Here are some other comments from Radakovich about the suggested move, and certain fan concerns that may go along with it:
(Why does it seem there has been such sharp backlash to the proposed move?)
“I don’t know. There is such a great passion with our fan base. When you have preliminary discussions about things, there is a reason they are preliminary discussions.”
(How long have the discussions lasted?)
“Off and on probably for three or four months. Mostly with Gary (Stokan, president Atlanta Sports Council), some with Damon (Evans, Georgia athletics director).”
(How confident or optimistic are you that the game could be played?)
“At this point in time, I wouldn’t even venture to put a percentage on whether this will occur or not. We’re going to continue to have conversations and to be honest, it has to work for both parties. Actually, it has to be able to work for all three parties, since we have the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic involved, as well.”
(What if the game doesn’t work out, what’s the backup plan?)
“We looked at some opportunities, and we hadn’t been able to find one that works, but that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to look to be a part of that game, because it's beginning to be big, and now with the college football Hall of Fame coming here, it will continue to just get bigger.”
(What, if any role, does the moving of the college Hall play in wanting to secure this game?)
“I think anytime you can create more enthusiasm about college football your town, it’s a positive. So our hats are off to the Atlanta Sports Council and Gary and all the folks that have worked so hard and for so long, including George Morris (Tech alum and Atlanta sports leader), who passed away a couple of years ago and was very instrumental with Gary in being one of the first people to have the idea of moving the College Football Hall of Fame from South Bend to Atlanta. George was a great Tech man, but he had college football and Atlanta at heart.”
(Have there been talks about playing someone other than Georgia if the proposal doesn’t work?)
“We look at our schedule, and look to Gary see if it can work out, but there’s nothing concrete just now.”
(What do you say to the traditionalists who don’t want the game moved one year or otherwise?)
“I would say that if it worked out, it would be strictly a one-year change to move for the reasons I stated — to move Georgia and those other three ACC schools off of our rotation of being at home or being away, make that game permanent, and bring it back to its traditional, end-of-the-year slot.”
(Has Georgia been very understanding of Tech’s concerns about wanting to free up its home schedule on odd years?)
“It has to work for both parties. And I can’t speak for Damon on the timing of it, but I think we understand and the coaches understand that it would be a one-year deal. We’ve never had any conversations about permanently moving that game to the beginning of the year.”
(Just what are all the positives about playing in the game?)
“There are a lot of positives. It’s going to showcase the state of Georgia, it’s going to showcase both of our programs, and whether it’s the official or unofficial kickoff to the college season, it creates a great environment here. And certainly to showcase both the institutions would be a tremendous positive to the both of us.”
