gelded turkey

Winners on AND off the field!!!

"that's what makes this so difficult"

and having to look for new work! Oh wait, that's right, you aren't on the VT payroll despite ALL of the work you do!

One of the main reasons I became more interested in softball vs football/basketball the past few years was because of the "purity" of it ie it was less about money and more about college students playing a sport they loved while pursuing a college education. Well, it seems like that is rapidly changing with softball as well (although not near the level of football/basketball thank God). Again, I don't fault any player going after money if it is there, even if it means transferring schools to get it. It just makes it less enjoyable to me as a fan. I don't know what the answer is for the money aspect of college athletes being paid, but it seems like something has to change to keep a somewhat level playing field for all.

You raised SIX FIGURES+ and you aren't even on the VT payroll. I think as you continue to grow support and awareness of VT softball, there is a good chance your fundraising numbers will continue to grow! And let's not forget, Chip's auction raised an ADDITIONAL $30k+ so he has blown away his fundraising totals from last year!!

Chip, what an INCREDIBLE job you do not only at fundraising for VT softball but also just in raising awareness of VT softball!! We can't say it enough, you (and Bonnie!) play no small part in the tremendous success of this program. I have no doubt when it's all said and done and all of the checks are in, you will have raised $100k+ just with the Poppin It challenge alone and then you had what, another $30k+ with your auction??? Once you have all of the money in, please post here on the board to let us know what your total fundraising amount was for this season. Along with that, show what the tallies were for each year that you have been fundraising - I know each year the number keeps increasing and it's just a testament to how you continue to reach more and more people and draw awareness and interest to this program. I think the money AND the interest in the program are BOTH growing exponentially, thanks to you!!! Folks at the Hokie Club would be wise to take notice of what you are doing! I hope you and Bonnie enjoy some WELL-DESERVED R&R this summer before fall ball starts! ** Edited by gelded turkey at 5/25/2026, 8:16:58 PM

on the trailer park ought to put us on par with UVa and Liberty.

Tell me he wasn't tearing up as he wrote this!!! Mr Aldridge, thank you for sharing your daughter with us VT softball fans these past four years. She is a very special young lady and she will do well with whatever the next chapter in her life brings. Kylie is the EPITOME of why these ladies are so much fun to root for and support. Kylie (and really all of these ladies) to me represent what college athletics (athletes) should all be about - COLLEGE STUDENTS playing a sport they love simply for the passion and love of the game and the camaraderie with their teammates.

I know most of us realize there is A LOT of time and effort that Chip and Bonnie put into this auction, but I don't think any os realize HOW MUCH time and effort! Chip, I can only imagine the added stress on Friday when the rain started to fall and you had to scramble to keep things dry! Once again, you and Bonnie are the walking definition of "Ut Prosim"!!!! Thank you both for your selflessness!

besides the fact that I continue to get (and look!) older...but I'm sure nobody here can relate to that! Bummed that I wasn't able to make any games this year but trust me, I have watched about every game I could online. Thanks to all of you who put your butts in a seat and cheer this team on in person!

Living by the motto "better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt" Hah!

they built the stadium right next to a low class trailer park. Oh wait, never mind, those are the press boxes! Chip, as you pointed out, at a MINIMUM, that whole area needs a face lift ie add some Hokie stone, etc. Softball is hands down one of the top 2, most competitive sports VT has. It deserves far better than what it has now for stadium aesthetics!

I was a die hard Royals fan growing up and I remember him well!

The overall value Chip brings to VT softball is immeasurable. Not only are his fundraising efforts out of this world, not to be outdone, is the attention/interest he draws to the program. No better example than me - I went from not ever having one iota of interest in VT softball to now, I dare say, I enjoy it more than any other VT sport. I owe it all to Chip! And as others have said on this board, this VT program is VERY VERY VERY good, and one could argue, elite. And in a sport like softball, it would not take a huge increase in revenue to yes, potentially get us our first national championship!

Ahhhhh, settle in and FINALLY enjoy a HOME GAME Chip!!! Thanks for all you do!

...

What if Pete "magically" had $500k+ of NIL money at his disposal to spend on players. Do you think he would prefer to take the bulk of that to give to one or two "superstars" ie elite pitcher, etc or simply spread the wealth around to all players a bit more? I have thought about this question. For example, what if Pete had $1 million and could either land a Nija Canady type pitcher using that entire amount or use more of that money to at a minimum make sure EVERY player was on a full scholarship. Which would he choose? While the former probably gets you more wins, I'd much prefer to see the latter.

I didn't realize i was THAT close to $100k! No doubt you will exceed the $100k this year! This got me thinking, given your exponential growth in your softball annualized rate of return, I am going to turn my entire retirement portfolio over to you and let you manage that too!

I believe softball money donated through Chip has increased every year. I seem to recall that last year, the total amount was knocking on the door of $100,000. Man, wouldn't that be awesome to see him hit the $100k mark this year!!! Chip, and these ladies, deserve that!!!! ** Edited by gelded turkey at 3/11/2026, 11:56:33 AM

and more importantly, still a huge Hokie softball fan and following closely!! I actually still peruse the softball message board very regularly but just haven't been posting as much, largely because I am a "softball idiot" and don't have anything meaningful to say!!

Five years from now, which is the more likely scenario: 1) VT fans are relieved that they took Franklin vs opting to roll the dice on Chesney 2) PSU fans are ecstatic that they rolled the dice and let Franklin go and took the chance on Chesney I guess another way to put it- five years from now, which program is in better shape, PSU or VT?

She is the epitome of why (and thanks to Chip!) I have become such a big fan of VT softball and support it!! In a nutshell, like pretty much ALL of the players that are in or were in the program, Emma is a super-talented athlete and a fierce competitor but more importantly a fantastic role model and beacon of light and inspiration to all who see her! Simply put, that girl is a WINNER!

But i'd be wiling to bet your link is responsible for a sizable chunk of that $57k+ that softball received!

Are you able to tell how much of that $57, 335 raised for softball came via YOUR link? If so, how much was it? I guess a related question, are you able to see how many of the 262 people who donated to softball did it through your link?

He already did one for the University of Montana that I saw a few weeks ago.

and I would STILL want to support them!! 100% embodiment of what a student athlete should be all about!

one has to wonder what Chip could do if VT hired him as an "official" softball fundraiser where he had more resources, etc to do the unofficial job that he currently does so well. Chip has the two most important attributes you need to raise money - PASSION and DRIVE! I am serious when I say that I wouldn't put it past Chip that if paired up with official VT resources/connections that he would be able to raise enough money for things like major TSP renovations, etc.

What you said here describes me exactly! First off, I will echo what others have said here - simply unbelievable the job you have done with your fundraising efforts for VT softball. The program, and we as fans, are so lucky to have you. And your value to this program FAR exceeds the money you raise! But to the points you make in your reply to ONELLY, I want to add my emphasis that those are the reasons I do 100% of my softball giving through Chip vs via the Hokie Club directly: 1) I like the "optics" of seeing one passionate fan's efforts to raise money translated into absolute $ amounts ie I love seeing Chip being able to say I was directly/indirectly responsible for raising close to $400,000. I know Chip is humble and will say that doesn't matter but I for one, LOVE to see that for him! 2) While I have no firm evidence that everything isn't on the up and up with sports specific donations directly to the HC, I intend for any money I give to softball to be ADDITIONAL money they have already been budgeted for. In other words, if I give $X directly to softball via the Hokie Club, how do I know they don't then redirect $X from their softball budget and place it somewhere else? If that were the case, then technically my money did go to softball but the overall net gain for softball would be $0. By giving instead via Chip who then gives the money to Coach Pete, then Pete knows what extra amount he has to work with in addition to what Whit tells him his budget is. I really see no downside to funneling funds via Chip. ** Edited by gelded turkey at 6/15/2025, 12:14:37 PM ** Edited by gelded turkey at 6/15/2025, 1:50:00 PM

Funny to think that when you first got started, you were thinking that you'd be happy with $1k and now look at the $$$ you are raising!! And see, you almost DOUBLED the amount from last year to this year so we all expect close to $100k next year!!! And yes, a BIG thanks to Bonnie and your friend Tim for all of the "behind the scenes" help in making the auction such a roaring success!!

but I seem to recall that it's been almost EXPONENTIAL growth each year. So forget $45k or $50k for next year - I say $100k!!! Pressure is on Chip!! Hah!

Over $42k!!! First off, you forgot to thank YOURSELF for taking the time and energy to once again organize and run this auction, ESPECIALLY while prepping for and then recovering from, major knee surgery! I will echo too what Chip said - thanks to all those who helped organize and run the auction, those who bid, and those who simply gave money to the cause without actually receiving anything from the auction. And I love the story about the one person winning the triple play ball and then donating it back to be awarded to the second place bidder - that's some serious "ut prosim"! Chip, remind us all what the tallies were for each year you have done the auction. I seem to recall that every year the amount raised has grown. It really is amazing what you have done for this program!!! THANK YOU!!!!

We have seen this team's high character on display time and time again doing things like this..but it never gets old! One thing I was expecting but didn't see Chip, I was thinking at least one player would challenge you to a race around the bases once the knee heals up a bit more!

a composite of all of Anni's incredible plays this season. She is amazing (and it's not like our other fielders are slouches!)

Friggin 3 days ago you had major knee surgery and here you are, at a VT softball game...and doing your usual pregame posting, taking care of auction stuff, etc. I know this can't be easy on you! Here's hoping Mother Nature cooperates today and gives you a game to watch...and one that doesn't drag out with rain delays, etc.

I was privileged to get a sneak peak at Coach Pete's pregame speech he will be giving to the team tonight. Here's the meat of it: Ladies, as you know, our number one fan, Chip Grubb, underwent major knee surgery just two days ago and he will not be able to be here in person to cheer us on. I spoke to Chip and here's the last thing he told me before he hung up the phone - "Coach Pete, sometimes when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the gals, tell them to go out there with all they got and win just one (preferably three!) for the Chipper" Go Chip and Go Hokies!!!

I will be shocked if you feel up to going to the FSU games...but then again, it is Chip, it is FSU and it is VT softball we are talking about so I for sure would not bet against you making it there!!

Just put Chip on the job! That is unbelievable Chip - kudos to you for starting the drive and kudos to all who gave/give!

Just promise me you'll keep going to games and cheering this team on!

but here's the first thing that crossed my mind when I read your post Chip. Let's see, this guy Chip Grubb is personally responsible for raising HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars for VT softball, has recruited numerous new fans (myself included!), has selflessly invested so much of his time and energy (all unpaid!) to VT softball...and somehow HE is the problem?!!! Chip should be on a PEDESTAL (and the payroll!), NOT in the DOG HOUSE!!! Count on a check from me Chip! ** Edited by gelded turkey at 3/31/2025, 6:12:30 PM