working hard with the team to play more as a team later in the games. We typically play very well until the last 10 minutes or so, then everyone tries to win on their own instead of as a team.
- The Hill is doing everything they can to assist. Approved 12 of 12 non-standard admissions, but now the athletes have to prove they deserved the opportunity. All of the support is there, now just have to make sure they take advantage of it.
- About 1/2 of all living GT alum graduated since 2000. Must get them more involved now so they will continue later when they become more successful, while also keeping the older alum happy, who currently contribute so much.
