Bitter: Hokies AD Whit Babcock Sounds Financial Alarm At BOV Meeting

15 Comments

1. 

   HokieBirdNinja August 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM

   Great article, thanks Andy!
2. 

   catamount hokie August 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM

   Virginia is a big, prosperous state with two nationally recognized state universities. At least one of them ought to have the resources of say, Ohio State, or Georgia. So why don't they?
3. 

   Hokies93 August 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM

   So perhaps VT should shut down some sports that don't generate revenue and don't traditionally perform well on the field/court. How many of those do we have compared to Clemson and FSU? We have to look at this from both sides of the equation. I, for one, will not be giving money to college athletics until it is much more well-regulated. As it stands now, it is basically like investing money into a company without any guardrails or requirement for that company to provide audited financial statements. That is insanity.
4. 

   VT Rocker August 18, 2025 at 11:51 PM

   Despite what most have said about his performance, this sounded like something he wisely presented in an effective way.
5. 

   ancient alien 2018 August 18, 2025 at 11:38 PM

   Great article by Mr. Bitter! Whit finally laid down what he sheepishly tried to make known 5-6 years ago. How does VT raise an additional $50-60 million? I sure don't have the answer, or additional cash, to help out. Is a corporate partner the way to go? Cut out 5-6 Olympic sports to save $15-20 million in expenses? No clue but the BOV was certainly had part of the financial situation thrown in their laps!! The next 18-24 months may well decide VT's future direction athletically until at least 2030.
6. 

   tallahasseehokie August 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM

   His freaking job is to solve problems not cry wolf. The entire executive staff should resign or be fired. No vision, no fund raising plan, dead wood in management, nepotism, and the guy doesn’t give a ? about his paying customers- seatbacks and wireless issues just the tip of iceberg. The board will throw some $ his way and load more fees on student debt loads but until the house is cleaned it’s money down a rat hole.
7. 

   GodfatherHokie August 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM

   Invest our assets in football and men's basketball or die a slow death.
8. 

   sonsofsat August 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM

   Great reporting, Andy.
9. 

   GodfatherHokie August 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM

   My vote. Direct all of our assets towards football and men's basketball and budget the remainder for compliance purposes. To me it is an obvious choice!
10. 

    hokie4ever August 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM

    Seems to me this is a presentation that should be made annually. Why now? Why not five years ago. No animosity for Whit, not sure he has what it takes in this new environment.
11. 

    Colefuller51 August 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM

    What’s your honest opinion on how the meeting went? Was the feeling that the BOV is going to give money to athletics? Because I think it’s obvious that if football is doing good and winning then it benefits everyone.
12. 

    Jhokie77 August 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM

    “I aint askin' for the world here! Just an eightball and two HUNDRED million dollars.”.
13. 

    Slider!22 August 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM

    I think Whit should resign now, so we can get a young, innovative AD that can creatively raise money.
14. 

    HtownHokie August 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM

    “2020”? … for the record: wow! only 5 years behind (+/- an SEC and B1G visionary head start). a pitance.
15. 

    TomTurkey August 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM

    Sounds of howling over the alarms