Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 4 | March 2020

inside.hokiesports.com 3 HOKIE CLUB HAPPENINGS • The Hokie Club held its third annual Endowed Scholarship Reception on Jan. 31 at Rector Field House. The annual event recognizes donors who have established, or contributed to, an endowed scholarship, while also giving those donors the opportunity to meet and converse with student-athletes who receive scholarships. In addition, the event provides the student- athletes a chance to thank donors for their scholarships, while creating meaningful interactions and lifelong connections. This year’s event boasted 290 attendees, including 75 student-athletes. Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Famer Mike Burnop served as the host for the event, and football student-athletes Dax Hollifield and James Mitchell participated on a panel in which they spoke about their student- athlete experience at Virginia Tech. The Hokie Club would like to thank those who attended this year’s reception and all of its members who contribute to endowed scholarships. That generosity and commitment provides an immeasurable impact to the student-athletes at Virginia Tech. • On Jan. 31-Feb. 1, the Hokie Club Board of Directors held its annual meetings at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Justin Hamilton served as the keynote speaker, discussing his background and outlook for the 2020 football team. Assistant Director of Broadcasting Bryant Johnson moderated a Q&A panel with quarterback Hendon Hooker (Greensboro, North Carolina), women’s basketball guard Taja Cole (Richmond, Virginia), and lacrosse defender Lizzie Lohrer (Alexandria, Virginia). During the meeting, members of the Gordon Bowman Society, Hokie Club chapter presidents, and the Board of Directors sub-committees received reports and were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund fundraising numbers, the Drive for 25 campaign, the Campaign for Virginia Tech, and the athletics department’s fundraising goal of $350 million that is part of the university’s $1.5 billion Boundless Impact campaign. Additionally, updates were given on the fundraising priorities for the campaign, which include the Hokie Scholarship Fund, scholarship endowments, the Drive for 25, football enhancements and a proposed Cassell Coliseum renovation. • The Hokie Club, in conjunction with several Virginia-based Hokie Club chapters, held annual Football Recruit Nights throughout the state in which more than 500 Virginia Tech fans attended. The various events allowed the coaches to talk about the 2020 recruiting class, provide updates on the football program, and discuss future prospects for the team and program moving forward. Members of the football coaching staff who attended included Pierson Prioleau (Class of 2011; director of player development-defense), Adam Lechtenberg (running backs coach), Vance Vice (offensive line coach), and Brad Cornelsen (offensive coordinator). Funds raised through ticket sales, auctions, raffles, and sponsorships from the Football Recruit Nights were gifted back to the Hokie Club to provide financial resources for scholarships, capital projects, and programming needs.