Notable quotes from new Georgia Tech AD Ryan Alpert's introductory press conference

Georgia Tech officially named Ryan Alpert as its new vice president and director of athletics back on July 8th to fill the vacant position left by previous AD J Batt, who left after almost three years on the job to take the same position at Michigan State in early June.

On Wednesday morning, Alpert had his first official business as the leader of Jackets Athletics as he was formally introduced to the media at a press conference inside McCamish Pavilion.

Here are some notable quotes from the presser from Alpert as well as Georgia Tech president Angel Cabrera:

Cabrera

“It’s always a good day to be a Yellow Jacket, but today is a very, very special day.”

“About three years ago, I stood in a situation not very different from this, and I made a commitment that we would elevate Georgia Tech Athletics to match the excellence of our academics and research enterprise. And that meant we were ready to do whatever was necessary to compete at the highest level, to attract top talent and build programs that reflect the ambition and innovation that define Georgia Tech.”

“If you detect a little bit of competitiveness in my message…we are. Georgia Tech is a very competitive place, and as proud as we are of all those achievements on the academic side, we’re equally, equally proud of what we do on the field. That is our commitment, that everything we do we want to be among the best. Today we’re taking a bold step in that direction, and so I’m incredibly, incredibly proud today to welcome Ryan Alpert, our new vice president and director of athletics to Georgia Tech. It is really a great, great day for all of us to have you here.”

“Ryan Alpert is one of the most respected leaders in college athletics. He’s a member of that new generation of movers and shakers. We’re going to do great things in athletics. At Tennessee he helped lead one of the most impressive growth stories in the country. They grew annual revenue by more than $100 million, and he oversaw everything from fundraising to sponsorships to marketing and capital projects.”

“But Ryan brings more than results. He brings vision.”

“That kind of thinking, strategic, innovative, purpose-driven, is exactly what we need at Georgia Tech. In our national search, we weren’t just looking for an impressive resume. We were looking for someone who understands what makes Georgia Tech special and someone who can help us continue to build an athletics program of national distinction, grounded integrity, in ambition and in student success. Ryan is that leader. He’s a builder. He’s a connector. He’s a visionary. So we are incredibly excited that he’s here.”

“The future of Georgia Tech Athletics is bright, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

Alpert

“What an incredible honor it is to be appointed as your next vice president and director of athletics at Georgia Tech. I want to thank President Cabrera, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association Board and the search committee for the trust you’ve placed in me. The search process was thoughtful and transparent, and it quickly became clear to me that through our discussions that Georgia Tech was not simply looking for someone to manage the athletics department but rather a leader to help transform and help shape something special. And that’s exactly what I’m hear to do.”

“The experience, relationships and lessons I carry with me from my time at UT have prepared me for this next chapter. I want to show a debt of gratitude to J Batt. His leadership during his time here on The Flats and the foundation he helped establish, his efforts have position Georgia Tech Athletics for what comes next, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to build and progress with our team.”

“From my first conversation with Georgia Tech, it was clear. This school, this city is the right fit for me and my family. In many ways it feels like I’m coming home.”

“This is a world-class academic institute with proud athletics tradition and a passionate and loyal fan base and a culture rooted in integrity, innovation and excellence. It’s also an institution that’s fully-aligned, beginning at the top with President Cabrera and his commitment to having championship-level athletics. That combination is rare, trust me, and it’s exactly why I’m excited for this opportunity.”

“I’ve had the privilege of working at some remarkable places with tremendous people, but it’s become clear to me…there’s only one Georgia Tech.”

“As I’ve experienced what works in this ever-changing landscape of college athletics, I keep coming back to five core principles — competitiveness, alignment, investment, culture and integrity. Those are the cornerstones of lasting success, and they will guide our path forward.”

“(To the student-athletes at GT) I’m here for you. You are the heart of this department. We will fight for you, and we will support you.”

“Let me be honest. All I’m saying here is this is not going to be easy. We’re going to raise the expectations. We’re going to push the boundaries. We’re going challenge the status quo. But when we do that, and we will, the results will be remarkable.”

“To our student-athletes, to our faculty, to our staff, to our alumni, to our community, to our donors, to our fans, Georgia Tech deserves to win and win big. We need all of your energy. We need your belief. We need your investment. We can do this together. I’m ready. My family’s ready. Let’s write the next chapter in Georgia Tech Athletics. Thank you and Go Jackets!”