Georgia Tech Hustles Back To The Big Dance In 2021
It was quite a long stall
11 years, all in all..
That Tech teams have weathered the drought..
March Madness was ruled
By 60-some other schools–
The Jackets were always left out.
2 coaches were changed, the Dome rearranged, but tourney time still was a lull..
Tho’ Tech fans did follow, March felt somewhat hollow,
And the Madness, sans Tech, a bit dull..
Then came a firm goal
“Get that Wreck on a roll!”
Said a tough swarm of Jackets out loud
Play hard and play fast
With effort that lasts..
And render the Institute proud.
“Get old and stay old!”
Was Josh Pastner’s goal–
He wanted his seniors to star-
And here was their chance
To make the Big Dance,
To take their Tech teammates quite far
Yet despite Pastner’s vocals,
2 losses (both local),
Made a slow start—concerning for sure..
But whipping Kentucky
And a Cornhusker shucking
Gave a 2-2 mark after four.
Tech made their December
a month to remember
By beating the Tar Heels down low
They entered the New Year
Perhaps in a new gear–
League 1-1 record in tow.
But the next 8 they played
Fell out the same way.
4 wins and 4 losses to show.
Then all Tech hearts sank
From a Tiger’s long bank,
a shot sucking air from the room.
A crossroads for Jackets-
Did they think they could hack it?
Would they answer with guts or with gloom?
With Pastner patrolling, exhorting, cajoling,
He pushed his team farther along
And all his disciples,
Ush, Moses, and Michael.
Responded with effort quite strong.
Their answer was ready-
They rallied, they steadied
And finished a season most fine
No margin for error?
No panic, no terror.
They played best with it all on the line.
Jose and his henchmen
All dive in the trench when
ever the ball bounces loose
Their intensity soaring, (turnovers feed scoring)
–it’s all documented by Moose.
The Jackets held sway
With their raw-hustle play
They never- but never- say die
That style brought them glory
A heartwarming story–
not to mention a big double- bye.
In the ACC tourney
They’ll continue their journey,
a team none desires to face…
In this season of note,
Tech has rocked a big boat, and they plan to continue apace.
The Indy soiree..N-C Double A
Will be the next hurdle to clear.
Their effort and strength,
their hustle and length,
Have blended in Pastner’s 5th year.
In North Bubble Land
They’ll make a strong stand,
So everyone sees the Tech Way
A good tight-knit group
Of Georgia Tech troops
Will carry the fight as they play.
And soon we will know
How the post-season goes
And how high these Jackets can soar
They’ll take their best shot,
Giving all that they’ve got
And leave it all out on the floor.
When Indy is through
And this season reviewed
And the quest for the trophy is done..
We’ll look back and ponder
The joy and the wonder
Of Tech’s year 2-0-2-1.
For this savvy Tech team’s
Even more than it seems
A whole greater than the sum of its parts
Tech fights like no other-
And by supporting their brothers
Make basketball look like an art.
In a most difficult year
with frustration and fear
that the global pandemic did bring..
It was Pastner’s tough men who showed how to win
… and gave us this glorious Spring.