After the Georgia Tech football team finished the regular season ranked No. 24 in the nation, most fans figured the Yellow Jackets would play in Atlanta's Peach Bowl or the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

Then came an announcement that Tech would play in San Francisco's Emerald Bowl Dec. 29.

Shawn Hairston, NE 83, knew he couldn't make the 2,100-mile trip to San Francisco.

"I can't be away from my job that long," he said.

Then he remembered that there are lots of military people in the Bay area that could cheer on the Yellow Jackets.

Hairston called Emerald Bowl executive director Gary Cavalli for his reaction. Cavalli not only endorsed the idea, he suggested Hairston buy the tickets directly from Tech to help meet ticket sales obligations.

The Emerald Bowl spot was supposed to go to the Pac-10 but there weren't enough bowl-eligible teams so Tech got the bid and the Pac-10's 11,500-ticket allotment.

In short order, Hairston's idea hit the Georgia Tech Internet message boards. On the popular Hive.com alone, there were more than 100 posted messages of support.

Charles Fitch III, Mgt 91, of Atlanta, bought 25 tickets and directed the Tech ticket office to send them to San Francisco. But he had an ulterior motive.

"I wanted to help send a clear message to the Music City Bowl and other bowl committees that it was a big mistake not inviting Georgia Tech to participate in their game," Fitch said. "Our players earned the privilege of playing closer to home and our fans are very supportive of this team. Georgia Tech alumni, while fewer in number when compared to other large state universities, are very generous when it comes to giving time and money back to the Institute, as is evidenced by our superior giving rate and endowment for both academics and athletics."