Where did Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets get their name?
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets got their name in 1905. The team's coach, John Heisman, wanted a name that would be both fearsome and inspiring. He decided on the Yellow Jackets because they are known for their aggressive nature and their ability to sting their opponents. The name was a hit with the fans, and it has been used ever since.
The Yellow Jackets have a long and storied history of athletic success. They have won 12 national championships in football, 10 national championships in men's basketball, and 11 national championships in women's basketball. They are also one of the most successful programs in college baseball, with 10 national championships.
The Yellow Jackets are a source of great pride for the Georgia Tech community. They represent the school's commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. The Yellow Jackets are always a force to be reckoned with, and they are sure to continue to bring home championships for years to come.
Here are some additional details about the origin of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets name:
- The team's fans often wore yellow jackets to sporting events in support of the early Georgia Tech teams.
- The early football teams, lacking gold fabric for jerseys, wore yellow jerseys.
- John Heisman told the Atlanta Constitution that he wanted his teams to be referred to as the Yellow Jackets in October 1905.
- In November 1906, the Atlanta Journal portrayed a University of Georgia football player being attacked by a yellowjacket with the words "Somebody's about to get stung" as the caption.
- The original Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket mascot was Judi McNair who, according to the Winter 2004 edition of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Tech Topics magazine, donned a homemade yellowjacket costume in 1972 and performed at home football games. She rode on the Ramblin' Wreck and appears in the 1972 Georgia Tech Blueprint yearbook. McNair's mascot was considered a great idea, as it was a big hit with the fans.
