arch80

by accident that I ran head-on into the wonderfully written series of articles written by no other than our now grey-haired fearless leader Mr. William Stewart, under the title of "The Year of Our Discontent". W_O_W_W_W_W!!! Just wow! I either missed it back in the day when he wrote it or somehow otherwise missed it but, what a great explanation of a period of time that I remember with much less detail than he provided but, generally I remember as just a down-trodden period of time about 7-10 years after I had attended Tech. It does bring my thoughts back to that time, when I was far enough removed from my wonderful student years at Tech to being in the working world and observing Tech primarily through it's sports teams as just an interested alumni fan. Because media wasn't what it is today of course, your ability to keep up with Tech sports and Virginia Tech in general was relegated to newspaper sports pages, alumni newsletters and only very occasionally a telecast of the football or basketball teams. Living in Northern Virginia at that time (and still do), I think; no, I know I wasn't as avid a Tech fan back then probably for those exact reasons, poor sports coverage, the university's teams lacking an identity other than to us alumni (who else cared about my Hokies back then!) and of course the annual Virginia Tech - UVA clashes in football and basketball. What I will add, is I married into a very Hokie dominate family, and my FIL had season tickets to the football seasons which continually drew me back into that wonderful world of Hokie sports, particularly for the Tech - UVA annual clash. From 1985 to present day I probably went to just about evry one of those games but in those early years coming through and out of the "Year of Our Discontent" ('86-'87) was almost exactly when I really became the Hokie fan that I am today. As time and technology advanced, the ability to keep up with "my Hokies" became easier and easier. And, the best of all best things that really made me a Hokie junkie was when I discovered Hokie Central! How wonderful was that day! The internet was just beyond the infancy stage and was more generally available but, still not exactly a part of everyone's everyday life at that point. But, for those of us that yearned for some way to get more Hokie sports into our veins, it was a lifeline and a great one at that. I know, tl;dr but, if you've gotten this far please tip your hat to our fearless leader, Mr. Will; "To you Sir, you don't know what you don't know but your small little personal endeavor, that you probably never knew whether it would live another day at certain points in it's and your life, was a lifeline for many of us who just wanted to be a part of that wonderful culture that has become to be known as Hokie Nation, before it had a "name" and that was Hokie Central back in the day and now is a more than robust "Tech Sideline". That great piece of writing that I came upon tonight, took me back to a time and place that seems so authentic and filled with the cast of characters that were relevant and real. (Being an architecture student ('75-'80), Dr. Bill Lavery was our Dean when I first set foot on campus and used to see him up close and in person on many occasions there in the bowels of Cowgill). Thanks Will, great job (then) and an even greater job well done now. You created a vehicle that some of us have aged with over the years but has still to this day done a wonderful job of keeping us connected to our "Hokies" and the entire universe within which they exist and also permeate the outer universe that thousands of alumna such as myself rely on to still feel a part what makes us all Hokies in spirit. Thanks again. John Irish, B.Arch '80

look over the edge or beyond the horizon after the old ball Coach was in the rear view mirror to set a course for the future. Unless and if there is some Harry Potteresque Merlin closet on high, where the master puppeteer resides, as of now one does wonder if it was an epiphany of sorts or was it new ball Coach Head Chief Pry himself that put the mirror in front of Whit and asked "What do you see for good old Vah Tech in the next 5-10-20 years?" As there has to have been a catalyst that turned the chief at the helm of the Titanic to exclaim,"Hard starboard, there's a 'berg about to put us to the bottom!" Too late, a la the Titanic or do the flat-earthers have to go back to geography class? That will be answered soon enough as you have extrapolated in your 7-part Answer #2.

Least of which was the father. If one recalls back in the late 70's - early 80's SW Virginia was a pretty closed good old boys network of folks surrounding the football program. My recollection from the time was plenty of people never felt as if the whole story ever truly saw the day of light.

the incident. The fact they reported, ",,,filed a $14 million suit against the university and the athletic association in 1979." And then report, ..."a judge excluded VPI from the suit because of sovereign immunity...", made me wonder where the Athletic Association came up with $14M?; boosters?? Seems as if there probably was more to the story.

reported related death? Other than a $14M (?) settlement (allegedly not paid by the University, then who?), has there ever been a true fact finding that the punishment drills were directly the cause of his death? Were the punishment drills directed by Coach Sharpe or were there implications that the assistant coach took it upon himself to demand the extent of the drills and Coach Sharpe was only indirectly responsible by virtue of his title and responsibility as direct supervisor of all other coaches? Was there ever a direct acknowledgement or documented fact that the death was the cause for his firing? Were any of the football staff at that time still around and on Coach Beamer's staff?

I'm pretty sure if you were able to ask Mike if he feels a need to satisfy the souls of those who choose to belittle or look upon him with less than positive thoughts, he would likely say that those are not the ones he 's interested in atoning with, as 2hhoops3 suggests.

departure from where you sit now. I amongst many truly enjoyed j. Alderson's prose! Part of the allure for me of his works were the ability to bring you into the "picture of the prose" so to say. It was easy to imagine the surroundings and setting as if it were a dream sequence or movie trailer of the written word and instead of reading just the written words you were hearing a conversation being spoken while either sitting close by listening intently or as one might have walking side by side with Jay just having a pleasant (or not so!) conversation whiling away some time with someone like-minded and with similar interests. If one could lend a bit of advice, I think you definitely have the stripes to create your own similar but distinctly different style of output that would be equal to or better than jay and another one that comes to mind that fits the same mold, none other than Ashburn Hokie. I say let the "eye" be thy guide, as I believe there is an appreciative audience they may be a silent minority "majority". Hopefully the end is ne'er nigh in my humble opinion and, (for my personal enjoyment anyway!) Regards,

does have some most interesting thoughts to consider and will be most interested in seeing Part Deux! P.S. As one who enjoys the cerebral exercise of inculcating through the "Eye" each week, I would hope you would still consider providing your insight even if it's only through your other VT-centric publication, B. Street and South Main.

GC "Golf Central" update show which airs most days every week.

Fouls VT: 21 UVA: 16 By quarter (2/3/6/10) (2/4/6/4) Not exactly double but, quite the disparity in the 4th quarter!

maybe not...

racing back into the paint to defend the post? It'll catch up to him sooner or later.

Download the .pdf (Betlineblitzweek3), it's safe and 103 pages of detailed analysis of all CFB matchups by conference. Enjoy! ** Edited by arch80 at 9/14/2023, 7:12:01 PM

Roanoke Times (I think that's right). Always a good read and covers the human interest side extremely well, regardless of subject or topic.

country to pursue her dreams of playing collegiate basketball at the highest level, knowing no one, virtually without any close friends or support to lean on, managing two years of Covid induced estrangement from her family, to now sporting some Elton John shades, relishing her accolades and basking in the glow of her accomplishments, all in a mere two and a half years. Not to mention the growth in her basketball skills and game of a tentative, sometimes overwhelmed freshman, to now a 1st team All ACC player and MVP of the women's ACC Championship tournament. Quite remarkable indeed!

country to pursue her dreams of playing collegiate basketball at the highest level, knowing no one, virtually without any close friends or support to lean on, managing two years of Covid induced estrangement from her family, to now sporting some Elton John shades, relishing her accolades and basking in the glow of her accomplishments, all in a mere two and a half years. Not to mention the growth in her basketball skills and game of a tentative, sometimes overwhelmed freshman, to now a 1st team All ACC player and MVP of the women's ACC Championship tournament. Quite remarkable indeed!

breakers, Sorry.

** Edited by arch80 at 2/26/2023, 5:07:07 PM