22 / 48
20
Inside Hokie Sports
Hearp Financial, LLC Strategies By Tech Fans, For Tech Fans, and more Todd F. Hearp is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of, and securities and investment advisory services offered solely by Equity Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, 4401 Starkey Road, Roanoke, VA 24018, (540) 989-4600. Hearp Financial, LLC. and Eddie Hearp are independent of Equity Services, Inc. TC91033(07/16)P 4401 Starkey Road, Roanoke, VA 24018 www.nfservicesinc.com• Hearp_Todd@nlvmail.com Strategies For Seeking a Safe Retirement Todd F. Hearp Class of ‘89 Eddie F. Hearp Class of ‘65 Proud to Support Virginia Tech Athletics (540) 989-4600 Hearp Financial, LLC is based in Roanoke, VA and our representatives have been helping families and businesses address their financial concerns for many years. Our clients receive the benefit of working with an entire team. Each team member has a specific area of expertise, which allows our clients to access the talents and experience of each of our specialists. • Financial Planning • Investment Services • Insurance Services • Wealth Management • Estate Planning Strategies
recruits, signing with Clemson and
later spending a brief stint with the
NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
Harper’s success motivated Ford, but so, too,
did an incident with a longtime equipment manager
at Trinity. Before the beginning of his freshman year,
Ford requested the No. 3, which is a “legacy” number at
Trinity—many of the greats wore that number throughout
their careers. Ford always had worn No. 3 in recreational leagues
because he loved Allen Iverson,
a former NBA star who wore the
number.
“No, you’re not deserving of No.
3,” the equipment manager told
Ford.
Those words lit the spark that
turned into an internal rage.
“That stuck with me ever
since,” Ford said. “So I wore No. 7
in high school. I told myself every
day that he was going to regret
saying that.
“That still sticks with me today.
When I’m working out, and I’m
getting tired, I can think of all
those moments when people have
doubted me, and I get a sudden
rush of adrenaline or motivation to
keep going.”
Ford led Trinity to two state championships during his four years
there. He also excelled on the basketball court, becoming one of the
state’s best in that sport.
He arrived at Tech fully planning on playing both—a plan to which
former head football coach Frank Beamer and former head basketball
coach James Johnson agreed. But after his freshman season, he knew
he needed to get in the weight room and get bigger. He barely weighed
180 once the season ended.
Ford ultimately gave up his basketball pursuits for good, realizing
what his football future might hold for him. He still feels a tinge of regret.
“Maybe a little,” he said. “I just miss it. But how my career has been
at Virginia Tech, if I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t change
a thing.”
Nor should he. He has enjoyed
unprecedented success for a
receiver at Tech, earning All-ACC
honors on three occasions. Only
three Tech receivers had made
an all-conference team on three
occasions—André Davis (1999-
2001) and Carroll Dale (1957-59),
though Davis made a team one
year as a returner.
Hisabilitycapturestheattention
of the ones who watch him every
Saturday and even inspire the ones
who play with him.
“I really think it’s special what
he’s able to do,” fellow Tech
receiver Cam Phillips said. “He
has such great body control.
You’ve seen some of the catches
in traffic, with him going up and getting a ball. I think it’s really special
that he has that body control and catches pretty much everything.”
Tech’s coaching staff thinks Ford is special, too, for obvious reasons.
They love his consistency, as back-to-back 70-plus receptions, 1,000-
yard seasons attest. They love his demeanor, and they love his work ethic.
Continued
from page 19
“
”
I just miss it. But how my
career has been at Virginia
Tech, if I had to do it over
again, I probably wouldn’t
change a thing.
Isaiah Ford
on giving up basketball to
concentrate on football
QUITE
THE