Yellow Jacket Alley!

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MsTechAnalysis

Jolly Good Fellow
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So, where was everyone Saturday!?? I have heard many times on this board how everyone tailgates and gets on campus 3-4 hours before the game. If there are that many fans there - why weren't you at YJA? Team arrives 2 1/2 hours before the game.

The turnout was pathetic! After watching the visitors do something similar on Techwood and it was huge - I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AT YJA! I'm not sure if this has to do with where you tailgate and not wanting to walk over, but I sure would love to see a lot more participation with more energy and enthusiasm!
 
we got to our spot at 9 am behind the physics building.

i was too tipsy to make that journey more than once.

but...

i redeemed myself by yelling so much during the game that my voice is still recovering.
 
I went to my first YJA on Saturday. I really feel like I did my part firing up the team, and I'd like to claim a little credit for the win.
 
Ole Miss started the tradition with the walk through The Grove, one of the great traditions in college football. Lost for a number of years and re-started by Billy Brewer in the early 80's. Quite an emotional highlight of the day.

It pains me to say but last year since I was there so early we stumbled upon Georgia's version. Lots of buildup and Richt has them wearing a suit. Overall well planned and attended.

Ours leaves alot to be desired. The last years of O'Leary's regime was messed up due to the street and sewer construction. Last year was pathetic. It looked like Gailey didn't understand this nonsense and the players looked like they were put out by having to do it.

Yellow Jacket Alley could be a great thing for players and fans alike but unless some expectations are set, some publicity put forth to get it going it looks like it may die a slow death. Sad.
 
I was there waving my Yellow Jacket flag as high as I could get it. Mustard and wife were with me as was another whose name I have forgotten now but his real name is Jim.
 
Originally posted by Father WASP:
Ole Miss started the tradition with the walk through The Grove, one of the great traditions in college football. Lost for a number of years and re-started by Billy Brewer in the early 80's. Quite an emotional highlight of the day.

It pains me to say but last year since I was there so early we stumbled upon Georgia's version. Lots of buildup and Richt has them wearing a suit. Overall well planned and attended.

Ours leaves alot to be desired. The last years of O'Leary's regime was messed up due to the street and sewer construction. Last year was pathetic. It looked like Gailey didn't understand this nonsense and the players looked like they were put out by having to do it.

Yellow Jacket Alley could be a great thing for players and fans alike but unless some expectations are set, some publicity put forth to get it going it looks like it may die a slow death. Sad.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">This should be A HAPPENING! Something that fans look forward to and get there early. I would change it though. I'd bring it back out to Techwood - the crowds were much bigger 2 years ago. Last year with GOL - the players would come up to the fans and handshake, hug, high five. Lots of signs by the fans for the players to read.

I even had a thought - what about the Stinger buses picking up fans from the tailgates around campus and bringing them over and taking them back? Is this too much to ask of GTAA?
 
Originally posted by Father WASP:
Ours leaves alot to be desired. The last years of O'Leary's regime was messed up due to the street and sewer construction. Last year was pathetic. It looked like Gailey didn't understand this nonsense and the players looked like they were put out by having to do it.

Yellow Jacket Alley could be a great thing for players and fans alike but unless some expectations are set, some publicity put forth to get it going it looks like it may die a slow death. Sad.
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Setting the expectations is partially a responsiblity of the fans - Instead of crying about what GTAA (or whomever you lay the blame), spread the word about YJA. You tell your friends and family, they tell theirs - that's the best way to advertise YJA.
 
Contact: I do think GTAA should pick up some slack here. They could go around campus and invite fans to come to YJA - maybe with a BULLHORN!

Use the Stingers to get them there, how difficult is that? Utilize the things you have - buses and people to make fans aware of what's going on during game day.
 
Originally posted by MsTechAnalysis:
Contact: I do think GTAA should pick up some slack here. They could go around campus and invite fans to come to YJA - maybe with a BULLHORN!

Use the Stingers to get them there, how difficult is that? Utilize the things you have - buses and people to make fans aware of what's going on during game day.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I said that the fans are partially responsible - meaning, GT should help advertise (and remind) us about YJA.

The Stinger Bus is a good idea, but honestly, what % of the GT tailgaters cannot physically get to YJA? If there is a physical limitation (including age), then the GTAA should offer some assistance. Truthfully, it's a convenience issue for most of us - we (the fans) have to MAKE YJA part of our Saturday gameday.
 
Originally posted by ContactBuzz:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Originally posted by MsTechAnalysis:
Contact: I do think GTAA should pick up some slack here. They could go around campus and invite fans to come to YJA - maybe with a BULLHORN!

Use the Stingers to get them there, how difficult is that? Utilize the things you have - buses and people to make fans aware of what's going on during game day.
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I said that the fans are partially responsible - meaning, GT should help advertise (and remind) us about YJA.

The Stinger Bus is a good idea, but honestly, what % of the GT tailgaters cannot physically get to YJA? If there is a physical limitation (including age), then the GTAA should offer some assistance. Truthfully, it's a convenience issue for most of us - we (the fans) have to MAKE YJA part of our Saturday gameday.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">GT fans need prodding! If prodding gets them there - I say do it. The buses are just that - a convenience. If you've been tailgating for 3 hours who knows what state you're in by the time YJA rolls around.
wink.gif


This way - the more the merrier!
 
I have an idea that would draw thousands - Braine sitting in a dunking booth at the corner of Techwood.
 
We are at YJA every game, usually we stand right in the middle of Bobby Dodd Way. Around 10 of us.

It is quite a hike from the AMC where our group tailgates and a lot of folks don't want to give up precious tailgating time......but we are there and will certainly continue to do so!

Ironic, but we were a lot closer to YJA West in Utah than we are back home.
 
PREFACE: This is not anti-GOL--he has nothing to do with it&gt;

Having said that, IMO, the YJA of those years left much to be desired, and the YJA of last year was even worse. Saturday, I saw more high-fives and such from the players than I remember seeing for awhile.

The truth is, the majority of GT's fan base is very different from awbern and ugag, etc. How many times Sat. did you hear "war eagle" yelled through the crowds to be met by loud "whoops and hollers?" The same thing with the leg humpers and their barks and woofs and hunker down and the rest of that naseating noise. GT fans just aren't a loud pre-game group. Even just a few minutes before the game while waiting for the teams to come out of their locker rooms, most GT fans were sitting quietly while awbern fans were doing their different chants and cheers. I kept waiting for a west-to-east "YELLOW----------JACKETS" or something, but it never happened--I even mentioned it to my sister at that point."

I believe the key at GT's YJA is to get the students involved--however, it is 2.5 hours before kickoff and that's asking a lot from them.

Is the difference good or bad? I can't give a definitive answer, but I do think that it won't really change--people are pretty much set in their game-day ways.

Personally, I would love to be standing in a four-deep hundred yard stretch of screaming fans while the team walked through, but I just don't see it happening, and, quite frankly, I don't feel that those who don't go to YJA need to if they don't want to.

Just MHO
 
I was at nearly all the YJA's last season and too often the team was late/ early or drove right on past the top of the alley...

I attended Southern Cal when younger and the entire campus shows up at alumni park where the alumni association has thrown a huge party for all attending alumni... the Marching Trojan Band is there about one hour before the team shows up and starts playing and the cheers are started... about 90 minutes before the game the band starts marching with battle drums beating and EVERYONE follows... BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM
In coach John Robinson's day he'd have the team join the crowd at some point along the way on campus before we all crossed Exposition Blvd. and entered Olympic Park
When the team joined us we would all start the war chant BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM "THE ROSE BOWL"... BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-bah-BOOM-bah-BOOM-BOOM "THE ROSE BOWL"
We'd follow the team through the Olympic Rose Garden and to the home team locker rooms then we'd all march around the LA Coliseum with the battle drums pounding the entire way...
It's incredible to be inside the Coliseum and hear the drums from about 2 miles away slowly approaching... finally the band would enter the Coliseum near the Rotunda under the Olympic flame and we'd all head for our seats in time to watch the Band led by the Trojan Horse and battle drums march thru the turnstyle and down the steps onto the Coliseum floor
It's an awesome site to hear the drums in an empty stadium and the see 85,000 people all enter in a matter of minutes literally moments before kickoff...
I know that the Yellow Jacket Marching Band proceeds through campus before we all get to Yellow Jacket Alley but IT'S TERRIBLY IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS A ROUTINE ESTABLISHED THAT ALL TAILGATERS CAN 'SET THE WATCH BY'
If the band marchs a given route every week past tailgaters then we can all tag along as the band passes... then by the time we get to YJA there's a huge crowd all amped and psyched-up to the same beat.
The one thing that I miss and I think really gets fans going is the constant rhythm of the battle drums for nearly 90 minutes before kickoff... I mean the drums echoing on the city streets would sometimes wake us up in our dorm a few blocks away and just beg us to bust our a$$ to get over and get psyched for the game... I think the team digs it as well while they're going thru pre game that never ending pulse.... DAMN I LOVE FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

GO JACKETS... I WILL BE AT YJA FOR CLEMSON!!!
 
i was there as i always am , despite tailgating slap on the other side of the interstate near the new bookstore and then walking all the way back over there to grill. things are improving at YJA. trust me. i go to all of them and sometimes for wake and duke....it's very lonely!
 
I am there every game. A lot of our fans are always too "busy" to get there "that early" or when they do arrive early, all they want to do is tailgate. A lot of Tech people just don't know how to let their hair down and have fun! I'm so glad I do have the time and desire to support our team, and this is supporting our team.
 
Originally posted by Kennesawkid:
I am there every game. A lot of our fans are always too "busy" to get there "that early" or when they do arrive early, all they want to do is tailgate. A lot of Tech people just don't know how to let their hair down and have fun! I'm so glad I do have the time and desire to support our team, and this is supporting our team.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I'm thankful I can be there as well.

BTW, was really good to see you tailgating on Techwood well before the game. All of you were sure having a great time.

GO Jackets!
 
Listen, I only speak for one tech alumni fan, but if AU and ugag do it, I have a natural irritation to it.

More importantly, rituals and traditions are just that. You can't force it. When its forced, its fake and cheap.

Just enjoy Tech football for what it is. Its a great thing, and its unique.
The worst thing to happen is to try to manufacture something that does not naturally happen. Its counterproductive to stage a parade when the fans don't attend. What a horrible impression it must make on players just before they enter the locker room.

If the players know that their fans have a tradition of tailgating to the last minute, they will appreciate that as being part of the Tech experience. If thru natural occurrence the faithful demand a parade, so be it.

Go Jackets! Go Caveman on the Holes!!
 
Originally posted by MsTechAnalysis:
So, where was everyone Saturday!?? I have heard many times on this board how everyone tailgates and gets on campus 3-4 hours before the game. If there are that many fans there - why weren't you at YJA? Team arrives 2 1/2 hours before the game.

The turnout was pathetic! After watching the visitors do something similar on Techwood and it was huge - I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AT YJA! I'm not sure if this has to do with where you tailgate and not wanting to walk over, but I sure would love to see a lot more participation with more energy and enthusiasm!
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">This is pathetic but I didn't know we did it anymore. I've never once heard Gailey or Wes mention it.
 
LLCool, I find it a very exciting thing to do. If everyone would try it, they might see why it appeals to those of us who do. The players like it, and it shows visiting prospects that we do care about our players. It would really help recruiting if our fans had the time to come down each game. We tailgate also, but this is a time that is set aside to boost the players. It is a lot of fun for us too.
 
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