Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 6 | June 2019

38 Inside Hokie Sports 2019 GOLDEN GOBBLER AWARDS The fifth annual Gobblers event was held April 29 at the Moss Arts Center, celebrating Virginia Tech Athletics and both team and individual achievements in and out of the playing venues. The last award presented was the Golden Gobbler , sponsored by the Monogram Club , the club of letterwinners from all current and past Virginia Tech sports. The Golden Gobbler goes to the student-athletes who represent the true definition of a Hokie. Justin Robinson (men’s basketball) was the 2019 male recipient of the Golden Gobbler. Robinson developed into a leader on and off the court. He broke the all-time career assists record this past season and was named an ACC Player of the Week that week for his efforts. Despite an injury that kept him off the court for a portion of the season, Robinson led the Hokies to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He was a two-time All-ACC Academic Teammember as well. Robinson said, “To end this ride, this journey, with an award like this, is such an honor.” Jalia Tolbert (volleyball) was the 2019 female recipient of the Golden Gobbler. She tallied more than 1,000 career kills, was a two- time, second-team All-ACC selection, a two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, and held her team’s highest grade-point average in the fall. Off the court, she was the 2018-19 president of the VT Student- Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and represented the ACC on the Division I SAAC at the NCAA Convention. Tolbert said, “Before coming to Virginia Tech, I truly had no idea the impact I’d be able to make on the court, in my community and nationally. With that being said, I couldn’t do it alone. I’d like to extend a thank you to Virginia Tech Athletics for the opportunity of a lifetime and to Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS), Student-Athlete Development, and SAAC for helping me realize my potential beyond my sport.” EDMUNDS REUNION RECEPTION AMonogramClub reunion reception, sponsoredby TreyEdmunds , along with Terrell and Tremaine Edmunds , was held following the Spring Game in the South End Zone Club. Parents Cookie and Ferrell Edmunds staged the event for all student-athlete and support-group alumni, faculty, coaches and guests, providing a postgame meal for all to enjoy. The legacy of the Edmunds men at Tech is an exceptional one, and this reception, in its second year, exemplifies the best of Ut Prosim (“That I May Serve”). Many thanks to the Edmunds family for their leadership! This Is Home! MEN’S SOCCER The 14th annual Virginia Tech World Cup and tournament, co- hosted by the Virginia Tech men’s soccer program and the Cranwell International Center, was held April 27. Students, faculty, staff and alumni from Virginia Tech and neighboring universities participated. The event continues to function as part tournament and part mini conference, examining cultural and historical formation of national and regional identities through public and civic engagement in the global sport of soccer. The Virginia Tech men’s soccer program sponsored a spring alumni weekend in Washington, D.C. on May 17-19. Several former team members enjoyed catching up and reminiscing about their playing days, while meeting the current men’s soccer staff. Friday evening included a social at Mission in Dupont Circle, followed by an alumni game Saturday morning. To cap off the weekend, alumni enjoyed lunch on the rooftop of Whitlow’s on Wilson in Arlington. Kevin Finn (Class of 1987) said, “I want to thank Coach Briz [head coach Mike Brizendine] and Coach [Pat] McSorley for organizing a great weekend. It was great to meet some players from different Tech soccer teams. It was also a nice surprise to see Eddie Thompson, who was a senior on the teammy freshman year. Hopefully, this is something we can continue to build upon.” To connect with former soccer alumni, please look for us on Facebook, as we continue to grow our network and share past photos and memories. Search for “VT Men’s Soccer Players, Alumni, and Friends of the Program.” Charlie Howe (’06) and Finn also are spearheading an initiative to connect with every men’s soccer team captain in the program’s history. If you’ve heard from them to date, that’s fantastic, but please connect with Howe, who also serves as the Monogram Club men’s soccer representative, at charlieh.howe@ gmail.com. CALLING ALL CHEERLEADER, HIGHTECHS, AND HOKIEBIRD ALUMNI! Join us for an Alumni Spirit Squad Reunion on Oct. 18-19. Homecoming weekend will begin with a reception Friday evening, one where you can enjoy getting together with former squad members and reminiscing on all the great times you experienced at Virginia Tech. Mark your calendars now. More details will be sent through the Club email list and publicized on the spirit squad alumni Facebook pages. On game day, Virginia Tech plays North Carolina, and all spirit squad alumni are invited to participate in “The Pregame Walk”; on-field, third-quarter recognition; and pregame “Tunnel Experience.” This leads to our request to ensure that you will be updated on upcoming events. If you lettered on a spirit squad, you are encouraged to be an active member of the Monogram Club and be updated on all tailgates, reunions, ticket purchase information, and special events of the Club and spirit alumni. We invite all alumni spirit squad members to reach out to your former teammates and enjoy this homecoming weekend “like old times!” To join, go to monogram.hokiesports.com . A recent spirit event was a “Senior Spirit Squad Pizza Party.” Pizza and cake offered a great opportunity for graduating seniors to speak with several alumni and learn more about the Club. Each of the Jaila Tolbert capped her great career by winning a Golden Gobbler, which goes to the student-athletes who represent the definition of being a Hokie.