ftsumterhokie

Maybe I misread the graphic but it sure looks to me like 36 seats available for Duke, Wake, and FSU all together right down front at half court on Seat Geek. I thought the goal was fannies in the seats but I am old school. I see a hell of a lot of open seats at our "sold out" basketball games. Seats that I would love to have the opportunity to acquire through the season ticketing process.

You tell me how the first 2 rows of seats at half court opposite the teams benches can all be available on SeatGeek for every single sold out home game? That's 36 seats that are all together and are the best seats in the house. If it's a VT donor getting their hands on those 36 seats somehow or one of the Hokie Clubs and selling them at 3000$ a piece then something needs to be done. At the Platinum/Golden Hokie level and in the top 4000 of donors I can barely get in the arena when it is my turn for seats. I've been upper corner and up behind the press area behind the basket. Something really stinks in that ticket office. Makes me want to take my $$ and go home...

The girl can flat out play. We are lucky she stayed and didn’t follow the fraud over to KY. She has matured into one heck of a player. I remember a play earlier this year or maybe last year when someone bulldozed her and then stepped on her…. CW grabbed that girl by the calf, stood up and let her know she was not putting up with that s~~t! I looked at my wife and said “finally someone in a VT uniform with a little fire inside em”. Very happy with these ladies and Coach Duffy who seems to have them coming together at just the right time….

I've tried as a Platinum Level giver and now down a little to Golden Hokie giver to get decent season tickets for men's basketball and when it came time to choose I was relegated to at or very near the upper corners. Then I turn on our games and I see empty seats all over the place even a couple rows off the court. WTH is going on? Something is off. I gave up on men's basketball season tickets over this... Can someone shed light? I have my theories...

John Dixon? Krabbendam while quite quick, couldn’t compete with the speed Dixon had when it came to the fast break…

Lost a close one to a very good Tourney Team. With Lawal we may have pulled it out. Defense is much improved. Offense seems out of sync. No one is willing to step up yet and "be the man". Who will it be? Avdalas easily gets around his man then seems to wait for the double team so he can dish to the open man. I think he does not want to appear greedy with the basketball. Take the ball to the hole.

He and Bonke were running down the court together and I believe Bonke was impeding him or something and Dorn gave him a little high elbow. Bonke was not thrilled.... Committed his 2nd foul very soon after out of frustration...

Being that he is German (I believe) he probably felt a simple lay in off the glass was much more efficient and proper for the circumstances. Understated perfection as in most German engineered products... LOL....

I was HokienTX when I lived in Dallas from 97-2000 and this site was called HokieCentral I believe. So that's actually 25 plus of reading and posting on here. We need to win every home game we can this season to make the tourney. The crowd is a big part of that. Based on what I have seen our home crowds this season are lethargic. I'm not expecting 9000 packed in for Charlotte. But I do expect our fans to cheer like they do on 3rd and 4th down any time the other team has the ball and we need a stop. And if my use of the words G-Damned and F-ing offended somebody my sincere apologies. Next time I'll type GD and F. We need to rattle the other team when they have the ball. Cassell is a masterpiece for that type of thing. It just takes 3 people waving their arms and one guy up off the bench waving a towel to get our fans juiced. It's time to turn it back in to a "house of horrors" for the other teams.....

I am probably beating a dead horse but we used to blow the “outdated, not-to-code, could cave in at any second”” roof” off of that G-Damned arena back in the 80s and 90s. It was so bad some coaches refused to come to Blacksburg because the noise might damage their players delicate little ears (UVA). Even with 6000 in there we made G-Danged sure their ears bled on the bus ride home. Now I know it is tough to get off your fat asses and cheer for this team because you might anger the lazy person behind you but it is high time our bball fans started making Cassell the home court advantage the people like Mike Young and myself remember it to be…. Tonight was pathetic. A typical 80s-90,s crowd would have sent CLT to the bus and the fetal position by halftime. Their coach would have begged their AD to never try to get into the ACC for fear of having to face another Cassell crowd…. See Jim Boeheim and Syracuse for a reference. It’s time Hokie fans. No more sitting on your hands when this team needs you….Be F’ing Loud in Cassell…..

I spent a lot of time watching him tonight. He was an unsung hero in the first half. He rattled their 7’4” big. I watched him come in and at one point out of the refs field of vision give a little “How ya doing” to Bonke which really angered him. Bonke quickly picked up 2 stupid fouls and went to the bench for the rest of the first half. That was all Dorn. He played a damned good ballgame. He is an “intangibles” freak. Watch a replay of the game and watch how good Dorn is at boxing out and the fundamentals. I love this guy. He deserved the game ball for all the **** he does under the radar to help us win.

Where "Close Enough" is "Good Enough"

About a week ago I got called a loser for suggesting this exact thing. 2 or 3 million a year plus incentives and spend the rest on coordinators and players. Everybody wants to spend 10 million thinking that will fix everything.

That’s a good thing! Pay Monty 2.5 annually with 500,000 a year increase for 3 years. 1,000,000 for winning ACC. 500,000 for losing but at least being in it. Another 1,000,000 for making playoff. 500,000 for each playoff game win. Let him spend that extra 5 million you are going to spend to land James Franklin or similar on NIL for better players and bump ups for assistants and he will build a solid program in Blacksburg. Otherwise we are going to AGAIN overspend on a coach and provide him with very limited resources to build with. I’d rather provide incentives for success with a coach that might be hungry for the opportunity than just pile money into a head coach’s bank account already flush with cash and looking for his next gig in the Power 2. This is just my opinion.

Women's season tickets used to go to the bottom of the portals. Now they go roughly to the top of the portals. That is assigned seating. I have GA season tickets. Remember, in Liz's first year or two we were averaging about 1700 fans per game iirc.....

At this point I'd take Monty and 2.5 a year with annual step ups plus massive incentives for hitting certain benchmarks than 8-10 million/year for someone like Jimbo or Franklin with huge buyouts and bigger expectations. Give the man a 3 year contract and see what he can do. He has taken a total dumpster fire and made it somewhat competitive. Turning this ship around is gonna take years and someone willing to put their nose to the grindstone. I'm not sure these flashy hires are gonna stick around if they are successful. How hungry are they?? In Monty I see a man ready to give his heart and soul to this program to make it a success. Great moments are made from Great Opportunity. And that's what we have here today boys....

Other than the end of the first half debacle against Wake I like what I have seen. He beats the hell out of Pry as a head coach but I worry he would be in the same "head-butting" situation Fuente found himself in unless someone purges the damn department from head to toe.... I'm worried this is not going to happen (purge) and "more of the same" continues regardless of who gets the job

I think in about three years Pry will be at the corner we actually need to turn. With his blinker on,.....

Does anyone expect VT to be in top 10 of donators? I’m pleasantly surprised by the amount and the company we are in on that list if accurate.

But she absolutely possesses NONE.... She can just "get lost" in my book. I'll take Wenzel and company any day...

We lost 6 games by an average of less than 6 pts/game. Take out the 10 point Clemson loss and it's closer to 3 or 4. Had just 2 of those games gone an Nth the other way and we had an 8 win season. The correct call in the Miami game and it was 7 wins. I agree coaching cost us most of those games. But, the right call in the Miami game and Stop Vandy on 4th down and we are looking at potentially a contract extension and "masking" of a hell of a coaching problem. Might have even kept our coordinators too..... Eghads....

These are the same jerks who are at home yelling at their wives and kids. They have issues far beyond what you are seeing at the game. I have seen this over and over at Lane Stadium. They start out fine, but you know it's coming. As soon as they get enough pills and alcohol in their system they let loose and nothing is off limits. Seems like everywhere I sit it happens. I will say I don't hear it directed at our own players and coaches but I have been told it happens a lot even in Cassell. I am beginning to believe half our country is on drugs. Mix in a few beers and the frustration of being a VT fan and there you have it. Recipe for removal.... Next time take a picture of the "ASS" and post it. That will end it.

Neun und Neunzig Luftballons...

Pre NIL these kids mostly decided on a school based on the relationship they built with the coaches. I no longer question why Georgia, Clara, Lexi etc etc went to Kentucky with Kenny. I've seen enough interviews with former players and 30 for 30s to realize that it was mostly about that coach/player relationship. Anyone (including me) who thought those kids might stick around based on the atmosphere in Cassell or love for Blacksburg or Va Tech was naive to how important that relationship Kenny had with SOME of his players was. It then makes me wonder whether his relationship with those who stuck around was a bit "frayed". Whatever the case, and now with NIL I think Coach Duffy with her coaching style, personality, and likability can build one heck of a program as long as she is getting the support needed on the NIL side. And if not maybe some heads need to roll. I'm sick and tired of throwing everything at football. It's insane. It might be where the money is made but it sure as heck aint where the wins are located. Terrible ROI....

Another thing he does not highlight is that the "schools" are not paying the players up to this point. The donors to NIL are paying his salary. Different pot of money.... Very few schools are in the green when it comes to their men's programs from a purely economic standpoint. I believe VT may be one of those that runs in the green.... could be wrong....

Offer ACC membership to Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Iowa State or TCU. People were like.... Why?

I never thought Buzz would leave A&M. Stated so on here more than once. Totally flabbergasted.

Having spent half my adult life around A&M people they are 110% all in on A&M. Buzz graduated from one of A&Ms branch campuses I believe but considers himself an AGGIE. I don't see him ever leaving unless it is for a job with ESPN et al... announcing games. It is interesting though I really could not get Aggies very excited about Buzz coming down there from Blacksburg. They really do only care about football....

She'd get it too I bet....

Times have changed I guess. I would have never even remotely thought of harassing Bobby Beecher or Dell Curry when I was in school.

From what I know of snapchat the user that sent it will probably never be identified. So, how do we know it was a VT fan and not some guy who lost $10,000 dollars because Pedulla missed a shot that would have won him/her some cash instead of a big loss? Because that person said they were a VT fan? I'm not saying it wasn't I'm just wondering how you can be so sure...

I have never heard any death threats or Vitriol towards our own players by our own fans. I'm talking lunatic rants here like they are being characterized. Sure I've heard "Box Out!" or "play smart" or "Stop Turning it Over!" But nothing a parent wouldn't yell at his own kid to motivate him. I've sat in Cassell and Lane a hell of a lot and never heard a player threatened and berated at that level by our own fans. I did listen to a guy in Cassell with a thick New York accent decked out in VT gear scream at Jim Boeheim for an entire game once. He kept yelling "Hey Boeheim! Retire!!" every 5 seconds. The entire game. No ****. Can you guess whether he was a VT fan or really a disgruntled Syracuse Fan?

It may have not even been under Babcock but it was a Saturday in which we upset somebody and our fans rushed the field. The University planned for this by hiring a bunch of "rent a cops" from around the NRV and placing them at the foot of the student section. Most did nothing as the students ran by. But, I watched one "long-haired freak" rent a cop literally knock out several students as they ran past him. High fiving his buddy next to him after every sucker punch haymaker he threw. My wife and I found that SOB after the game and I told him I was going to find every student he punched and file lawsuits on their behalf. I told him to move everything out of his trailer because I was going to own it. His buddies pushed him into the tunnel to get him away from me. My emails to the school/AD went unanswered. Fast forward to the campus shooting. I was watching the live footage from home in Texas and Lo and behold there he was again. Totally decked out in tactical gear with an AR-15 sprinting across the drill field and hiding behind a tree. Same long haired freak rent a cop. Still working for the University despite my bringing him to their attention. I literally wanted to throw up. Does anyone remember the game where the little kid was "horse collared" from behind by a cop because he happened to be on the field jumping up and down in front of where Frank Beamer wanted to walk? It went viral... We all laughed at it... That in my opinion is a metaphor for how this athletic department really feels about the fans, alumni, donors, and students. We are all just the "kid in the way". We love your money but don't upset the apple cart that we are getting rich off... Once you start to see this and you realize the level of incompetence and protectionism going on you begin to get a little jaded when they beg you for more money. I'm not even sure Babcock has control..... More transparency would be a nice start to me opening my wallet wider... I want a look inside. I want to see that the gears are properly lubed, the chains are properly tensioned, the cylinders are bored out for proper HP before I help sponsor the race team.

Apparently Buzz has had to address at least one player getting death threats and racial slurs from the TX A&M fan base. I would think if Pedulla had really gotten death threats Mike Young would have gone public about it to protect his player/players like Buzz did. Quote from A&M player: "I thought they were rooting for us"?

I don’t think he is angry I just think he (like me) has experienced some things that make you wonder what in the hell is going on up there. I don’t want to speculate but something is off. I’ve been around some athletic department people in the SEC and a Pro basketball team and when I decided to up the ante at my Alma Mater (Give More) I was expecting the same level of operation when I peeled back some layers. I was pretty surprised. I’ll keep supporting our coaches and players. But I absolutely see problems. If I were in charge I’d hand everybody a copy of the book “Good to Great” because “good enough” ain’t gonna cut it in today’s landscape. And “GREAT” is what we could be with leadership that recognizes just how fantastic our fans, donors, facilities, coaches and athletes really are. Give the guy a break. He recognizes people inside may be in over their heads….

I have been at it for much less time but the level of incompetence is shocking. At one point I considered very high level giving on an annual basis until retirement. Absolutely no way I would consider that now. I can only conclude there is a group in control of athletics at VT whose priorities don’t align with mine. My priorities are simple. Be competitive at the highest level. Provide an athletic environment that fosters that….

1. Kenny Brooks is an average coach who recruits well. I think I recall KY’s initial interest in Brooks came from comments he made in a postgame presser noticed by a lower level KY staffer. It was acknowledged by a lot of higher level donors at VT Brooks was not a good gameday coach. It will be interesting to watch it play out…. 2. Kentucky fans are not going to fill Rupp for women’s games. Maybe not even that little place they play in. I talked to a Kentucky fan decked out in Blue downtown a month or so ago who had not only had never heard of Kenny Brooks but “thought” he recognized the name Georgia Amoore. Admitted he had never seen the women play and did not care. He could recite the stats of every player that had ever set foot on the KY campus for the men’s team however.

You don’t leave TX a&m for the Teasips. Absolutely no way he goes to UT. Buzz does not fit that culture in Austin.

I loved everything about it. Easy access too if you are just driving in for a game. Great parking locations. Let's stay there....

He "sold" the program when he was at CofC. In addition to being a great coach he is high energy and reaches out to the fan base and the community. He is a "total package" of what I would want in a head coach if I was an AD... Great Hire for them.....

You produce what you and your agent agreed you could produce or your NIL goes to someone else or back in to the pot. It's time to play "Big Boy and Girl" games.... I recall our highly paid football players from last year sitting out a lot of games. I'd rather see that $$$ in Carleigh's or Lawal's pockets....

Before I give 1 penny to NIL I want someone from the VT athletic department to give me a Goal Number for each sport with one of those sliding scales showing how much we need to give vs how much has been given. Then I want to see evidence that my money is going directly into Mike Young's or Meghan Duffy's pocket. From that point I trust our coaches. But if 1 penny is going to some lifelong Athletic Dept Lackey who has been living off the good graces of our fanbase in the NRV I'm out....