Georgia Tech invites Army to homecoming game

By Vince Little, The BayonetOctober 22, 2009

Georgia Tech invites Army to homecoming game
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Georgia Tech invites Army to homecoming game
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ATLANTA - A handful of Fort Benning Soldiers got a bird's-eye view of Yellow Jacket fever Saturday evening at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

The group took part in an Army tailgate event and was recognized on the field during halftime homecoming activities while catching No. 19 Georgia Tech's 28-23 upset of fourth-ranked Virginia Tech before a fired-up crowd of 54,405 and a prime-time national audience watching on ESPN2.

Fort Benning's contingent included SSG Robert Jones, a drill sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, recently named the 198th Infantry Brigade NCO and Drill Sergeant of the Quarter; and SSG Rommel Hurtado, a 10-year Army veteran serving as an Airborne instructor and Jumpmaster with 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who just won the Black Hat of the Year competition. CPTs Tom Herman and Jonas Bray, both students in the Maneuver Captains Career Course, also attended.

Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich presented a signed game ball to COL Daniel Kessler, the 198th Infantry Brigade commander, in the north end zone during the first official timeout.

"It makes me wish I was on the field again," said Kessler, who played linebacker for Army from 1979-83. "It feels awesome to be part of the Georgia Tech family. They're a great supporter of the Army."

Each year, the Atlanta Recruiting Battalion sponsors a Georgia Tech game to promote interest in the Army among its targeted 18-24 age group, said unit spokesman Jim Humphreys. Prior to kickoff, the Army set up interactive areas and displays outside the stadium to attract potential recruits.

The Fort Benning Soldiers joined Atlanta Recruiting Battalion enlistees and scholarship cadets from Georgia Tech's Army ROTC program for the halftime salute, which drew a loud ovation from the fans.

"It's a recruiting tool," Humphreys said. "If we can get Army recognition in front of 55,000 people in one fell swoop, that's a great thing for us."

Bray is a 2005 Air Force Academy graduate who transferred into the Army three years ago and plans to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course after completing the MCCC. He finished third in the middleweight division at last month's U.S. Army Combatives Championship on Fort Benning.

He said the Army tailgate and game was a good opportunity for Fort Benning to greet the public.

"I came out here to try to share some of my experiences (and) let them know I'm not that different from them," Bray said. "But when you wear the uniform out in public, you can't hide. People look at you a little different. It makes you think about the way you act and carry yourself."

Kessler, who was joined at the game by his wife, Kathy, and their two sons - Andrew, 14, and 12-year-old Ian, said college sports provide a great avenue to bring young Americans into the Army fold.

"It's really great when we can come together," he said. "Our Soldiers are warrior-athletes, and Georgia Tech football players are warriors in their own right. It's a great mix."

The victory was Georgia Tech's first over a top 5 team at home since 1962 - a span of 17 games - when the Yellow Jackets beat top-ranked Alabama.