It only takes about 45 minutes for a charter bus to get from ROA to Blacksburg. How is that significantly different from: FNT to MSU - 65 min BWI to UMD - 35 min EWR to Rutgers - 35 min IND to Indiana - 60 min ORD to Illinois - 120 min MKE to Wisconsin - 75 min LAX to UCLA - 45 min IAH to TA&M - 100 min BHM to Alabama - 60 min ATL to Auburn - 125 min MSY to LSU - 75 min MEM to Ole Miss - 75 min MCO to UF - 110 min JAX to FSU - 120 min ATL to UGA - 90 min BNA to Tennessee - 120 min So all the defeatists need to just stop the isolation bullsh!t.

fly to Jacksonville when the Tallahassee International airport has an 8000 ft runway? Willard airport in Champaign Il has an 8000 ft concrete runway and commercial flights. Why fly to O'hare? You can check the rest of them. Your last sentence makes me think you may have a slight temper problem. People post opinions. It's ok to have and opinion. Please don't take the postings so seriously. Like I stated though, you do make a good argument, especially if all the other airport data are correct.

I think there are probably other specious examples in there too

southwest Virginia and all the stereotypes that come with it. If VT's main campus was located a lot closer to Richmond or NOVA, then I do think the Big Ten (or majority of its members...take your pick here) would have a different view on VT. Heck VT may even be an AAU member by now. Plus, if Roanoke can't support the larger planes, then opposing teams would have to fly into either Greensboro, Charlotte, or Richmond and bus to Blacksburg.

in its PSU and Happy Valley is located somewhat in the center part of the state, it may be accurate to say that all roads in PA lead to Happy Valley. WRT Illinois, the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area has a population of approximately 230K-300K depending on if you are using MSA or CSA statistical data. Champaign-Urbana is about 2 hours south of Chicago and 2 hours west of Indianapolis. That part of the country may not give the same "rural vibe" that people may associate with the Appalachian Region. Plus, Illinois was a founding member of the Western Conference (original name of the Big Ten) in 1896. While Bloomington, IN is only 1 hour South by Southwest of Indianapolis. FWIW Iowa and Indiana are "founding members" of the Big Nine, which is what the Western Conference rebranded as when they joined the conference in 1899. For the record, I am not saying I agree with that logic or think the Big Ten or any of the schools is right for having that mindset. All I am trying to do is show potential extra obstacles VT may have to overcome if it wants to fulfill its goal of joining the Big Ten. Whereas, VT may not have those obstacles with the SEC assuming VT has not burned that bridge during informal or formal conversations with the conference or any representatives (i.e. President, AD, BOV, etc.) from SEC schools. If the Big Ten truly doesn't want VT as a member for whatever reason, then VT would be foolish to join a conference where it doesn't feel welcomed. VT's already experienced that with the Big East, kind of with the Metro, and you probably could even say the ACC.

State College is bigger than Blacksburg, but it's still a college town and probably more isolated than B'burg (but does have a commercial airport)

not matter what reality says. Those in power get to right the rules that the rest have to play by.

I've been to Happy Valley more times than I can count. Trust me all roads don't at all lead there in PA. And I seriously doubt the Big Ten gives a rip about whether Happy Valley is in reality or perception in the middle of nowhere or not.

of using it as a reason to not extend a membership to them.

What you're really saying is they didn't care

We will never know what the Big Ten considered to be the pros and cons to adding Penn State as a member. If the Big Ten did care, then obviously it wasn't enough to keep Penn State out of the conference. Hokie fans can't assume whatever standards the Big Ten used with Penn State will be the same ones they use with VT. Since different people will be deciding VT's fate, it is entirely possible Blacksburg's location in the state matters. If the Big Ten decides that VT "isn't a good fit for the conference," then that could be a reason for its decision.

Not sure why, but a couple of you are constantly putting down Virginia Tech’s chances. We now have a 250M budget, a coach that was one play from playing in the National Championship game that is getting kids like we did in our 8 year 10+ wins run, we have a new President and AD that you can bet the house they will be more focused on football. So much to be optimistic about now than a year ago. Maybe count the blessings that have been happening in the last year and talk about them too. It’s your choice, but man the raining on what’s been a great parade and not mentioning the good stuff too, is not telling the whole story,

First of all, I hope you are absolutely right. Yes, we are more than likely to get better, but almost all universities are adding money or finding revenue sources for their athletic programs. We are just keeping pace with most. Why VT not in the B1G? Maybe AAU statue might have some influence. Not sure. Small town in SW Va. (I realize that we are known throughout Virginia) versus maybe Atlanta/Georgia. To many fans, GT is more of a draw than VT. How about UNC? Lots of money. Reputation in basketball and Olympic sports. VT is making major moves to get better in football, but so are most teams. In the end, I don't see the B1G expanding unless there is an overwhelming reason that will bring the conference more money to make up for the dilution of adding additional teams.

Also, if you read my post again, it clearly states they have not picked the new President and AD, but I state a strong opinion that they both will be much more football oriented. Do you feel differently? Lastly, the location is a challenge because of the way some people are myopic in seeing it as Southwestern Virginia Tech, with our expanding Northern Virginia Campus we definitely need to have at least 1 basketball game and football game a year there, every year. We are not Southwest Virginia Tech, most of our fans and alums are in DMV, Richmond and Hampton Roads where the most jobs are, it hurts us that we take that backwards view of our “State” University. Thus, our football following is statewide and number 1 in football. I hope and feel the new President and AD will improve on communicating the “Statewide” fact, PS The Falcons, UGA football are one and two in following in Atlanta, Georgia Tech is rated 3rd in following in their own city. It’s not the number of people that matters most, it’s the number of followers.

I feel like our only chance is with the SEC and it's a long shot.

Followers translates to TV viewers...in 2025, GT was ranked #19 nationally in average TV viewership per game. Sure, the Jackets aren't Georgia, but they do alright when winning. "Georgia Tech’s 33.8 million viewers in Nielsen-rated broadcasts were the second-most in the Atlantic Coast Conference, behind only national runner-up Miami (Fla.)." GT led the ACC in 2024 in average viewership.

to be. Could be a detrimental tipping weight in our final push to remain a player in top level revenue sports. ** Edited by Femoyer Hokie at 5/3/2026, 2:11:57 PM