No spring game for Virginia Tech this year
BLACKSBURG, Va. โ Sorry Hokie fans! The COVID-19 pandemic is canceling this yearโs spring game for Virginia Tech, according to Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock. โRegrettably, given the current restrictions in place and out of concern for the health and well-being of our community, our student-athletes and our fans, we have made the decision to not have a spring football game,โ Babcock said. โWe realize this is disappointing for many and certainly for our football team, but we believe that it is the proper decision for the Virginia Tech community and the town of Blacksburg. โLane Stadium was not the same without Hokie Nation last year,โ said head coach Justin Fuente.
Whit Babcock announces Justin Fuente will remain as head football coach for Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG, Va. โ Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock met with the media via Zoom today to discuss the future of the Virginia Tech football program, which will be ran under current head coach Justin Fuente. I will take responsibility for that.โ Babcock on Fuente staying. #Hokies โ Brooke Leonard (@abrookeleonard) December 15, 2020Babcock made clear on Tuesday that was not the case, โIf you change and miss, it can get into a spiral that you donโt want. Failure is simply not an option, that is crystal clear to me and Justin [Fuente] and everyone here. #Hokies โ Brooke Leonard (@abrookeleonard) December 15, 2020The Hokies are coming off of their first losing regular season record since 1992, capping the 2020 regular season at 5-6.
Virginia Tech to decide bowl future in next 24 hours
BLACKSBURG, Va. โ We donโt quite know if the Hokies 2020 football season is over. Athletic director Whit Babcock announced that Virginia Tech has yet to make a decision about whether or not the team would accept a bowl bid. Normally, a 5-6 season would not even be considered bowl-eligible; however, with COVID-19 changes, the traditional six-win requirement has been waived. Babcock said head coach Justin Fuente is talking with players and the team will announce a decision within the next day.
WATCH LIVE: Virginia Tech announces Justin Fuente will stay
Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon during a news conference. BLACKSBURG, Va. โ Justin Fuente isnโt going anywhere. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1554.
Virginia Tech athletics cutting many salaries for 2021 to make up for coronavirus losses
BLACKSBURG, Va. โ Amid revenue shortfalls, Virginia Tech athletics announced Thursday that it will be cutting the salaries of many of its employees. โNo collegiate athletics department has been spared from the harsh financial reality of revenue shortfalls directly attributable to COVID-19,โ said Athletic Director Whit Babcock in a news release. โAt Virginia Tech, home football and basketball games, especially, are significant sources of revenue and support all of our varsity sports programs. No one making $40,000 or less will have his or her salary affected. Through salary reductions, financial contributions, and efficiencies, Virginia Tech Athletics expects to return nearly $15 million into its budget to manage through the challenges of the coming 2021 fiscal year and beyond.
Tailgating prohibited in Blacksburg, at Virginia Tech for fall season
BLACKSBURG, Va. Thanks to coronavirus, fans wont be able to cheer on the Hokies from a tailgate in Blacksburg this season. The university is asking fans to homegate with family members or a small group of friends and safely watch the game. Football weekends and tailgate gatherings are cherished traditions for Virginia Tech and our community, said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. It kind of stinks not going to lie but its what we have to do, Virginia Tech student Sarah Davison said. Were not surprised but we do agree its the right move, said Casey Jenkins, executive director of Downtown Blacksburg Inc.A 2015 Virginia Tech study found out-of-town fans injected $69 million into the local economy in a single season.
Were running the play that was called: Virginia Tech athletics outlines COVID-19 measures
BLACKSBURG, Va. Virginia Tech held a Zoom call on Wednesday featuring Athletics Director Whit Babcock and Chief Medical Officer of Virginia Tech Athletics, Mark Rogers. Whit Babcock says there are upwards of 250 student-athletes currently in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech has also stressed the importance of educating student-athletes on safety measures to take when away from facilities. Virginia Tech campus has a good plan of getting people back to classes and mitigating risks. And with football in particular, Rogers mentioned that theyve been working closely with Virginia Tech engineering in designing enhanced face shields for players helmets.
Bud Foster to retire as Virginia Tech defensive coordinator after 2019 season
After the 2019 season, longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster will retire from coaching. "Virginia Tech has been home for 33 years and I'm grateful to continue doing what I love for one more season," Foster said. Getty Images Defensive coordinator Bud Foster of the Virginia Tech Hokies arrives at Lane Stadium prior to the game against the Boston College Eagles on September 17, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Over that same span, only Alabama (16.3 ppg) and Ohio State (17.0 ppg) have been better in scoring defense than Virginia Tech (18.1). Getty Images Head coach Frank Beamer (L) of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with defensive coordinator Bud Foster (R) after the Hokies defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 28-21 at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia.