Name: Jay and Shelly Poole
Hokie Club Level: Orange and Maroon Benefactor
Hokie Club member since: 1979
Currently Resides: Richmond (with a house in Blacksburg)
What year did you graduate? 1978
Family: Wife – Shelly, Son – Tom (deceased, but still a great American)
Being a member of the Hokie Club and supporting Virginia Tech athletics is important to me and my family because …
Many of our closest and best friends are folks whom we met through Virginia Tech athletics and the Hokie Club. Our Hokie family helped us get through the death of our son. We don’t know how we would have gotten through without everybody. John Moody is the epitome of this – raising money for athletics, which is a critical part of the success of the program, but always remembering that the most important part of Virginia Tech is the people.
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?
For me, it was the first time I attended a game at Lane Stadium before I was even in high school. For Shelly, it was her first game at Lane Stadium after our marriage when she realized what the language in the pre-nuptial agreement really meant: “Love me, Love my Hokies.”
Do you have any game day or tailgating traditions or superstitions? If so, what are they?
We like to get to our space about four hours before game time while it is still quiet. We propose a quiet toast to Tom Poole, his pal Waddey Harvey, Brian R. Blum and Tom’s Meema. Tom likes the attention.
You play a key role in the success of the Hackin’ Hokies Too event serving as auctioneer each year. Tell us about the event and about what being a part of this group of donors means to you.
I love being the center of attention and what better way to be the center of attention than be the auctioneer at a charity auction with a bunch of characters like who attends the Hackin’ Hokies Too event. But more than that, it’s about having fun and good times with great friends and good Hokies. Like the song says, “That’s what it’s all about!”
When you drive into Blacksburg, Va., for a game, are there any “must-do” things for you and your family?
Go straight to our house in Blacksburg, The Lodge at Jay’s Mountain Resort, because the bathrooms are clean and comfortable.
Virginia Tech has had a lot of successful teams and wins over the years. Do you have a favorite team/season or game that stands out the most?
The football game which stands out for me is when we beat Miami at home in 1995 – our first win against the ’Canes. Coach Beamer had talked a lot about all of us – players, coaches and fans – being in this thing together. I think that game was really the first game when all of us began to figure out what that really meant. The rest is history.
My all-time favorite Virginia Tech football player is (player’s name) and my favorite memory of (player’s name) is …
Waddey Harvey (even though we never actually saw him play at Tech). My favorite memory is Waddey’s almost absolute devotion to Virginia Tech long after his playing years were over. He taught us how to be better Hokies and better people.
My all-time favorite Virginia Tech student-athlete from another sport is (player’s name) and my favorite memory of (player’s name) is …
Franklin Stubbs. When he played baseball at Tech, the Hokies played a game in Bluefield against West Virginia. In that game, he hit the longest home run I think I’ve ever seen in person. It was still going up when it crossed the center field fence. Even the obnoxious WVU fans were quiet after that one.
