All About Ramblin' Reck Club! (by Grace Mallon)
Ramblin’ Reck Club
If you are any bit familiar with some of Georgia Tech’s many traditions, you know they are pretty quirky to say the least.
Putting a penny on a dog’s grave for good luck on finals, running up Freshman Hill at 6am Homecoming morning for a cupcake, having a CAR as a mascot -- not your traditional traditions. You may be wondering, who puts on all of these weird events? Who gets to drive the aforementioned car? Who would plan a race at 6am?? I’m so glad you asked!
My name is Grace Mallon and I am a rising second-year IE major from Fayetteville, Georgia. One of the organizations I joined my first year at Tech was the Ramblin’ Reck Club -- Georgia Tech’s premier history, spirit, and traditions club. This group takes care of the Reck, plans and puts on all Homecoming events, attends all athletic events possible, and spreads joy throughout campus year-round.
There are many parts of the Ramblin’ Reck Club’s role on campus, but the one I’m most involved with is Homecoming. This year I am one of the sub chairs for Wreck Parade, a homecoming parade that features classic cars, fixed body floats, and (everybody’s favorite) contraptions. Due to obvious circumstances, we are unable to have the usual Wreck Parade this fall. In fact, a lot of Reck Club’s typical responsibilities are unable to happen in their usual way. We will most likely not be able to go to any sports games, or put on our annual T-night to welcome new students, or give random Reck Rides on Friday afternoons.
However, this doesn’t mean traditions and spirit events won’t still happen!
Georgia Tech is all about creating the next, which is exactly what Reck Club is doing right now! We are creating socially distanced Homecoming events, virtual welcome videos, and innovative ways to cultivate Tech spirit and joy on campus during this not so joyful time. The purpose of Ramblin’ Reck Club is to ultimately spread joy; that is an easier mission when times are good, but it’s during difficult times like these when it’s most important to find ways to bring the Tech community together (figuratively of course).
During the short “on-campus time” I had as a new member of Reck Club, I was able to create SO many memories. I experienced my first Tech baseball games with them, watched a basketball game from the Callaway Club, learned the secret location of the Reck Garage, rode in the Reck for the first time (at my house!!), and made incredible friendships. While I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything, the reason I wanted to join Reck Club in the first place was because of its focus on Tech spirit. I love Georgia Tech with my whole heart. The rigor and stress of classes can be overwhelming at times, but this school is so much more than its academic reputation. The wacky traditions, unique mascots (yep, there’s two!), and driven community set this school apart from all others.
I am proud to be a part of a club that exists to remind people how special the Institute really is, and I am so glad you made the decision to become a Yellow Jacket!