Niche Hokies Mailbag: The Second Annual Journalism Edition

17 Comments

1. 

   86RoanokeHokie February 27, 2026 at 8:01 PM

   I’ve always loved your work Andy and was ecstatic when you landed at TSL. You set the bar for sports journalism…keep up the great work!
2. 

   SarahVTHokie24 February 27, 2026 at 5:02 PM

   Damn that was good. I couldn't stop reading it. I usually scroll through long articles and just green the important parts, but I read every word of this. Outstanding job.
3. 

   middletennhokie February 27, 2026 at 10:20 AM

   Nice Andy, very nice. Thank you.
4. 

   sarg003 February 26, 2026 at 8:57 PM

   Awesome read
5. 

   hokiesteve01 February 26, 2026 at 8:09 PM

   Thank you Andy your writing is a joy to consume
6. 

   MKD February 26, 2026 at 7:44 PM

   Great job and very informative, Andy.
7. 

   `lag February 26, 2026 at 7:42 PM

   One of may favorite quotes is that there are no truths, only stories.which I'm kind of hearing in Pope's comments. Hadn't seen the Worsham story double wow. I've always been impressed with what TSL has done, much of the computer revolution - which we're seeing again with AI - is leveraging computer power and getting rid of people. TSL seems to be the fish that swam the other way.and hired a guy like you. Your career has been interesting in that it has been a microcosm of media, collapse of newspapers, attempt at infinite reporting, eg, someone could cover their high school and have the Athletic publish it for those who care and finally TSL.a comprehensive one brand sports center. One funny thing happened at the Athletic while you were there, you did a rare basketball game report. In the comments section some guy from Gonzaga - when they were one of the top teams mind you -- was wondering how the heck VT had a beat writer and #1 Gonzaga did not.
   1. 

      IAHokie February 27, 2026 at 2:43 PM

      He actually said the truth gets skewed, write articles that search for the truth.
8. 

   phtbddh February 26, 2026 at 7:07 PM

   Great insights! This is why I subscribe.
9. 

   AlrightGuy February 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM

   One of the more enjoyable reads from TSL lately, Andy. Thanks. FYI - I’d love to see some human interest stories in the offseason on any of the many new faces of the football program, if access will allow.
10. 

    RJHokie February 26, 2026 at 6:20 PM

    Excellent article with very interesting info.
11. 

    VTUS029400 February 26, 2026 at 6:03 PM

    Andy, I love the Hokies, Frank Beamer was my classmate in the 60’s. Andy, without a doubt, you are the reason I came back to Techsideline. The other articles are very good, however I used to be Nextdoor neighbors of Jack Bogaczyk in Roanoke. Jack’s articles were special, yours top them. Thank you.
12. 

    MDHokie79 February 26, 2026 at 5:01 PM

    Andy, I think you made a mis-statement when you said that you "got" to cover UVa for a time, when I'm sure you meant that you "had" to cover UVa. ;-) Crazy good article, as usual! GO HOKIES!
13. 

    huskerHokie February 26, 2026 at 4:41 PM

    Thanks Andy! When Kyle moved on, I didn't really believe he could be effectively replaced. You've done it. When I watch GameDay on Saturday mornings - what I relish most are the background stories - the ones that require a little digging - the ones that uncover the personal side. Journalism isn't dead. Keep on doing what you're doing. You're probably one of the major reasons I came back to TSL as a subscriber. Don't leave me now!
14. 

    Coattail Hokie February 26, 2026 at 4:39 PM

    Once NIL comes along for journalists, Andy will be in the portal.
15. 

    TomTurkey February 26, 2026 at 4:34 PM

    Great Mailbag. Thanks for answering my question. I'm sending a copy to family and friends. :) I still recall many SI articles and the humorous flair with which* a writer could hook the reader. AI would/could never do that. 1973 NIT - "The NIT selection committee picked Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Then they got serious." ["WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA TECH"] An Olympic article started with Brian Boitano (USA) and Brian Orser (Canada) [the battle of the Brians] in "matching magenta" outfits. You bring that flair of expression to your work. Will gets a big thumbs up from us for bringing you in-house at TSL. You and Chis complement (that word) each other very well. *Using best grammar with "the writer."
16. 

    2hhoop3 February 26, 2026 at 4:29 PM

    Great read Andy!! Thanks. The Pope clip may be as interesting and insightful an answer to a question as I have ever heard a coach give. I do not believe I knew or realized you were in Danville but, I hope you had a chance to encounter my buddy Al Milley whose son Jim was a very good tennis player at VT. Both great guys.