GABEL GETTING IT DONE
Tech wrestler Austin Gabel went 5-2 at the Las Vegas Invitational to finish in seventh place at 174 pounds. Seeking a second straight NCAA bid, the redshirt sophomore from Parker, Colo., is 11-4 overall on the season and 7-2 in dual meets heading into the Virginia Duals on Jan. 10-11 in Hampton, Va.
The Student-Athlete Experience
“Thanks for all the support! Being a Hokie is a blessing!”
-Auston Gabel | R-Sophomore, Wrestling
“Thank you for everything that you do for Virginia Tech and all of the sports programs!”
-Brooks Morrison | Sophomore, Wrestling
The Donor File
Clay Whitley
Hokie Club Level: Golden Hokie
Currently Resides: Richmond, VA
What year did you graduate? 1957
Family: Kevin and Tracy Whitley (son and daughter-in-law), Linda and David Taylor (daughter and son-in-law), Brian and Kelly Whitley (son and daughter-in-law)
Grandchildren: Donald Clay and Garrett Whitley (Kevin and Tracy), Whitley and Harrison Taylor (Linda and David), Peyton, Cooper, Fletcher and Karsten (Brian and Kelly).
Q&A
Q: The Hokie Nation is real because …
A: We have a great fan base. We also have teamwork among our fans and university administration to support the athletics program.
Q: What is your best memory of Virginia Tech athletics?
A: My best memory would have to be attending the national championship game in New Orleans after the 1999 undefeated season. A close second would be attending the West Virginia game in the same season to see Shayne Graham’s game-winning field goal that preserved the undefeated season.
Q: What caused you become a fan of Virginia Tech?
A: My first visit to Virginia Tech was when I was a high school student looking at colleges to attend. I loved the campus and saw an opportunity to get an engineering degree and a commission in the military as a member of the Corps of Cadets. After that visit, I was a Virginia Tech fan and have been a Hokie for 61 years.
Q: Describe your perfect day at Virginia Tech.
A: Have a safe drive from Richmond to Blacksburg. Enjoy ESPN Gameday live at Lane Stadium and pregame tailgating with family and friends. Watch the pre-game and halftime activities including Corp of Cadets, Highty-Tighties, Marching Virginians, a flyover and “Enter Sandman.” Win the game and have a safe trip home.
Q: How are you involved with the local Richmond Hokie Club?
A: I serve on the board for the Richmond Hokie Club. I have been chairman of the Richmond annual recruiting night program for several years and I enjoy working with club members on numerous other events during the year. Our club has supported the general fund, many individual teams and new facilities projects in the athletics department.
Q: I’m a Hokie Club member because …
A: I enjoy helping to provide athletics scholarships and funds to improve facilities to make the sports programs at Virginia Tech the best in the ACC. Athletics provides exposure to the university like no other medium and that exposure benefits all aspects of Tech.
Q: My all-time favorite Virginia Tech football player is …
A: Carroll Dale. He was an outstanding tight end and was on the team when I attended Virginia Tech. He had a fantastic career with the Hokies and also a great career with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
Q: My all-time favorite Virginia Tech student-athlete from another sports is …
A: Bimbo Coles. Our family lived in Lewisburg, W. Va., from 1973-1984 which is also Bimbo’s hometown. Our children went to Lewisburg schools with Bimbo and we watched his athletics career through high school. He was a special player for Tech basketball, the U.S. Olympic team and he had a great career in the NBA.
Thank You!
The Hokie Club staff would like to thank the Hokie Club membership for their wonderful support of Virginia Tech athletics in 2013. We are committed to providing our student-athletes the finest possible support by paying for student-athlete scholarships, assisting in raising money to build first-class athletics facilities, and offering program support to our 22 varsity sports. During the year, we welcomed new Hokie Club members and saw many existing members upgrade their giving levels. In addition, we received pledged gifts and major gifts that will be used to directly impact Virginia Tech athletics for years to come, both with capital projects and endowed scholarships. Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to a very successful 2014.
-Hokie Club, Supporting Tech Athletics Since 1949
