“Thank you for all the support in making Virginia Tech athletics happen. I’m very blessed and proud to be a Hokie.” (John Trope, Sophomore, Swimming & Diving)

The Donor File

Name: Steve Henderson

Hokie Club Level: Golden Hokie

Hokie Club member since: 1993

Currently Resides: Suffolk, Va.

What year did you graduate? 1988 (BS, Ocean Engineering)

Family: Wife – Ro, Daughter – Ashley, Son – Justin

Being a member of the Hokie Club and supporting Virginia Tech athletics is important to me and my family because …the Hokie Club provides a direct way for us to support the athletes and teams we enjoy following throughout the year. It’s very satisfying knowing we are playing a role in the success and growth of the athletics program.

Do you have a specific moment when you realized that you were a fan of Virginia Tech athletics and knew without a doubt that you were a Hokie?

Attending the Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl in 1993. Traveling down to Shreveport, La., and watching the team in a pre-bowl practice at a glorified high school football field, in hindsight, was probably the ultimate moment that I became a 100 percent diehard Hokie.

What is your best memory of Virginia Tech athletics?

Without a doubt, being in Lane Stadium for the 38-14 victory over Boston College in 1999. To be in those stands and witness the completion of a perfect regular season and know that the Hokies would be going to the national championship game, it was the greatest feeling in the world. A close second would be any football victory over UVa. Take your pick, there’s so many to choose from.

Do you have any game-day or tailgating traditions or superstitions? If so, what are they?

Arrive at any Virginia Tech sporting event early! That way, we can avoid the traffic, and most importantly, have time to visit with friends and take in what the Hokie Nation is all about.

How did you become involved with the Tidewater Hokie Club? Has being the Tidewater Hokie Club president been a positive experience for you, and why?

I first became involved with the Tidewater Hokie Club in the 90’s when the late Bill Jessee was president. Bill was a great man with an infectious passion for Virginia Tech sports. The Hokies lost a great one when Bill passed away, but we were very fortunate to have Rodger Pike take his place. Rodger took the Club to even greater heights, and I have been doing my best to honor and carry on their achievements. We’ve gone from just a bunch of friends gathering to talk about Tech sports to now being a major contributor at the Hokie Benefactor giving level. All Hokie Club members in the Tidewater area should be proud of their roles in this great achievement.

My all-time favorite Virginia Tech football player is … Corey Moore. The single-handed defensive dominance of Corey in the 1999 Clemson-Virginia Tech Thursday night game was something to behold. I’ve never seen, and I believe I will never see, a player impose his will on an opponent for an entire game like he did that night. I still watch that game on an old VHS tape just to relive that performance.

My all-time favorite Virginia Tech student-athlete from another sport is … Queen Harrison in women’s track and field. Not only has she performed at a high level collegiately, but she also has taken her athletic ability to the world track and field stage. What a great ambassador for Virginia Tech!

Thank you

The Hokie Club experienced terrific fundraising success in 2011 and we wanted to express our sincere appreciation to all Hokie Club members. New memberships grew while others upgraded their giving levels. Some increased their support by 110 percent in response to the challenge issued to help meet the growth in scholarship costs. Numerous new pledges and major gifts to support the field house project or to endow scholarships were also received. Thank you all for your support and we look forward to continued success in 2012.

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