Tonight Georgia Tech will celebrate a century of football on the Flats when the Yellow Jackets host Virginia Tech. To mark this celebration, I’d like to give a short take on what I have enjoyed about the gameday traditions on this campus. This week there has been a wide variety of historical information written about Tech, but I decided to give an opinioned piece on Tech traditions.
Yellow Jacket Alley- Yellow Jacket Alley begins a couple of hours before every game (it states 2.5 hours before kickoff, but for noon games the bus likes to roll in a little later). Tonight, however, the festivities begin with former All-Americans leading he team down Brittain Drive. As a member of the Ramblin’ Reck Club, I walk down the alley leading the Reck, which precedes the cheerleaders, band, and football team. A smile is glued to my face by having the chance to see the true fans adorned in White and Gold lined up to see their Jackets enter. I encounter all kinds of Tech fans: little ones who dream of putting on a gold helmet, wacky fans who paint up and show off their homemade headgear, parents of players, and alumni back on the Flats to cheer on Tech. Yellow Jacket Alley ends with a big crowd right on the edge of Callaway Plaza. I encourage fans to go tonight. The only other time you’ll have the chance to shake hands with more All-Americans in one space is if you’re invited to the Heisman Ceremony.
The Ramblin’ Reck- The 1930 Model A Ford Sports Coupe has led tech onto the field before every home game since 1961. Tech fans know the history of the Reck, so I’ll offer a new nugget of knowledge. Any guesses for the one city in the USA where the Reck is not allowed anymore? No, it’s not Athens, although its not advised to go for a weekend cruise down Milledge Avenue. If you guessed San Antonio then consider yourself one of the few Jackets to be in the know. As for the reason why we’ll have to chat in person.
Grant Field- I can’t even begin to name the history that has taken place on this field. From John Heisman to presidential speeches to so many Hall of Famers, Grant Field has served as a place for history. Every chance I have to walk on this field takes me back to all those former players that have played on this very same spot.
The Fight Songs- I know this is biased, but you’ll be hard pressed to find better songs across the nation. Not only is each enriched with history that still rings true to this day, but they are unique from any other school that I’ve seen play.
Up with the White and Gold
Oh well it’s up with the White and Gold
Down with the Red and Black
Georgia Tech is out for the victory
We’ll drop the battle axe on Georgia’s head
When we meet her, our team is sure to beat her
Down on the old farm there will be no sound
Till our bow-wows rip through the air
When the battle is over, Georgia’s team will be found
With the Yellow Jackets swarming around.
Ramblin’ Reck from Georgia Tech
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer,
A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer,
Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear,
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer.
Oh, if I had a daughter, sir, I’d dress her in White and Gold,
And put her on the campus, to cheer the brave and bold.
But if I had a son, sir, I’ll tell you what he’d do.
He would yell, “To Hell with Georgia,” like his daddy used to do.
Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds,
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it around.
I’d drink to all good fellows who come from far and near.
I’m a ramblin’, gamblin’, hell of an engineer.
The Steam Whistle- The whistle, which is located behind Tech Tower, blows after every Tech touchdown and after a Yellow Jacket victory. One of the best feelings at Georgia Tech is walking out of the gate exiting the west stands onto Freshman Hill and hearing that whistle blow over and over.
George P. Burdell- Good ol’ George is paged during every home game in the second half, so be sure to keep your ears open. Funny how he always seems to needed at every game. You’d think he would have figured that out by now, but that’s Burdell being Burdell.
The Budweiser Song- Bobbed before the start of the 4th quarter, the Budweiser song also brings a look of bewilderment to the faces of opposing fans that have never the cheer before. Fans alternate between bending and rising with ther Jacket next to him or her while humming, whistling, or singing the tune until the famous chorus “When you said Buuuuuudweiser, you said it all!”
