Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 2 | October 2019

Published by the Virginia Tech Athletics Department • Inside Hokie Sports (ISSN 8750-9148, periodical postage paid at Blacksburg, VA 24060 and additional mailing offices) covers Virginia Tech athletics and is published six times annually. The publisher is the Virginia Tech Athletics Department, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $37.95 for one year (six issues) and $69.95 for two years. Mail all subscription inquiries, renewals, address changes, written inquiries and complaints to Inside Hokie Sports, Jamerson Athletic Center, Virginia Tech, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061 or call (540) 231-6726. Inside Hokie Sports assumes no responsibility for companies and persons who advertise in this publication. Reproduction of contents in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Publisher does not guarantee accuracy of information contained in any advertisement. ATTN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Inside Hokie Sports, P.O. Box 11101, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-1101. Printed by Worth Higgins & Associates of Richmond, Virginia contents inside.hokiesports.com Jimmy Robertson Dave Knachel Editor Photographer John Sours Contributors Designer Shelbylynn Adair—Hokie Club Jared Wilson—Virginia Tech Sports Properties *To advertise with Virginia Tech athletics or Inside Hokie Sports, contact Kyler Pilling at Virginia Tech Sports Properties – 540-418-6307 October 2019 Vol. 12, No. 2 2 Hokie Club News 7 News and Notes 9 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Behind the Mic—Jon Laaser Paying tribute to a father 12 IHS Extra—Group of Student-Athletes Attend Leadership Retreat A contingent went to Colorado Springs in mid-August to learn from the best 18 Men’s Basketball Preview Back at home in the NRV, new head coach Mike Young is ready for his latest challenge 25 Women’s Basketball Preview Kenny Brooks is ready to mold numerous new faces into a winner 30 IHS Extra—Education, Family Lead Lydia Rivers to Tech The Tech forward is spending her final season at the school where her dad once played 32 Monogram Club 34 Football Spotlight—Rayshard Ashby Tech’s most consistent player on pace for another 100-tackle season 38 Women’s Soccer Spotlight— Mandy McGlynn Tech goalkeeper establishing herself as the best in program history 42 IHS Extra—Lewis Pursuing Olympic Dreams Lewis won a wrestling national title in March and now wants an Olympic medal 12 18 25 26 36 42 16 23 38 0 34 42 44