• Tech student-athletes receive outstanding academic support with state-of-the-art study areas and well over 95 tutors.

• Tech’s athletic graduation rate is higher than the average overall graduation rate for all Division I universities and has risen significantly in the past few years.

• More than 84 percent of all Tech student-athletes who enrolled during the 10-year period from 1987-88 through 1996-97 and completed their eligibility have graduated.

• For the fifth year in a row, a new record of 371 student- athletes, HighTechs and cheerleaders were recognized at the Athletic Director’s Honors Breakfast for posting 3.0 GPAs or higher in the 2002 calendar year.

• Tech had 212 student-athletes, approximately one-third of the student-athlete population, named to the dean’s list, and 28 achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall or spring semesters of the 2002-03 academic year.

• A total of 21 Tech athletic teams achieved a 3.0 or better team GPA — eleven teams during the fall semester and 10 during the spring semester.

• Tech student-athletes participate in the HiTOPS program (Hokies Turning Opportunities into Personal Success). HiTOPS provides a well-rounded program for student-athletes to develop the individual skills necessary to lead successful and • ’s strength and conditioning program is regarded productive lives. as one of the best in the nation.

• A full-time sports psychologist has been added to Tech’s • The Hokies have more than 22,000 square-feet of strength Athletic Performance Staff to help meet the personal and and conditioning training space. performance needs of the student-athletes. • DeAngelo Hall broke a Tech strength and conditioning record in the spring of 2003, recording a time of 4.15 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

• Sixteen Hokies achieved Super Iron Hokie status during the spring of 2003, including eight first-time members for the 2002-2003 year.

• A brand new training and medical complex was completed in 2002 on the ground floor of the Jamerson Center.

• The “Training Edge” dining facility features a comprehensive system of eating for championship performance.

• Tech has added a full-time sports nutritionist to the Athletic Performance staff to help the student-athletes achieve their sports nutritional goals.

• A new training room has been completed in Rector Field House — Tech’s indoor practice facility — to serve the football and Brandon Manning team when it moves indoors. SUPPORT

Coach with the 14 members of the 2003 football squad who have already graduated or are on track to graduate following fall semester: (seated) Robert Peaslee and Nathaniel Adibi; (l to r) Garnell Wilds, Jake Grove, Ernest Wilford, Steve Canter, Michael Crawford, Kevin Lewis, Vegas Robinson, Keith Willis, Chris Shreve, Doug Easlick, Jacob Gibson and Cols Colas.

Providing student-athletes with the tools for success in the classroom The success of Virginia student-athlete graduation rate Currently, of the 15 seniors HighTechs who posted 3.0 or Tech’s football program rests marks the second straight year on this year’s squad, 13 are greater GPA’s in the 2002 largely on the academic and five in the last 10 years that scheduled to graduate by the calendar year. progress of each student- Tech has reached that level. end of the fall semester. Seven Student-athletes are the athlete. The academic The Virginia Tech football completed their degree prior to most visible student performance of Tech student- program has been an integral this season and another six component of a university. athletes has improved each part of this recent academic are finishing their degree this They entertain thousands of year due in part to the success. According to the fall. fans, students and alumni. Student Athlete Academic Coaches In addition to posting Their athletic ability and Support Services (SAASS). Association 2002 graduation impressive graduation figures, achievement is the primary The Virginia Tech rate, Tech has a 77 percent Virginia Tech’s student- focus for national media graduation rate for student- graduation rate as compared to athletes continue to excel in attention. Athletic events bring athletes has risen the 59 percent national the classroom. Last spring, the back not only faithful alumni, significantly in recent years average. Tech was one of 25 Athletic Director’s Honors but are a welcome mat for and reached 70 percent in institutions to receive honorable Breakfast paid tribute to a potential new students. 2003 as compared to the mention accolades for the record 371 student-athletes, Student-athletes devote national average of 60 AFCA Academic Achievement student trainers, student many hours to practice, percent. The 70 percent Award. managers, cheerleaders and conditioning and training that 2003 Virginia Tech Football 125 SUPPORT

are not required of all students. Due to their time commitment Chris Helms and their high visibility, it is an obligation and in the best Director of Student Athlete Academic Support Services interest of the university to supply these students with services which will allow them Beginning his fifth year at Virginia Tech, Chris Helms is the director and is to maximize their academic responsible for the development and leadership of the Student Athlete potential. Academic Support Services office. Helms oversees an office comprised of two The Virginia Tech Student associate directors, three assistant directors, an intern, and a secretary Athlete Academic Support forming a group of professionals serving the needs of all student-athletes. Services office commits to In addition to his duties directing SAASS, Helms serves as a liaison between the academic and providing fundamental and athletic communities and is an ad hoc member of the University Athletic Committee. supplemental programming, Helms came to Tech from Michigan State University, where he served as the assistant director of consistent with University and the Student Athlete Support Services office. NCAA policy, aimed at Prior to MSU, Helms served as the coordinator of academic affairs for the Florida State enhancing each student University football program. Some of his other experience includes academic advisement for athlete’s educational student-athletes at Central Connecticut State University. experience leading to Helms earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at and received his graduation. master’s in athletic counseling from Springfield College. Stakeholders in the office’s A native of Frederick, Md., he and his wife, Renee, have a son, Walker, and a daughter, Meigs. mission include student athletes and their families, the The expectations of the students in their academic their success. Athletes can use university community, coaches Virginia Tech community are pursuits. these facilities between and athletics administrators. that each student-athlete Academic facilities for classes, after practice or in the SAASS seeks to develop achieves their maximum student-athletes include the evenings, with flexible hours relationships with its academic and athletic Monogram Room, a large tailored to make the most of a stakeholders that are founded potential. With the proper room used as a study hall student-athlete’s limited time. on trust and respect, and assistance, facilities and area, adjacent to the SAASS Chris Helms, in his fifth provides the following services encouragement, these office in . The year at Tech, is the director to accommodate their needs: potentials can become a HEAT (Hokies Engaging in and is responsible for the reality. Advanced Technology) Lab development and leadership of • University and NCAA Student Athlete Academic and its satellite sites house the Student Athlete Academic information Support Services provides over 40 computers on the Support Services office. • Orientation programming for student- second floor and third floors of Lois Berg, associate • Academic assessment athletes from their freshman Cassell Coliseum. Laptop director, begins her 15th year • The development of an year through graduation. This computers are also available at Tech. She is primarily in effective student life includes a comprehensive for Tech athletes to use when charge of developing the program orientation to Tech, study hall, travelling to away contests. freshman orientation program, • Appropriate referrals mentoring, tutoring, academic The athletic department also which ensures the student- • Monitored study monitoring, academic provides areas for private, athlete a smooth transition environments recognition and eligibility quiet study for the athletes’ from high school to the • Tutorial programs education. Additionally, convenience. university. • State of the art technological student-athletes are referred to Together, these spaces She is also responsible for learning assistance and encouraged to take provide the student-athlete providing programming to • Student Athlete academic advantage of other campus with a variety of study assigned student-athletes from performance evaluations agencies charged with helping environments conducive to the sports of , softball,

A record 371 student-athletes, student trainers, student managers, cheerleaders and HighTechs were honored at the Athletic Director’s Honors breakfast last spring.

126 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT Student Athlete Academic Support Services Staff

Lois Berg Colin Howlett Katie Ammons Renia Edwards Drew Scales Terrie Repass Associate Director Associate Director Assistant Director Assistant Director Assistant Director Secretary men’s and women’s athletes with regard to admissions of prospective administration at , men’s and satisfactory progress, eligibility student-athletes. Susquehanna University women’s , managers, and degree completion as set Howlett came to Tech from and received his master’s trainers, cheerleaders and forth by the NCAA, BIG EAST the University of Maine, where in athletic administration HighTechs. and Virginia Tech. he served for a year and a half from Southern Miss. A Colin Howlett begins his He also helps coordinate as an academic advisor for the native of Allentown, Pa., he seventh year with Virginia Tech support services for the athletic department. and his wife, Lisa, have two and serves as an associate football program, including Some of his other daughters, Natalie and director in the Student Athlete tutorial support, mentoring, experience includes academic Erika. Academic Support Services organized study table and advisement for student- Katie Ammons is an office. major and career counseling. athletes at Austin Peay State assistant director who In addition to assisting the In addition to these University and the University begins her fifth year and director in all facets of the responsibilities, Howlett of Southern Mississippi. works with the men’s and program, Howlett oversees the assists in the recruitment, Howlett earned his women’s , men’s advisement of football student- academic evaluation and bachelor’s degree in business and women’s cross country

Colin Howlett (center) works with (l) and Chris Shreve in the HEAT lab, one of the academic support areas located in the athletic complex. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 127 SUPPORT

and men’s and women’s track programs. Ammons is also in charge of the operation of the HEAT lab and other computing resources available for student-athletes. Ammons is a former standout Hokie student-athlete. Renia Edwards is in her third year with Student-Athlete Academic Support Services as an assistant director. Her primary responsibilities are providing academic support for the freshman student athletes in the sport of football and coordinating the SAASS tutorial program. Edwards came to Tech from the University of Iowa were she worked as academic counselor for the Women’s Athletics Student Services office. She worked with women’s basketball, , soccer and the track and field programs. She also served as the Career Coordinator and Renia Edwards (l, above) and James Anderson discuss academic issues in a meeting in her Cassell Coliseum office. advisor to the Minority Focus Tech student-athletes also have the services of nearly 100 tutors (below). Group for Men’s and Women’s Athletics. The Rembert, S.C., native received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Shaw University in 1995. She then went on to earn her M.S. Ed. in Sports Management from Northern Illinois University. While completing her master’s degree, she served as Tutor Supervisor for the Academic Counseling Center for Student-Athletes at NIU. During her final year in the program, she served as Academic Advising Intern at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. Drew Scales begins his second year with Student- Athlete Academic Support Services as an assistant director. Scales provides academic support for student- athletes in , volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and wrestling, in addition to overseeing the mentoring program. Terrie Repass begins her 29th year of service at Virginia Computer Services Department Tech. She serves as the office secretary and “first contact” Another example of Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing its student-athletes with the best person for the SAASS. She is academic resources possible is the presence of the Computer Services department, under the responsible for organizing direction of Brad Tilley. special events and meetings Because all Tech students are required to own computers, the Virginia Tech athletics for the office. Repass prepares department helps its scholarship athletes fulfill that requirement by providing them with computers. all accounting, purchasing and In addition to ordering computers for the athletes, the office also addresses computer service travel transactions for the needs for the student-athletes and the entire Virginia Tech athletics staff. office. 128 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Assisting in the development of the total person

The Office of Student Life at Virginia Tech helps in providing assistance to student- athletes in a number of areas. Megan Armbruster, director of student life, and coordinators Kevin Walker and Amy Turley, are dedicated to enhancing the quality of the student-athlete experience through the many programs that this office implements. One program that the office sponsors is the HiTOPS CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Hokies Tur ning Opportunities Into Personal Success), Defensive end Jim Davis cheers up a patient during one of the team’s visits to a local hospital. which provides a well- rounded program for student- Hokies With Heart Special Olympics, hospital athletics administration and athletes to develop the Hokies With Heart is a visits and a canned food drive. student-athletes to better individual skills necessary to program developed by the The Virginia Tech football serve their needs. The lead successful and productive Office of Student Life, which program has been significantly program is completely run by lives. The goal of this program promotes the involvement of involved in a wide variety of student-athletes and there are is to enhance five areas of student-athletes in community community service projects representatives from each commitment that are vital to service activities. In the past and numerous charitable team on the committee. Last personal growth of student- year, Virginia Tech athletes organizations in the New River year, the representative from athletes. Those areas are participated in nearly 40 Valley. The players take the football team was rover service, academic excellence, community service projects. pleasure in giving their time Billy Hardee. Hardee attended career development, athletic This program has a major local and effort to a community that SAAC meetings to discuss excellence and personal impact because the different is so supportive of all of the issues and represent the development. This program service projects help to build a athletic teams at Virginia Tech. football team in decision- attempts to build individual positive relationship between making. The representatives confidence, promote respect student-athletes and the Virginia Tech then report back to the team for diversity, enhance surrounding community. Student Athlete on any issues that the team interpersonal relationships, The Virginia Tech football Advisory Committee should be aware of or discuss. develop leadership skills, and program takes great pride in The Virginia Tech Student This program also enable each one to make a the many projects to which it Athlete Advisory Committee encourages involvement of valuable contribution to the contributes, including the (VT-SAAC) promotes effective student-athletes on campus community. Hokie Readers program, communication between and in the community. The 2003 Virginia Tech Football 129 SUPPORT

student-athletes help to design and provide programs that Megan Armbruster encourage academic success, health promotion, social Director of Student Life responsibility, and general awareness. SAAC also Megan Armbruster begins her first year at Virginia Tech as the new director attempts to enhance the of student life. As director, she will oversee the day-to-day operation of the overall image of student- office of student life, as well as direct the HiTOPS CHAMPS/Life Skills athletes to those outside of the Program. Virginia Tech athletic family by Armbruster comes to Tech from the University of Nebraska, where she has serving as positive role spent the last several years. She last served as assistant academic counselor at the Hewit models. Academic Center for Student-Athletes for two years. While pursuing her master’s degree, VT-SAAC participates in a Armbruster also held various internships at NU, working in admissions, university housing, the Vice- community service activity Chancellor’s Office and the Campus Recreation Center. called Winning Choices. This She earned her bachelor’s degree in community health education in 1998 and received her program sends athletes to master’s in educational administration in 2001, both from Nebraska. local elementary, middle and high schools to talk about the importance of citizenship, work over 5,000 students on this for participation in community service and would like to ethic, and working with others. topic and later spoke to service projects and dedication commend their efforts. In Hardee was a part of the children of local churches who to the Hokies With Heart selecting the monthly Winning Choices program, were invited to Cassell program. The student-athletes honorees, the staff also where he visited numerous Coliseum. of the month are chosen looks at the total number of Montgomery County schools to based on their willingness to times that the athlete goes speak to area children on the Outstanding be involved with the out in the community to do importance of having good Student-Athletes community. The Student Life service activities, as well as character. He traveled to Each month, the Office of staff is encouraged by student- their willingness to go out middle and high schools in the Student Life awards athletes who initiate their own when they are asked to do and spoke to recognition to a student-athlete involvement in community so.

James Miller and Robert Ramsey sign autographs for excited youngsters during a Kid’s Club session. 130 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

The Office of Student Life “Virginia Tech football has honored wide receiver players get a lot of recognition Ernest Wilford, a student- for what we do on the field, and athlete of the month in 2003, I am able to use that for his participation in recognition to affect [the community service activities. students’] lives in a positive Wilford, a member of Omega way,” said Wilford. “These kids Psi Phi fraternity, volunteers at may never get the same Wilson Avenue Alternative opportunities that I have, to School one or two days per play collegiate sports. I try to let week. Wilford’s fraternity them know that I never thought decided to adopt the school as it would happen to me either, part of their mission to help the and if they put their minds to it, community and is trying to they can accomplish whatever raise $3,000 to upgrade they want.” computers and software. “Interacting with these kids Wilford’s service at Wilson just gives me one more reason Avenue has enabled him to to be a good person on and off build positive relationships with the field. I know they are many of the students. watching my actions and I want to be a good role model.”

Tech student-athletes are visible throughout the state and nation. They take pride in being good role models and making a difference in the community. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 131 SUPPORT

There’s much more to athletic performance than weight training. Always striving to stay on the cutting edge, Virginia Tech has added two more services for its student-athletes in recent years. At Tech, nutrition and sports psychology are also a part of the student-athlete’s preparation – not just for game day, but also for life after college. Virginia Tech tries to provide the best services, facilities and support staff for all of its student-athletes, to make them better athletes and better people.

Virginia Tech has one of the nation’s top programs helping athletes get bigger, faster and stronger!

These days, college 12 platforms and a football is as much about 6,000-square foot state- strength and conditioning as it of-the-art speed and is about having outstanding agility room. athletes on your team. If you Tech also has the use have both, your team will likely of a 10-by-40-yard sand be very successful. pit located outdoors and Thanks to the direction of adjacent to the weight Assistant Athletics Director for room. This pit is used for Athletic Performance Mike resistive running drills to Gentry, the Virginia Tech improve speed. The strength and conditioning Hokies also have the program is among the best in new practice field for use the nation, helping to make the in running drills. football program one of the Tech football players best as well. used to train in the Jim One of the main support “Bulldog” Haren Weight centers of Tech football is the Room. Located in strength and conditioning Jamerson Athletic program. The results of hard Center, the 5,000-square work by the staff and the foot weight room was student-athletes have paid officially dedicated in huge dividends as the Hokies September 1985 to have continued their streak of Haren, a former Hokie 10 consecutive bowl game player and long-time appearances. supporter of the Virginia The football team trains in Tech Athletic the beautiful 17,000-square Department. With the two foot training center on the first facilities, the Hokies level of the Merryman Athletic have over 22,000-square Center. The weight room facility features new free- Keith Willis works out weight equipment, a full line of in the Merryman Center’s Hammer Strength equipment, outstanding weight room. 132 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Dr. Mike Gentry “There is no question about the value and Assistant Athletics Director importance of weight training as an ingredient to for Athletic Performance winning. We’re very fortunate to have Mike Gentry running our strength and conditioning program.” Dr. Mike Gentry begins his 16th season as the Hokies’ director of — Frank Beamer strength and conditioning. As assistant athletics director for athletic performance, his duties include overseeing the strength and conditioning training of athletes in all 21 varsity sports at Virginia Tech. He is directly involved in the training of the football and women’s basketball teams and manages programs for nutrition. In May 2003, Gentry was honored by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches when he was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach. Gentry is currently one of only 36 coaches in the country to have received the CSCC’s highest award. A native of Durham, N.C., Gentry received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Western Carolina University in 1979 and received his master’s from the University of at Chapel Hill in 1981. He received his doctorate in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis in motor behavior, from Virginia Tech in 1999. Darryl Gentry worked as an assistant strength coach at UNC Tapp and as the head strength coach at prior to coming to Virginia Tech in 1987. In 1995 and 1996, Gentry was recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a finalist for the National Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year. Gentry has a son, Roy Christopher, who is 13.

Coach Gentry’s Philosophy “Since 1987, our strength and conditioning program has developed a tradition. We have a team dedicated to training hard and striving for excellence. The younger student-athletes see the upperclassmen’s intensity and it makes everyone want to train to be one’s best. Our strength and conditioning program is designed to help our student-athletes build overall strength, power and stamina, while helping them develop self-discipline and realize their potential as athletes. We have a comprehensive program utilizing strength/power training, plyometrics, functional conditioning and flexibility training. Our goal is to become one of Jeff King the most physical teams in the nation.”

2003 Virginia Tech Football 133 SUPPORT

feet of strength and conditioning Assisting Gentry in the training space. weight room this year are Elite Level Hokies The Tech football strength three full-time assistant program centers around four strength and conditioning major lifts. The bench press and coaches: Jay Johnson, Cols Colas • defensive end • 2002 squat are lifts for building all- assistant director of strength Ernest Wilford • wide receiver • 2002 around strength; the push jerk and conditioning, Terry and power clean help players Mitchell, strength and Vegas Robinson • linebacker • 2002 develop explosive power. conditioning coordinator of Gentry’s program also includes men’s Olympic sports and Josh Spence • fullback • 2002 conditioning and speed Emily Chones, strength and development, which the players conditioning coordinator for Larry Austin • defensive back • 2001 do in the speed and agility women’s Olympic sports. Jarrett Ferguson • fullback • 2000, 2001 room, Rector Field House Gentry will also have the (Tech’s indoor practice facility) services of four graduate Browning Wynn • tight end • 2000 and on the Hokies’ excellent assistants — Erin O’Neil, Lisa track facilities. Guarneri, Gabe Teeple and Matt Lehr • offensive lineman • 2000 Each player has personal Ken Oxendine. goals which he works to achieve. The team is broken down into four groups based on the positions that are relevant to the players’ body size. The players work to progress from Maroon, Orange, Hokie, Iron Hokie and Super Iron Hokie status to the Elite Level. The Elite Level of Performance was created to push the athletes to higher The Virginia Tech levels. This level is a strength and predetermined performance test conditioning staff which measures achievement (l to r): Assistant AD for the individual’s position. It for Athletic comprises four tests in strength Performance Mike Gentry, Assistant (bench press, squat, push jerk, Director of Strength power clean) and five tests in and Conditioning Jay performance (vertical jump, 40- Johnson, Ken yard time, 10-yard time, sit- Oxendine, Emily reach test, 20-yard shuttle). Chones, Gabe Teeple Cols Colas and Ernest Wilford and Terry Mitchell. earned the program’s Elite Level of Performance distinction in 2002. Virginia Tech Football Strength & Conditioning Records

(UPDATED SPRING 2003) POS. BENCH PRESS BACK SQUAT HANG CLEAN POWER CLEAN PUSH JERK VERTICAL JUMP 40 YD TIME TE D. Carter 420 ’99 B. Wynn 585 ’00 J. Thompson 351 ’99 B. Wynn 356 ’00 B. Wynn 356 ’00 B. Wynn 36.5" ’99 K. Willis 4.58 ’01 OT J. Redding 500 ’99 J. Redding 685 ’99 C. Andreadis 405 ’96 J. Martin 360 ‘03 C. Barry 386 ’93 W. Flowers 36" ’96 E. Chung 4.85 ’90 OG M. Lehr 450 ’00 W. Boatwright 755 ’91 C. Malone 390 ’95 W. Montgomery 360 ‘03 D. McMahon 386 ’94 T. Smith 33.5" ’98 A. Lambo 4.75 ’99 C J. Grove 490 ‘03 T. Washington 680 ’97 T. Washington 445 ’97 J. Grove 376 ’00 K. Short 387 ’98 J. Grove 35" ’99 K. Short 4.81 ’98 QB A. Clark 365 ’98 B. Randall 570 ’02 J. Druckenmiller 405 ’96 D. Meyer 300 ’98 J. Druckenmiller 331 ’96 M. Vick 41.0” ’00 M. Vick 4.25 ’00 FB W. Briggs 450 ’01 D. Easlick 640 ‘03 B. Edmonds 375 ’96 J. Ferguson 360 ’01 W. Briggs 401 ’01 J. Spence 40.0” ’02 E. Jones 4.37 ’86 TB J. Jeffries 400 ’90 W. Ward 620 ’00 K. Oxendine 370 ’97 J. Spence 321 ’01 K. Oxendine 361 ’97 K. Jones 41.5" ‘03 L.Suggs 4.27 ’00 WR M. Sturdivant 360 ’90 E. Wilford 555 ‘03 S. Scales 365 ’97 E. Johnson 305 ’01 E. Wilford 346 ‘03 E. Johnson 41” ’01 A. Davis 4.29 ’99

DT W. Jackson 475 ’96 P. Moronta 700 ’88 W. Jackson 405 ’95 C. Beasley 361 ’99 J. Baron 386 ’95 C. Bradley 35.5" ’98 C. Bradley 4.64 ’98 DE A. Chamblee 475 ’89 C. Moore 650 ’98 D. Wheel 410 ’97 D. Monroe 351 ’99 J. Engelberger 401 ’99 C. Taliaferro 39" ’86 C. Moore 4.38 ’99 ILB J. Houseright 425 ’01 R. Cockrell 670 ’90 K. Gray 400 ’94 B. Taylor 336 ’01 R. Pendleton 361 ’92 T. Edmond 40" ’98 V. Robinson 4.46 ’01 Whip LB T. Butler 370 ’00 T. Butler 550 ’00 M. McClung 345 ’93 B. Manning 316 ‘03 J. Anderson 341 ‘03 P. Summers 42" ’98 T. Jackson 4.34 ’99 Rover C. Bird 400 ’00 C. Bird 575 ’00 P. Prioleau 330 ’97 C. Bird 341 ’01 C. Bird 390 ’00 P. Prioleau 43.5" ’97 K. Burnell 4.21 ’02 CB A. Banks 400 ’96 R. Whitaker 555 ’02 A. Banks 340 ’96 L. Austin 316 ’01 L. Austin 341 ’00 L. Austin 42.5” ’00 D. Hall 4.15 ‘03 FS T. Gray 370 ’96 W. Pile 515 ’99 S. Rice 331 ’89 K. McCadam 316 ’00 K. McCadam 316 ’00 K. McCadam 37.5" ’00 D. Russell 4.23 ’90 Spec. C. Anders 400 ’99 N Schmitt 555 ‘03 R. Colley 330 ’94 M. Davis 294 ’00 N. Schmitt 321 ‘03 S. Graham 34" ’99 V. Burns 4.35 ’01 Bold type indicates records set in Spring 2003 testing

134 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Super Iron Hokies Coach Mike Gentry (r) puts players through a drill in the agility room connected to the Merryman Center weight room. Todd Grantham ...... 1988 Josh Redding ...... 1998,99 Malcolm Blacken ...... 1988 Pierson Prioleau ...... 1998 Horatio Moronta ...... 1989 Carl Bradley ...... 1998,99 Myron Richardson ...... 1989 Daniel Nihipali...... 1998,99 Karl Borden ...... 1989, 90 Terrell Parham ...... 1998,99,00,01 David Hackbirth ...... 1989 Rick Wright ...... 1998,99 Sean Lucas ...... 1989 Jarrett Ferguson ...... 1999,00,01 Frank Mooney ...... 1989, 90 André Kendrick ...... 1999 Scott Rice ...... 1990 Derrius Monroe ...... 1999 Marvin Arrington ...... 1990 Matt Lehr...... 1999,00 Al Chamblee ...... 1990 Browning Wynn ...... 1999,00 Phil Bryant ...... 1991 Shyrone Stith ...... 1999 William Boatwright ...... 1991 Ricky Hall ...... 1999 Jon Jeffries ...... 1991 Chad Beasley ...... 1999 Kirk Gray ...... 1991 Jake Houseright...... 1999 Chris Peduzzi ...... 1991,93,94 Ike Charlton ...... 1999 Jim Pyne ...... 1992,93 Jake Grove ...... 1999,00 P. J. Preston...... 1992,93 Mike Davis ...... 1999,00 Hank Coleman ...... 1992,93 Larry Austin ...... 2000,01 John Burke...... 1992,93 Tee Butler...... 2000 Joe Swarm ...... 1992 Dave Meyer ...... 2000 Vernon Dozier ...... 1992 Marvin Urquhart ...... 2000,01 George DelRicco ...... 1992,93,94,95 ...... 2000 Rafael Williams ...... 1992,94,95 André Davis ...... 2000 Jim Druckenmiller ...... 1993,94,95,96 Lee Suggs...... 2000,01,02 Kevin Lewis (above) works out with dumbbells, while Chad Cooper Waverly Jackson ...... 1994,95,96 Chris Buie ...... 2000,01, 03 works on the bench (below). Keith Gray ...... 1994 Ernest Wilford ...... 2000,01,02, 03 Ken Oxendine ...... 1995,96,97 Josh Spence ...... 2000,01,02 Jim Baron ...... 1995 Anthony Nelson ...... 2000,01,02 Danny Wheel ...... 1995,96,97 Keith Burnell ...... 2001,02 Antonio Banks ...... 1995,96 Myron Newsome ...... 1996 Joe Wilson ...... 2001,02 Cornelius White ...... 1996 Cols Colas ...... 2001,02 Billy Conaty ...... 1996 Vegas Robinson ...... 2001,02, 03 Torrian Gray ...... 1996 Jason Lallis ...... 2001 Steve Tate ...... 1996,97 Brandon Manning ...... 2001,02, 03 Brian Edmonds ...... 1996 Bryan Randall ...... 2002, 03 Ryan Smith ...... 1996,97,98 Doug Easlick ...... 2002, 03 Cory Bird ...... 1996,97,98,99,00 Mikal Baaqee ...... 2002, 03 Gennaro DiNapoli ...... 1997 Ken Keister ...... 2002 Corey Moore ...... 1997,98,99 James Anderson ...... 2002, 03 Shawn Scales ...... 1997 Richard Johnson...... 2002 Al Clark ...... 1997 Brandon Gore ...... 2003 Jason Buckland ...... 1997 Will Montgomery ...... 2003 John Engelberger ...... 1997,99 Jesse Allen ...... 2003 Brad Baylor ...... 1997 Chris Clifton ...... 2003 Todd Washington ...... 1997 Justin Hamilton ...... 2003 Brian Welch ...... 1997,98,99,01 Nathaniel Adibi...... 2003 Wayne Briggs ...... 1997,98,99,00,01 Darryl Tapp ...... 2003 Tyron Edmond ...... 1998 Nic Schmitt ...... 2003

2003 Virginia Tech Football 135 SUPPORT

Teamwork is a key component in the Hokies’ success — both on the field during games and during workouts.

Virginia Tech Football All-Time Elite Club

BENCH PRESS BACK SQUAT POWER CLEAN PUSH JERK VERTICAL JUMP 40 YARD DASH J. Redding 500 ’99 W. Boatwright 755 ’91 J. Grove 376 ’00 W. Briggs 401 ‘01 P. Prioleau 43.5 ’97 D. Hall 4.15 ’03 J. Grove 490 ’03 M. Lehr 700 ‘00 N. Adibi 366 ’02 J. Engelberger 401 ’99 L. Austin 42.5 ’00 K. Burnell 4.21 ‘02 A. Chamblee 475 ’89 P. Moronta 700 ’89 C. Beasly 361 ’99 C. Bird 390 ‘00 I. Charlton 42 ’98 D. Russell 4.23 ’90 M. Udinski 475 ’82 A. Nelson 700 ‘02 J. Ferguson 360 ’01 K. Short 387 ’98 P. Summers 42 ’98 M. Vick 4.25 ’00 W. Jackson 475 ’96 J. Redding 685 ’99 J. Martin 360 ’03 J. Baron 386 ’95 K. Jones 41.5 ’03 L. Austin 4.26 ’00 K. Short 460 ‘99 T. Washington 680 ’97 W. Montgomery 360 ’03 J. Petrovich 386 ’93 G. Wilds 41.5 ’02 L. Suggs 4.27 ’00 W. Briggs 450 ‘01 R. Cockrell 670 ’88 B. Wynn 356 ’00 B. Smith 386 ’84 A. Midget 41.5 ’99 T. Drakeford 4.28 ’92 T. Kritsky 450 ’82 J. Pyne 655 ’93 J. Allen 346 ’03 D. McMahon 386 ’94 E. Johnson 41 ‘01 A. Davis 4.29 ’99 K. Short 450 ’99 W. Jackson 655 ’95 K Lewis 336 ’02 C. Barry 386 ’93 M. Vick 41 ‘00 K. Jones 4.3 ’03 N. Williams 450 ’99 C. Moore 650 ’98 B. Taylor 331 ’00 W. Briggs 385 ‘00 K. Irby 40.5 ’96 B. Still 4.31 ’94 C. Barry 450 ’93 A. Chamblee 650 ‘90 J. Ferguson 385 ‘01 P.J. Preston 4.32 ’91 M. Lehr 450 ‘00

Bold type indicates Spring 2003 testing

136 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Helping student-athletes in all aspects of their lives A service offered to Virginia The psychologists meet sport psychology in that psychologists if they do not Tech student-athletes since with student-athletes on an model.” feel comfortable in the group August 2000, is sport individual basis for personal “We see those other or cannot make the sessions. psychology. The sport counseling and to discuss the outside things as interfering On average, the psychologists psychology staff includes Dr. mental aspects of the game. with an athlete’s ability to conduct 20 individual sessions Gary Bennett, who coordinates As a team, the sport perform,” Bennett says. “We per week. psychological psychologists work on team feel we can help athletes One injured player who services for building, communication and perform better by addressing took advantage of the sport student- performance enhancement. those concerns.” psychologists after he tore the athletes, Mike Gentry, assistant AD The psychologists also anterior cruciate ligament of and Dr. for athletic performance, says, offer an injury group to afford his knee was glad to have the Robert “I’ve always felt that (sport injured athletes the opportunity services of the sport Miller, psychology) was an important to meet with other injured psychology program. The director of element. We want to be a athletes and talk about their student-athlete met with the Cook holistic model of an athletics recovery process. Injured members of the sport Counseling department, and we wanted athletes may also meet psychology staff several times Center. Dr. Robert Miller to and needed to include individually with the sport before and after his surgery. “When I first got hurt, I thought I needed to talk to someone,” the player said. “As the weeks go by, you learn to deal and cope with it. But I think it helps to talk to someone.” The response to the sport psychology program has been very positive. The student- athletes are very receptive to the services offered by the doctors. The sport psychology office reaches out to athletes who may not have considered going to the counseling service that is offered to all students at Virginia Tech. “It is a great resource for our coaches and our athletes,” Gentry says. “We’ve improved a lot in areas of strength and conditioning, nutrition and in sport psychology. It’s all about becoming a well-rounded athletic program and helping student-athletes. We want to give them all the resources we can, to put them in a position to be successful.”

Dr. Gary Bennett talks with players in a group session.

2003 Virginia Tech Football 137 SUPPORT

Educating student-athletes about the best food choices In July 2002, the Virginia “It is extremely beneficial for Department purchased the minutes. Research has Tech Athletics Department our student-athletes to have BOD POD body composition shown that an increase added another program to nutrition education and system. Tech is one of a in lean muscle mass will better serve the needs of counseling available to them in handful of college athletic increase athletic student-athletes — sports order for them to remain departments using this type of performance. This nutrition. Amy Freel serves as successful in their sports and cutting edge technology. The machine is used to help the director of sports nutrition at outside of athletics,” Freel said. BOD POD is found in many Tech athletes reach their Virginia Tech. “The individualized nutrition professional training facilities, highest athletic Freel works one-on-one with education allows me and the such as the NFL and Major potential. student-athletes to provide athletes to get very specific on League them with information that they their nutritional, personal and Baseball. The need on their diet. She also sport-specific goals.” BOD POD provides individual players with The sports nutritionist works accurately diet counseling on issues such with the “Training Edge,” a measures body as gaining lean muscle mass, dining option for health- composition losing body fat, and how to eat conscious students and (percent of body to improve performance. athletes, to design menus for fat, lean muscle She also designs preseason training tables and daily menu mass and fat menus, snacks and training selections. mass) through table menus for the football Also in July 2002, the air displacement team. Virginia Tech Athletics within five Amy Freel Director of Sports Nutrition

Amy Freel enters her second year as the sports nutritionist in the Virginia Tech Athletics Department. Prior to serving as the nutritionist, she served as the coordinator of student life for just over two years. Freel, a native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., received her undergraduate degree in dietetics in 1996 from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., while competing in gymnastics for four years. She became a registered dietitian in 1997 and earned her master’s in dietetics from Ball State in 1998. After graduation, Freel served as a clinical dietitian at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center for a year and a half before coming to Tech in September of 1999. She became the full-time director of sports nutrition in July 2002. Her husband, Mike, works for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. The couple and their two children, 2-year-old Ben and 1-year-old Matt, live in Christiansburg.

The “Training Edge” dining facility (above) provides student-athletes and other students at Tech the opportunity to eat healthy meals and make good dining choices. Last year, Amy Freel acquired a “BOD POD” body composition system (top right) to help athletes and coaches with body analysis. 138 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Outstanding new athletic training facility enhances ability to provide Hokies experienced, professional care The Virginia Tech Sports constantly evolving to chiropractors, massage rooms that existed in the Medicine Department is an incorporate new ideas and therapists, sports Merryman Center and Cassell ever-changing and developing state-of-the-art resources for psychologists, nutritionists and Coliseum. The new facility unit that strives to provide the the betterment of student- orthotists — is available to gives the training staff a most current and athletes. manage the health care of centralized area to care for the comprehensive care to all A professional staff — athletes. needs of all Virginia Tech student-athletes. The including primary care As part of the evolution, student-athletes. There is department, under the physicians who are Board Tech recently completed its state-of-the-art equipment and leadership of Gunnar certified in family medicine and first full year in the new 4,300- a unique style of architecture, Brolinson, D.O., Delmas Bolin, sports medicine, orthopaedic square-foot Eddie Ferrell developed by Glenn Reynolds, M.D., and Mike Goforth, surgeons, certified athletic Memorial Training Room. This AIA and Larry Perry as the director of athletic training, is trainers, physical therapists, area consolidated the training consulting engineer. The new room, which nearly doubles the size of the Dr. Gunnar Brolinson, D.O. former Merryman Center facility, also allows the staff to Head Team Physician utilize that room for physical therapy, chiropractic care and Dr. Gunnar Brolinson enters his second year as the Virginia Tech football massage therapy. With its team physician. Brolinson joined the program through an initiative between completion, Virginia Tech now Tech athletics and the new Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic has more than 10,000 square Medicine. feet dedicated to sports Prior to coming to Tech, Brolinson served as the Medical Director of the medicine, placing Tech in the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Toledo Hospital and the Corporate Wellness top five percent nationally. In Program for the ProMedica Health System. He also served as the team physician for the University addition, the $10 million of Toledo, the United States Ski Team and has acted as a volunteer physician for the United States Merryman Center, a state-of- Olympic Committee. the-art facility which includes Brolinson graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Missouri at 2,400 square feet of medical Columbia and completed his medical training at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. space, will supplement the new training room. This 2003 Virginia Tech Football 139 SUPPORT

treatment room has numerous treatment modalities, including Dr. Delmas Bolin, M.D., Ph.D. portable X-ray, electric stimulation, ultrasound, hot Team Physician and cold packs and a lumbar/ cervical traction unit. It also Dr. Delmas Bolin is the assistant team physician with Virginia Tech. Bolin has offices for the staff, is board-certified in family medicine and is fellowship-trained in sports dozens of training tables, two medicine. Prior to moving to Virginia, he was the co-director of the University cold tubs, whirlpools, an of Pittsburgh primary care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. underwater treadmill, a Biodex Bolin currently oversees a sports medicine clinic and teaches in the System 3 and various other Carilion Family Practice Residency in Roanoke. pieces of rehabilitation equipment. In addition, a new training room has been Performance and Sports academic research and is headed by Dr. Brolinson and constructed in Rector Field Medicine Excellence,” was athletics here at Virginia Tech.” Stephan Duma from House to serve the football initiated by Dr. Charles Baffi, The Virginia Tech Sports mechanical engineering and is team when it practices Dr. Kerry Redican, Dr. Mike Medicine Department in steadily gaining the attention indoors. Gentry and Goforth and was conjunction with the Via of both the medical and “We, as a staff, are very awarded to develop a College of Osteopathic engineering communities. pleased with our new facility multidisciplinary model for Medicine and other research After the sports medicine and the opportunity for all of us Division I health care. departments at Tech has also staff diagnoses and treats an to come together for the “Our goal with this program initiated several new research ill or injured athlete, the staff benefit of our athletes,” is to formally provide our projects focusing on head then starts collaborative work Goforth said. athletes with the most effective injuries, ankle injuries and the with the strength and Research is also and efficient health care treatment of low back conditioning staff to give the considered to be instrumental delivery system possible,” conditions. The head injury best injury prevention and to the sports medicine Goforth said. “This grant will study, titled B.I.E.R.S.T. (Brain performance enhancing department. The department serve as a framework for Injury Evaluation in Real Time programs possible. The has participated in grant universities across the country Sports Trauma) is an exciting training, medical, and strength development and data to provide high-level health new pilot study that will and conditioning staffs each collection for a strategic health care services for their athletes, evaluate the forces generated have a role in bringing the care planning grant. This and at the same time, creates in helmets during real-time athlete back quickly and ready grant, titled “The Center for the first collaboration between events in football. The project to play. After an injury, an

Team physician Dr. Gunnar Brolinson works with a player in the Merryman Center medical complex.

140 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT athlete will go through beginning of spring practice. rehabilitation and physical This same procedure is Mike Goforth therapy. Athletes are then followed during the summer. moved to weight training, as “If our strength and Director of Athletic Training they become able. The conditioning is so important, strength and conditioning staff and it is, then we owe it to our Mike Goforth is in his fourth year as the uses specific programs for athletes to provide them with director of athletic training and sixth year on each injury in an effort to get the necessary resources to Tech’s athletic training staff. Goforth came the athlete back quickly. Prior keep them actively to Tech from the Hamilton Medical Center/ to return to full participation, participating,” Goforth said. Bradley Wellness Center in Dalton, Ga., the athlete will also complete a “We basically adopt the where he was the director of wellness and sports medicine. series of drills and attitude that in the fall, our He has an extensive background in sports medicine, working progressions that are specific mission is to keep them at East Tennessee State University, Virginia Tech, William to the athlete’s position that participating on the field and Fleming High School, Tusculum College, Greene County Sports will help insure that the athlete during the other times of the Medicine/Industrial Cooperative and Pioneer Sports Medicine/ is ready to return with a greatly year, it is our job to keep them Physical Therapy Clinic. He also has numerous opportunities to reduced risk of re-injury. participating in our strength consult on program development throughout the country. The range of benefits and conditioning program.” Goforth graduated from East Tennessee State University in athletes have access to Their programs consist of 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a include custom orthotics, strengthening, stretching and concentration in athletic training. He earned his master’s in sport custom mouth guards, most importantly movement management from Virginia Tech in 1995 and is currently pursuing specialized DonJoy pattern analysis and training to his doctorate in health education, also from Virginia Tech. prophylactic bracing and many help prevent the re-occurrence other options to help prevent of injuries. or protect them from injuries. “We value the off-season The sports medicine staff also greatly within our department,” takes great pride in treating Goforth said. “We have the athlete year-round. Special adopted the same mindset as attention is paid to off-season our strength and conditioning activity. During this time, the staff and look at our off-season staff will analyze past injury time as an opportunity to get data from each participant and our athletes better as opposed construct a preventative to time off for our staff.” program that is followed over a Most of the off-season nine-week period between the activity is based on programs end of the season and the that are designed to detect

Tech’s HydroTrack trainer (above) is an excellent rehabilitation tool. Trainer Keith Doolan (left) works with Michael Crawford on a minor injury. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 141 SUPPORT

movement patterns that might is a Certified Athletic Trainer, “Our goal is to provide the This year, the staff will lead to injury or could be Physical Therapist, and same high level of health care consist of three graduate causing a drop in Strength and Conditioning that professional and Olympic assistant athletic trainers that performance. Specialist plays a large role in athletes receive,” Goforth all have professional “The beauty of this the overall program developed continued. “Our usage of experience, Kevin Domboski program is that it is a multi- to return the injured athlete specialist care is modeled after (Baltimore Ravens), Brian disciplinary tool that is back to 100 percent. In the NFL system and Bradshaw (Baltimore Orioles) designed to show the athlete addition, staff sport incorporates components of the and Nick Richey (New Orleans where their deficiencies lie,” psychologist Gary Bennett is Olympic Training Center in Saints). Goforth said. A vital part of available to all student-athletes Colorado Springs.” Over the past 10 years, student-athletes services is the for personal and performance Team orthopaedic surgeons Virginia Tech has developed access to the Schiffert Student issues. Virginia Tech also has Dr. Marc Siegel, Dr. Scott Urch the reputation for producing Health Center in McComas the services of Dr. Greg Tilley, and Dr. Joe Prudhomme bring a top-level certified athletic Hall. A health center and team chiropractor. Dr. Tilley wealth of experience and skills trainers. Graduates are now counseling services are provides Tech athletes with to assist when athletes need employed in positions across available on one side of specialized treatment for spine orthopaedic surgery to repair the country at various levels of McComas Hall, while related conditions and also certain types of sports-related the profession. Mitch Bellmay/ recreation sports and fitness plays a huge role in injuries that occur from time to Josh Signs (Marshall), Daniel programs are available on the performance enhancement time. Jarvis (Villanova), Jim Shorten other. The center also has a through various chiropractic Tech also maintains a (Appalachian State), Chris fully operational diagnostic techniques. special relationship with Peduzzi (Philadelphia Eagles), laboratory, X-ray facilities and “For us as certified athletic Montgomery Regional Hospital. Danny Sterling (UVA Wise), eight full-time physicians. trainers, to have the resources Montgomery Regional Hospital Craig Moorhouse (Tusculum If physical therapy is of folks like Mark Piechoski, is the choice for state-of-the-art College), Joe Whitson (Carson needed, student-athletes can Greg Tilley and Gary Bennett is equipment to perform surgeries, Newman College), as well as be seen by therapist Mark a tremendous asset,” Goforth diagnostic imaging and numerous others are Piechoski in the Ferrell said. “The knowledge and skill processing of laboratory employed at the high school, Training Room. Piechoski, who that they bring is invaluable. requests. collegiate and clinical levels. Medical and Athletic Training Personnel

Dr. Marc Siegel Dr. Michael Sampson Dr. Scott Urch Joe Prudhomme Dr. Greg Tilley Orthopaedic Assistant Orthopaedic Orthopaedic Chiropractor Surgeon Team Physician Surgeon Surgeon

Dr. Lawrence Kyle Dr. Steve Jacobs Keith Doolan Ron Esteban Katie Hoctor Jimmy Lawrence Dentist Optometrist Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic Trainer Trainer Trainer Trainer

Mark Piechoski Aaron Gresham Kevin Domboski Brian Bradshaw Nick Richey Physical Brace Athletic Athletic Athletic Therapist Consultant Trainer Trainer Trainer

142 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

State-of-the-art equipment gives Tech a big edge These days, college The Tech video not just available on game videotaped. The tape is football is as competitive as department, under the days. The equipment is gathered along with video of ever and each school is direction of Kevin Hicks, has available 24 hours a day, opponents’ games. Then, looking for something that will one of the most up-to-date seven days a week and now assistant video coordinator give it an advantage. And video systems in the country coaches and players can even Tom Booth, along with the while star athletes, weight and has expanded its use laptop computers to watch graduate assistants, label training and practice can make operations to include all the video while they are away from each play in terms of down, a big difference, Virginia equipment the team needs to the Merryman Center. distance, formation, ball Tech has something that be on the cutting edge of video What makes this system so placement, pass, run and unit. puts it over the top — study. potent in terms of preparing a This information, along Pinnacle System 2.0. This state-of-the-art video team for a game is with the video, is entered into The system is regarded as equipment has prepared the convenience, convenience, the computer. Once this is the best in the country. NFL Hokies for any possible convenience. done, the coaches and teams use it. College teams scenario they may come Here’s how the system players can access any wish they had it. Tech does. across in any game. And it’s works. Every practice is situation with a click of the mouse. With computers in all coaches’ meeting rooms, they Kevin Hicks can instantaneously have video footage of any scenario Director of Video Operations that they can dream up of Tech opponents or the Kevin Hicks has wasted no time moving up the ranks in the Tech video Hokies. office. After spending four years as a student intern, while pursuing his degree What has Virginia run on in communication studies from Tech, the Yorktown, Va., native was hired in second downs when the ball May of 1998 as the assistant video coordinator. Within a year, Hicks moved up is placed on the right hash to head video coordinator. He is currently the director of video operations. mark? Click, click. How many As director of video operations, Hicks has numerous duties. Supervising undergraduate times has students, helping coaches with video to prepare for upcoming games, producing highlight videos for gone to the shotgun on each sport and running the video board in are just a few of Hicks’ responsibilities. second and long? Click, click. Born in Newport News, Va., in 1976, Hicks graduated from Tabb High in 1994. Hicks and his How many pass plays has wife, Kristen, reside in Blacksburg. In his spare time, he enjoys playing volleyball and softball. run on first 2003 Virginia Tech Football 143 SUPPORT

Kevin Hicks and Tom Booth man the controls for Tech’s HokieVision scoreboard.

down? Click, click. It’s all “Seven days a week we are “It’s been a available any time someone here with football, so when great tool,” Tech wants to view it. they win you feel like you are a defensive The system gives the part of that.” coordinator Bud coaches an option block that “We feel like part of the Foster says. they use to punch in these team,” Booth says. “Everyone “Besides the scenarios. After the coach helps out with the team to do quality and chooses the situation, the their part. We help the convenience, it’s video is queued up in a matter coaches to see the things they right there at your of seconds. need to see, especially when it fingertips. Players This new program is comes to breaking down the at this level have Tom Booth Brian Walls definitely preferred by the opponents’ tapes.” to realize that Assistant Assistant video staff. The old way The update in technology there is a lot more Video Coordinator Video Coordinator consisted of taking the game not only means an improved involved than just film without the use of a program but also improved playing the game. personal computer and then video-viewing options. Each of The average person doesn’t plays that the coaches could cutting it up into different the individual position meeting know all the preparation that’s view at their convenience. segments to make more films. rooms has a pull-down involved.” Each position had its own This was an all-night job that projection screen and a video The equipment has been meeting room in the hotel with sometimes lasted into the projector connected to a used the past couple years to a laptop set up so the players early hours of the next computer to display scouting help give Tech that extra edge, could watch video of practice morning. material, where players or in both regular season and or Air Force 24 hours a day. The staff in the coaches can access the bowl games. An example of Being able to transport game videography department takes footage any time they want it. the program’s presence came video with relative ease gives pride in what they do for the The videographers also tape in the Hokies’ victory against the Hokies an advantage, football staff. every single practice, which Air Force in last year’s even on the road. “We are a big part of the can be viewed by the coaches inaugural San Francisco Bowl. “The greatest teaching tool football team, in that we are at the click of a button. This In the days leading up to the is the ability to show someone there every day — taping helps the team prepare for San Francisco Bowl coaches what they’re doing, right or practice, traveling with them games, and also gives the were given laptops by the wrong,” head coach Frank on the road and attending coaches access to plays they videography department that Beamer says. “With our video every game,” says Hicks. need. contained numerous Air Force equipment, we can do that 144 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT quickly. The ease with which we can do these things and the way we can put certain plays and scenarios together makes us more efficient in getting ready to play a game on Saturday.” While the practice video is great for players and coaches, fans are also reaping the benefits of the video department. HokieVision was added three seasons ago to the delight of fans. Did you miss that crushing block thrown by Doug Easlick, that acrobatic touchdown grab by Ernest Wilford or that big hit Nathaniel Adibi just put on the opposing ? Relax. Just look to the sky and you can receive instant gratification from the video scoreboard located in the north end zone of Lane Stadium. The scoreboard was made by Trans-Lux, and is the largest one they have ever built, at 35 feet, 6 inches tall and 90 feet wide and standing almost 60 feet above ground. At least three cameras have been added in Lane Stadium, along with four replay machines to help out with the operation of the video scoreboards. The videography department also has two editing machines that aid in editing and producing video of game and practice more quickly and efficiently. This year, the video staff will produce the games from the cutting edge control room in the Merryman Athletic Center. There has been nothing but positive reaction to the new video boards that have been placed in both Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum. “People like seeing the replays, and people especially like the crowd shots. People love to see themselves on the board,” says Booth. The addition of the new equipment has produced the need for more staff. In addition to Hicks and Booth, Brian Walls also works full-time in the video department. There are also four undergraduate student assistants: Ariel Callahan, Megan Boland, Jay Reid and Lindsay Mirabito; and a graduate assistant, Scott Trawick. Hicks will hire about The huge HokieVision scoreboard in eight to 10 other people on a Lane Stadium shows live action game-by-game basis to work as well as replays. with the video board during football season. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 145 SUPPORT

‘From the blue waters of the ISP Sports Gameday Radio Schedule Chesapeake Bay, to Virginia Tech Gameday The network’s radio coverage begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff with Virginia the hills of Tech Gameday featuring Tech’s coordinators Bryan Stinespring and Tennessee, the and Athletics Director Jim Weaver. The Advance Auto Parts Hokies’ Countdown are on the air!’ The perfect tailgating companion, the Hokies’ Countdown clock begins 60 minutes before kickoff with a complete preview of the game, interviews with both Bill Roth That familiar refrain — Tech head coach Frank Beamer and the opposing head coach, The BIG EAST delivered by Bill Roth, the Voice Report, late-breaking news and features. of Virginia Tech football — The Game Broadcast (presented by the Virginia Lottery) opens every Tech sports TOUCHDOWN TECH! Bill Roth and Mike Burnop fill the airwaves with their broadcast and reflects the unique blend of excitement and wit. With unmatched chemistry, the two have network’s goal of reaching called every Tech football game since the late 1980s. Hokie fans everywhere. So, whether they’re sailing off The Point-After Virginia’s eastern shore, hiking Perhaps the network’s most popular show, The Point-After is a fast-paced, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or 90-minute post-game show which features locker room interviews, score reports sitting in their homes anywhere Mike Burnop from around the country, game highlights and listener telephone calls. throughout the Commonwealth, Tech fans know they’re always WRAD-AM in Radford, Va., networks throughout Virginia and boxing. He was recently within range of a Tech network originated the first-ever Tech the southeastern United States. inducted into Virginia Tech’s radio station. broadcast, a 30-21 victory over Roth — a five-time winner of Monogram Club. With a massive network of N.C. State at Miles Stadium. Virginia’s Sportscaster of the Former Virginia Tech tight radio and television stations Today, the Tech network Year Award — is in his 16th end Mike Burnop is serving his throughout the region, the blankets the Commonwealth of season as the Voice of Virginia 21st season in the booth as the Virginia Tech ISP Sports Virginia and several surrounding Tech football. A native of network analyst. Burnop, a Network serves as the main states thanks to an impressive Pittsburgh, Pa., Roth graduated starting tight end for the Hokies communications link between network of powerful FM stations. from in in the early 1970s, was Tech’s football program and the In addition to the game 1987, earning a degree in inducted into Virginia Tech’s Hokies’ avid legion of fans. broadcasts, the network also broadcast journalism. Roth was Hall of Fame in 2000. This fall marks the 50th produces The Advance Auto honored by The Associated Together, Roth and Burnop consecutive season Tech Parts Hokie Hotline, a 90-minute Press, the New York State comprise one of games will be heard by radio talk show featuring Roth Broadcasters Association and football’s longest-running a statewide audience, and and Tech head coach Frank won the distinguished Robert teams, having much of this year’s Beamer every Monday night. Costas Scholarship in 1986. described the action of every programming will celebrate the The network’s award-winning Roth has worked for ESPN, Tech game since the 1988 half-century tradition of Virginia television magazine show, CNN-Sports Illustrated and season. Tech broadcasts. Virginia Tech Sports Today, is NCAA Productions telecasts of Tech radio broadcasts are The Tech network dates seen every Sunday on a network NCAA basketball, NCAA available to fans anywhere in back to September 1954 when of TV stations and cable lacrosse and professional kick the world via Tech’s official web site (hokiesports.com). Again this season, several Tech Virginia Tech ISP Sports Network Station List network broadcasts will be aired on Armed Forces Radio, Abingdon WFHG 92.7 FM Elizabethton, TN WFHG 92.7 FM Norfolk WNIS 790 AM to U.S. military personnel and Alexandria WAGE 1200 AM Elizabeth City, NC WNIS 790 AM Onley WESR 1330 AM their dependents throughout the Amherst WZZU 97.9 FM Emporia WBBC 93.5 FM Onley WESR 103.3 FM Appalachia WFHG 640 AM Fairfax WAGE 1200 AM Orange WJMA 98.9 FM world. Bassett WMVA 1450 AM Farmville WBBC 93.5 FM Petersburg WBBC 93.5 FM Virginia Tech Sports Today, Beckley, WV WKOY 100.9 FM Fredericksburg WGRQ 95.9 FM Portsmouth WNIS 790 AM presented by the University Front Royal WINC 1400 AM Princeton, WV WKOY 100.9 FM Beckley, WV WKQY 100.1 FM Bookstore and the Volume II Bedford WVBE 610 AM Galax WWWJ 1360 AM Princeton, WV WKQY 100.1 FM Blacksburg WBRW 105.3 FM Gate City WGAT 1050 AM Princeton, WV WKEZ 1240 AM Bookstore, can be seen every Blackstone WBBC 93.5 FM Hampton WNIS 790 AM Radford WBRW 105.3 FM Sunday on an impressive list of Harrisonburg WMXH 105.7 FM Richlands WGTH 540 AM Blountville, TN WFHG 92.7 FM Hopewell WBBC 93.5 FM Richmond WXGI 950 AM television stations statewide. Bluefield, WV WKOY 100.1 FM Hot Springs WXCF 103.9 FM Roanoke WVBE 610 AM The 30-minute program, Bluefield, WV WKQY 100.9 FM Johnson City, TN WFHG 92.7 FM Roanoke Rapids, NC WBBC 93.5 FM featuring Roth and Beamer, is Bluefield, WV WKEZ 1240 AM Kilmarnock WNDJ 104.9 FM Rural Retreat WXBX 95.3 FM Bristol, TN WFHG 92.7 FM Kingsport, TN WFHG 92.7 FM Staunton WTON 1240 AM shown each week on WAVY-TV Cape Charles WESR 103.3 FM Lebanon WLRV 1380 AM Virginia Beach WNIS 790 AM in Norfolk, WSLS-TV in Cape Charles WESR 1330 AM Leesburg WAGE 1200 AM Waldorf, MD WGRQ 95.9 FM Roanoke, WRIC-TV in Centreville WAGE 1200 AM Lexington WXCF 103.9 FM Warsaw WNNT 690 AM Richmond, WCYB-TV in Bristol, Charlottesville WKAV 1400 AM Lewisburg, WV WKCJ 103.1 FM Warsaw WNNT 100.9 FM Chesapeake WNIS 790 AM Louisa WCUL 103.1 FM Washington, DC WAGE 1200 AM and Newschannel 8 in Chesterfield WBBC 93.5 FM Luray WMXH 105.7 FM Washington, DC WGRQ 95.9 FM Washington, D.C. The show is Christiansburg WBRW 105.3 FM Lynchburg WZZU 97.9 FM Waynesboro WTON 1240 AM also rebroadcast every Tuesday Clifton Forge WXCF 1230 AM Manassas WAGE 1200 AM White Stone WNDJ 104.9 FM Clifton Forge WXCF 103.9 FM Marion WZVA 103.5 FM Williamsburg WNIS 790 AM on Comcast SportsNet Culpeper WCUL 103.1 FM Martinsville WMVA 1450 AM Winchester WINC 1400 AM throughout the mid-Atlantic Danville WZZU 97.9 FM Martinsburg, WV WINC 1400 AM Woodbridge WGRQ 95.9 FM region, and every weekday on Dublin WBRW 105.3 FM Mt. Airy, NC WWWJ 1360 AM Wytheville WXBX 95.3 FM Cox Cable of Roanoke. 146 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

ISP Sports, a national enjoyed an excellent in Virginia. Broadcast coverage style format, and with its leader in the collegiate sports relationship with the university includes the Commonwealth of superior production, animation marketing industry, is in its in the past and are confident Virginia, as well as portions of and videography has the look ninth year as the exclusive that our partnership will Maryland, North Carolina, and feel of a national sports worldwide multi-media and continue to grow stronger in the Tennessee, Kentucky and West telecast. Virginia Tech Sports advertising rightsholder for future.” Virginia. Today airs from mid-August Virginia Tech Athletics. In this Founded in 1992 by Sutton, In addition to the live until mid-March. partnership with the athletics ISP Sports is also presently the network broadcasts, ISP Other advertising and program, ISP develops, exclusive rightsholder for the produces marketing opportunities produces and sells an University of Central Florida, The Hokie Hotline, a live represented by ISP Sports extensive range of sports the University of Cincinnati, weekly 90-minute call-in show include the state-of-the-art marketing opportunities for , the University of featuring Tech head coach videoscreens (“HokieVision”) Tech, including radio play-by- Houston, Marshall University, Frank Beamer and his staff in both Lane Stadium and play and call-in shows, Ohio University, the University during their season. ISP also Cassell Coliseum. Pregame television coaches shows and of Southern Mississippi, keeps Hokie fans involved hospitality events during live events, Lane Stadium and Syracuse University, Tulane throughout the year with daily football season are another Cassell Coliseum venue University, Vanderbilt reports that air statewide from very popular item managed by signage and print and Internet University, Villanova University August through March. ISP Sports. advertising. and Wake Forest University. ISP’s television coverage of The company also The partnership between ISP, which is based in Tech Athletics is centered provides a wide variety of ISP Sports and Virginia Tech Winston-Salem, N.C., is around Virginia Tech Sports sponsorship opportunities for Athletics will continue for additionally a joint venture Today, a weekly magazine Tech supporters at every level several more years. In partner with Learfield show aired on a network of with print advertising in the November 2002, the two sides Communications as the multi- affiliates throughout the region, football game program, reached an agreement to media rightsholder for the including Comcast SportsNet. basketball game cards and extend their relationship athletic programs at Alabama, The 30-minute show features official athletics newspaper through April 2006. Clemson, Miami and South an action-packed, magazine- (hokiesports the newspaper). “ISP Sports is excited and Carolina. pleased to extend our During its very successful ISP Sports — Virginia Tech Staff relationship with Virginia Tech partnership with Virginia Tech, and an athletics program that is ISP Sports has developed the the equal of any in America,” Virginia Tech ISP Sports • Mike Wolfert is in his fourth year with ISP, serving as vice said Ben Sutton, president and Network into the largest president and general manager for the company’s Virginia Tech CEO of ISP Sports. “We have collegiate network property. His duties include sponsorship sales and development, office management and serving as the primary liaison with the Tech athletics department administration. Wolfert is a graduate of Virginia Tech ISP Sports Indiana University and holds a master’s in sports administration Television Network Affiliates from Ohio University. • Steve Angelucci guided the Virginia Tech sales efforts as Bristol, Va. WCYB-TV Ch. 5 general manager for five years, but now serves as a senior vice Norfolk, Va. WAVY-TV Ch. 10 president for multi-media development at ISP while maintaining Richmond, Va. WRIC-TV Ch. 8 close ties to the Hokies. Prior to joining ISP Sports, Angelucci Roanoke, Va. WSLS-TV Ch. 10 served as an assistant athletic director of external affairs at Washington, D.C. News-8 Ch. 8 Eastern Kentucky University where he was primarily responsible for athletic marketing, fund-raising and promotions. • Assistant general manager Dave Bouteiller joined the Tech ISP staff two years ago after serving in a similar capacity for ISP at Southern Mississippi. He is primarily responsible for the implementation of all Virginia Tech venue signage and sponsorship sales and client service support. Bouteiller is a 1998 graduate of the Pamplin College of Business at Tech. • Will Krause is in his first year as an assistant in the ISP office in Blacksburg. The 2002 Tech graduate was a member of the Hokie soccer team for three years. • Chris Ferris, a 12-year veteran of the ISP staff, currently serves as vice president of radio operations. His responsibilities include supervision of all programming and syndication of the ISP Sports radio networks. Ferris is a 1987 graduate of the University of North Carolina. • Jamie Frye is in her seventh year as the radio and television network manager of ISP. Her duties include affiliate relations for the more than 200 radio and television stations which make up the ISP Sports Networks. Frye is a graduate of UNC Greensboro. • Taylor Durham has a vital responsibility with the Virginia Tech ISP Radio Network as recruitment manager for all Hokie affiliates. The ISP-Virginia Tech staff: (front, l to r) Taylor Durham, Bill Roth, The Elon College grad joined ISP three years ago and has been a Mike Burnop, Mike Wolfert, (back, l to r) Jamie Frye, Will Krause, positive factor by bringing new stations into the ISP fold. Steve Angelucci, Chris Ferris, Dave Bouteiller. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 147 SUPPORT

Comprehensive Web site is the official source for information 0n Virginia Tech sports

Regardless of where they are, Virginia Tech sports fans have the luxury of getting up- to-date information on their favorite Tech sports or athletes on a daily basis. hokiesports.com is every Tech fan’s source for fast, accurate and official coverage of all Hokie sports teams and events. hokiesports.com is the lead site of five official Virginia Tech Athletics sites. The other four sites are: hokietv.com, hokietickets.com, hokiepages.com and the newly-created hokieshop.com. There is also a direct link to the popular on-line version of hokiesports the newspaper. Through the efforts of the sports information department, pregame releases, game stories and individual features — as well as up-to-date statistics and results for all 21 athletic teams — are posted to hokiesports.com, providing the fastest, most complete source for Hokie news on the Web. Other offerings include and wrestling stats as they user with information about and occasionally broadcasts individual home pages for happen via the Web. Live season and individual game Olympic sports special events each of Virginia Tech’s 21 images may also be available tickets. Tech fans can now visit as well. Since August 2002, sports. Breaking news and during many of these games. this site and have instant hokiesports.com has averaged archived releases about all A special Game Day access to tickets-online, a ticket more than 90,000 unique Tech teams can be found, section informs fans about renewal system. Fans will be visitors per month. along with media guides parking and traffic, as well as able to purchase new football The Web site is managed containing player and listing special activities season tickets on-line as well. by Peg Morse, director of coaching staff profiles, planned for that day. hokiepages.com provides Internet services, and schedules, records, historical hokietv.com will provide the user with great wallpapers designed by Damian Salas, information and other pertinent streaming video clips that are to add to their computers, extra webmaster. Student interns facts for every sport. exclusive to this site. Coach photo scrapbooks, weekly polls, and workers assist with the Also, accessible on every and player interviews and on-line greeting cards, special Web site development and sport’s home page are the video coverage of events that video clips and many new video production. roster, with links to player bios, are one-of-a-kind will be features which change every Morse has served the schedules and results, as well available to site users. day. athletics department since as conference standings. Hokietv.com will broadcast the The in-house site was first 1985 in the area of promotions The “Coaches Report,” is weekly Hokie Hotline radio launched on Nov. 29, 1999, and and marketing until her updated as the season show, football media has provided Hokie fans around present position was created progresses by the coaches conferences and postgame the world various news in 1999. Salas created the first themselves as they choose. interviews in the live streaming releases, images, movies and in-house Web site and With fast “live stats,” fans format for the 2003 season. in-depth stories. The site also maintained it from 1995 to can view home football, men’s hokietickets.com contains provides links to live broadcasts 1998, and became a full-time and women’s basketball, links and updates about Hokie of men’s and women’s athletic staff member in baseball, softball, volleyball athletic tickets. It provides the basketball, as well as football, January 2000. 148 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

In-house publication provides in-depth coverage of the Hokies In May of 2004, Virginia interesting and newsworthy, be updated more frequently as The up-to-date news Tech’s in-house publication, and to produce that type of well.” provided in the paper is hokiesports the newspaper, publication, we have to be hokiesports the newspaper primarily on football, men’s will celebrate its 20th creative and do things is updated every week from and women’s basketball and anniversary as the most differently than a daily late August through March on- baseball. Fans can get the accurate source of information newspaper.” line (bi-monthly in the spring) depth chart (during the football concerning Virginia Tech During the past nine by the staff so news can get to season), features on players athletics. The newspaper, years, subscriptions to the Hokie fans as it happens. and former athletes (the formerly the Hokie Huddler, publication have soared as “I hope that more fans will ‘Where are They Now?’ came about in 1984 when then Tech fans everywhere crave take advantage of the on-line section), statistics and director of athletics and to read about the success of version of the publication standings, notes and quotes football coach Virginia Tech athletics and to because the Internet is the and recruiting profiles on wanted an in-house read the most current wave of the future,” said football, men’s and women’s publication devoted to information on what’s Robertson. basketball recruits, along with coverage of all of Tech’s happening within the athletics The print version of the information about other sports sports, primarily football. Since department. newspaper is a colorful recruits as well. then, the newspaper has Today, there are more publication that is printed 33 Robertson will be entering undergone numerous than 6,000 devoted times per year — weekly his eighth year as the editor of changes, including a name subscribers to the print during football and basketball the newspaper. Doug Waters change and a move to the version, and almost 600 seasons and bi-monthly during served as the first editor in Internet. But providing registered for the on-line the spring. The newspaper 1984-85 and then Chris accurate, timely and quality version of the paper, which consists of the ever-popular Colston handled the duties for information remains the became available to Hokie “Insider” section, which is a the next 11 years. Colston constant for the newspaper fans in the fall of 2000. The page of short blurbs of resigned in 1996 to take a job staff. on-line version of the interesting “inside” information with Baseball Weekly (now “Being a weekly publication is entering its – things one won’t get Sports Weekly), leaving the newspaper, we have some fourth year and has started to anywhere else. With job in the hands of Robertson. restraints,” editor Jimmy become a popular way to hokiesports the newspaper Since then, Tech has Robertson said. “But going on- gain valuable information being owned by the athletics entered into the BIG EAST for line has helped us overcome about Virginia Tech athletics. department, it allows the staff all sports, gone to bowl games some of those and we’re “It enables people who to be closer to coaches and every year, played for the always going to be committed live far away to get the players to get that inside national championship and to being creative as far as the information immediately information. Most sports sent off a second Hokie as the type of news and features we rather than having to wait publications of this kind are first pick in the NFL Draft. After do for our print version. We seven to 10 days,” Robertson independent of their school’s a third year in the BIG EAST want a publication that’s both said. “On-line, the news can athletics departments. for all sports except wrestling, hokiesports the newspaper the entire program has a also consists of columns by bright future — which allows Jimmy Robertson Robertson, Bill Roth, the Voice no limitations to hokiesports of the Hokies, and assistant the newspaper and its hokiesports the newspaper editor Matt Spiers. Robertson potential. Editor focuses more on Tech, while For the printed version, a Roth devotes more attention to one-year subscription costs Jimmy Robertson is entering his BIG EAST news. Spiers $37.95, while a two-year eighth season as the editor of the handles the layout and design subscription costs $69.95. For Hokies’ in-house publication. He came of the publication and also an additional $12 per year, to Tech after spending two years as a covers women’s basketball fans who subscribe to the print copy editor in the sports department of , and writes features. Veteran version can access the on-line in Roanoke, Va. photographer David Knachel, version. Or, for $25 annually, A native of Roanoke, Robertson graduated from who began working on the fans who don’t subscribe to Roanoke College in Salem, Va., in 1994 with a degree in paper in 1985, takes all the the print version can view the English. While in college, he worked part time for The photos and designs the cover entire newspaper via the Roanoke Times covering various high school athletic events for each issue. Internet. Also, newspapers are and also local auto racing. It was during this time that available on newsstands at Robertson developed an interest in sports journalism and certain convenience stores secured a job at the newspaper shortly after graduating from through the Blacksburg- college. Christiansburg area. For Born in Roanoke in 1972, Robertson graduated from additional subscription Craig County [Va.] High in 1990. In June of 2000, he married information, call the Matt hokiesports the newspaper the former Deanna Moore of Roanoke and they currently Spiers reside in Christiansburg. In his spare time, he enjoys playing office at (540) 231-3908, or Assistant visit the Web site at , traveling and watching baseball and racing. Editor www.hokiesports.com. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 149 SUPPORT

Hokie Club working to keep Tech’s momentum building The 2002-2003 year was a athletics. “They fully understand David Everett serves as for the Hokie Clubs. Jane great success with another that for Virginia Tech to maintain director of major gifts for the Broadwater serves as record-setting performance for its upward momentum, Hokie Club. A member of the executive secretary for the the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund. additional funds need to be Hokies’ 1986 Peach Bowl office. Johnnie Hoehn and Enthusiastic and supportive raised. They are proud of the team, Everett currently Nancy Gabbard work part- Hokie fans gave in excess of fact that their football team has serves the Richmond area in time in the office and bring $13 million to support the been to bowl games each of the addition to his major gift over 20 years of experience scholarship and capital needs last 10 years. Tech fans know responsibilities. to the team. of the Athletics Department. that the Hokies can compete for Terry Bolt, also an The Athletic Fund is The Hokie Club is charged national championships and associate director and proud of its volunteers who with raising funds to support they want to do their part to director of the annual fund for help ensure that 58 Hokie the scholarship, capital and provide the needed resources athletics, serves the Clubs throughout Virginia, programmatic needs of the for scholarships and facilities.” and West Virginia, Maryland, Athletics Department. Donors A 1968 graduate of Virginia areas of Virginia, while also North and South Carolina, make gifts in outright forms Tech and a letterman on the overseeing the planning and Delaware, New Jersey, such as cash, real estate, Hokies’ tennis team during his direction of the Annual Fund. Georgia, Pennsylvania and securities, gifts in kind or undergraduate years, Merritt Brian Thornburg and Tennessee continue in their corporate matching programs, currently serves on the Tommy Graham have joined active efforts to support and or through planned or deferred Executive Committee of the the staff as assistant promote athletics at Virginia gifts such as a will, living trust, National Association of Athletic directors. Their primary Tech. Along with bus trips, life income trust, retirement Development Directors responsibilities include game-watching parties and plans, life insurance or (NAADD). working with the various other social events, Tech charitable lead trusts. John Moody, associate Hokie Clubs as well as the alumni, fans and friends “The ongoing national director, serves the North annual fund. gather to cheer on the success of the football Carolina area and focuses on Sharon Linkous and Vicky Hokies. program has continued to major gift fundraising and Moore handle all aspects of Bill Stover of Fairfax, Va., motivate our fans to increase special projects. A former gift entry and membership is the current president of the their financial support,” said football player at Tech, Moody records. Diana Fain manages Athletic Fund and John Clary Lu Merritt, director of has worked in the Hokie Club the budget process and of Lawrenceville, Va., is the development for intercollegiate for 31 years. produces all meeting notices vice president.

The Hokie Club staff: (l to r) Lu Merritt, Sharon Linkous, Diana Fain, Terry Bolt, David Everett, Brian Thornburg, Nancy Gabbard, John Moody, Jane Broadwater and Tommy Graham. Not pictured are Johnnie Hoehn and Vicky Moore.

150 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT

Proud Tech social organization experiencing resurgence The Monogram Club was the past five years, the club Upon Strock’s retirement in football games, they also created as a social has seen a resurgence of early 2000, former Tech receive a subscription to organization comprised of activity with record growth in football player and hokiesports the newspaper former athletes who earned the organization’s administrator Derek Carter [formerly the Hokie Huddler].” one or more monograms membership. Terry Strock, a took over as director. Carter Whitenack’s main goal for (letters) in any varsity sport at veteran coach and stepped down in May 2001 to the club is to have a place Virginia Tech. All where athletes can former coaches reconnect with one another are designated as well as meet some new as honorary friends. “Ultimately I’d like members. Once to see every letterwinner a student- join the club,” Whitenack athlete’s career is said. “I would like to get completed, the reps in all of the major club is an cities where we have opportunity to several members and I remain active in would like to see the club their sport. work more closely with the The club Hokie Club. I would also focuses on like to continue increasing keeping an open member benefits.” line of When the club was communication formed, it was under the between the Athletics administrator for many years become director of athletics at leadership of the Virginia Tech Department and the former at Tech, oversaw the revival of Virginia State University. Athletic Fund, although the letterwinners. Through the program. In 2001, the Monogram Monogram Club is not sponsored pre-game activities When Strock became the Club welcomed its new designed as a fund-raising and post-game socials, as well first full-time director of the director, Russ Whitenack, the organization. On April 17, as an annual meeting each monogram club in 1998, there former men’s head track coach 1999, a reorganizing meeting spring, former athletes are were 220 active members. The who oversaw that program for was held with the election of given a reason to come back club saw a significant increase 28 years. officers and a board of and reconnect. This enables in his first year, adding 330 “I have been working on directors. Dick Arnold was them to not only support new members. With the improving the benefits that named the president of the current athletes in their addition of over 270 members members receive,” Whitenack club. Some revisions were respective sports but also stay over the last four years, the said. “Besides giving members made to the original connected to the Athletics total club membership has free tailgates and socials at constitution, such as Department as a whole. Over grown to 700 active members. most home and selected away eliminating the word alumni from the name of the club. Pete Dawyot, a 1969 graduate Russ Whitenack and former football player was the club’s second President. Director of the Monogram Club The club’s new president is John Schmidt, a 1979 For 28 years, Russ Whitenack held the reins of the men’s track program, graduate and former swimmer. guiding it to conference titles and national recognition. Prior to taking over in A complimentary 1974, Whitenack served as an assistant coach for two years. In addition to membership was instituted for being the men’s coach, he also guided the women’s team for 10 years during recent graduates, allowing the 1980s and early 1990s. them a three-year membership A 1969 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Whitenack was a member of the Volunteers’ into the club once their All-America 440-yard relay team. UT won three team championships eligibility is expired. In April during his four years on the squad. He served for one season as a graduate assistant at Tennessee 2003, 98 new seniors were and three years as coach at Palmetto Junior High in Miami before coming to Tech in 1972. added as complimentary During Whitenack’s tenure, the Tech program produced 20 All-Americans, including former members. coach Steve Taylor and recent graduate Erick Kingston. Whitenack led the Hokies to two Metro Membership dues are $25 Conference indoor championships, one in 1993 and one in 1994, and he was chosen by his peers per year or $100 for five years, as Metro Coach of the Year during the 1992 outdoor season and again following Tech’s 1993 indoor with the membership year championship. During the late 1990s, the Hokies dominated the , capturing being from July 1 to June 30. A both the indoor and outdoor titles four straight years. Whitenack was named the A-10 indoor and lifetime membership has been outdoor coach of the year for each of those victories. He also received the Walt Comrack Award for instituted with the amount set excellence in coaching from the Virginia Military Institute in 1997. Whitenack and his wife, Judy, at $500, and $400 for former have one son, Jon. In his spare time, Whitenack enjoys outdoor activities, especially kayaking, athletes over 65. The club has boating and jet-skiing. set a goal of adding 100 new members by next year. 2003 Virginia Tech Football 151 SUPPORT

Virginia Tech athletics — winning the right way! INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTS AND THEIR PARENTS: 6. You (or your family) may not receive any benefit, inducement or Compliance with NCAA rules is a never-ending process that arrangement such as cash, clothing, cars, improper expenses, requires diligence on the part of both the Department of Athletics transportation, gifts or loans to encourage you to sign a National and Virginia Tech as a whole. Below is a brief summary of the Letter of Intent or to attend an NCAA school. basic issues that you may be faced with as a prospective student- athlete. 7. A “contact” is any face-to-face encounter between you or your parent(s) or legal guardian and an institutional staff member or 1. You become a prospective student-athlete if you have started athletic representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of classes for the ninth grade. Before the ninth grade, you become a an exchange of greeting. prospective student-athlete if the college provides you (or your relatives or friends) any financial aid or other benefits that the 8. Phone calls to you from faculty members and coaches (but not college does not provide to prospective students generally. boosters) are permitted beginning July 1 (Sept. 1 for football) after completion of your junior year. In addition, football coaches may call 2. A “representative of an institution’s athletics interests” a prospect or the prospect’s family once during the month of May (commonly referred to as a booster) is defined by the NCAA as during the prospect’s junior year. A college coach or faculty member anyone who: is limited to one telephone call per week to you (or your parents or • Is now, or previously been, a member of any organization legal guardians). Unlimited calls to you (or your parents or legal promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program; guardians) may be made under the following circumstances: • Has made a financial contribution to the athletics program or • During the five days immediately before your official visit by the an athletics booster organization; university you will be visiting; • Has helped arrange any employment for a student-athlete; • On the day of a coach’s off-campus contact with you; • Has been involved, in any way, in the promotion of the • During the time beginning with the initial National Letter of athletics program. Intent signing date in your sport through the two days after the signing date; and 3. Please be aware that any former Virginia Tech student or • In the sport of football only, during the permissible off- campus former or current member of the Hokie Club is automatically contact periods and during the 48 hours prior to and 24 hours considered a representative of Virginia Tech’s athletics interests after 5 a.m. on the initial signing date for the National Letter of (booster). According to NCAA rules, once an individual is identified Intent. Coaches also may accept collect calls, and universities as a booster, he/she retains that status forever. are permitted to utilize a toll-free number to receive telephone calls from you (or your parents or legal guardians) on or after 4. You become a “recruited” prospective student-athlete at a July 1 after completion of your junior year. particular college if any coach or booster solicits you or your family for the purpose of securing your enrollment and participation in 9. Letters to you from coaches and faculty members (but not intercollegiate athletics. Activities by coaches or boosters that boosters) are permitted beginning Sept. 1 at the beginning of your trigger recruited status are: junior year in high school. A Division I university may provide you with • Paying some or all of your expenses during a visit to campus the following printed materials: (known as an “official” visit); • General correspondence, including letters, U.S. Postal Service • Arranging an in-person, off-campus encounter with you or postcards and institutional note cards; your parent(s) or legal guardian; or • Game programs which may not include posters and one • Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with you, your Student-Athlete Handbook; family or guardian on more than one occasion for the • NCAA educational information; purpose of recruitment. • Pre-enrollment information subsequent to signing a National Letter of Intent with the university; 5. A booster may not solicit your enrollment in any manner (no • One athletic publication (media guide or recruiting brochure); phone calls, letters or in-person encounters). • Official academic, admissions and student services publications published or videotapes produced by the institution and available to all students; NCAA Position on Gambling • Schedule and business cards; • Questionnaires which may be provided prior to your junior year; The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports and wagering. Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the • Camp brochures which may be provided prior to your junior year. integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community. Sports 10. An “evaluation” is any off-campus activity designed to assess wagering demeans the competition and competitors alike by a your academic qualifications or athletic ability, including any visit to message that is contrary to the purposes and meaning of “sport.” your high school (during which no contact occurs) or the observation Sports competition should be appreciated for the inherent benefits of any practice or competition in which you participate. related to participation of student-athletes, coaches and institutions in fair contests, not the amount of money wagered on The purpose of the compliance office is to make you aware of all the outcome of the competition. relevant NCAA rules and make sure that you know how to remain For these reasons, the NCAA membership has adopted eligible. Your eligibility, however, is ultimately in your own hands. This specific rules prohibiting athletics department staff members and page is a quick-reference guide to provide a basic understanding of student-athletes from engaging in gambling activities as they relate NCAA rules. It is not all-inclusive, but rather a tool to help you avoid to intercollegiate or professional sporting events. inadvertent involvement in a violation of NCAA legislation. We The NCAA Position on Gambling was approved by the NCAA encourage you to always ASK BEFORE YOU ACT. Please contact Administrative Committee on March 19, 1997. the Virginia Tech Compliance Office if you have any questions at (540) 231-2937 or (540) 231-5497. 152 2003 Virginia Tech Football