My wife and I had been softball fans since the Angela Tincher days, but on April 30, 2016, our love affair with Hokie Softball kicked into high gear as she and I got to be "Coach for the Day" in a doubleheader against UVA. We had won a Hokie Club auction that allowed us to go through pregame activities like batting practice, player introductions, and be on the field for the national anthem. Coach Scot Thomas and the entire team were so very kind to us and although the plan called for us to return to our seats after the national anthem, Coach Thomas invited us to sit in the dugout with the team during the game. Are you kidding me???? Although we tried to be inconspicuous, the team would have none of that. Before the game even started, Maggie Tyler came over and formally introduced herself and the team made us feel right at home as they high fived us and celebrated with us as the Hokies run-ruled the Wahoos 15-0 in game one and followed up with a 10-7 win in Game 2. Between games, Coach Thomas said “if you guys even think about leaving the dugout, I am going to have you chained to those chairs – you’re our good luck charm.” Awe, shucks, coach. Needless to say, he created a monster. We seldom missed a home game after that. We won a couple more Hokies Club auctions that enabled us to take bus trips with the team to Liberty and UNC-Charlotte. And when Coach Thomas left the program, I sent him a note and his response was “do me a favor and support the new coach and staff the way you did me.” Classy response from a classy individual. Well, we met Coach D’Amour not too long after that and immediately hit it off. Turns out that Coach D’Amour is a hockey fan and he came to several of the Rail Yard Dawgs games in Roanoke. Since my wife and I are minority owners of the Dawgs, that meant a lot to us. Since then we have gotten to know he and his wife Anna and as well as his parents and they are all super people. Over time I wrote several stories about softball for TSL and when Covid hit last year, I asked Will is I could use TSL as a way to get press passes to the games and in return I would write for him. I knew with Covid that attendance would be really restricted so it was a way for me to see the games and Will to get additional coverage. It was truly a win-win situation and I got to attend every game last year except Duke (those folks are crazy). Coach Pete and the ladies were really open with me and seemed to appreciate the coverage so it really worked out great. In my mind, I had planned a “one and done” deal, but Will asked me if I would do it again this year and after all all he did for me, I certainly couldn’t refuse. So here we are – living the dream!!! And truly, truly blessed. Sorry for the long answer, but you made the mistake of asking. Let's Go Hokies!