I remember a few posters disagreeing with me that being geographically located in Atlanta wasn't as advantageous as I thought. The thought was UGA was actually considered the same as "Atlanta" since they are the state flagship university. Because GT has been physically located in Atlanta since it's creation, it's not like it's been that big of a deal for us all these years. However, the Atlanta area scene has changed dramatically for the better, and IMO, to the advantage of GT. The business scene in and around the campus has changed dramatically for the better...in fact, Atlanta is positioning ourselves as somewhat of a hybrid between a silicon valley and investment center of the South. Hollywood has planted deep roots in Atlanta, and the entertainment industry is thriving here. Now, with the addition of Adidas as a sponsor, it opens even more avenues for current and potential SAs.
IMO, GT really needs to start marketing itself "above the fray". I think our advantage is VERY few schools have the ability to deliver what we can. GT no longer should compare ourselves with the Clemsons/UGAs/FSUs/VTs/UNCs/etc. We're in rarefied air. We're an elite academic institute, BUT our location can offer students opportunities in careers only a handful of schools can match. Not many schools can offer kids the opportunity to be an Elon Musk/Jeff Bezos/Mark Zuckerberg and at the same time, if they so choose, become actors/musicians/music and movie producers. We're a big hub for Wall Street type careers (without being on Wall Street). Whatever career a student wants at GT, it is literally within 10 miles of campus.
This is where IMO when teams from our conference or other schools are recruiting against us, we need to make it known that "Yes, we are playing the same sport on the field, but off they field those schools are not even playing the same game as GT". GT in this case, should make elitism work for us. Yes, Clemson is playing football...as is FSU, as is Miami, as is UGA, as is Florida, as is Alabama, as is Auburn...you see where I'm going? "Son, you can play football/baseball/basketball/etc. at any school you want. But let me ask you this: How many of those schools can help you become the next Mark Zuckerberg? How about the next Steven Speilberg? Or the next Warren Buffet? How about the next Jay Z?" Only one, and if you're lucky enough to come to GT, your future is only limited by how big you can dream. You want to become the next Lebron James or Tom Brady? Young man, that should only be the beginning of your dreams...even those athletes are getting involved in business and entertainment to set themselves up for after their playing days are over. If you're being recruited by GT, then you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to become not only a Lebron James or Tom Brady, but a Jay Z/Mark Zuckerberg/Spielberg/Buffet or all of the above.
We need to tell kids, hey, if you want to be just a basketball player or football player...go ahead and go to another school, because those any school will make you a good player if you want. But at GT, you can be BOTH a great player in college and the next level, in addition you will also become a great player in the game of life because GT can offer opportunities no other school can. GT isn't for everybody, it's for the elite few that are chosen...and if we're recruiting you, that means you have the opportunity to be one of the elite few in your sport, and in life.
