Monday Thoughts: May You Live in Interesting Times

Will Stewart

Founder

September 15, 2025 10

Growley (Virginia Tech) — Growley III (call sign "Stryker") and Hokie Nation were depressed Saturday night. Better days lie ahead, my friend. Good dog. (Jon Fleming)

Three games into 2025, Brent Pry is gone, and it’s official: we are living in interesting times.

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10 Comments

wstevelove September 16, 2025 at 8:23 AM

Excellent article. While a focus on academics is certainly in order, athletics impact many other areas in a university. An excellent example is SMU. The new President at SMU said since SMU joined the ACC, applications for admission to SMU have increased 66 percent. Steve Love Irving, Texas Class of 1973
middletennhokie September 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM

Great perspective Will, thanks! One thing, I don't think for a minute this was the first time the BOV heard this financial message from Whit. It was the first time it was made very publicly, so everyone has to say 'gosh, we had no idea!' I believe the AD even said something like 'I feel like I've been crying wolf'. Not trying to take up for the AD, but I'm not buying the BOV stuff.
JRHokie September 16, 2025 at 6:06 AM

“Why don’t we have an experienced fundraiser in charge of the Hokie Club?".....Fire Alarms should have been going off 20 years ago !! Not a Buddy in charge But a True Fundraiser ! And when you have people working for the Hokie Club more interested in coffee breaks and going to lunch. Or just catering to a few, You get what you see now ! Brought this up years ago But Not Being a VT Graduate , I didn't know or had a right to have a input ! More people like me cared and paid . Lane was filled up by " True fans" than you think.. Hope they get a real staff and a True Boss over the Hokie Club..
Bugle76 September 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM

One comment: re Babcock and hiring Pry replacement…..for those who insist “2 strikes and you’re out” ……I remind you, it took Bama’s AD Hal Moore , 4 bites at the Apple before landing Saban.
bikeride September 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM

Spot on. I like University of Missouri model with I believe is 4 committee members overseeing athletic department. On a side note, except for emails that ask for $$, I have never received a call for money for the athletic department and our website has to be considered very poor with respect to user friendly. Let’s start from scratch and take a big step back and model ourselves across the board on programs that are successfully managing their programs and reaching out to alumni.
phihokie September 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM

hello
hokie24210 September 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM

I restfully disagree with some of your comments about the BOV and their interest in athletics, regardless of their membership to TSL. The ones I know personally are very interested in athletics. Sands is a big issue, as well as Whit and John Ballein. They won’t be long term.
moneal September 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM

Fortunately improving the website performance is something that you should just be able to throw money at
Newt September 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM

Thanks Will. You put the BOV issues very diplomatically. It really is a perfect storm of ...diverging interests.
Bigtime September 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM

Offer free subscription to BOV Members when they are appointed

Monday Thoughts: May You Live in Interesting Times

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