Some clarification on the hosting situation
I first want to give props to Sam Mostow and Carter Hill, as we spent nearly an entire day back in March sifting through the bookings of every single hotel within the NCAA's 30-mile radius. We quickly discovered that there were blatantly not enough hotel rooms available to host.
Around the same time, we also heard rumblings of Virginia Tech possibily facing the problem of being unable to host due to this issue. We kept it quiet because there was nothing DEFEINITIVE to report. However, we did our due diligence through proper channels to receive confirmation. We eventually did not receive what we deemed as enough evidence to report on.
I apologize for being vague/elusive on this board when the topic of hosting would arise. There was not enough HARD PROOF to straight up say that Virginia Tech was unable to host.
Virginia Tech did its best, but at the end of the day, graduation is the biggest weekend of the year for Virginia Tech/surrounding area (yes, bigger than any football game), and it would have taken planning more than a year in advance to pull off a regional on the same weekend. (You may argue that this could have been done or not.)
I am also not coming on here to blast Virginia Tech because I understand that it is a logistical NIGHTMARE to pull off a regional with commencement happening directly across the street at the same time. I have been PA announcing multiple Virginia Tech sports for the past five years, and I have built fantastic relationships with many people in marketing, Hokie Vision and game operations. Many of them have to work on graduation because of the sheer magnitude of the weekend. On top of that, almost ALL of the paid/unpaid interns in the athletic department will be gone for the summer after they take their final exams; therefore, the number of employees for sporting events shrinks quickly.
Is it possible to host a regional with graduation happening at the same time? Yes, it certainly is, and could have been possible by preparing for this in the summer of last year. However, Virginia Tech did its best to make it happen, but ultimately the NCAA dug its heels in (for the first time) and stuck to its rules, which are there for a reason.
At the end of the day, the NCAA deemed the Hokies as the 17th team in the bracket, and this didn't end up mattering. It's still SEC bias, and the Hokies have shown plenty of times this year that they are capable of not only beating SEC teams like LSU, but also crushing them in the process.
** Edited by Nick Brown at 5/11/2026, 10:20:47 AM
89 Replies
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pienkows
2mo
It seems like the schools who have shown a willingness to be aggressive legally get the benefit of the doubt these days. The trigger happy universities seem to intimidate the rule enforcers.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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PapaNick
2mo
When will we move the mini-mester before Spring Semester to later in the academic calendar? I do not hold athletics above academics, but graduation could be held two weeks earlier and basketball could avoid playing ACC games in half filled Cassell. Spring sports can participate in ACC / NCAA tournaments without exam conflicts and the mini-mester could be held in May before the two Summer semesters.
Blacksburg and area gain another week of hotel/restaurant business. Everyone wins.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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Hokie-2x
2mo
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2mo
30-mile radius, we included Dublin.
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SHPHOKIE
2mo
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
to stay as far north as Lexington and in WV to the east.
(In response to this post by SHPHOKIE)
2mo
Managers say they get a ton of cancellations. For various reasons. Some people double booked, some aspirationally booked, sometimes the kid doesn’t graduate, things happen last minute and the parents can’t make it, etc, etc, etc.
The problem is, last minute cancels (even a lot of them) don’t help the NCAA process because you need to show proof of those rooms a month in advance (before the hosting allocations are announced).
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
that was the closest they could find coming from Yorktown. When my brother graduated 2 years later, relatives coming from Ohio and Wheeling ended up staying in WV for the same reason.
(In response to this post by HolidayInnHokie)
2mo
. . . of the 30 mile limit. After all, 30 miles is can be as little as 30 minutes in rural areas but that's half a day in LA. Truly apple and oranges.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
Simply amazing. Not yelling at you here, Nick, but some people still don’t think the NCAA has a disdain for VT. Yet here we are again, less than a month after Bre Warren. As you said, this is the first time they haven’t granted some flexibility in the softball hosting requirements in terms of hotel distance.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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MVIII
2mo
The Hampton Inn Salem and Avid Hotel are both nice enough hotels in Salem and just under the 30 mile distance that is required. Seems like the Athletic Department dropped the ball on this one by not doing something far enough in advance to hold the 90 required rooms. Maybe we could also have got 30 rooms at the Highlander in Radford. I bet if they cut us a decent enough price on 90 rooms then we could have released them all on Sunday evening if we were not hosting and graduation travelers would have gobbled them up at the price we reserved them at.
Start one Game at 2:30 and one at 6:00 PM and it wouldn't be too bad around the current planned graduations in Cassell, start the games when the graduations end and traffic would be okay. Graduations are 12:30 - 2:00 and 4:00 - 6:00 on Friday. Same exact plan on Saturday, start when graduations are ending, 2 and 6 pm.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
Sad but true. About 6 hotels in Radford. Dublin exit off 81 interstate has more..carry on
(In response to this post by MVIII)
2mo
Again, we searched EVERY hotel within the 30-mile radius and they are ALL booked solid.
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MVIII
2mo
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
Graduation would trump that.
(In response to this post by MVIII)
2mo
region sees enough economic growth to support the hotel for the entire year. During the "week" (Sun-Thurs) the hotels pretty much rely on people traveling for "business." While on the "weekend" (Fri-Sat) the hotels rely more on the tourists or "weekend warriors." During the "tourist season" places like NYC and Richmond may see an increase in tourist traffic during the week. However, the hotels view that as an added bonus because they can rely on their bread and butter (aka the business traveler) to still be the constant. Plus, it is a lot more difficult to have enough variety in tourist attractions to be able to sustain the tourism industry for an entire year. People may visit NYC multiple times, but it is likely they won't want to go see the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building on every trip.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
Thanks for the correction..knew that RU and VT scheduled their graduations apart for what we are discussing right now.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
usually. No hotel is going to let Tech block off rooms for what might be. Graduation is a sure thing.
(In response to this post by MVIII)
2mo
brother's graduation because she didn't want to take any chances.
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SHPHOKIE
2mo
the graduation requirements so she extended the reservation for another year?
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
made the calls. I graduated in May 2000 and she made the call for mine in June 1998 because she asked me when I was scheduled to graduate before making the call. My brother was supposed to graduate 2 years after me, so she made the initial call thinking he was going to get out in 4 years like me. However, he ended up graduating in 5 years because he was a computer science major and couldn't take enough summer classes to graduate early. For his, she did end up calling back at later date to extend it.
(In response to this post by SHPHOKIE)
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SHPHOKIE
2mo
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2mo
families wishing to witness a once in a lifetime achievement for a young family member would be a potential answer, don't think so. Basically, hosting a regional on graduation weekend is not a possibility at this University. There are a few hotels in the local development pipeline that perhaps will help in the future
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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nkhooch
2mo
than accommodating the possibility that we could host an NCAA softball tournament. I am pretty sure the only reason we have home hosts is because it would cost more to host a tournament on a neutral site and result in lower attendance. Non-revenue sports have to be creative on the cost front.
If we held a higher seed, we would still benefit from a weaker first round regional regardless of where the tournament is.
(In response to this post by 1977hokie)
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MVIII
2mo
And not at #17?
(In response to this post by nkhooch)
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nkhooch
2mo
But, if what they are telling us is true (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), yes. If we were #4, we would be playing the tournament at the #29 seed if they qualified as a host. We would likely dominate that tournament and them come back home for Super Regionals. If we were ranked #4 it would be so clear that we were in top 16, there is no way they could rank us #17 without looking totally foolish.
(In response to this post by MVIII)
2mo
It’s a town of Blacksburg problem. It is not a Virginia Tech, athletic department or University problem.
(In response to this post by 1977hokie)
2mo
Are they turning down requests to build more hotels?
I would guess, apart from football weekends, graduation, and maybe beginning of the school year, there can't be a huge demand for hotel rooms.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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2hhoop3
2mo
is an everybody problem and by everybody I mean the school, athletic and NCAA powers that be. The NCAA could offer help by loosening the geographic limitations. They could go to 60 miles and 1.5 hours. Athletics knows the calendar and could work with complying hotel sites to hold rooms, for a fee. The school could think outside the box regarding facility alternatives and scheduling alternatives. My opinion is the issue is one of motivation and want to in varying degrees on the part of all involved.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
From next Monday through late August, the retail establishments struggle mightily as our population drops about 30,000. (Actually I enjoy the peace and quiet !) Glad I'm not an owner or investor in Blacksburg retail. As you drive through town on Main, take notice of the empty shops. Our 6-10 big weekends a year will carry them but so far
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
. . . that given the number or regional alums, the relative wealth of most of that group, the recreational opportunities in and around the NRV and facilities that sit primarily unused at VT during the summer that there's a lot potential for tourism that's going untapped.
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2mo
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2mo
during the week. Hotels typically rely on people taking a "business" trip (i.e. business meetings, conventions, etc.) as their bread and butter. Tourism is an added bonus to fill in the gaps when "business trips" may be experiencing a "down period." What will motivate someone or a group of someone to visit the NRV on a Wednesday in February when school is in session?
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
To ‘get it’….in essence, they work for VT, not the other way around. Not a very business minded set of bureaucrats.
PS…I don’t live in the Burg’ but I’m tight with those who are in the know. They ‘know’ it’s (they) are a problem.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
makes it awful tough for a developer to spend millions on a new hotel.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
rooms in Blacksburg. We aren't a big city. You certainly would not build a hotel based on 1 weekend a year occupancy. We haven't for 6/7 football games a year. When NCAA Softball & VT graduation coincide, just plan on NOT hosting if you qualify. At least not in Blacksburg. You could host it in Salem and that may work.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
a similar hotel problem in the same scenario.
(In response to this post by UTPr0sim)
2mo
demand for hotel rooms is basically only for home football games and graduation, that isn't enough for companies to justify building more hotels in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, or anywhere in between. The entire region will probably need to grow significantly before companies have their business justification. In that regards, it isn't just a "Blacksburg problem" because they don't have the space to grown it alone. They need buy in from the surrounding area too.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
7 home football games, move-in weekend, graduation/move-out weekend, and Spring game/run for 32 weekend. If there were more weekends with outside visitors, then we would have more hotels. VT Athletics could help by more aggressively promoting winter weekend sports combos, such as WBB/MBB/Wrestling/Indoor Track that could justify a trip to Blacksburg for VT sports fans.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
those fans are passionate about those sports? If fans are willing to leave at 5am or 6am to drive 5-7 hours for a home football game, then that shows they have a certain level of passion for the sport. If they don't have that same level of passion for the other sports VT sponsor, then how likely are they going to show that same dedication?
(In response to this post by UpperQuad)
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bgna
2mo
We've had to stay in Wytheville for football before and graduation is even more harder to find rooms. Even Princeton WV and Troutville are often not options for graduation and the school even spreads it out by doing the individual college degrees on different days. When my son graduated in 2013, we stayed in the dorms. It is a big deal that books up rooms way beyond the 30 mile radius, but I think it has mainly been during the week in the past. Having on a Friday makes it even more challenging.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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vt49701
2mo
TSL continues to be top tier.
Thanks for the helpful info.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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chagerma
2mo
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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chagerma
2mo
Still doesn't answer/confirm my question. Hypothetically, would the NCAA have the top seed Hokies traveling away from home for regionals?
(In response to this post by texashokie1)
2mo
If he believes the school did everything it could, then so be it. It didn't matter in the end, but he needs to know the admin worked on every scenario just in case. And it sounds like they did.
So be it. Let's go win some softball games in Baton Rouge.
** Edited by Raleigh Hokie at 5/11/2026, 10:54:06 AM
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
scenarios seems to outside the skillset of some in the AD. Granted, Graduation weekend is hard to navigate but certainly not impossible.
(In response to this post by Raleigh Hokie)
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Vippie1
2mo
One of those things. Of course anything to do with VT graduation is going to be prioritized over an athletic event a thousand out of a thousand times. Frankly imagine the angst had VT had been a top 5 team this year and we had this issue?
The only thing I can suggest is if going forward this scenario could ever happen again, VT needs to proactively, way in advance, petition the NCAA to be able to relocate the venue to somewhere else - if not Salem, then Charlottesville , Richmond etc- anywhere to guarantee a pro Hokie crowd.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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schubee
2mo
current team is more than comfortable on the road, so let’s ****ing go!
& thanks for the clarification, Nick. Really appreciate it.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
(In response to this post by schubee)
2mo
And we continue to comment to each other that this university has outgrown the town infrastructure (Capt Obvious reporting here to many of you)
We love Bburg and of course the school and the charm about the university being so central to this area’s economy…but in situations like this…the area can only accommodate one giant event at a time (Graduation is huge) and there are logistical challenges around every corner just for that.
Hopefully like next year…the dates will not be conflicting and we get a big softball hosting weekend in addition to graduation
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
To what you said about the town of Blacksburg… I could go on a LOOOONG tangent about the many issues within the town.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2mo
Their stadium is great
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
2mo
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RJHokie
2mo
You and MidloHokie sleeping with each other? 😁
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
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RJHokie
2mo
town governance and related issues.
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)
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saret
2mo
are: employed by VT, previously employed by VT, spouses are/were employed by VT. There is an inherent conflict of interest there. I know this will bring a strong reaction on here, but I've said it before. Some of VT's growth results in the Town "subsidizing" that growth. In my opinion, that is an unfair burden on the property owners. Last year, my Town property taxes rose 32%. Why? Infrastructure costs of the VT growth. The state won't pay for on campus housing, thus developers fill the need with off campus housing. This puts pressure on roads, police, fire, schools, etc.. And the Town's biggest source of income is property taxes. And, with the aforementioned inherent conflict of interest, the new construction is rezoned, and built.
And, just as an aside, a member of the BoV is one of the largest developers in the area.
** Edited by saret at 5/11/2026, 11:54:53 AM
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
2mo
to pay for all the employees somehow....
(In response to this post by saret)
2mo
longer be just a "Blacksburg problem" or a "Blacksburg/Christiansburg problem."
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
2mo
address municipal issues. The two towns hardly speak with each other….
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
Blacksburg could do a lot of things better. I was looking at the issue from an economics one because it will likely pop up again in the future. Even if Blacksburg did things the exact same way Christiansburg does it, I doubt it would be enough to address any of the hotel issue. Even if the area grew as large or larger than Roanoke, it still may not address any of the hotel problem. It would depend on what types of business move into the area and how much demand that industry has for the hospitality industry. Hence why I thought the "region" probably would need to include Roanoke and Salem at some level in the growth plan.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2mo
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
Even if Blacksburg had annexed that land, it probably wouldn't have done anything to address this issue. If Blacksburg and/or Christiansburg wanted to truly address this specific issue, then it probably would require them to grow double or triple their current size before they may any dent in the economics of demand required to fill the remaining weeks of the year when VT doesn't have a high demand. Even then they may still need to grow more to attract the kinds of activities that would utilize the hotel industry.
** Edited by VTHokie2000 at 5/11/2026, 12:46:38 PM
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
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RJHokie
2mo
when VT sold the cornfields in that area in the 70’s Christiansburg was in a better position to develop it and annexed the area. The original area Walmart was in that area where the Market Place is now.
The area was much different back then. The completion of the bypass around both towns unlocked a lot of development in the Cburg area. Then Cburg widened Peppers Ferry which significantly helped the traffic flow. It’s too bad the State didn’t widen the rest of Peppers Ferry from Cburg to the arsenal (about 5 miles or so). That section of road can be quite dangerous.
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
2mo
I went to Belview Elementary thru the 3rd grade, and then we moved east to the land of flat fields and swamps.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2mo
other?
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
2mo
Bburg is a lot like Charlottesville except for some of the political issues that are present in Charlottesville.
Christiansburg seems to be more proactive when it comes to business development and zoning matters than Blacksburg.
(In response to this post by VT Pez4Life)
2mo
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RJHokie
2mo
for quite a number of years. Finally the town council got realigned and let the store locate in town.
It was kinda funny/hypocritical that a fair number of the naysayers were buying liquor in Cburg……
At one time the Cburg store had the highest volume of any individual ABC store in the state. I remember we underage students never got carded in that store when buying liquor.
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
2mo
The latest copying machines at that time printed white characters on a black background like a photo negative. While at our local library, I theorized that if my drivers license (also photo neg) was copied the output would be black on white. From there the license could be edited and recopied. The theory proved true.
I was not daring enough nor did I consume alcohol at the time but my friend was and did. He was the toast of VT the next year as he made frequent trips to Cburg. I really don't know the facts but I'm pretty sure that he got kicked out of school.
Edit: I almost forgot. He ended up working for DMV in Richmond.
** Edited by IB4TECH at 5/11/2026, 1:22:40 PM
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2mo
currently. your in the same county for crying out loud!
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saret
2mo
(In response to this post by VT Pez4Life)
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RJHokie
2mo
jurisdictions/localities.
However, Christiansburg has significantly expanded its residential units over the years and thus has assumed a fair amount of the student/employee growth from VT. But it still impacts Bburg more than Cburg from that standpoint.
Some years ago Blacksburg discussed becoming a city. Christiansburg laughed at them and told them that wasn’t a smart move because they had the best of both worlds being a town. Being a city would make matters worse. At least as a town the annexation of land area can be accomplished where as a city it’s prohibited under state law except for “friendly” annexations which are rare. There are other more complex matters that may arise being a city, such as school funding, social services, etc.
** Edited by RJHokie at 5/11/2026, 12:25:35 PM
(In response to this post by VT Pez4Life)
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saret
2mo
elitist/snobbish. They always think they should be first, whether they deserve it or not. In anticipation of incoming responses later: Yes, VT is the economic engine of SW Virginia. Yes, VT is the largest employer in the area. But, that being said, a disproportionate share of the cost of the VT growth is borne by Blacksburg property owners.
Also, Yes, the Town says that my property value has increased in value because of the VT growth. But that increased value is only worth something when I sell or die. I don't plan on doing the former, and assiduously avoid the latter as best I can.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
2mo
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2mo
You guys do a great job!!
** Edited by TomTurkey at 5/11/2026, 10:26:26 AM
(In response to this post by Nick Brown)