SUPPORT

Virginia Tech has outstanding support personnel and facilities in place to help student-athletes reach their potential both on the playing fi eld and in life INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC VirginiaBuilding Tech’s the All-AmericansMind & Body • Virginia Tech student-athletes receive outstanding academic Infi nity-Tsupport with BI state-of-the-art white study stroke, areas and well over 100fi ll 60 percent, no caps tutors.

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

• More than 85 percent of all Tech student-athletes who enrolled during the 10-year period from 1988-89 through 1997-98 and completed their eligibility have graduated.

• For the sixth year in a row, a new record of 482 3.0 GPAs or higher were earned by student-athletes, student trainers, student managers, HighTechs and cheerleaders. The students were rec ognized at the Athletic Director’s Honors Breakfast for their academic achievements during in the 2003 calendar year.

• Tech had 193 student-athletes, approximately 20 percent of the student-athlete population, named to the dean’s list, and 22 achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall or spring semesters of the 2003-04 academic year.

• A total of 13 Tech athletic teams achieved a 3.0 or better team GPA — fi ve teams during the fall semester and eight during the spring semester.

• Tech student-athletes participate in the programs sponsored by the Virginia Tech Athletics Offi ce of Student Life. The program, Jonathan Lewis based on the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills program provides a well- rounded program for student-athletes to develop the individual skills necessary to lead successful and productive lives.

• A full-time sport psychologist has been added to Tech’s Athletic Performance Staff to help meet the personal and performance • Virginia Tech’s strength and conditioning program is regarded needs of the student-athletes. as one of the best in the nation. • The Hokies have more than 22,000 square-feet of strength and conditioning training space.

• Will Montgomery broke a Tech strength and conditioning record in the spring of 2004, recording a 380-pound effort in the power clean. Nine position records were broken, including four by kicker Nic Schmitt.

• Seventeen Hokies achieved Super Iron Hokie status during the spring of 2004, including four fi rst-time members for the 2003-2004 year. Additionally, James Anderson became just the ninth member to attain Elite Level status

• A brand new training and medical complex was completed in 2002 on the ground fl oor 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 Per for mance 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 team SUPPORT Tripp Carroll when it moves indoors.

124 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL Student Athlete Academic Support Services

Pictured with Coach Frank Beamer (center) are 19 seniors on the 2004 football team who either have graduated or are on track to graduate this year. (Front, l to r) James Griffi n, Mike Daniels, Mikal Baaqee, Eric Green, Jim Davis, Lance Goff; (back, l to r) Brandon Manning, Isaac Montgomery, Chad Cooper, Kevin Lewis, Travis Conway, Jason Lallis, Jared Mazzetta, Vincent Fuller, James Miller, Vinnie Burns, Bryan Randall, Richard Johnson and Jon Dunn. Providing the tools needed for success in the classroom The success of Virginia Tech’s national average. Tech has received of a university. They entertain mission include student athletes football program rests largely on honorable mention accolades for thousands of fans, students and and their families, the university the academic progress of each the AFCA Academic Achievement alumni. Their athletic ability and community, coaches and athletics student-athlete. The academic Award in two of the past three achievement is the primary focus administrators. SAASS seeks to performance of Tech student- years. for national media attention. develop relationships with its athletes has improved each Of the 20 seniors on this Athletic events bring back not only stakeholders that are founded year due in part to the Student year’s squad, 17 are currently faithful alumni, but are a welcome on trust and respect, and Athlete Academic Support Services scheduled to graduate by the end mat for potential new students. provides the following services to (SAASS). of the fall semester, two of the Student-athletes devote many accommodate their needs: The Virginia Tech graduation remaining three are on track to hours to practice, conditioning rate for student-athletes has risen graduate next spring, and the fi nal and training that are not required • University and NCAA information signifi cantly in recent years and senior should graduate in 2005. of all students. Due to their • Orientation reached 70 percent in 2003 as In addition to posting impressive time commitment and their high • Academic assessment compared to the national average graduation fi gures, Virginia Tech’s visibility, it is an obligation and in • The development of an effective of 62 percent. The 70 percent student-athletes continue to excel the best interest of the university student life program student-athlete graduation rate in the classroom. For the sixth to supply these students with • Appropriate referrals

marks the second straight year consecutive record setting year, services which will allow them to • Monitored study environments SUPPORT and fi fth time in the last 10 years 482 3.0 GPA’s were earned by maximize their academic potential. • Tutorial programs that Tech has reached that level. student-athletes, student trainers, The Virginia Tech Student • State of the art technological The Virginia Tech football student managers, cheerleaders and Athlete Academic Support Services learning assistance program has been an integral part HighTechs during the 2003 calendar offi ce is committed to providing • Student Athlete academic of this recent academic success. year. These student athletes and fundamental and supplemental performance evaluations According to the American students from support areas were programming, consistent with Football Coaches Association recognized at the Athletic Director’s University and NCAA policy, aimed The expectations of the 2004 graduation rate, Tech has Honors Breakfast last spring. at enhancing each student athlete’s Virginia Tech community are that a 70 percent graduation rate Student-athletes are the educational experience. each student-athlete achieves as compared to the 59 percent most visible student component Stakeholders of the offi ce’s their maximum academic and

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 125 athletic potential. With the proper assistance, facilities and encouragement, these potentials Chris Helms can become a reality. Director of Student Athlete Academic Support Services Student Athlete Academic Support Services provides programming for student- Beginning his sixth year at Virginia Tech, Chris Helms is the director and is athletes from their freshman responsible for the development and leadership of the Student Athlete Academic year through graduation. This Support Services offi ce. Helms oversees an offi ce comprised of two associate directors, includes a comprehensive three assistant directors, an intern, and a secretary forming a group of professionals orientation to Tech, study serving the needs of all student-athletes. hall, mentoring, tutoring, In addition to his duties directing SAASS, Helms serves as a liaison between the academic and athletic academic monitoring, academic communities and is an ad hoc member of the University Athletic Committee. recognition and eligibility Helms came to Tech from Michigan State University, where he served as the assistant director of the education. Additionally, Student Athlete Support Services offi ce. student-athletes are referred Prior to MSU, Helms served as the coordinator of academic affairs for the Florida State University to and encouraged to take football program. Some of his other experience includes academic advisement for student-athletes at Central advantage of other campus Connecticut State University. agencies charged with helping Helms earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wake Forest University and received his master’s in students in their academic athletic counseling from Springfi eld College. pursuits. A native of Frederick, Md., he and his wife, Renee, have a son, Walker, and a daughter, Meigs. Academic facilities for student-athletes include the Monogram Room, a large or in the evenings, with fl exible men’s and women’s swimming, tutorial support, mentoring, room used as a study hall hours tailored to make the most men’s and women’s tennis, organized study table and area, adjacent to the SAASS of a student-athlete’s limited managers, trainers, cheerleaders major and career counseling. offi ce in Cassell Coliseum. time. and HighTechs. In addition to these The HEAT (Hokies Engaging in Chris Helms, in his sixth year Colin Howlett begins his responsibilities, Howlett assists Advanced Technology) Lab and at Tech, is the director and is eighth year with Virginia Tech in the recruitment, academic its satellite sites house over responsible for the development and serves as an associate evaluation and admissions of 40 computers on the second and leadership of the Student director in the Student Athlete prospective student-athletes. and third fl oors of Cassell Athlete Academic Support Academic Support Services Howlett came to Tech from Coliseum. Laptop computers Services offi ce. offi ce. the University of Maine, where are also available for Tech Lois Berg, associate director, In addition to assisting he served for a year and a half athletes to use when traveling begins her 16th year at Tech. the director in all facets of as an academic advisor for the to away contests. The athletic She is primarily in charge the program, Howlett oversees athletic department. department also provides areas of developing the freshman the advisement of football Some of his other for private, quiet study for the orientation program, which student-athletes with regard to experience includes academic athletes’ convenience. ensures the student-athlete a satisfactory progress, eligibility advisement for student- Together, these spaces smooth transition from high and degree completion as set athletes at Austin Peay State provide the student-athlete with school to the university. forth by the NCAA, ACC and University and the University a variety of study environments She is also responsible Virginia Tech. of Southern Mississippi. conducive to their success. for providing programming to He also helps coordinate Howlett earned his Athletes can use these facilities assigned student-athletes from support services for the bachelor’s degree in between classes, after practice the sports of baseball, softball, football program, including business administration at SUPPORT

Nearly 500 student-athletes and students in support roles were honored at the 2004 athletic director’s honors breakfast.

126 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL 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

Susquehanna University and Ammons is also in charge of received his master’s in athletic the operation of the HEAT lab administration from Southern and other computing resources Miss. A native of Allentown, Pa., available for student-athletes. he and his wife, Lisa, have two Ammons is a former standout daughters, Natalie and Erika. Hokie student-athlete. Katie Ammons is an assistant Renia Edwards is in her director who begins her sixth fourth year with Student Athlete year and works with the men’s Academic Support Services as an and women’s basketball, men’s assistant director. Her primary and women’s cross country responsibilities are providing and men’s and women’s track academic support for the freshman programs. student athletes in the sport of SUPPORT

Colin Howlett (center), assistant director of SAASS, helps D.J. Walton and Isaac Montgomery in the HEAT lab at Cassell Coliseum. Tech student-athletes also have tutors available to help with academic work (above).

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 127 football and coordinating the SAASS tutorial program. SAASS MISSION & PROGRAMS Edwards came to Tech from the University of Iowa The Virginia Tech Student Athlete Academic Support Services offi ce is committed to providing fundamental were she worked as an and supplemental programming, consistent with University and NCAA policy, aimed at enhancing each student academic counselor for the athlete’s educational experience. Women’s Athletics Student Following is a summary of the programs SAASS offers: Services offi ce. She worked with women’s basketball, Athletic Transitions volleyball, soccer and the All Freshman Student Athletes track and fi eld programs. A required course designed to ease the transition from high school to college. She also served as the career coordinator and advisor to the minority focus group for men’s Orientation and women’s athletics. All Freshman and Transfer Student Athletes The Rembert, S.C., native Team and individual orientation sessions are scheduled. received her bachelor’s degree in business management from Shaw University in 1995. She Tutoring then went on to earn her M.S. All Student Athletes Ed. in sports management Individual and group tutoring appointments are available on-site. from Northern Illinois University. While completing her master’s degree, she Advising-Counseling served as tutor supervisor All Student Athletes for the Academic Counseling SAASS works closely with each student’s academic advisor within the college of their major. Center for Student-Athletes at NIU. During her fi nal year in the program, she served as Academic Progress academic advising intern at All Freshman and Transfer Student Athletes Austin Peay State University Academic progress reports are sent from the student athlete’s professors to his or her athletic academic advisors twice in Clarksville, Tenn. each semester. Drew Scales begins his third year with Student Athlete Academic Support HEAT Lab Services as an assistant All Student Athletes director. Scales provides The HEAT (Hokies Engaging in Advanced Technology) Lab is a computer integrated learning environment conveniently academic support for located in Cassell Coliseum. student-athletes in lacrosse, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and wrestling, in Academic Recognition addition to overseeing the Qualifi ed Student Athletes mentoring program. Student athletes with a GPA of 3.0 and above are recognized at the end of each semester as member’s of the Athletic Terrie Repass begins Directors Honor Roll. her 30th year of service at Virginia Tech. She serves as the offi ce secretary and Study Hall “fi rst contact” person for the All Freshman Student Athletes and Upperclassmen with a GPA Below the Team Requirement SAASS. She is responsible Study Hall is mandatory for all freshman, transfer, and currently enrolled students with an overall GPA below 2.30. for organizing special events and meetings for the Academic and Athletic Eligibility offi ce. Repass prepares all All Student Athletes accounting, purchasing and Academic records are monitored to ensure that all student athletes are making progress towards their degree. travel transactions for the offi ce. COMPUTER SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Another example of Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing its student-athletes with the best academic resources possible is the presence of the Computer Services department, under the direction of Brad Tilley. Because all Tech students are required to own computers, the Virginia Tech athletics department helps its scholarship athletes fulfi ll that requirement by providing them with computers. In addition to ordering computers for the athletes, the offi ce also addresses computer service needs for the student-athletes and the entire Virginia Tech athletics staff.

SUPPORT Brandon Mason is an assistant for computer and network support. Brad Tilley Brandon Mason

128 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL Offi ce of Student Life Assisting in development of the total person The Virginia Tech Athletics In addition to workshops Beamer and the HokieBird donned charity on which to focus their Offi ce of Student Life is held by each team, Virginia Tech ribbons during the home football philanthropic efforts throughout committed to developing the student-athletes participate in game against Connecticut. the year. The football team will total student-athlete. Director community outreach, with over A new outreach program solidify its partner and begin of the Offi ce of Student Life 50 community service events developed by the Virginia Tech to focus volunteer efforts in Megan Armbruster is dedicated just last year, allowing for over Athletics Offi ce of Student collaboration with the program to enhancing the quality of 500 volunteer opportunities. Life is the team community this fall. the student-athlete experience Football players took trips to partners program, where each Armbruster says, “The through the programs that this local hospitals and nursing athletic team selects one local goal of our offi ce is to provide offi ce administers. homes, in addition to visiting Last year, each athletic numerous schools in Montgomery team was encouraged to County. Players visited local high Community Outreach complete two or more schools in November for American The Athletics Offi ce of Student Life community outreach program personal development Education Week, middle schools is “Hokies with Heart”. Student-athletes are encouraged to volunteer workshops on a variety of in March for Read Across America throughout their college experience. In collaboration with the topics. Subjects included How Week and elementary schools in Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets and student leadership, the “Hokies with to Live Off-Campus, Media April for Winning Choices Week, Heart” program works together with the Montgomery County Public Relations, Alcohol 101 and impacting over 4,000 students. Schools System to visit with local school kids about the importance Student-Athlete Scrutiny and Last year, members of the of education and character development. Each athletic team is Community Conduct. Also, football team also participated in asked to partner with a community service organization. The teams a Women’s Sports Summit, the White Ribbon Campaign, the volunteer their time and market their community service organization attended by seven women’s largest effort in the world of men at home events. Along with large volunteer efforts, student-athletes athletics teams, focused working to end men’s violence show community support with visits to local hospitals, nursing on issues such as healthy against women. Players assisted homes, Montgomery County Christmas Store and various organization relationships and healthy body in distributing white ribbons for requests. image. the campaign, and Coach Frank SUPPORT

Quarteback Bryan Randall reads to children at a local daycare center as part of a community outreach program.

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 129 students with the total college experience. When athletes graduate, I want them to Megan Armbruster look back and believe they Director of Student Life had full access to a variety of opportunities while at Virginia Tech.” Megan Armbruster is entering her second year at Virginia Tech as the director of student life. As director, she oversees the day-to-day operation of the Athletics Offi ce of Student Life. Virginia Tech Armbruster came to Tech from the University of Nebraska, where she had spent Student Athlete the last several years. Before coming to Tech, she served as assistant academic Advisory counselor at the Hewit Academic Center for Student-Athletes for two years. While pursuing her master’s degree, Armbruster held various internships at NU, working in admissions, university housing, the vice- Committee chancellor’s offi ce and the campus recreation center. The Virginia Tech Student She earned her bachelor’s degree in community health education in 1998 and received her master’s in Athlete Advisory Committee educational administration in 2001, both from Nebraska. (VT-SAAC) promotes effective communication between athletic administration and student- athletes. SAAC is comprised of two representatives from each sport team who meet twice a month to discuss issues and concerns regarding their sports and the department of athletics. The SAAC encourages its teammates to get involved both on campus and in the community. The SAAC representatives help to design and provide programs that encourage academic success, health promotion, social responsibility and general awareness. Upon entering the Atlantic Coast Conference, one member of the VT-SAAC will be chosen to represent Virginia Tech at the ACC-SAAC. This year, the SAAC representative from the football team is redshirt sophomore rover Cary Wade.

Career Development In close collaboration with the Virginia Tech Career Darryl Tapp (above) plays with elementary school students while on a Services Center, programs visit to speak at a D.A.R.E graduation program. Members of the Hokie Athletes and workshops are designed football team and other students participated in the "these hands are specifi cally for student-athletes. not for hurting" display during Virginia Tech’s White Ribbon Campaign. Supporting Resume design, career fair Each Other etiquette, mock interviews, As stated in the charge interview attire and mini-career from the NCAA/CHAMPS Life fairs are just a few examples Skills Programs, Virginia Tech of workshops hosted by the provides opportunities for Athletics Offi ce of Student Life. female and male student- Student-athletes are encouraged athletes to hone their athletic to participate in on-campus skills from supportive coaches interviewing and eRecruiting, and staff. The Athletics Offi ce along with securing internships of Student Life encourages and coops during their college student-athletes to support careers. Last year, nearly 100 each other by adopting student-athletes attended the Brother-Sister teams. This Student-Athlete Career Expo program invites teams to and 65 on-campus interviews attend, applaud and appreciate

SUPPORT were conducted as a result of the work of their peers on the the expo. fi eld.

130 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE There's much more to athletic performance than weight training. Always striving to stay on the cutting edge, Virginia Tech has combined strength and conditioning with nutrition and sport psychology to the benefi t of its student-athletes. At Tech, these areas are part of the student-athletes 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. Strength & Conditioning Virginia Tech has one of the nation’s top programs to help student-athletes get bigger, faster and stronger!

One of the most important Tech also has the use of a aspects of a succesful college 10-by-40-yard sand pit located football program is its strength outdoors and adjacent to the and conditioning program. Before weight room. This pit is used for the lights ever come on, before resistive running drills to improve the players run out of the tunnel speed. The Hokies also have for the fi rst game and before the the new practice fi eld for use in fi rst touchdown is ever scored for running drills. a season, college football players Tech football players used work on getting themselves to train in the Jim “Bulldog” physically prepared for the rigors Haren Weight Room. Located of a fi ve-month season. in Jamerson Athletic Center, Thanks to the direction of the 5,000-square foot weight Assistant Athletics Director for room was offi cially dedicated Athletic Performance Mike Gentry, in September 1985 to Haren, a the Virginia Tech strength and former Hokie player and long-time conditioning program is among supporter of the Virginia Tech the best in the nation, helping to Athletics Department. With the make the football program one of two facilities, the Hokies have the best as well. more than 22,000-square feet of One of the main support strength and conditioning training centers of Tech football is the space. strength and conditioning The Tech football strength program. The results of hard work program centers around four major by the staff and the student- lifts. The bench press and squat athletes have paid huge dividends are lifts for building all-around as the Hokies have pushed their strength; the push jerk and streak to 11 consecutive bowl power clean help players develop

game appearances. explosive power. Gentry’s program SUPPORT The football team trains in also includes conditioning and John Kinzer uses the beautiful 17,000-square foot speed development, which the chains to vary his training center on the fi rst level players do in the speed and workout routine. of the Merryman Athletic Center. agility room, Rector Field House The weight room facility features (Tech’s indoor practice facility) free-weight equipment, a full line and on the Hokies’ excellent track of Hammer Strength equipment, facilities. 12 platforms and a 6,000-square Each player has personal goals foot state-of-the-art speed and which he works to achieve. The agility room. team is broken down into four

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 131 groups based on the positions that Junior linebacker James are relevant to the players’ body Anderson became the newest size. The players work to progress member of the Elite Level Dr. Mike Gentry from Maroon, Orange, Hokie, Iron during testing in the spring of Assistant Athletics Director Hokie and Super Iron Hokie status 2004. to the Elite Level. Assisting Gentry in the for Athletic Performance The Elite Level of Performance weight room this year are was created to push the athletes full-time assistant strength Dr. Mike Gentry begins his 17th season to higher levels. This level is a and conditioning coaches: Jay as the Hokies’ director of strength and predetermined performance test Johnson, director of strength conditioning. As assistant athletics director which measures achievement and conditioning and Terry for athletic performance, his duties include for the individual’s position. It Mitchell, assistant director of overseeing the strength and conditioning training of athletes in all 21 comprises four tests in strength strength and conditioning. varsity sports at Virginia Tech. He is directly involved in the training of (bench press, squat, push jerk Former Tech football players the football and women’s basketball teams and manages programs for and power clean) and fi ve tests in Shyrone Stith, Steve Canter nutrition. performance (vertical jump, 40-yard and Mike Jackson are graduate In May 2003, Gentry was honored by the Collegiate Strength and time, 10-yard time, sit-reach test assistants for strength and Conditioning Coaches when he was named a Master Strength and and 20-yard shuttle). conditioning. 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. He received his doctorate in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis in motor behavior, from Virginia Tech in 1999. Gentry worked as an assistant strength coach at UNC and as the head strength coach at East Carolina University prior to coming to Virginia Tech in 1987. In 1995 and 1996, Gentry was recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a fi nalist for the National Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year. Gentry has a son, Roy Christopher, 14.

Hard work in the weight room is a big part of the Hokies’ success.

Coach Gentry’s Phi los o phy “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 fl exibility training. Our goal is to become one of the SUPPORT most physical teams in the nation.” Tight end Jeff King works to develop explosive power.

132 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL ELITE LEVEL HOKIES James Anderson • linebacker • 2004 Cols Colas • defensive end • 2002 Ernest Wilford • wide receiver • 2002 Vegas Robinson • linebacker • 2002 Josh Spence • fullback • 2002 Larry Austin • defensive back • 2001 Jarrett Ferguson • fullback • 2000, 2001 Browning Wynn • tight end • 2000 Matt Lehr • offensive lineman • 2000

James Anderson, who achieved Elite Level status in the spring, works out doing squats.

Bold type indicates records STRENGTH & CONDITIONING RECORDS set in Spring 2004 testing 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 B. Frye 4.74 ’04

OG W. Montgomery 455 ‘04 W. Boatwright 755 ’91 C. Malone 390 ’95 W. Montgomery 380 ‘04 C. Burnette 390 ’04 T. Smith 33.5" ’98 A. Lambo 4.75 ’99

C J. Grove 500 ‘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 B. Randall 370 ’03 B. Randall 575 ’03 J. Druckenmiller 405 ’96 D. Meyer 300 ’98 B. Randall 331 ’03 M. Vick 41.0” ’00 M. Vick 4.25 ’00

FB J. Meyers 480 ’03 J. Meyers 650 ‘03 J. Allen 380 ’03 J. Allen 361 ’03 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 T. Parham 321 ’02 E. Wilford 346 ‘03 E. Johnson 41” ’01 A. Davis 4.29 ’99 SUPPORT S

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 U

DE A. Chamblee 475 ’89 D. Tapp 660 ’04 D. Wheel 410 ’97 N. Adibi 366 ’02 J. Engelberger 401 ’99 C. Taliaferro 39" ’86 C. Moore 4.38 ’99 P

ILB J. Houseright 425 ’01 R. Cockrell 670 ’90 K. Gray 400 ’94 B. Taylor 336 ’01 R. Pendleton 361 ’92 V. Robinson 40.5" ’02 V. Robinson 4.46 ’01 P

Whip LB J. Anderson 380 ’03 T. Butler 550 ’00 M. McClung 345 ’93 B. Manning 316 ‘03 J. Anderson 356 ‘03 P. Summers 42" ’98 M. Hinton 4.34 ’04 O

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 R

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 T

FS T. Gray 370 ’96 W. Pile 515 ’99 S. Rice 331 ’89 K. McCadam 294 ’00 K. McCadam 316 ’00 K. McCadam 37.5" ’00 D. Russell 4.23 ’90

Spec. C. Anders 400 ’99 N Schmitt 605 ‘04 N. Schmitt 331 ’04 N. Schmitt 316 ’04 N. Schmitt 341 ‘04 S. Graham 34" ’99 V. Burns 4.35 ’01

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 133 SUPER IRON HOKIES

Todd Grantham ...... 1988 Brian Edmonds ...... 1996 Michael Vick ...... 2000 Malcolm Blacken ...... 1988 Ryan Smith ...... 1996,97,98 André Davis ...... 2000 Horatio Moronta ...... 1989 Cory Bird ...... 1996,97,98,99,00 Lee Suggs ...... 2000,01,02 Myron Richardson ...... 1989 Gennaro DiNapoli ...... 1997 Chris Buie ...... 2000,01,03 Karl Borden ...... 1989,90 Corey Moore ...... 1997,98,99 Ernest Wilford ...... 2000,01,02,03 David Hackbirth ...... 1989 Shawn Scales ...... 1997 Josh Spence ...... 2000,01,02 Sean Lucas ...... 1989 Al Clark ...... 1997 Anthony Nelson ...... 2000,01,02 Frank Mooney ...... 1989,90 Jason Buckland ...... 1997 Keith Burnell ...... 2001,02 Scott Rice ...... 1990 John Engelberger ...... 1997,99 Joe Wilson ...... 2001,02 Marvin Arrington ...... 1990 Brad Baylor ...... 1997 Cols Colas ...... 2001,02,03 Al Chamblee ...... 1990 Todd Washington ...... 1997 Vegas Robinson ...... 2001,02,03 Phil Bryant ...... 1991 Brian Welch ...... 1997,98,99,01 Jason Lallis ...... 2001 William Boatwright ...... 1991 Wayne Briggs ...... 1997,98,99,00,01 Brandon Manning ...... 2001,02, 03,04 Jon Jeffries ...... 1991 Tyron Edmond ...... 1998 Bryan Randall ...... 2002,03 Kirk Gray ...... 1991 Josh Redding ...... 1998,99 Doug Easlick ...... 2002,03 Chris Peduzzi ...... 1991,93,94 Pierson Prioleau ...... 1998 Mikal Baaqee ...... 2002,03,04 Jim Pyne ...... 1992,93 Carl Bradley ...... 1998,99 Ken Keister ...... 2002 P.J. Preston ...... 1992,93 Daniel Nihipali ...... 1998,99 Kevin Jones ...... 2003 Hank Coleman ...... 1992,93 Terrell Parham ...... 1998,99,00,01 James Anderson ...... 2002,03,04 John Burke ...... 1992,93 Rick Wright ...... 1998,99 Joe Swarm ...... 1992 Jarrett Ferguson ...... 1999,00,01 Richard Johnson ...... 2002,03 Vernon Dozier ...... 1992 André Kendrick ...... 1999 Brandon Gore ...... 2003,04 George DelRicco ...... 1992,93,94,95 Derrius Monroe ...... 1999 Will Montgomery ...... 2003,04 Rafael Williams ...... 1992,94,95 Matt Lehr ...... 1999,00 Jesse Allen ...... 2003,04 Jim Druckenmiller ...... 1993,94,95,96 Browning Wynn ...... 1999,00 Chris Clifton ...... 2003,04 Waverly Jackson ...... 1994,95,96 Shyrone Stith ...... 1999 Justin Hamilton ...... 2003,04 Keith Gray ...... 1994 Ricky Hall ...... 1999 Nathaniel Adibi ...... 2003 Ken Oxendine ...... 1995,96,97 Chad Beasley ...... 1999 Darryl Tapp ...... 2003,04 Jim Baron ...... 1995 Jake Houseright ...... 1999 Nic Schmitt ...... 2003,04 Danny Wheel ...... 1995,96,97 Ike Charlton ...... 1999 Jason Meyers ...... 2003,04 Antonio Banks ...... 1995,96 Jake Grove ...... 1999,00 Travis Conway ...... 2003,04 Myron Newsome ...... 1996 Mike Davis ...... 1999,00 John Kinzer ...... 2003,04 Cornelius White ...... 1996 Larry Austin ...... 2000,01 Chris Burnette ...... 2004 Billy Conaty ...... 1996 Tee Butler ...... 2000 Jeff King ...... 2004 Torrian Gray ...... 1996 Dave Meyer ...... 2000 Omar Hashish ...... 2004 Steve Tate ...... 1996,97 Marvin Urquhart ...... 2000,01 Nick Leeson ...... 2004 SUPPORT

Michael Malone shows the hard work and dedication that is put into the strength and conditioning program year-round in order to be successful on the fi eld.

134 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL The strengthstrength and conditioning programprogram encompasses manymany areasareas toto help the Hokies get bigger, faster and stronger. Some of the players (above) run on the track. Xavier Adibi works out in the weight room (left). Tech’s outstanding agility room provides a spacious area for David Clowney and his teammates to improve their quickness and conditioning.

Bold type indicates records VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL ALL-TIME ELITE CLUB set in Spring 2004 testing BENCH PRESS BACK SQUAT POWER CLEAN PUSH JERK VERTICAL JUMP 40 YARD DASH J. Grove 500 ‘03 W. Boatwright 755 ’91 W. Montgomery 380 ‘04 W. Briggs 401 ‘01 P. Prioleau 43.5 ’97 D. Hall 4.15 ’03 J. Redding 500 ’99 C. Burnette 700 ‘04 J. Grove 376 ‘00 J. Engelberger 401 ‘99 L. Austin 42.5 ’00 K. Burnell 4.21 ‘02

J. Meyers 480 ’03 P. Moronta 700 ‘89 N. Adibi 366 ‘02 C. Bird 390 ‘00 I. Charlton 42 ’98 D. Russell 4.23 ’90 SUPPORT S U A. Chamblee 475 ’89 M. Lehr 700 ‘89 J. Allen 361 ‘04 C. Burnette 390 ‘04 P. Summers 42 ’98 M. Vick 4.25 ’00 P M. Udinski 475 ’82 A. Nelson 700 ‘02 C. Beasley 361 ‘99 K. Short 387 ‘98 K. Jones 41.5 ’03 L. Austin 4.26 ’00 P W. Jackson 475 ’96 J. Redding 685 ‘99 J. Ferguson 360 ‘01 J. Baron 386 ‘95 J. Anderson 41.4 ‘04 L. Suggs 4.27 ’00 O K. Short 460 ‘99 T. Washington 680 ‘97 J. Martin 360 ‘03 J. Petrovich 386 ‘93 G. Wilds 41.5 ’02 T. Drakeford 4.28 ’92 R W. Montgomery 455 ‘04 R. Cockrell 670 ‘88 B. Wynn 356 ‘00 B. Smith 386 ‘84 A. Midget 41.5 ’99 A. Davis 4.29 ’99 T W. Briggs 450 ‘01 D. Tapp 660 ‘04 K. Lewis 336 ‘02 D. McMahon 386 ‘94 E. Johnson 41 ‘01 K. Jones 4.3 ’03 T. Kritsky 450 ’82 B. Gore 660 ‘04 B. Gore 336 ‘04 C. Barry 386 ‘93 M. Vick 41 ‘00 B. Still 4.31 ’94

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 135 ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Sport Psychology Helping student-athletes in all aspects of their lives Virginia Tech also offers privileged to be one of only a sport psychology offi ce reaches a lot in areas of strength and another important service to handful of schools with this out to athletes who may not conditioning, nutrition and in all its student-athetes — sport cutting-edge technology. have considered going to the sport psychology. It’s all about psychology. Dr. Gary Bennett The response to the sport counseling service that is offered becoming a well-rounded athletic coordinates the sport psychology psychology program has been very to all students at Virginia Tech. program and helping student- department, which offers positive. The student-athletes “It is a great resource for athletes. We want to give them all psychological and performance are very receptive to the services our coaches and our athletes,” the resources we can, to put them enhancement services for student- offered by the doctors. The Gentry says. “We’ve improved in a position to be successful.” athletes. Bennett also works closely with the Cook Counseling Center. Bennett meets with student- athletes on an individual basis for personal counseling and to discuss the mental aspects of the game. He also works on team building, communication and performance enhancement. Mike Gentry, assistant AD for athletic performance, says, “I’ve always felt that (sport psychology) was an important element. We want to be a holistic model of an athletics department, and we wanted to and needed to include sport psychology in that model. “We try to address all the various factors that affect student-athletes’ performance on and off the fi eld,” Bennett says. “We believe we can help athletes perform better by addressing those concerns.” The sport psychology department also offers an injury group to afford injured athletes the opportunity to meet with Dr. Gary Bennett works with Mike Parham on the Dynavision 2000. other injured athletes and talk about their recovery process. Injured athletes may also meet individually with the sport Dr. Gary Bennett psychologists if they do not Sport Psychologist feel comfortable in the group or cannot make the sessions. On average, the psychologists Dr. Gary Bennett is in his fi fth year as the sport psychologist for the Virginia conduct 20 individual sessions per Tech Athletics Department. The Lexington, Ky., native began working at Virginia Tech week and also meet weekly with in 1995 at the Cook Counseling Center. In addition to seeing students in therapy, teams as the need arises. Bennett has taught and supervised pre-doctoral level interns. A new addition to the In athletics, Bennett also serves on the substance abuse committee and the sport psychology resources is planning committee for the “Summit for Student-Athlete Success” events. The 45-year-old also does work the Dynavision 2000, a unique with various teams in the area of performance enhancement. conditioning and training Bennett received a B.A. in English from Centre (Ky.) College in 1981, where he played baseball. He was program designed to increase awarded a Master’s in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Kentucky in 1988 and received a Ph.D. focus and concentration, improve in counseling psychology from UK in 1995. Bennett is licensed as a clinical psychologist and has additional coordination and visuomotor training in sport psychology.

SUPPORT reactions, and increase peripheral Bennett lives in Blacksburg and enjoys playing golf and basketball, as well as hiking and skiing in his awareness. Virginia Tech is spare time.

136 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Sports Nutrition Educating student-athletes about the best food choices Eating healthy and choosing “The individualized nutrition nutritious diets are important education allows me and the aspects of a Virginia Tech athletes to get very specifi c on Amy Freel student-athlete’s life, and that’s their nutritional, personal and Director of Sports Nutrition why in July 2002, the athletics sport-specifi c goals.” department implemented the The sports nutritionist sports nutrition program. Amy works with the “Training Amy Freel enters her third year as the Freel serves as the director. Edge,” a dining option for sports nutritionist in the Virginia Tech Athletics Freel works individually with health-conscious students and Department. Prior to serving as the nutritionist, student-athletes to provide athletes, to design menus for she served as the coordinator of student life for them with information they training tables and daily menu a little more than two years. need on their diet. She also selections. Freel, a native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., received her undergraduate provides individual players with Also in July 2002, the degree in dietetics in 1996 from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., diet counseling on issues such Virginia Tech Athletics while competing in gymnastics for four years. She became a registered as gaining lean muscle mass, Department purchased the BOD dietitian in 1997 and earned her master’s degree in dietetics from Ball losing body fat, and eating POD body composition system. State in 1998. choices to improve performance. Tech is one of a handful of After graduation, Freel served as a clinical dietitian at the Lewis- She also designs preseason college athletic departments Gale Medical Center for a year-and-a-half before coming to Tech menus, snacks and training using this type of technology. in September of 1999. She became the full-time director of sports table menus for the football The BOD POD is found in many nutrition in July 2002. team. professional training facilities, Her husband, Mike, works for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. “It is extremely benefi cial such as the NFL and Major The couple and their two children, Ben (3) and Matt (2), live in for our student-athletes to League Baseball. It accurately Christiansburg. have nutrition education and measures body composition counseling available to them (percent of body fat, lean in order for them to remain muscle mass and fat mass) shown that an increase in lean Program has helped countless successful in their sports and through air displacement within muscle mass will increase athletic Tech athletes maximize their outside of athletics,” Freel said. fi ve minutes. Research has performance. The Sports Nutrition athletic performance. SUPPORT S U P P O R T

Amy Freel uses a variety of methods to help educate players about nutritional eating including discussing food choices (above) and measuring body composition with the BodPod (right).

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 137 Sports Medicine Providing the Hokies with experienced, professional care

Head team physician Dr. Gunnar Brolinson works with a player in one of the Merryman Center medical ofi ces — part of an extensive sports medicine complex.

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

SUPPORT Brolinson graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Missouri at Columbia As part of the evolution, Tech and completed his medical training at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. recently completed its second full

138 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL room. This treatment room has numerous treatment modalities, including portable X-ray, electric Dr. Delmas Bolin, M.D., Ph.D. stimulation, ultrasound, hot Team Physician and cold packs and a lumbar/ cervical traction unit. It also has offi ces for the staff, dozens Dr. Delmas Bolin is the associate team physician with Virginia Tech. Bolin is of training tables, two cold board-certifi ed in family medicine and is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and was tubs, whirlpools, an underwater recently elected as a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. treadmill, a Biodex System 3 Prior to moving to Virginia, he was the co-director of the University of Pittsburgh and various other pieces of primary care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. Bolin worked extensively in sports rehabilitation equipment. In medicine with Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College while completing his family medicine addition, a new training room residency at Michigan State-Kalamazoo. He received his medical degree and Ph.D. in bio chem is try from the has been constructed in Rector University of Illinois in 1996 and his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Millersville College, where he Field House to serve the football played varsity soccer, in 1988. team when it practices indoors. Bolin is currently an Associate Professor at the Edward Via Virginia College of Os teo path ic Medicine and “We, as a staff, are very oversees a private practice at Primary Care Associates in Salem, Va., dealing primarily with family and sports pleased with our new facility medicine. and the opportunity for all of us to come together for the benefi t of our athletes,” Goforth said. “Our goal with this conjunction with the Via College is headed by Dr. Brolinson and Research is also considered program is to formally provide of Osteopathic Medicine and Stephan Duma from mechanical to be instrumental to the sports our athletes with the most other research departments engineering and has steadily medicine department. The effective and effi cient health at Tech has also initiated gained the attention of both department has participated care delivery system possible,” several new research projects the medical and engineering in grant development and Goforth said. “This grant focusing on head injuries, ankle communities. data collection for a strategic will serve as a framework for injuries and the treatment of After the sports medicine health care planning grant. This universities across the country low back conditions. The head staff diagnoses and treats an ill grant, titled “The Center for to provide high-level health injury study, titled B.I.E.R.S.T. or injured athlete, the staff then Performance and Sports Medicine care services for their athletes, (Brain Injury Evaluation in starts collaborative work with Excellence,” was initiated by Dr. and at the same time, creates Real Time Sports Trauma), the strength and conditioning Charles Baffi , Dr. Kerry Redican, the fi rst collaboration between started last season and is an staff to give the best injury Dr. Mike Gentry and Goforth academic research and athletics exciting new pilot study that prevention and performance and was awarded to develop here at Virginia Tech.” evaluates the forces generated enhancing programs possible. a multidisciplinary model for The Virginia Tech Sports in helmets during real-time The training, medical, and Division I health care. Medicine Department in events in football. The project strength and conditioning staffs each have a role in bringing the athlete back quickly and ready to play. After an injury, an athlete will go through rehabilitation and physical therapy. Athletes are then moved to weight training, as they become able. The strength and conditioning staff uses specifi c programs for each injury in an effort to get the athlete back quickly. Prior to return to full participation, the athlete will also complete a series of drills and progressions that are specifi c to

the athlete’s position SUPPORT that will help insure that the athlete is ready to return with a greatly reduced risk of re-injury. The range of benefi ts athletes have access to include custom orthotics, Team physician Dr. Delmas Bolin explains the results of an x-ray to a student-athlete in his convenient Merryman Center offi ce. custom mouth guards,

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 139 specialized DonJoy prophylactic Their programs consist of bracing and many other options strengthening, stretching and to help prevent or protect most importantly movement Mike Goforth them from injuries. The sports pattern analysis and training to Director of Athletic Training medicine staff also takes great help prevent the re-occurrence of pride in treating the athlete injuries. year-round. Special attention “We value the off-season Mike Goforth is in his fi fth year as the is paid to off-season activity. greatly within our department,” director of athletic training and seventh year on During this time, the staff will Goforth said. “We have adopted Tech’s athletic training staff. Goforth came to analyze past injury data from the same mindset as our strength Tech from the Hamilton Medical Center/Bradley each participant and construct and conditioning staff and look Wellness Center in Dalton, Ga., where he was a preventative program that at our off-season time as an the director of wellness and sports medicine. is followed over a nine-week opportunity to get our athletes He has an extensive background in sports medicine, working at period between the end of better as opposed to time off for East Tennessee State University, Virginia Tech, William Fleming High the season and the beginning our staff.” School, Tusculum College, Greene County Sports Medicine/Industrial of spring practice. This same Most of the off-season Cooperative and Pioneer Sports Medicine/Physical Therapy Clinic. He procedure is followed during the activity is based on programs also has numerous opportunities to consult on program development summer. that are designed to detect throughout the country. “If our strength and movement patterns that might Goforth graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1991 conditioning is so important, lead to injury or could be with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration and it is, then we owe it to our causing a drop in performance. in athletic training. He earned his master’s in sport management from athletes to provide them with “The beauty of this program Virginia Tech in 1995 and is currently pursuing his doctorate in health the necessary resources to keep is that it is a multi-disciplinary education, also from Virginia Tech. them actively participating,” tool that is designed to show the Goforth said. “We basically athlete where their defi ciencies adopt the attitude that in the lie,” Goforth said. side of McComas Hall, while If physical therapy is needed, fall, our mission is to keep them A vital part of student- recreation sports and fi tness student-athletes can be seen by participating on the fi eld and athletes services is the access programs are available on the therapist Mark Piechoski in the during the other times of the to the Schiffert Student Health other. The center also has a fully Ferrell Training Room. Piechoski, year, it is our job to keep them Center in McComas Hall. A operational diagnostic laboratory, who is a Certifi ed Athletic Trainer, participating in our strength health center and counseling X-ray facilities and eight full-time Physical Therapist, and Strength and conditioning program.” services are available on one physicians. and Conditioning Specialist SUPPORT

Director of athletic training Mike Goforth (right) coordinates activity in the Eddie Ferrell Memorial Training Room.

140 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL plays a large role in the overall orthopaedic surgery to repair certain program developed to return types of sports-related injuries that MEDICAL & TRAINING PERSONNEL the injured athlete back to 100 occur from time to time. percent. In addition, staff sport Tech also maintains a special psychologist Gary Bennett is relationship with Montgomery available to all student-athletes Regional Hospital. Montgomery for personal and performance Regional Hospital is the choice issues. Virginia Tech also has the for state-of-the-art equipment services of Dr. Greg Tilley, team to perform surgeries, diagnostic chiropractor. Dr. Tilley provides imaging and processing of Tech athletes with specialized laboratory requests. treatment for spine related This year, the staff will consist conditions and also plays a huge of fi ve graduate assistant athletic Dr. Marc Siegel Dr. Michael Sampson Dr. Scott Urch role in performance enhancement trainers who all have professional Orthopaedic Assistant Orthopaedic through various chiropractic or collegiate experience — Nick Surgeon Team Physician Surgeon techniques. Richey (New Orleans Saints), David “For us as certifi ed athletic Jager (Northwestern), Nate Miller trainers, to have the resources (Cleveland Browns), Dave Deittce of folks like Mark Piechoski, (New Orleans Saints) and Roland Greg Tilley and Gary Bennett is a Lovelace (Baltimore Ravens). tremendous asset,” Goforth said. Over the past 10 years, Virginia “The knowledge and skill that Tech has developed the reputation they bring is invaluable. for producing top-level certifi ed “Our goal is to provide the athletic trainers. Graduates same high level of health care are now employed in positions that professional and Olympic across the country at various Dr. Joe Prudhomme Dr. Greg Tilley Dr. Lawrence Kyle athletes receive,” Goforth levels of the profession. Mitch Orthopaedic Chiropractor Dentist continued. “Our usage of Bellmay/Josh Signs (Marshall), Surgeon specialist care is modeled after Daniel Jarvis (Villanova), Jim the NFL system and incorporates Shorten (Appalachian State), Chris components of the Olympic Peduzzi (Philadelphia Eagles), Training Center in Colorado Danny Sterling (UVA Wise), Craig Springs.” Moorhouse (Tusculum College), Joe Team orthopaedic surgeons Whitson (Carson Newman College), Dr. Marc Siegel, Dr. Scott Urch Jay McCloy (College of Wooster), and Dr. Joe Prudhomme bring a as well as numerous others who wealth of experience and skills are employed at the high school, to assist when athletes need collegiate and clinical levels.

Dr. Steve Jacobs Keith Doolan Kevin Domboski Optometrist Athletic Athletic Trainer Trainer

Jimmy Lawrence Megan Rittler Mark Piechoski Athletic Athletic Physical Trainer Trainer Therapist SUPPORT S U P P O R

Aaron Gresham Nick Richey T Brace Athletic Graduate assistant athletic trainer Nick Richey works with Cedric Humes in Consultant Trainer the HydroTrack — an excellent resource for rehabilitation of leg injuries.

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 141 Videography

Wide receivers coach Tony Ball uses the Hokies’ excellent video system to go over game tape with his players in their Merryman Center meeting room.

These days, college football What makes this system so coaches and players can access The system gives the is as competitive as ever potent in terms of preparing a any situation with a click of the coaches an option block that and each school is looking team for a game is convenience, mouse. With computers in all they use to punch in these for something that will give convenience, convenience. coaches’ meeting rooms, they can scenarios. After the coach it an advantage. And while Here’s how the system works. instantaneously have video footage chooses the situation, the video star athletes, weight training Every practice is videotaped. of any scenario that they can is queued up in a matter of and practice can make a big The tape is gathered along with dream up of Tech opponents or the seconds. difference, Virginia Tech has video of opponents’ games. Hokies. This new program is something that puts it over the Then, assistant video coordinator What has Virginia run on second defi nitely preferred by the video top — Pinnacle System 2.0. Tom Booth, along with the downs when the ball is placed on staff. The old way consisted of The system is regarded as graduate assistants, label each the right hash mark? Click, click. taking the game fi lm without the best in the country. NFL play in terms of down, distance, How many times has N.C. State the use of a personal computer teams use it. College teams wish formation, ball placement, pass, gone to the shotgun on second and and then cutting it up into they had it. Tech does. run and unit. long? Click, click. How many pass different segments to make more The Tech video department, This information, along with plays has Miami run on fi rst down? fi lms. This was an all-night job under the direction of Kevin the video, is entered into the Click, click. It’s all available any that sometimes lasted into the Hicks, has the most state-of-the- computer. Once this is done, the time someone wants to view it. early hours of the next morning. art video systems in the country and has expanded its operations to include all the equipment the team needs to be on the cutting Kevin Hicks edge of video study. Director of Video Operations This state-of-the-art video equipment has prepared the Hokies for any possible scenario Kevin Hicks has wasted no time moving up the ranks in the Tech video offi ce. After they may come across in any spending four years as a student intern, while pursuing his degree in communication game. And it’s not just available studies from Tech, the Yorktown, Va., native was hired in May of 1998 as the assistant on game days. The equipment is video coordinator. Within a year, Hicks moved up to head video coordinator. He is available 24 hours a day, seven currently the director of video operations. days a week and coaches and As director of video operations, Hicks has numerous duties. Supervising undergraduate students, helping players can even use laptop coaches with video to prepare for upcoming games, producing highlight videos for each sport and running the computers to watch video video board at Lane Stadium are just a few of Hicks’ responsibilities. Born in Newport News, Va., in 1976, Hicks graduated from Tabb High in 1994. Hicks and his wife, Kristen, SUPPORT while they are away from the Merryman Center. reside in Blacksburg. In his spare time, he enjoys playing volleyball and softball.

142 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL The staff in the videography to realize that there is a lot While the practice video is There has been nothing but department takes pride in what they more involved than just playing great for players and coaches, fans positive reaction to the new do for the football staff. the game. The average person are also reaping the benefi ts of video boards that have been “We are a big part of the doesn’t know all the preparation the video department. HokieVision placed in both Lane Stadium and football team, in that we are there that’s involved.” was added three seasons ago to Cassell Coliseum. “People like every day — taping practice, The equipment has been the delight of fans. seeing the replays, and people traveling with them on the road and used the past couple years to Did you miss that acrobatic especially like the crowd shots. attending every game,” says Hicks. help give Tech that extra edge, touchdown grab by Richard People love to see themselves on “Seven days a week we are here in both regular season and Johnson or that big hit Darryl the board,” Booth says. with football, so when they win you bowl games. An example of the Tapp just put on the opposing The addition of the new feel like you are a part of that.” program’s presence came in the quarterback? Relax. Just look equipment has produced the “We feel like part of the team,” Hokies’ bowl game against Cal to the sky and you can receive need for more staff. In addition Booth says. “Everyone helps out in last year’s Insight Bowl. In instant gratifi cation from the to Hicks and Booth, Brian Walls with the team to do their part. We the days leading up to the game video scoreboard located in the also works full-time in the help the coaches to see the things coaches were given laptops by north end zone of Lane Stadium. video department. There are they need to see, especially when the videography department that The scoreboard was made by also four undergraduate student it comes to breaking down the contained hours of California Trans-Lux, and is the largest one assistants: Brian Davenport, opponents’ tapes.” video that the coaches could they have ever built, at 35 feet, 6 Lindsay Mirabito, Jay Reid The update in technology not view at their convenience. inches tall and 90 feet wide and and Lauren Sensabaugh; and only means an improved program Each position had its own standing almost 60 feet above graduate assistants Clay Delk but also improved video-viewing meeting room in the hotel with ground. and Rudy Picardo. Hicks will hire options. Each of the individual a laptop set up so the players At least three cameras have about eight to 10 other people position meeting rooms has a pull- could watch video of practice or been added in Lane Stadium, on a game-by-game basis to down projection screen and a video Cal 24 hours a day. Being able along with four replay machines work with the video board during projector connected to a computer to transport game video with to help out with the operation of football season. to display scouting material, where relative ease gives the Hokies an the video scoreboards. players or coaches can access the advantage, even on the road. The videography footage any time they want it. The “The greatest teaching tool department also videographers also tape every single is the ability to show someone has three editing practice, which can be viewed what they’re doing, right or machines that aid by the coaches at the click of a wrong,” head coach Frank in editing and button. This helps the team prepare Beamer says. “With our video production of in- for games, and also gives the equipment, we can do that game entertainment. coaches access to plays they need. quickly. The ease with which The video staff “It’s been a great tool,” Tech we can do these things and the produces the games defensive coordinator Bud Foster way we can put certain plays from the cutting edge says. “Besides the quality and and scenarios together makes us control room in the Tom Booth Brian Walls convenience, it’s right there at your more effi cient in getting ready Merryman Athletic Assistant Assistant fi ngertips. Players at this level have to play a game on Saturday.” Center. Video Coordinator Video Coordinator SUPPORT

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

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 143 Radio & TV Network ‘From the blue ISP Sports Gameday Broadcast Schedule waters of the Chesapeake Bay Virginia Tech Gameday The network’s radio coverage begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff with Virginia Tech Gameday featuring Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver. to the hills of Tennessee, the Advance Auto Parts Hokies’ Countdown The perfect tailgating companion, the Hokies’ Countdown clock starts 60 minutes before kickoff with a complete preview of the game, interviews with Tech coach Frank Virginia Tech Hokies Beamer and the opposing head coach, the ACC Report with Tony Luftman, late-breaking news, and features such are on the air!’ as Great Moments in Virginia Tech History, The Kroger Roth Report, Ford Inside Scoop, and ACC Traditions.

The Game Broadcast TOUCHDOWN TECH!! Bill Roth and That familiar refrain — delivered Mike Burnop fi ll the airwaves with their unique blend of excitement by Bill Roth, the Voice of Virginia and wit. The two have called every Tech football game since the Tech football — opens every Tech sports broadcast and refl ects the 1988 season. Whether the Hokies are playing in Lane Stadium or network’s goal of reaching Hokie on the road, you can always fi nd Hokie fans by the thousands with fans everywhere. So, whether they’re their portable radios following the action from ISP Sports. sailing off Virginia’s eastern shore, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Kroger Point After Perhaps the network’s most popular or sitting in their homes anywhere show, the Kroger Point After is a fast-paced, 90-minute postgame throughout the Commonwealth, Tech show which features locker room interviews, score reports from fans know they’re always within range around the country, game highlights, and listener telephone calls. of a Tech network radio station. Bill Roth & Mike Burnop With a massive network of radio and television stations throughout and cable networks throughout Roth’s cries of “TOUCHDOWN in the booth as the network analyst. the region, the Virginia Tech ISP Virginia and the southeastern TECH!” have become a favorite of Burnop, a star for the Hokies in Sports Network serves as the main United States. Hokie fans of all ages and his accurate the early 1970s, was inducted into communications link between Tech’s Roth — a six-time winner of and exciting descriptions of Tech Virginia Tech’s Hall of Fame in 2000. football program and the Hokies’ avid Virginia’s Sportscaster of the Year football and basketball have made him In addition to his role as analyst, legion of fans. Award — is in his 17th season as the one of the most popular fi gures on the Burnop handles all post-game In addition to game broadcasts, Voice of Virginia Tech football and Tech athletic scene interviews from Tech’s locker room. ISP Sports also produces The Advance basketball. A native of Pittsburgh, “If football coach Frank Beamer He’s showed his versatility as a Auto Parts Hokie Hotline, a two-hour Pa., Roth graduated from Syracuse is the leader of the Hokie Nation, broadcaster by shining as the analyst radio talk show featuring Roth and University in 1987, earning a degree and assistant coach Bud Foster is the on Tech’s basketball broadcasts over Tech coach Frank Beamer every in broadcast journalism. He also Minister of Defense, then some might the years. Monday night. The Davenport Virginia won the distinguished Robert Costas call Roth Tech’s Secretary of State. Together, Roth and Burnop Tech Sports Quiz, a daily two-minute Academic Scholarship in 1986. “He’s very much a part of what we’re comprise one of college sports program, airs on radio stations every During the off-seasons, Roth all about here,” Beamer said. “When longest-running broadcasting teams, weekday from August through March. has worked for ESPN in a variety you hear his voice, you immediately having described the action of every And the network’s award-winning of roles, including calling play-by- think Virginia Tech football,” wrote Tech football game since the 1988 television magazine show, Virginia play of NCAA lacrosse, baseball, Howard Wimmer of The Roanoke Times. season. Tech Sports Today, is seen every basketball, kick boxing and fi eld Former Virginia Tech tight end Tech radio broadcasts are available Sunday on a network of TV stations hockey. Mike Burnop is serving his 22nd season to fans anywhere in the world via Tech’s offi cial Web site (hokiesports. com). Again this year, hokietv.com Virginia Tech ISP Sports Network 2004 Football Affi liates will provide live streaming video of Alexandria, Va. WTEM 980 AM Lynchburg, Va. WZZI 97.9 FM the Hokie Hotline every Monday night Amherst, Va. WRVX 97.7 FM Marion, Va. WZVA 103.5 FM and several Tech games will be aired Beckley, W.Va. WKOY 100.9 FM Martinsville, Va. WMVA 1450 AM on Armed Forces Radio to U.S. Military Bedford, Va. WBVE 610 AM Norfolk, Va. WNIS 790 AM personnel and their dependents Blacksburg, Va. WBRW 105.3 FM Onley, Va. WESR 103.3 FM throughout the world. Blackstone, Va. WBBC 93.5 FM Onley, Va. WESR 1330 AM Virginia Tech Sports Today¸ Bluefi eld, W.Va. WKOY 100.9 FM Richlands, Va. WGTH 540 AM presented by the University Bookstore Bristol, Va. WFHG 92.7 FM Richlands, Va. WGTH 105.5 FM and Volume II Bookstore, can be Bristol, Va. WFHG 980 AM Richmond, Va. WXGI 950 AM seen every Sunday on an impressive Charlottesville, Va. WKAV 1400 AM Roanoke, Va. WVBE 610 AM list of television stations throughout Clifton Forge, Va. WXCF 1230 AM Roanoke, Va. WBRW 105.3 FM the Commonwealth. The 30-minute Clifton Forge, Va. WXCF 103.9 FM Staunton, Va. WTON 1240 AM program, featuring Roth, Burnop, and Culpeper, Va. WCUL 103.3 FM Tazewell, Va. WKQY 100.1 FM Beamer is shown each week on WAVY- Fredericksburg, Va. WGRQ 95.9 FM Virginia Beach, Va. WNIA 790 AM TV in Norfolk, WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Galax, Va. WWWJ 1360 AM Warsaw, Va. WNNT 100.9 FM WRIC-TV in Richmond, WCYB-WB in Gate City, Va. WGAT 1050 FM Warsaw, Va. WNNT 690 AM Bristol, WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg, Va. WMXH 105.7 FM Washington, D.C. WTEM 980 AM WGPX-TV in Greensboro, N.C., and Lebanon, Va. WLRV 1380 AM White Stone, Va. WNDJ 104.9 FM Newschannel 8 in Washington, DC. Leesburg, Va. WAGE 1200 AM W. Sulpher Springs, W.Va. WSLW 1310 AM The show is also rebroadcast every Tuesday on Comcast SportsNet and SUPPORT Lewisburg, W.Va. WKCJ 103.1 FM Winchester, Va. WINC 1400 AM Luray, Va. WRAA 1330 AM Wytheville, Va. WXBX 95.3 FM every weekday on Cox Cable of Roanoke.

144 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL The Exclusive Marketer ISP Sports of Virginia Tech Sports ISP Sports, a national leader During its very successful in the collegiate sports marketing partnership with Virginia industry, is in its 10th year as the Tech, ISP Sports has exclusive worldwide multi-media developed the Virginia Tech and advertising rightsholder for ISP Sports Network into the Virginia Tech Athletics. In this largest collegiate sports radio partnership with the athletics networknetwork in Virginia.Virginia. BroadcastBroadcast program, ISP develops, produces coverage includes the and sells an extensive range of Commonwealth of Virginia, as sports marketing opportunities well as portions of Maryland, for Tech, including radio play-by- North Carolina, Tennessee, play and call-in shows, television Kentucky and West Virginia. coaches shows and live events, Lane In addition to the live Stadium and Cassell Coliseum venue network broadcasts, ISP signage and print and Internet produces The Hokie Hotline, advertising. a live weekly 90-minute The partnership between ISP call-in show featuring Tech Sports and Virginia Tech Athletics head coach Frank Beamer will continue for several more years. and his staff during their In November 2002, the two sides season. ISP also keeps Hokie reached an agreement to extend fans involved throughout the their relationship through April year with daily reports that 2006. air statewide from August Josh Bullock, Mike Wolfert, Rick Barakat, Bill Roth, Adam Raak and Mike Burnop. “ISP Sports is excited and through March. pleased to extend our relationship ISP’s television coverage of with Virginia Tech and an athletics Tech Athletics is centered around ISP SPORTS — VIRGINIA TECH STAFF program that is the equal of any Virginia Tech Sports Today, a weekly • Mike Wolfert is in his fi fth year with ISP, serving as vice president and in America,” said Ben Sutton, magazine show aired on a network general manager for the company’s Virginia Tech property. His duties president and CEO of ISP Sports. of affi liates throughout the region, include sponsorship sales and development, offi ce management and serving “We have enjoyed an excellent including Comcast SportsNet. The as the primary liaison with the Tech Athletics Department administration. relationship with the university in 30-minute show features an action- Wolfert is a graduate of Indiana University and holds a master’s in sports the past and are confi dent that our packed, magazine-style format, administration from Ohio University. partnership will continue to grow and with its superior production, stronger in the future.” animation and videography, has the • Rick Barakat joined the ISP Sports family in Winter 2004 as an associate Founded in 1992 by Sutton, look and feel of a national sports general manager with the Virginia Tech staff. In that role, he assists in ISP Sports is also presently the telecast. Virginia Tech Sports Today all administrative, sales and management duties involving the Hokies. exclusive rightsholder for Auburn airs from mid-August until mid- Rick has built a solid background in sports marketing with established University, the University of Central March. companies such as Raycom Sports, ACC Properties and GMR Marketing in Florida, the University of Cincinnati, Other advertising and marketing Charlotte. He is a 1996 North Carolina graduate and holds a master’s in Georgia Tech, the University of opportunities represented by ISP sports management from Georgia. Houston, Marshall University, Sports include the state-of-the-art • Josh Bullock is a recent addition to the ISP Virginia Tech staff, having Ohio University, the University videoscreens (“HokieVision”) in both accepted his position as associate general manager this past April. He of Southern Mississippi, Syracuse Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum. comes to Blacksburg after a very successful three-year tenure as an University, Tulane University, Pregame hospitality events during account executive for Clear Channel Communications in Cincinnati. Prior Vanderbilt University, Villanova football season are another very to that time, he served as an athletic relations coordinator and recruiting University and Wake Forest popular item managed by ISP Sports. assistant in the University of Kentucky football program. Josh is a graduate University. The company also provides of UK with a degree in sport management. ISP, which is based in Winston- a wide variety of sponsorship Salem, N.C., is additionally a joint opportunities for Tech supporters • Adam Raak is in his fi rst year as a marketing assistant with the ISP venture partner with Learfi eld at every level with print advertising Blacksburg staff. He holds a degree in marketing from Michigan State and Communications as the multi- in the football game program, a master’s in athletic administration from Indiana University. basketball game cards and offi cial media rightsholder for the athletic • Chris Ferris, a 13-year veteran of the ISP staff, currently serves as vice athletics newspaper (hokiesports the programs at Alabama, Clemson, president of radio operations. His responsibilities include supervision of all newspaper). Miami and South Carolina. programming and syndication of the ISP Sports radio networks. Ferris is a 1987 graduate of the University of North Carolina. SUPPORT S U Virginia Tech Sports Today Affi liates • Jamie Frye is in her eighth year as the radio and television network WAVY-TV Norfolk, Va. Ch. 10 Sundays 10 a.m. manager of ISP. Her duties include affi liate relations for the nearly 300 P WGPX-TV Greensboro, N.C. Ch. 16 Sundays 2 p.m. radio and television stations which make up the ISP Sports Networks. Frye P

WRIC-TV Richmond, Va. Ch. 8 Sundays 1 p.m. is a graduate of UNC Greensboro. O WSLS-TV Roanoke, Va. Ch. 10 Sundays 10 a.m. WCYB-TV Bristol, Va. Ch. 4 Sundays 9:30 a.m. • Taylor Durham has a vital responsibility with the Virginia Tech ISP Radio R

WHGB-TV Harrisonburg, Va. Ch. 3 Sundays 11:35 p.m. Network as recruitment manager for all Hokie affi liates. The Elon College T News8 Washington, D.C. Ch. 8 Sundays 10 a.m. graduate joined ISP four years ago and has been a positive factor by ComCast SportsNet (cable) Tuesdays 2:30 p.m. bringing new stations into the ISP fold.

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 145 hokiesports.com Comprehensive Web site is the offi cial source for information on 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 offi cial coverage of all Hokie sports teams and events. hokiesports.com is the lead site of fi ve offi cial Virginia Tech Athletics sites. The other four sites are: hokietv.com, hokietickets.com, hokiepages.com and 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 individual home pages for each of Virginia Tech’s sports. Breaking news and archived releases about all Tech teams can be found, along with hokietv.com provides streaming great wallpapers to add to and designed by Damian Salas, media guides containing player video clips that are exclusive their computers, extra photo webmaster. Student interns and and coaching staff profi les, to the site. Coach and player scrapbooks, weekly polls, on-line workers assist with the Web site schedules, records, historical interviews and video coverage of greeting cards and many new development and video production. information and other pertinent events that are one-of-a-kind are features which change every day. Morse has served the athletics facts for every sport. available to site users. hokietv. The in-house site was fi rst department since 1985 in the area Also, accessible on every com will broadcast the weekly launched on Nov. 29, 1999, of promotions and marketing until sport’s home page are the Hokie Hotline radio show, football and has provided Hokie fans her present position was created rosters, with links to player bios, media conferences and postgame around the world various news in 1999. Salas created the fi rst schedules and results, as well as interviews in the live streaming releases, images, movies and in-house Web site and maintained conference standings. format for the 2004 season. in-depth stories. The site also it from 1995 to 1998, and became The “Coaches Notebook” is This past season fans could also provides links to live broadcasts a full-time athletic staff member in updated as the season progresses watch home baseball games on of men’s and women’s basketball, January 2000. by the coaches themselves as they hokietv.com. as well as football, choose. hokietickets.com contains links and occasionally With fast “live stats,” fans and updates about tickets for Hokie broadcasts Olympic can view home football, men’s athletics events. The site provides sports special events and women’s basketball, baseball, the user with information about as well. Since August softball, men’s and women’s season and individual game tickets. 2003, hokiesports.com tennis, volleyball and wrestling Tech fans can now visit this site has averaged more stats as they happen via the Web. and have instant access to tickets- than 152,000 unique A special football Game online, a ticket renewal system. Fans visitors per month. Day section informs fans about will be able to purchase new football The Web site parking and traffi c, as well as season tickets on-line as well. is managed by Peg SUPPORT listing special activities planned The popular hokiepages. Morse, director of Peg Morse Damian Salas for that day. com provides the user with Internet services,

146 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL hokiesports the newspaper In-house publication provides in-depth coverage of the Hokies A lot of new things are During the past 10 years, “I hope that more fans will take the publication and also covers taking place in Blacksburg with subscriptions to the publication advantage of the on-line version women’s basketball and writes Tech’s entry into the Atlantic have soared as Tech fans everywhere of the publication because the features. Veteran photographer Coast Conference. But at least crave to read about the success Internet is the wave of the future,” David Knachel, who began working one thing is remaining constant of Virginia Tech athletics and to Robertson said. “It’s cheaper, too, on the paper in 1985, takes all the – accurate information coming from read the most current information which is another plus for fans.” photos and designs the cover for hokiesports the newspaper. on what’s happening within the The print version of the each issue. This newspaper has served athletics department. newspaper is a colorful publication The up-to-date news provided as the written voice of Virginia Today, there are more than that is printed 33 times per year in the paper is primarily on Tech’s athletics department for 6,200 ddevotedevoted subscribers to thethe — weekly dduringuring football,football, men’smen’s andand women’swomen’s the past 20 years. The newspaper, print version, and almost 200 basketballbasketball andand baseball. FansFans can formerly The Hokie Huddler, came rregisteredegistered forfor thethe on-lineon-line versionversion get the depth chart (during the about in 1984 when then director of the paper, which became football season), features on of athletics and football coach available to HHokieokie fansfans in thethe fallfall players and former athletes (the Bill Dooley wanted an in-house ooff 2000. TheThe on-lineon-line versionversion ofof thethe ‘Where are They Now?’ section), publication devoted to coverage publipublicationcation is enteringentering its fi fth statististatisticscs andand standings,standings, notesnotes of all of Tech’s sports, primarily year anandd has started to becomebecome anandd quotesquotes andand recruitingrecruiting profiprofi les football. Since then, the newspaper a popular way to gain valuvaluableable on football,football, men’smen’s andand women’swomen’s has undergone numerous changes, infinformationormation about VirginiaVirginia TechTech basketballbasketball recruits,recruits, alongalong with including a name change and a athletics. informationinformation about otherother sports move to the Internet. But providing “It“It enablesenables people whowho live recruitsrecruits as well. accurate, timely and quality ffarar away to getget thethe informationinformation Robertson will be entering his information remains the constant immimmediatelyediately ratherrather than havinghaving ninninthth year as thethe editor ofof thethe for the newspaper staff. to wait seven to 10 days,” nnewspaper.ewspaper. Doug WatersWaters served “Being a weekly newspaper, we Robertson said. “Plus, we as ththee fi rst editor in 1984-85 have some restraints dealing with do a lot of writing for the anandd thenthen Chris Colston handledhandled the postal service,” editor Jimmy athletics department Web site, ththee dutiesduties forfor thethe nextnext 11 years.years. Robertson said. “But going on-line hhokiesports.com.okiesports.com. WeWe see this as Colston rresignedesigned in 1996 to taketake has helped us overcome some of a ggoodood way to cross-promotecross-promote both football and a job with Baseball Weekly (now those and we’re always going to be the Web site and the newspaper, basketball seasons and Sports Weekly), leaving the job in committed to being creative as far while continuing to provide bi-monthly during the spring. The the hands of Robertson. as the type of news and features we information that fans want.” newspaper consists of the ever- Since then, Tech has entered do for our print version. We want a hokiesports the newspaper popular “Insider” section, which is into the BIG EAST for all sports, publication that’s both interesting is updated every week from late a page of short blurbs of interesting gone to bowl games every and newsworthy, and to produce August through March on-line “inside” information — things year, played for the national that type of publication, we have (bi-monthly in the spring) by the one won’t get anywhere else. championship and sent off a to be creative and do things staff so news can get to Hokie With hokiesports the newspaper second Hokie as the fi rst pick in differently than a daily newspaper.” fans as it happens. being owned by the athletics the NFL Draft. Now, by entering department, it allows the staff to the ACC for all sports, the entire be closer to coaches and players to program has a bright future get that inside information. Most — which allows no limitations to Jimmy Robertson sports publications of this kind hokiesports the newspaper and its hokiesports the newspaper editor are independent of their school’s potential. athletics departments. For the printed version, a one- hokiesports the newspaper year subscription costs $37.95, Jimmy Robertson is entering his ninth also consists of columns by while a two-year subscription season as the editor of the Hokies’ in-house Robertson, Bill Roth, the Voice of costs $69.95. For an additional publication. He came to Tech after spending two the Hokies, and assistant editor $12 per year, fans who subscribe years as a copy editor in the sports department Matt Spiers. Robertson focuses to the print version can access of The Roanoke Times, in Roanoke, Va. more on Tech, while Roth devotes the on-line version. Or, for $25 A native of Roanoke, Robertson graduated from Roanoke College more attention to ACC news. Spiers annually, fans who don’t subscribe in Salem, Va., in 1994 with a degree in English. While in college, he SUPPORT handles the layout and design of to the print version can view the worked part time for The Roanoke Times covering various high school entire newspaper via the Internet. athletic events and also local auto racing. It was during this time that Also, newspapers are available on Robertson developed an interest in sports journalism and secured a job newsstands at certain convenience at the newspaper shortly after graduating from college. stores through the Blacksburg- Born in Roanoke in 1972, Robertson graduated from Craig County Christiansburg area. For additional [Va.] High in 1990. In June of 2000, he married the former Deanna Matt subscription information, call the Moore of Roanoke and they currently reside in Christiansburg. In his Spiers hokiesports the newspaper offi ce at spare time, he enjoys playing golf, playing softball, traveling and Assistant (540) 231-3908, or visit the Web watching baseball. Editor site at www.hokiesports.com.

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 147 Virginia Tech Athletic Fund Hokie Club working to keep Tech’s momentum building The 2003-2004 year was a great Brian Thornburg and Tommy The Athletic Fund is proud of Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, success with another record-setting Graham serve as assistant its volunteers who help ensure Pennsylvania and Tennessee performance for the Virginia Tech directors. Their primary that 65 Hokie Clubs throughout continue in their active efforts Athletic Fund. Enthusiastic and responsibilities include working Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, to support and promote athletics supportive Hokie fans gave in with the various Hokie Clubs as North and South Carolina, at Virginia Tech. Along with bus excess of $16 million to support the well as the annual fund. trips, game-watching parties and scholarship and capital needs of the Sharon Linkous and Vicky other social events, Tech alumni, Athletics Department. Moore handle all aspects of gift fans and friends gather to cheer The Hokie Club is charged entry and membership records. on the Hokies. with raising funds to support Diana Fain manages the budget John Clary of Lawrenceville, the scholarship, capital and process and produces all meeting Va., is the current programmatic needs of the Athletics notices for the Hokie Clubs. Jane president of the Athletic Department. Donors make gifts in Broadwater serves as executive Fund and Renny Lynch outright forms such as cash, real secretary for the offi ce. Nancy of Roanoke, Va., is the estate, securities, gifts in kind or Gabbard works part-time in vice president. corporate matching programs, or the offi ce, bringing additional through planned or deferred gifts experience to the team. such as a will, living trust, life income trust, retirement plans, life insurance or charitable lead trusts. “The ongoing national success of the football program has continued to motivate our fans to increase their fi nancial support,” said Lu Merritt, director of development for intercollegiate athletics. “They fully understand that for Virginia Tech to maintain its upward momentum, additional funds need to be raised. They are proud of the fact that their football team has been to bowl games each of the last 11 years. Tech fans know that the Hokies can compete for national championships and they want to do their part to provide the needed resources for scholarships and facilities. Our move to the ACC has generated additional excitement and, as a result, additional support.” John Moody, associate director, serves the North Carolina area and focuses on major gift fundraising The Hokie Club staff: (l to r) Lu Merrritt, John Moody, Brian Thornburg, Terry Bolt, David Everett, Brandy Bratton, and special projects. A former Diana Fain, Sharon Linkous, Jane Broadwater, Vicky Moore and Tommy Graham (not pictured is Nancy Gabbard). football player at Tech, Moody has worked in the Hokie Club for 32 years. David Everett serves as director Lu Merritt of major gifts for the Hokie Club. A Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics member of the Hokies’ 1986 Peach Bowl team, Everett currently serves the Richmond area in addition to Lu Merritt has served as Director of the Athletic Fund since 1994. He came to his major gift responsibilities. Virginia Tech after a 23-year career in banking. A 1968 graduate of Tech, he received Terry Bolt, also an associate his degree in business administration with a major in management. While at Tech, he director and director of the annual was a member of the tennis team, serving as captain in 1967. Following graduation, fund for athletics, serves the Merritt served in the U.S. Army including a tour of duty in Vietnam. Merritt currently Tidewater and Southside areas of serves as President of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors and has been a speaker at Virginia, while also overseeing NAADD and CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) national conferences. Lu and his wife SUPPORT the planning and direction of the Brynda, who works in the Registrar’s offi ce on campus, have one daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Annual Fund. tennis and still competes in sanctioned events in the Mid-Atlantic region.

148 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL The Monogram Club Staying connected with former teammates and coaches The Monogram Club was originally created as a social organization for former athletes who earned at least one monogram (letter) in any varsity sport at Virginia Tech. All former coaches are designated as honorary members. This club is an opportunity for athletes to remain active with and connected to their sport once their careers are completed. The main goal of this club is to keep an open line of communication between the Athletics Department and the former letterwinners. Athletes are encouraged by way of sponsored pre-game and post- game social events to come back and reconnect with their old Athletic Director Jim Weaver addresses members of the Monogram Club during a 2003 football game weekend. teammates and coaches. Over the past six years, the club has been for one year before becoming Anyone who joins the to members of the Monogram revitalized under new direction. director of athletics at Virginia Monogram Club receives a Club. Members of the club are In 1998, Terry Strock, a State University. personalized membership card eligible to enter the biannual veteran coach and administrator In 2001, the club proudly that grants them access to the golf tournament, and are for many years at Tech, became welcomed its current director, variety of events sponsored by welcome to attend a weekend the fi rst-full time director of Russ Whitenack, the former the club. The Monogram Club of wine tasting at the Chateau the Monogram Club. Under Virginia Tech men’s head track hosts two free tailgates per year, Morrisette, all sponsored by the his leadership, the club more coach of 28 years, from 1974- open only to members. One is Monogram Club. than doubled its membership, 2002. before the annual Spring Game, The member benefi ts include increasing from 220 active “Many people stop by to see and the other occurs early in the a subscription to hokiesports the members to 550. Its total old friends,” said Whitenack. fall. In addition, the club hosts newspaper which is published membership now sits at over 700 “That is what we want to provide. tailgates at every football game 33 times per year. Each member active members. When Strock If you’re a former athlete, [the in the Ambulatory of Cassell is given the right to purchase retired in 2000, former football Monogram Club] is the best way Coliseum. Tickets to these four tickets from an allotment letterman Derek Carter took over to stay connected.” tailgates are also only available of 100 located in the South End Zone stands to attend individual football games. “We would really like to Russ Whitenack reach people we don’t have Director of the Monogram Club contact information for,” Whitenack said. Whitenack encourages all former athletes For 28 years, Russ Whitenack held the reins of the men’s track program, guiding it to update their information to conference titles and national recognition. Prior to taking over in 1974, Whitenack regularly through hokiesports. served as an assistant coach for two years. In addition to being the men’s coach, he com. also guided the women’s team for 10 years during the 1980s and early 1990s. Last year, a complimentary A 1969 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Whitenack was a member of the membership was instituted to Volunteers’ All-America 440-yard relay team. UT won three Southeastern Conference team championships recent graduates, allowing them during his four years on the squad. He served for one season as a graduate assistant at Tennessee and three

a three-year membership into SUPPORT years as coach at Palmetto Junior High in Miami before coming to Tech in 1972. the club once their eligibility is During Whitenack’s tenure, the Tech program produced 20 All-Americans, including former coach Steve expired. Membership dues are Taylor and Erick Kingston. Whitenack led the Hokies to two Metro Conference indoor championships, one in $25 per year with a discounted 1993 and one in 1994, and he was chosen by his peers as Metro Coach of the Year during the 1992 outdoor rate of $100 for fi ve years. The season and again following Tech’s 1993 indoor championship. During the late 1990s, the Hokies dominated membership year lasts from the Atlantic 10 Conference, capturing both the indoor and outdoor titles four straight years. Whitenack was July 1 to June 30. A lifetime named the A-10 indoor and outdoor coach of the year for each of those victories. He also received the Walt membership has been installed Comrack Award for excellence in coaching from the Virginia Military Institute in 1997. Whitenack and his with the amount set at $500, wife, Judy, have one son, Jon. In his spare time, Whitenack enjoys outdoor activities, especially kayaking, and $400 for former athletes boating and jet-skiing. over the age of 65.

INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE ACC 149 NCAA Rules Compliance Virginia Tech athletics — winning the right way! INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTS AND THEIR PARENTS: 6. You (or your family) may not receive any benefi t, inducement or arrangement such as cash, clothing, cars, improper expenses, transportation, Compliance with NCAA rules is a never-ending process that requires gifts or loans to encourage you to sign a National Letter of Intent or to diligence on the part of both the Department of Athletics and Virginia Tech attend an NCAA school. as a whole. Below is a brief summary of the 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 athletic representative 1. You become a prospective student-athlete if you have started classes during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of greeting. for the ninth grade. Before the ninth grade, you become a prospective student-athlete if the college provides you (or your relatives or friends) 8. Phone calls to you from faculty members and coaches (but not boosters) any fi nancial aid or other benefi ts that the college does not provide to are permitted beginning July 1 (Sept. 1 for football) after completion of your prospective students generally. junior year. In addition, football coaches may call a prospect or the prospect’s family once during the month of May during the prospect’s junior year. All 2. A “representative of an institution’s athletics interests” (commonly other sports are permitted one call in March of the prospect’s junior year. A referred to as a booster) is defi ned by the NCAA as anyone who: college coach or faculty member is limited to one telephone call per week • Is now, or previously has been, a member of any organization to you (or your parents or legal guardians). Unlimited calls to you (or your promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program; parents or legal guardians) may be made under the following circumstances: • Has made a fi nancial contribution to the athletics program or an • During the fi ve days immediately before your offi cial visit by the 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 athletics • During the time beginning with the initial National Letter of Intent program. 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 former • In the sport of football only, during the permissible off-campus or current member of the Hokie Club is automatically considered a contact periods and during the 48 hours prior to and 24 hours after representative of Virginia Tech’s athletics interests (booster). According 5 a.m. on the initial signing date for the National Letter of Intent. to NCAA rules, once an individual is identifi ed as a booster, he/she retains Coaches also may accept collect calls, and universities are permitted that status forever. to utilize a toll-free number to receive telephone calls from you (or your parents or legal guardians) on or after July 1 after completion 4. You become a “recruited” prospective student-athlete at a particular of your junior year. college if any coach or booster solicits you or your family for the purpose of securing your enrollment and participation in intercollegiate athletics. 9. Letters to you from coaches and faculty members (but not boosters) are Activities by coaches or boosters that trigger recruited status are: permitted beginning Sept. 1 at the beginning of your junior year in high • Paying some or all of your expenses during a visit to campus (known school. A Division I university may provide you with the following printed as an “offi cial” visit); materials: • Arranging an in-person, off-campus encounter with you or your • General correspondence, including letters, U.S. Postal Service postcards parent(s) or legal guardian; or and institutional note cards; • Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with you, your family • Game programs which may not include posters and one Student-Athlete or guardian on more than one occasion for the purpose of Handbook; recruitment. • NCAA educational information; • Pre-enrollment information subsequent to signing a National Letter of 5. A booster may not solicit your enrollment in any manner (no phone Intent with the university; calls, letters or in-person encounters). • One athletic publication (media guide or recruiting brochure); • Offi cial 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; The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. • Questionnaires which may be provided prior to your junior year; and Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the integrity of • Camp brochures which may be provided prior to your junior year. sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community. Sports wagering demeans 10. An “evaluation” is any off-campus activity designed to assess your the competition and competitors alike by a message that is contrary academic qualifi cations or athletic ability, including any visit to your high to the purposes and meaning of “sport.” Sports competition should school (during which no contact occurs) or the observation of any practice or be appreciated for the inherent benefi ts related to participation of competition in which you participate. student-athletes, coaches and institutions in fair contests, not the The purpose of the compliance offi ce is to make you aware of all relevant amount of money wagered on the outcome of the competition. NCAA rules and make sure that you know how to remain eligible. Your For these reasons, the NCAA membership has adopted specifi c eligibility, however, is ultimately in your own hands. This page is a quick- rules prohibiting athletics department staff members and student- reference guide to provide a basic understanding of NCAA rules. It is not athletes from engaging in gambling activities as they relate to all-inclusive, but rather a tool to help you avoid inadvertent involvement intercollegiate or professional sporting events. in a violation of NCAA legislation. We encourage you to always ASK BEFORE

SUPPORT The NCAA Position on Gambling was approved by the NCAA YOU ACT. Please contact the Virginia Tech Compliance Offi ce if you have any Administrative Committee on March 19, 1997. questions at (540) 231-2937 or (540) 231-5497.

150 2004 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL