Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 5 | May 2020

inside.hokiesports.com 27 Dr. Parlette’s experiences as a Virginia Tech student-athlete significantly impacted and prepared him for this challenge. According to Dr. Parlette, his experiences as an athlete at Virginia Tech developed withinhima foundationof toughness, resilience, camaraderie, teamwork, and flexibility. Combining these fundamentals and tying them together with service drives and inspires him to be a part of a team, a purpose, and to dedicatemuch of his time to something bigger than himself. Being able to break down silos, come together in times of adversity, evolve with the continuously changing landscape, and inspire others to join the selfless battle to help others is, to Dr. Parlette, an exhilarating experience. Dr. Parlette consistently returns to Blacksburg to visit his Hokie roots and work with Dr. Chad Johnston, a local dermatologist and former West Virginia quarterback. His current job in the Navy Reserves is with the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center, teaching leadership and ethics to intermediate and senior-level Navy Reserve officers around the country. He is honored to be the only medical person in that role. During this mission in New York City, he indicated it’s a “cool thing is to see and observe great leadership and teamwork” and to observe that “when stress and crisis hit, true character is revealed; true leaders emerge.” Chris Kopec —Kopec (’00) is a Virginia Tech alumnus. Kopec took off his race spikes in May of 2000 for the last time, finishing out his career with Tech’s track and field and cross country team. Twenty years later, “DJ Kopec” and his family led an International Quarantine Dance Party Movement viewed for more than eight million minutes and raising an equivalent of more than $800,000 in charitable donations during an eight-week period. Kopec began to “DJ” in sixth grade, as he always loved music and saw howmuch it brought people together for a good time. He connected with the Baltimore Ravens organization in 2002, and he has been working with them for various events, perfecting his craft and gaining a strong local following in his hometown. Currently, Kopec works in sales at U.S. Lumber, and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with wife April and three children (Logan, Maddie and Declan). On Saturday, March 21, after stay-at-home orders had been put in place, DJ Kopec set up his equipment in his basement and Facebook stream a three-hour dance party to thank those on the front lines of the pandemic. That night went viral after 26,000 viewers tuned in, including many Hokies around the country, and his “tip jar” turned into thousands of dollars, which he used to buy pizza for all Howard County first responders. Since that evening, he has been contacted bymany large organizations to sponsor virtual dance parties as an opportunity to give back and serve his community, with his primary goal of bringing families together and lifting spirits during this difficult time. He has expanded events and put on virtual workout sessions (amassing 50,000 viewers multiple times per week) in addition to Kid DJ Sessions, theme parties and more. According to Chris, “Since March 21, there have been 8,000 things going on in our home, with balancing work, home schooling, organizing and performing these dance parties, communicating with organizations and doing many news interviews, but we have approached this quarantine time exactly how I did as an athlete at Virginia Tech. As an athlete, we juggled so many different things – class, early-morning runs, weights, practice again, studying, and building team camaraderie. But the ultimate priority was to perform well when you compete. My ultimate priority is to perform a great dance party that builds our viewership, which increases our ability to help others. My experience as a Virginia Tech athlete taught me how to live and how to prioritize my time and to teach my children how to make the best out of a really tough situation.” His following (91,000 at the moment) continues to increase, and he would like to thank all themany great partners, including the UnitedWay and local Maryland companies. In May, he is planning an Adult Prom Night, Fundraiser for a Baltimore Child Abuse Center, and continuing his workout sessions and more. Check out his Facebook page (DJ Kopec) or #djkopecfamcares to see future events and fundraisers. Edmunds Brothers —Trey (Pittsburgh Steelers), Terrell (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Tremaine (Buffalo Bills) Edmunds have been providing meals to students in Danville, Virginia via their foundation 3EBOYZ. Terrell indicated that “putting smiles on people’s faces” was a joy. Tyrod Taylo r—Taylor (2007-10) is supporting the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank via his foundation to assist with a truckload of food to help those economically impacted by the coronavirus in Taylor’s local community. As a former Hampton High star, Taylor has challenged other local athletes to join in efforts to support those in need in the Tidewater area. NEW DIRECTOR ON CLUB BOARD Kristin (Loughlin) Longo (’05; B.A. in art and art history; graphic design) joined the Board of Directors recently as the lacrosse representative. She played lacrosse at Tech from 2001-04; was a team SAAC Representative during the 2002-03 year; made AD’s Honor from 2001-04; and was a BIG EAST Academic All-Star from 2001-04. Longo lives with husband Danny (’01), two children, and dog (aka “Bud Foster”) in Easton, Pennsylvania. She works as an art director and graphic designer for her company, Longo Creative, LLC. Longo Creative is a value-driven and award-winning creative agency specializing in visionary advertising and distinctive graphic design solutions. For more information, visit longocreative.com . Longo and her family love to visit Blacksburg several times a year. Longo said, “I look forward to connecting with all Virginia Tech lacrosse alumni from every class. I know we all cherish the friendships andmemoriesmade during the all too short years we spent in Blacksburg. This common experience has defined us in many ways, but many of us have lost connection over time due to our busy lives. Creating a strong network of lacrosse alumni and bringing themback to campus will benefit each former athlete individually, as well as strengthen Hokie Nation! Lacrosse alumni, please contact me at kristin@longocreative.com .” MONOGRAM CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPORTS REPRESENTATIVES Baseball Jon Hand (’98) • hand323@yahoo.com Men’s Basketball Quinton Nottingham (’89) • notti@vt.edu Women’s Basketball Michelle Houseright (’99) • michellehouseright@icloud.com Cross Country/Track & Field Brian Walter (’90) • bwalter@vt.edu Football Chad Beasley (’01) • 540-818-7489 • beasleychad@yahoo.com Men’s Golf Mike Ligon (’82) • ligonm01@verizon.net Women’s Golf Whitney Stevenson (’17) • whits1@vt.edu Lacrosse Kristin Longo (’05) • kristin@longocreative.com Women’s Soccer Blair Nelson (’04) • VTWomensSoccerAlumni@gmail.com Men’s Soccer Charlie Howe (’06) • CHowe@USGA.org Softball Whitney Showalter (’10) • whitd@vt.edu Spirit Squads Nancy Brittle (’72) • nbrittle@vt.edu Swimming & Diving John Schmidt (’79) • jschmidt01@cebridge.net Men’s Tennis Preston Lemon (’09) • prestonlemon@gmail.com Women’s Tennis Elissa Hill (’04) • kinard@usta.com Volleyball Michelle Schafer (’92) • mschafer@rcps.org Wrestling Carl Gellis (’65) • carlgellis@hotmail.com Managers, Video, Trainers TBD (an officer for now) OFFICERS Brian Walter (’90, TF/XC) • bwalter@vt.edu Angie Edwards (’92, TF/XC) • edwardsas@concord.edu Sharon McCloskey (’79, Manager-WBB) • smcclosk@vt.edu Quinton Nottingham (’89, MBB) • notti@vt.edu Mike Saunders (’66, Football) • 404-985-3130