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1. Allen anxious to turn around Tech's basketball fortunes

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 11

Someone who carries around two cell phones – smart phones, no less – must be a person of utmost importance, or certainly a celebrity of some sorts. “Nah,” Seth Allen said, with a smile. “I use one just for music.” Tho…

2. Takeaways from yet another important spring football practice

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 10

To get a feeling of what Tech football coach Frank Beamer thought of his team’s spring, consider his comments following the annual Maroon-White game that concluded spring practice. “We’re going to go through some growing pains …

3. Williams up for the challenge of changing the fortunes of the Tech men's basketball program

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 9

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4. Five intriguing names to watch, as Tech kicks off spring practice

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 8

Click on the football schedule on hokiesports.com, and it says that the Hokies’ open the 2014 season on Aug. 30 against William & Mary. Yet ask any Tech football coach and he will tell you that the season kicks off on March 26 …

5. Babcock the perfect fit to be Tech's AD

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 7

The minute the word came out about Whit Babcock being named the new athletics director at Virginia Tech, many in Hokie Nation expressed the same reaction. Or in other words, “Who?” Only the most educated of fans and those who toil…

6. Considering the circumstances, 8-5 was not a bad season for Tech

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 6

In November of 1994, the former editor of the athletics department publication, Chris Colston, came up with a unique headline for the issue that capped the 1994 regular season. It said, “8-3 ain’t bad.” Nineteen years later,…

7. Success should be the mark of Jim Weaver’s legacy

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 5

We’re four months into the academic year, which means four months into college sports’ playing seasons, and already, it’s been a bit of a bizarre fall/early winter in Blacksburg. Consider the following: the football team won si…

8. Stanford shows his potential with big game versus BC

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 4

For a young man coming off the game of his life and playing not terribly far from his hometown across the border in Canada, Josh Stanford wasn’t in a particularly cheery mood. The Canadian had just set career highs in receptions and y…

9. Facyson and Fuller creating excitement now and for the future

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 3

Coming into the season, Virginia Tech’s coaching staff expected many freshmen to contribute this fall, but they probably didn’t expect any of them to contribute in the secondary, where four starters were returning. Yet here we…

10. Despite loss, Hokies get off to a solid start to 2013 season

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 2

When Demitri Knowles caught the opening kickoff from Alabama kicker Cade Foster, the green flagged dropped on the 13-week race that is the 2013 football season. Unfortunately, 60 minutes worth of game time later, the Hokies stumbled ac…

11. Tech defense looking to be great from the start in 2013

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 6 Iss. 1

Shortly after the Hokies’ 48-34 defeat to North Carolina last October, defensive coordinator Bud Foster walked into the postgame media session – willingly – to face media hounds who were all ready to tree him after his defense gav…

12. The 2012-13 athletics year ranks as one of the best ever for Tech

Baseball :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 11

The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships marked the end of the 2012-13 sports year for Virginia Tech athletics, and it rounded out arguably the greatest athletics year in the history of the university. That may seem like…

13. Lots to take away about the Hokies following important spring practice

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 10

The Maroon-White game wrapped up Tech’s 2013 spring practice, which was arguably the most important in head coach Frank Beamer’s tenure. Coming off a 7-6 campaign that was a bit of a struggle throughout, he hired a new offensive co…

14. Tech running backs use spring to put past behind them

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 9

By everyone’s standards, J.C. Coleman ranks as one of the good guys on Tech’s football team, someone who, yes, carries a football, but also a big smile and a bigger heart. Yet when the conversation turns toward the Hokies’ rushing…

15. Five to watch, as Hokies gear up for 2013 spring practice

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 8

For those tired of the doldrums of winter, for those tired of the varying degrees of cold, for those tired of words like “wind chill” and “jet stream,” take heart. The first day of spring is March 20. The lone exception is…

16. Staff changes made with focus to improve Tech offense's consistency, particularly in the running game

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 7

Tech coach Frank Beamer sat on the stage at the Schott Media Center in the south end zone of Lane Stadium. His three new coaching hires flanked him, all sitting there with a throng of media anxiously awaiting to toss them questions…

17. Tech defense saves best for last with dominating performance against Rutgers

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 6

Several days after Tech’s 13-10 overtime victory over Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl, as most were rushing to purchase champagne to ring in the New Year, a friend submitted an email somewhat stating the obvious. “Other t…

18. Christmas means a little more this season for Cole

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 5

Tis the season to put up Christmas trees, hang stockings, put up Christmas decorations and lights, and buy and wrap gifts. It’s also a time to reflect on the holiday and its meaning, and also to count one’s blessings. Michael …

19. Recent hurricane puts football into perspective for one Tech player

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 4

Sometimes it takes a natural disaster of epic proportions to put the sport of football into its proper perspective. A few weeks ago, on the night of Oct. 29, most Tech fans fretted about the Hokies’ upcoming game against Miami, consid…

20. Johnson excited about first season in charge of Tech basketball program

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 3

New Tech men’s basketball coach James Johnson makes sure he wins the opening tip on every day. He gets up at dark, gets to work before dawn leaks over the eastern horizon, and like the great defensive player he was at Ferrum back…

21. Tyler tackling anything in his way toward being a great one

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 2

For the average Tech fan, sitting in the overcast that was Labor Day evening, it would be hard to imagine that tackling machine Jack Tyler, the anchor of the Hokies’ defense and the crux of its lunch-pail mentality, nearly wound up str…

22. Tech freshmen hope to earn playing time in 2012

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 5 Iss. 1

Two years ago, Tech head coach Frank Beamer and his staff played just two true freshmen – a couple of guys named Derrick Hopkins and Kyle Fuller. A year ago, seven played, including a couple of projected 2012 starters in Luther Maddy …

23. Uncertainty of playoff format fueling anxiety in college athletics this summer

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 11

Normally, in the summertime, the buzzwords are “sun,” “sand,” “beach,” and “water.” But sitting in Jim Weaver’s office recently, the two of us came up with four others – “uncertainty,” “access,” “fairn…

24. Tech's basketball players excited after Weaver tabs Johnson new men's head coach

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 10

Less than 24 hours after Tech AD Jim Weaver dismissed Seth Greenberg as the men’s basketball coach in a rather surprising move, Erick Green walked into the office of Tom Gabbard, the associate AD for internal affairs and the men’s …

25. Five to watch, as spring practice set to answer questions about 2012 squad

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 8

On March 28, the Virginia Tech football squad opens spring practice, which serves as college football’s version of March Madness – only the games are intrasquad scrimmages. That doesn’t make spring football any less interesting…

26. Athletics is a common bond in the Edmunds family

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 7

When he hits the football field or the basketball court, Trey Edmunds is usually the best athlete in that particular sport. When he sits down at the dinner table at night … well … that’s another story. “We’ve had some …

27. In a bowl season filled with points and yards, Tech's defense transcends the norm

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 6

Twenty-four hours after the Sugar Bowl, your editor sat in his recliner and watched West Virginia destroy Clemson, wondering if the Clemson police department really had to wait 24 hours to begin that search for the Tigers’ defense. …

28. Surprise Sugar Bowl bid gives Hokies chance to end season on sweet note

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 5

As Tech head coach Frank Beamer sat on the bus during the ride home following the Hokies’ ACC championship game loss to Clemson, he said he began to wonder/wish/hope about the possibilities of a Sugar Bowl berth for his program. Twen…

29. Rivers travels long road to get back

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 4

One year, he’s starting in the Orange Bowl as a redshirt freshman, stuffing Cincinnati’s Tony Pike at the goal line on fourth down to preserve the Hokies’ first Orange Bowl win and celebrating not only a big game, but also the star…

30. Five storylines to watch for 2011-12 hoops season

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 3

Certainly, the majority of Tech fans are hip deep into football season, but perhaps the real intrigue this fall centers on the men’s basketball program, where, for the first time in four years, the Hokies will open a season without Ma…

31. O'Cain's return to calling plays starts out with a bang

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 2

Mike O’Cain grew up working on a farm in the heart of South Carolina just 40 miles or so south of the state capital, so he’s used to taking on a few more responsibilities to get a particular task done. He came to Tech as a quarterb…

32. Lots of things have changed over 25 years, but Frank Beamer isn't one of them

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 4 Iss. 1

Tech’s new running backs coach remembers when times weren’t this good for Virginia Tech’s football program. He remembers when a rude fan called the Beamer home one time, and his sister answered, dealing with a tirade that left her …

33. After two years of waiting, Journell ready for his chance as Tech's kicker

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 11

Cody Journell could think of many ways to build up leg strength over the course of this summer. But hiking over a mountain in the dead of night on a major highway didn’t really come to mind. Part of his summer vacation consisted of …

34. Tech with a lot of pleasant surprises this spring

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 10

The annual Maroon-White football game wrapped up spring practice, and following this year’s game, a friend surmised that, “the Logan Thomas kid is better than I thought.” Of course, the reference is to Tech’s starting quarterbac…

35. The spotlight's on Thomas as Hokies prepare for life without Taylor

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 9

Logan Thomas’ week off for Spring Break roughly a month ago was anything but a week at the beach. He spent most of it in his hometown of Lynchburg, actually most of it at his home while his untrustworthy car sat in a repair shop with …

36. Dowdell finally achieves lifelong dream - to play in the NBA

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 8

p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt;"Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } We’re going to stop the presses here and report that we’ve found the happiest dude in America.…

37. February a short month that will go a long way toward determining Tech's NCAA fate

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 7

February stands as the shortest month of any year with just 28 days (29 every four years), but for college basketball teams, those 28 days are the most important of the season. A color commentator on a recent broadcast compared February…

38. Tech defense looking for improvement after up-and-down 2010 season

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 6

p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt;"Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt;"Times New Ro…

39. Hokies with one more step to make history

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 5

Tech head coach Frank Beamer teased his team. They wanted him to dance following the Hokies’ victory over North Carolina. They implored him to get down after the win at Miami. They beseeched him to boogie after the dismantling of Vir…

40. Fifteen years later and Holmes' historic catch still a topic of conversation

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 4

Jermaine Holmes made one of the biggest plays in Tech history when he hauled in this touchdown catch in the final minute to help the Hokies rally past UVa. He wasn’t named to any All-America squads. For that matter, he never even e…

41. Five keys for Hokies' hopes of making it to the NCAA Tournament

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 3

On a recent Monday evening, your friendly editor shunned a portion of Monday night football to catch an episode of Dancing with the Stars. Why, we’re not sure. Instead of watching Chicago’s Devin Hester twinkle-toe his way down the …

42. Hokies again find themselves in a familiar position

General Release :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 2

This issue of Inside Hokie Sports marks the first following Labor Day, that time on the calendar when all youngsters bid adieu to summer vacations and return to bells ringing, lockers slamming and friends rushing into their various class…

43. Seniors key to continuing Tech's stellar defensive play

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 3 Iss. 1

Roughly a week or so after a celebration of his 51st birthday, Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster bid farewell to another laidback summer filled with fishing, wake surfing and ray catching at his ho…

44. Boise State has the Hokies' full attention and justifiably so

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 11

The magazine sits cockeyed on a couch in a co-worker’s messy office, and the first thing that jumps out is the photo of Tech’s sensational tailback, Ryan Williams, on the cover. Closer inspection reveals Sporting News’ preseason t…

45. Several young players take advantage of opportunities this spring

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 10

The Maroon-White game wrapped up Virginia Tech’s 2010 spring practice, and springtime this year was the time of opportunity, particularly on defense. Tech’s defense saw standouts such as Nekos Brown, Cordarrow Thompson and NFL draft…

46. For the Hokies to get in their kicks in 2010, the kickers need to be up to the task

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 9

Field goals and field position. As most Tech fans know, their beloved Hokies have won many games over the years because of their excellence in these two elements of the sport. But in a teleconference before the start of spring practic…

47. Expansion of college basketball's NCAA Tournament would be beneficial to Tech's program

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 8

As most know, only an exclusive group of members receive invitations to college basketball’s Big Dance [a.k.a. the NCAA Tournament] these days. But that might be changing. And Virginia Tech could be a beneficiary of the rumored change…

48. Hokies need to keep doing what they've been doing

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 7

Moments after a thrilling, though not aesthetically pleasing, basketball victory over Clemson, a reporter lobbed a question toward Malcolm Delaney, asking him if he would expect to have the lead at half…

49. Hokies look good heading into next season - and into the future

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 6

The sounds of hammering, the crackling of welding and the sights of heavy construction equipment behind the Jamerson Athletics Center are a constant reminder of the investment being made in the Virginia Tech football program, as workers …

50. Strong regular season has put the Hokies where they want to be heading into the bowl

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 5

Ever the model of consistency, the Virginia Tech football team stayed true to its postgame rituals following a victory. A season-ending stomping of rival Virginia wasn’t going to change that. Head coach Frank Beamer lauded his team’…

51. Bowden strikes a perfect chord in his final season

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 4

Let’s say this about Brent Bowden – he’s certainly no dummy. On the contrary, he’s a rather astute individual. He came to Tech to pursue his dreams, which included playing football and getting his degree, among other things. In …

52. Getting defensive the main emphasis for men's hoops squad heading into upcoming season

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 3

A conversation about the upcoming basketball campaign with Seth Greenberg leads one to believe that he is exploring a new defensive philosophy this season. Sounds like he doesn’t want his team to pick up the opponents at halfcourt. No…

53. After long wait, Waldron anxious to give Hokies a leg up on competition

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 2

The last time he kicked a field goal in an actual game, he hadn’t even graduated from high school. He hadn’t even gone to his senior prom. He barely had his driver’s license. Heck, the last time he kicked a field goal in a game,…

54. Five Football Players to Watch in 2009

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 2 Iss. 1

The polls show Barack Obama’s popularity gravitating toward Earth, the nation skeptical on health care reform, and people generally apathetic on Sonia Sotomayor. But for those with no interest in politics (or with a general disdain fo…

55. Moves in the coaching ranks not the norm during the summer

Soccer (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 11

In the athletics business, the month of June serves one of two purposes – it either provides time for camps or it allows for some vacation time for the staffs. At Tech, though, this June has been the month for two rather important c…

56. Young players create excitement with their improvement and overall play this spring

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 10

Normally, the Maroon-White game that marks the conclusion of Tech’s spring football practice lacks entertainment value. The same thing applies to the majority of the practices as well. After all, Tech’s coaching staff uses the spr…

57. Hokies have some answers to questions in place, but spring practice will answer the rest

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 9

Tech head coach Frank Beamer recently spent 22 minutes on a teleconference, fielding questions from media hounds the way Macho Harris fields punts. Of course, Beamer doesn’t quite return the answers as briskly as Macho returned tho…

58. An unlikely league coach makes case for Hokies

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 8

Judging from message board fodder, snippets of conversations unintentionally overheard and harsh critiques delivered by friends, the prevailing thought here is that Tech fans certainly care little for the Duke Blue Devils. Part of that …

59. Close games create angst for coaches, great theater for hoops fans

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 7

February 2 represents Groundhog Day, the time-honored tradition when Punxsutawney Phil waddles out of his cozy burrow on Gobbler’s Knob and predicts the remaining length of winter – which always seems to be six more weeks. Fifteen y…

60. The final destination was great, but the 2008 journey should always be remembered

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 6

Tech fans will certainly remember this bowl game. You’ll remember the opponent. You’ll probably remember the score. You’ll remember Darren Evans, who was unbreakable; Tech’s defense, which was unbendable; and Tyrod Taylor, who w…

61. ACC championship obviously worth celebrating, but the biggest game of the season lies ahead for the Hokies

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 5

Following Tech’s precise dismantling of BC in the ACC title game, league commissioner John Swofford stood tall in the Hokies’ noisy locker room and gave the commonplace congratulatory speech to the winning team. Then he delivered a …

62. Despite injury, Lewis has plenty to add to Hokies' cause

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 4

On a cold, blustery afternoon, Tech’s football team worked out in Rector Field House, and along the sideline stood a young man on crutches dressed in a sweatsuit – and wearing a helmet, of all things. To be sure, it was an odd sight…

63. League foe provides lesson for Hokies as they get ready to begin upcoming season

Basketball (M) :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 3

A.D. Vassallo is majoring in sociology. Cheick Diakite chose agricultural economics. Lewis Witcher picked accounting. That’s just a smattering of majors for Tech men’s basketball players. There are others, though not a single one in…

64. Young Hokies learn tough lesson in season opener, but should get better as season continues

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 2

As we compile this issue of the magazine, the students have been back a week, backpacks heavy with textbooks and notebooks. The classes started, the syllabi got handed out, professors updated Blackboard and young men and women began a ra…

65. A young Tech team could well be back in the ACC title hunt again

Football :: From the Editor's Desk :: Jimmy Robertson :: Vol. 1 Iss. 1

Following the Hokies’ first practice in preparation for the 2008 season, Macho Harris met with a small throng of media members to discuss the opening day’s events and then engaged in a serious conversation with a gentleman whom few r…