48 years ago Georgia Tech changed forever
by Winfield Featherston on Sep 30, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
4 comments
It was 49 48 years ago today that the Ramblin' Reck came on to Grant Field for the very first time and thus began Day 1 of the greatest college football tradition of all time. The Reck was announced to the crowd of 43,501 by Student Council Ramblin' Reck Chairman Dekle Rountree after he was the first student to drive the vehicle on to Grant Field. The Ramblin' Reck has never missed a game since, with this previous North Carolina win being it's 308th consecutive rideout.
Not much has changed since that day in 1961. Yes, it's been wrecked (you can't have a Ramblin' Reck without an actual wreck right?) but the body and frame remains original. Under the hood? Yes, it's original as well. So while some schools move away from their traditions and think more about making money Tech fans can take pride in the fact that the greatest tradition in college football has been around for nearly 50 years and it's geared up and ready for another 50 years.
Happy Birthday Ramblin' Reck, you have given the Drivers headaches and heartaches, but it has all been nullified by the pride and joy that you bring that means so much more.
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the girls and the guys
The girls are Tech cheerleaders. Originally before we reinforced the running boards, they’d ride on the front fenders like the picture and some would be standing in the rumble seat (like they do now). The girls on the front fenders would dangle their legs over the front end of the car. Not very safe, eh?
Also, the guy in flannel and white slacks on the far left on the top pic and far right on the second pic is ’61 Reck Club President Don Gentry. He taught his fellow students how to maintain the car as his dad owned a Model A. He was the first student to crank up the Reck and drive it around the street for the AJC photo op.
The pics were taken in Ted Johnson’s neighborhood the day the Reck Club and Student Council picked up the car.
I'm about to write you a reality check. Or would you prefer the cold, hard cash of truth?
*tear
Also, I’ll go ahead and point this out before any (other) smartass does. Yes 2009-1961 = 48, but the car is in it’s 49th season of service. It’s not like a marriage where you only pretend to like it once every 365 days… the car was celebrated from Day 1.
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