Cupcakes and “Captain Weirdo”
A few random December thoughts:
December basketball is way too sugary.
I REALLY THINK there should be a rule that if you’re going to play a “lesser” opponent in college football and basketball, it needs to be in your own state. I’m OK with the Hokies setting up a three-game series with Old Dominion in football, as they announced yesterday. I think that’s good for your state.
WHAT HAS NO BENEFIT TO ANYBODY is the kind of game we saw last night, where an 0-6 Mississippi Valley State basketball team took a 70-49 licking at Cassell Coliseum. Next up: Georgia Southern, which Tech has beaten by an average score of 93-76 in five previous meetings. Wake me in January.
ROBERT GRIFFIN III HASN’T BEEN RULED OUT for next Sunday’s game against the Browns. The knee sprain has been described, scientifically, as “not too bad.”
ZACK GREINKE DOES, IN FACT, SIGN THE LARGEST CONTRACT ever for a right-handed pitcher: six years, $147 million with the Dodgers. Story here. The best random note in that story: A former teammate dubbed him “Captain Weirdo.”
NAME THAT TUNE
We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
‘Cause your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance
Well they’re no friends of mine
I say, we can go where we want to
A place where they will never find
And we can act like we come from out of this world
Leave the real one far behind
December 11, 2012 - 9:10 AM
Haha…one of my all time favorite songs: Safety Dance by Men without Hats.
Safety Dance, Men Without Hats…kinda weird, but memorable 80′s song.
As someone who grew up watching ODU sports and the growth of their football program from an idea to reality…I like the 2 for 1 deal, and I’ll enjoy seeing those games played.
With Hokie Hoops, yeah…I’m not terribly interested in their games either until January. None of the 3 known opponents: Georgia Southern, Bradly, or BYU have a win over any good opposition, though Bradley is 6-2 and BYU 6-3…while GA Southern is 3-5. Tech will likel start the ACC with at least 10 wins, probably 11, or maybe even 12. The way they have played so far, I could see between 7 and 9 wins in the conference regular season, and maybe even a good upset or 2. They played WVU tough on the road is a normally hostile environment, so that gives me hope for their road games this year. I suspect Cassell will rock once the quality of the opposition takes an upturn.
The Safety Dance…. and that is what these basketball teams do in December. Play safe teams pad their record for March and work on plays and roatations until conference play begins. If not for ESPN and big ten challenges no top 25 teams would meet until the sweet 16. And yes Tom Brady still rules.
I don’t think some of the one sided basketball games are all that bad. Seems to me VMI went down to another Lexington and beat Kentucky down there a few years ago. Every once in a while they turn out to be decent games.
I have NP with VT playing ODU. If they didn’t play them some would be saying VT was scared to play them. For VT to ever play again for the MNC, they have to go undefeated anyway. Why make that harder?
Safety Dance. I agree with you about the hoops. Looking forward to league play soon.
Aaron, I’m not sure what you are trying to say about cupcakes. It seem to me you are trying to make two arguments: it’s boring to beat cupcakes and it’s preferable to stay in-state just for the sake of playing in-state.
I recall a certain team from Harrisonburg came to Blacksburg and gave the Hokies The Embarassement of the Year and Decade.
That kind of argument is relative weak. Have you seen UNC’s schedule? They opened the season playing Garner-Webb and just recently blew out ETSU.
So what if basketball starts off with some light schedule before getting into conference plays? That’s usually when tournament resume are made- during the conference plays, and some out of conference wins helps to enhance the resume some.
One way to look at basketball schedule is to look at it like going to a fine dining resturant. They start off with either salad or soup, before bringing the appeteizer, and then comes the entree. The dessert are usually optional, but very rewarding.
I like the idea of keeping it in state, but I doubt it will ever happen. Let’s face it, until it actually has some sort of lasting effect, teams will always play cupcakes. I mean the only reason you don’t take the girl you know you can make out with to the 8th grade dance is if you are 100% your buddies are going to crush you for it. Until teams are sure they’ll get crushed by the computers or selection committee, they’ll continue to pick up easy wins.
It’s not about signing a three game series with ODU, that is misrepresenting the ‘news’ factor of the story. It’s about the fact that VaTech has agreed to play AT ODU. I don’t see any calls for us to play AT JMU or AT Richmond, or AT William & Mary. Why ODU? Ah, yes, here’s the misdirected thought process – ‘so we can play in front of those crucial 757 recruits’.
Hmm… So we go TO the 757 to play ODU, giving them the chance to claim equal footing with us? The next five years, Wilder gets to brag to 757 recruits that he’s got VaTech coming to HIS place to play, that’s how solid his program has become. Once the game is played, it gets no better.
The Hokies have put themselves in a lose-lose situation. If they win big, well, they are SUPPOSED to win big. Then Wilder can tell the 757 recruits that he needs them to build the program to Hokie levels, to be remembered as the players that ‘made’ ODU football, not to be just another player from the 757 for the Hokies. If VT wins a close game? Then Wilder can tell all the recruits – ‘See!?! I TOLD you we’re already almost as good as VaTech! And your families & friends don’t have to drive 5-6 hours and stay in a hotel just to see a home game if you come to ODU. We’re right here, we’re neighbors. They can watch every one of your games’. Lastly, should ODU pull the upset, like JMU did over the BCS bound Hokies AT Lane Stadium? Why would a 757 recruit NOT want to play there on an exciting team so close to home? A team claiming to be the equal of any in the Commonwealth?
This was just another mistake by Beamer & Weaver in an effort to regain lost status in the program, instead of taking actions to actually advance that program.
Is the ‘Only play instate cupcakes’ rule to be applied to home & home scheduling as well? I mean, if we’re going to pretend it is only about ‘what’s good for the state’, why shouldn’t VaTech play AT JMU, AT Richmond, AT William & Mary, AT VMI, AT Liberty? I mean, that would spread the revenue throughout the Commonwealth, right? Change the UVa games from home & home to just playing annually at FedEx Field every single season? Wouldn’t that be good for the economy of NoVa, which doesn’t have a college football team in the hunt?
Yeah, the ole ‘good for the state’ red herring never worked for me…
crooked is right on the money. Tech playing ODU is not the deal, it is playing AT ODU that is the problem. It is really disrespecting the long-time programs like Richmond, JMU, W&M, and Liberty upcoming, that have played Tech on a one shot basis, and here Tech goes and gives the newbie a “series” and a return trip. If I were the other state school’s, when Tech came calling for a ‘money game’ I’d insist on the ODU deal.
I think it is wonderful for Tech and UVA to schedule the in-state schools for those ‘cupcake’ games, and keep the money at home, but those schools are pretty much all on the same footing, so why should Tech show favortism to ODU? The recruiting angle is whacked out.
It isn’t like Tech will play in the 757 every other year, it’ll be more like every other decade. I guess those really good Pop Warner kids that will attend that game can dream of going to Tech, and coming home to Norfolk for that one game of their careers, maybe . . .
Good comment crooked road.Some mighty good points to ponder.
Somebody pointed out to me after I said, “I don’t get the excitement over playing ODU. It’s no different than playing JMU, W&M, and Richmond.” The response was, “It’s because ODU will be a FBS program by then.”
Somehow that just makes it all right. Again, I see no difference because it’s like Tech playing Marshall, formerly FCS and now FBS, or ECU.
Beside, if Tech is having a hell of time trying recruit the 757 NOW, why do they think, “Oh yeah, playing at ODU will improve our footing in the 757?”
Come on, Aaron, don’t throw the college basketball pre-conference games under a bus just because of a couple games. Look at who Tech has before January – BYU, Bradley, likely Colorado State, all solid teams.
UVA – an interesting mathcup with ODU
Not to mention some others like – Florida/Arizona (Sat), some rockin’ matchups on 12/22 (Sat), too many to list, and some other good ones the rest of December that I am too lazy to list. You sleep until January, and man, your bracket is going to show it. This is the month that separates the men from the boys, come bracket pickin’ time.
Last night’s game wasn’t all that bad. Sluggish start, as expected, but JJ put a lot walk-ons out there – early, and did well, and in the second half they did what they do in the second half. He must have one helluva half-time talk the way this team has played.
I also wondered if Tech has EVER had 3 walk-ons play in the first half of a game like this, where it wasn’t senior night? There is some research for a geekier person than me to dig into, if they choose.
It was good to see JJ getting those guys on the floor, when it mattered, because you just never know when you’ll need them. That was some good planning and coaching.
The lesson to be taken from last night’s game is two-fold. First, and of higher priority – we MUST improve our rebounding effort and results. Especially on the offensive glass. When ACC play begins, it will be EXTREMELY critical to success. Johnson knows this, as he mentioned it in post game interviews.
Secondly, it is evident that our team is still capable of sleepwalking through a game, unfortunately. The good news is that we only did it for one half last night. We finally woke up in the second half. Whether it was from the halftime discussions, or the lack of presence on the court, it finally clicked for the guys.
The key to remember is preparing for the marathon of the conference schedule.
Rick H, I believe the reason for Johnson to put the walkons out there so early and for so long was to make the obvious point to his starters who were sleepwalking – ‘Hey, nobody said that I MUST play you guys. We can lose with the backups just as easy as with you starters. Now do you want to play like you mean it, or do you want to keep getting embarrassed sitting on the bench? Your choice, guys…’
That’s what I meant by their lack of presence on the court in the first half. Maybe that was what woke them up in the second half. A solid move by Johnson, one that he had to make, if he wanted to earn the respect of the players. Well done on his part.
The only real advantage in playing in-state opponents is to cut down on travel costs, but lose some exposure. Beside, I honestly don’t think VCU or George Mason University fits the “cupcake” labels. If anything, they have shedded it a snake shedding its skin.
Good stuff guys. Coming out swinging today.
To me, going to ODU is more like going to ECU or Marshall than it is going to JMU or Richmond. I don’t think it cedes as much power to those guys as some of you are arguing, but I can see why you wouldn’t want to crack your door.
I think the ODU games will be great if Tech has scheduled them in place of a 1-AA (I refuse to use the new abbreviations) opponent. However, sadly, I think they are viewing this as another Marshall or ECU, too, which means that they’ll still dump a Furman or App State on us in the same season.
The only real hope for those of us that hate cupcake scheduling is the new playoff “committee”. If they actually penalize schools for cupcakes in their deliberations (which the basketball committee at least nominally cites, at least when a Greenberg is the coach), it will change things. But if they overlook them, it will continue the status qho.
crooked, you’re right, he needed to light some fires with the subs, but at the same time we had a teeny bit of foul trouble, too, to allow him to do it, and James was willing to take a chance, in a game like this, to tinker with things a bit.
To me, it showed his overall confidence in the team to still come out on top. SG would have never had 3 walk-ons play in the first half of any game, nor would have Stokes (just threw up in my mouth), Foster, Allen, Moir, or DeVoe.
But those minutes Beyer and Patrick got, and they were, by no means, slouch minutes, will pay off down the road. He’ll know he can tap one of those guys if the going gets tough.
It might just be for a minute, until the next media timeout, but he’s using every card in his hand.
Here’s another point I have considered.
ODU started playing football in 2009, yes? Then they are running roughshod in the FCS, yes? What makes them (or everybody else) think they can do so in C-USA? There was a program similar to ODU and that’s UConn.
UConn was once a FCS program and then they made the transition to the FBS under Esdall. Then Esdall bolted for his “dream job” at Maryland, which is a laugh, and UConn languished ever since.
Assuming that ODU becomes really good in C-USA, coaching search are going to list Wilder as a hot, can’t miss commodity, and if he is lured away from ODU, what’s to prevent ODU from sliding into mediocrity?
I am somewhat not convinced that ODU is the program it’s cracked up to be. It’s one thing to win national championships on the XBOX with the “freshman” setting, and entirely another to win one with the setting on “Heisman.”
The problem with pretending ODU is just another ECU or Marshall or Western Michigan, etc. is that it deliberately ignores the location equation, as well as the historical perspective of the other programs re: ODU.
Those other schools have been FBS level for several years now. ODU is in their 4th season. The other programs are not in the middle of VaTech’s most prized recruiting territory. ODU is right in the very market VaTech has most prized since even before the days of Bill Dooley.
Let me reiterate – We’re going to THEIR house. Exactly how naive or willfully dismissive of reality do folks have to be to think that this is not a coup for ODU? Given to them on a silver platter by the school most negatively impacted by ODU’s ascension to even mediocrity in FBS football – VaTech? What will every 757 recruit hear from ODU for the next five years?
‘We MADE them come to OUR house is they want to play US!’
Bobby Wilder may as well put that on his business card. Beamer & Weaver just elevated ODU towards relevancy far more than their results on the field did this season.
You toss a pebble into a pond and it creates ripples. Frank Beamer & Jim Weaver just chucked a boulder into the pond of 757 recruiting and FBS football programs.
The concern is not necessarily about ODU becoming a powerhouse program at the FBS level. It’s about subtraction by addition, about zero sum gain.
Every increase in reputation that ODU acquires, means they’re more attractive to 757 recruits. Let’s remember – this whole 2for1 was done on both sides for an edge in securing 757 recruits. ODU’s reputation is enhanced, they get more recruits. The more recruits that they get from the 757 or other recruits that would consider playing in Virginia, the less that VaTech can secure.
As mentioned previously, ODU has several factors already working in their favor for recruiting. Beamer & Weaver just opened them access to a very crucial one, big name opposition. Folks need to be reminded of the ascension of UCF, USF, and even FIU in the state of Florida. Look at how the number of instate recruits these schools secured created a smaller and less bountiful recruiting base for Miami especially, but also F$U & Florida. Those ‘new’ schools aren’t even close to the level of the big three established schools. Yet they manage to beat them out for recruits.
Now we get to see the same circumstances play out in Virginia on a smaller stage over the coming years.
ODU also has a lot of negatives against them right now. They have a mostly commuter campus…at one time only about 2000 students out of over 20,000 lived on campus. It’s still less than 5000. Second, the surrounding community around ODU is shady. A friend of mine watched someone get shot outside of his dorm on Hampton Blvd. Not a lot has changed. Third, their stadium and football facilities are paltry. Foreman Field seats 20,000, and expanding it will be difficult to near impossible given the surroundings, without having a huge impact on campus operations (would need to relocate their admissions building) or the adjacent neighborhood (abuts the west stands). Then, there is a funding problem on top of it all. Where would money for a new or expanded stadium come from? They can’t get a ton of revenue from ticket sales in a small stadium, and they lack a program history to draw from for large donations. Plus, the perception is increasingly negative toward the program, because much of the academic campus is in need of expansion, renovation, and improvement…and the growing feeling is that the football program is an attempt to put lipstick on the proverbial pig.
But, that all said, there is an incredible vibe to their program. I was in Hampton Roads when the idea to bring it back was first floated around, and I got to see it become a reality from a distance. They have been sold out and have a waiting list for season tickets that continues to grow. The move up to CUSA will give them an increasing edge in local recruiting to keep prospects in Hampton Roads, because rather than only having 1-AA or D-2 programs to pick from locally, now ODU is playing at the highest level. It gives them another in-state option for playing in bowl games and getting on TV aside from VT and UVA. It’s definitely a good time to be affiliated with ODU…they are a program on the rise. To what though? That remains to be seen. They’ll never win a national title in FBS…they could have done that at the FCS level though.
And that brings up a big concern of mine…the dilution of quality in FBS football. As more programs seek the $$$ of FBS, they move up and really shouldn’t be doing that. They’re too small to really compete adequately, sometimes even in a smaller mid-tier conference. I think of programs like Marshall, who won 2 national titles but are now a mid-level MAC program. Has the move really made them any better? Doubtful, but they’re making more money…probably.
In a 30+ game season I don;t see the problem with a few cupcakes here and there. I think we benefited from a cupcake after a bad loss. It is hard to replicate game pressure in a scrimmage.
I know that cakes hurt the resume but we already have a good win (Iowa), a signature win (OSU) and a bad loss (WVU) going into the ACC schedule. A few more scrimmage like wins will help with confidence and movement.
Thing is we have to win.
I understand your concerns, CR. But I look at all this differently. If you go to their place in 2018 and crush them 42-6, in front of their recruits and their fans, don’t you pretty much settle the debate for good?
Wilder: “We made them come to our place. See, we are somebody.”
Recruit: “But you lost 42-6. They’re somebody much better.”
Wilder: “But they came to us!”
Recruit: “And whipped your…”
I realize ODU has an excellent quarterback this year and Tech is down this season. But if the Hokies don’t think they can beat the Monarchs 42-6 in 2018, wherever they play, that’s on them. That’s a much bigger deal than scheduling an in-state team on the road.
Now, if ODU starts getting its FBS sea legs and beating good FBS teams, you cut them off. Not worth the risk then. But for now I think it’s worth it.
Matt Schaub looked too much like Joe Flacko last night, trying to be too balanced in his approach. This game was more about the New England defense than it was about Tom Brady. Brady did what he always does but the Patriot defense did not allow Houston to do what they have been doing offensively. Plus no running game for the Texans. Houston reminds me a lot of VT, a good record over the years with 10 wins seasons but not able to compete with good teams. New England and Green Bay in the super bowl.
Sorry, I had a brain fart…Marshall is now in CUSA. They’ve largely done nothing since the move out of the MAC in 2005 (losing record, 35-50). They actually had some good success in the MAC, winning 5 conference titles following their move to 1-A (1997-2005), after winning 2 national titles in 92 and 96.
Does anybody seriously think Beamer would be coaching on the sideline by the time they finally play ODU? I doubt it, but I’m curious.
AMc, here’s where your arguments falls apart. JMU beat VaTech in Lane in 2010, the year we went to the Orange Bowl. Ask anybody on Aug 31st, 2010 if the Hokies would crush JMU? 100% would say yes, easily. There is NO way to schedule ODU now, then cancel on them if they’re good by 2018. That would be the bigger prize. Can you imagine the trash talking then? ‘Yeah, they canceled on us because they’re afraid…’
Also, you must not have read my #9 post above where I already addressed your conversation with the far more likely one. I’ll ignore the other two possible scoring scenarios, and five you the one you referenced. Bobby Wilder is in the house of a 757 recruit. The house of EVERY 757 recruit. ODU just lost to VaTech 42-6.
Wilder – ‘We are now a serious player in college football. We’ve got teams like VaTech coming to OUR house, to play US.’
Recruit – ‘They beat you 42-6 in your house. I want to play for them.’
Wilder – ‘That’s true. True. They beat us. This time. Do you know how many players they have on their squad every year from the 757? About 6-8 every single year. Do you know the names of those players?’
Recruit – ‘Uhh… no. I dunno.’
Wilder – ‘That’s right. You know why you don’t know their names? Because to VaTech, they’re just another kid from the 757. No big deal. VT takes all you guys around here for granted. They don’t think you have any other choice. Well, ODU is your other choice.’
Recruit – ‘I don’t understand. They just beat you guys..’
WIlder – ‘You ever heard of Bruce Smith? You ever heard of Michael Vick?’
Recruit – ‘Sure, coach. Everybody knows those guys.’
Wilder – ‘I’m offering you the chance to be the Bruce Smith of ODU. The Michael Vick of ODU. VaTech was no good before those guys came along and helped build their program. Now, they’re legends at VaTech. Numbers retired, stuff named for them. All because they were the first. The ones who made the program. ODU needs somebody to be our first, son. I think you just might be the one to do it. You could be our Bruce Smith, our Michael Vick. And you could do it 30 minutes from home. All your friends could watch you do it. Your momma could be at every game. It takes six hours to get to Blacksburg from here. It takes 30 minutes to get to ODU. You could be our legend, right here in your own neighborhood. They’ll talk about you forever around here…’
AMc, that’s why your argument falls apart. Any decent recruiter can spin the score to his advantage. Heck, Mike London already does it to us. Wilder is sure to do the same. Thanks to Beamer & Weaver.
Nice script you you just laid out crooked road. Maybe you can turn that into a made for tv sitcom. Doesn’t matter what Weaver, Beamer and Co. decide to do-it’s wrong in your eyes. I think the words are naysayer and antagonist. Correct?
Trev, I’ve got Frank Beamer penciled in as coaching 7-8 more seasons, per his desire to do so. I think he is very determined to coach until he passes Bear Bryant in total wins. I feel certain that he will coach well beyond 2016, which is his contract season. He wants more one contract, and he wants it to be negotiated by the next AD.
That gets us into more muddy territory. Beamer currently has a contract stipulation that once he retires, he will be retained for eight more years at a salary of $250K annually. His responsibilities? Assisting the athletic department promotion of the football program and making public & personal appearances for fundraising efforts.
Part two – Jim Weaver’s health issues are public. He is unlikely to last in his job until his contract ends Jan 2015. As it stands, it is very likely the top three administrative people in the VT athletic department will not be in their jobs by that time. So… we’re looking at an entirely revamped VT athletic department by the time Beamer’s next contract will be negotiated. Interesting times coming up when that happens.
So, yes, I definitely expect Frank Beamer to still be VT’s head football coach in 2018 and even further beyond that date.
Incorrect, as always, danny. My, you are consistent in being wrong in your analysis. You could be considered the Frank Beamer in that category. Just cranking out the incorrect assumptions like clockwork, very, very consistent in doing so.
Perhaps you would like to offer your perspective on this latest arrangement, and your reasoning behind that perspective? Or did you just want to weep because I said Beamer and Weaver misjudged the results of their actions? I understand that whenever I mention Beamer in any way that is not adulatory, your moans become quite pronounced, but you’re going to have to eventually uncurl from that fetal position and join the big people’s table.
Tell us what you think, and why.
Beamer is not going to be around for 8 more seasons, no way. The winds of change have already begun to blow and if Rutgers takes the Hokies to the woodshed (another loss to Big Least teams this year) then the new game plan will be greatly acclerated. Weaver won’t be making this decision, the big money donor czars will be making the call.
CR, I see what you are saying about Weaver and Beamer, the contract issues, and beyond. However, I would argue that with Weaver’s current and highly publicized health issue, he may not last that long to finish his contract in spite of his insistence. That means a new AD would come in, and often time, the new AD are more interested in the bottom line. Suppose Beamer and company have two more years of mediocrity, which may be plausible, would that encourage the next AD to tear up the original contract extension and offer Beamer a more than generous retirement package to bring in the coach of his choice?
As noted, it is indeed muddy. I could see where Weaver retires, Steger retires, and the assistant AD is promoted to full-time as an AD, and brings in Beamer as the “special assistant.”
That means this has to be approved by the BOV or whoever makes the power decision behind closed doors. Is it possible the BOV would use this as the opportunity to flex their muscles and let everyone know that football is not king in Blacksburg?
I seem to recall having this discussion on the blog two years ago when Beamer was announced he signed a contract extension. Or was that last year? My, how times flies.
I honestly cannot see Beamer on the sideline in 2018 and beyond. He often says that each week has been a “grind,” which in my interpretation, means that at his age and the long years he has put into coaching is finally starting to wear him down. Add on to the other obligations he has to fulfill, i.e. Tech Talk Live, Stop-n-Gulp commerical or whatever it is, etc, on top of game planning, managing the staff, budgets, reviewing recruiting videos, visiting recruits, pitching, etc, etc. In addition, the rumor that big money bigwigs are twisting his arms just probably are taking a toll.
I don’t know. I do not have any access to his personal record nor do I claim to personally know the man. It is speculation on my part, I’ll admit.
I will agree with you – partially – on one point BFI. That is, should the big money donors wish to push hard enough, Frank would ‘choose to retire’. I don’t see that happening, though, unless we actually do have 2-3 more seasons of 7 regular season wins or less.
That being said, recently, on a smaller basis, but still comparable, the case of Jerry Moore at AppState. What did Jerry Moore do at Appalachian State? He went 215-87 in 24 seasons, an average season of 9-4. His most recent teams went to 8 straight postseasons and 13 of the last 15 seasons. He won THREE straight national championships = nothing mythical about them, they were the result of playoffs. From 2005, he had six straight seasons of 10 wins or more, including those THREE STRAIGHT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Then, in 2011, at age 72, his team went 8-4, still making the playoff.
After the season ended, his AD & he ‘decided together’ that he would retire at the end of the next season(2012), and it would not be released to the press until after that season’s end and would be presented as a retirement. So, when the 2012 season ended with Jerry Moore again posting an 8-4 record and playoff visit, Jerry wanted to stay ‘one more year’. So his AD announced to the press that Jerry Moore had ‘retired’, effective immediately, and allowed the formerly private agreement to be publicized.
So, it all depends on Beamer’s reactions in the future, but I’ll stick with my prediction.
Trev, I agree and thought I mentioned already that Jim Weaver will definitely NOT keep working until the end of his contract. As for the possibility that an in-house promotion will occur to replace him? As much as that might be desired inside the department, that will not happen. Zero chance. As I mentioned above, the top three people will not be working there when it comes time to renegotiate Beamer’s next contract. I didn’t go into Steger’s retirement, but that is almost certain to occur before Beamer’s retirement, as well.
The most likely, and suitable, replacement for Weaver will come from a school familiar to all of us, and within Virginia’s borders. As for the possibility of Beamer registering another couple of ‘down years’, and being forced to retire? Check out the scenario that occurred a couple of weeks ago at Appalachian State I mentioned above.
Lets face it the basketball team is following in the foot steps of the football team. The ones that make up Tech schedules are all cupcake hunters. Play as many cupcakes as you can, have a winning season, go to bowl games or tournaments make money, and make the overrated coaches rich.
Crooked Road, not a thing in the world wrong with VT going to the Tidewater area to play. As you know, VT has many Tidewater area players and this gives them a chance to go home and play in front of family and friends who may not be able to travel to Bburg for a game. I see that as a good thing for VT and ODU, who is trying to move forward with their program. Why put the negative spin on everything related to VT football Crooked Road? Toatally uncalled for and basically ridiculous.
CR, you said, “33.Incorrect, as always, danny. My, you are consistent in being wrong in your analysis. You could be considered the Frank Beamer in that category. Just cranking out the incorrect assumptions like clockwork, very, very consistent in doing so.”
Why is Danny’s analysis wrong and yours always right. I happen to agree with him that you are about the most negative person on this blog. That’s fine, that’s your opinion. But just because it’s your opinion doesn’t make you right and those who disagree with you wrong. No need to be so heavy handed.
Thanks 540Hokie.
What bothers me most about Crooked Road is he says he is a Hokie follower and has been since before the Beamer era. Yet, he ridicules any and all football news out of Blacksburg. For example, why would a big deal be made out of VT playing ODU in a few years? And many of the comments he makes about Beamer, Weaver, Stinespring, etc. are uncalled for. Although I’m sure the VT staff are not concerned about Crooked Road’s opinion.
Beamer and Stinespring have put their heart and soul into this program for the last 20 or 30 years and there’s been some great times. Sure there have been disappointments but the good times far out weigh the bad. I’m here to say I’m a Hokie and I’m all in!!
540, I see you chose to delete the part of my post where I invited danny to weigh in with his perspective on the VT/ODU arrangement. Why is that? Because it waters down your assertion that all I care to do is rant? What I called danny out for was not his opinion, because danny hasn’t presented any opinion on the VT/ODU series. In fact, he seldom presents any opinion at all, other than the opinion that I’m an awful meanie who says bad things about Frank Beamer. That was why I specifically requested twice in that post that he offer an opinion – so that we might engage in dialogue differing from – ‘You’re mean!’ & ‘Well, you’re a crybaby’.
You know, or you should, I’m going to post my opinions on here, my perspective on here, and the facts I discover on here. When those facts show Beamer or Weaver in a negative light? That is not the fault of the messenger. When that perspective disagrees with yours? Feel free to engage me in conversation. Just be aware that when all you provide is constant whining about me not idolizing Frank Beamer or Jim Weaver’s actions , I will call you out on it. The ‘you’ reference is a general nomenclature addressed to whomever it applies.
And CR disappears.
Roll Tide!
While being interviewed by Bill Roth on Tech Talk Live tonight, Jim Weaver revealed that VTTO has sold ‘less than 3000 tickets’ to the Russell Athletic Bowl. We are obligated for 13000 tickets, according to the comment made by Jim Weaver.
Weaver did not indicate whether the ‘less than 3000 tickets sold’ was significantly less than 3K or only slightly less than 3K. Bill Roth did not play the guesstimate game of asking if we’d sold less than 2K or less than 1K. Weaver also did not indicate if the ‘less than 3000 tickets sold’ included all of the tickets for coaches’ family/friends, staff, VT admin, faculty, etc. which can run from the hundreds into the thousands, depending on the bowl game.
For example, in a message addressed to Clemson Nation, Dan Radakovich, the new Clemson AD, urged fans to buy tickets to attend the game. Clemson is obligated to buy 18000 ChikFilA Bowl tickets. They have designated 3000 of those tickets purchased to be used for Clemson admin, coaches’ families, faculty, etc.
I’ve no idea on whether VT has set aside only 200-300 tickets for the RABowl, or more than that. It would be interesting to know, though a more detailed summary of how many tickets we’ve sold. It does seem safe to say that the vast majority of people who plan on attending the bowl game have already purchased their tickets, though.
Lack of VT bowl sales tickets is not a reflection of the economy. It’s a statement by the fan base.VT fans should be glad they are not in the Big East-Looks like 0-3 verses a make shift league in 2012 to me.Lots of HH Gregg 60′ TV’s by Santa in lieu of I-95 hokie gas consumption and being mad again coming home.
CR,I couldn’t care less about your opinions of Beamer and Weaver. Your opinions are yours and you own them, fine. My opinion is that you are negative about just about everything involved with VT football while others do see and comment about some positives. Isn’t there anything positive you can comment about Hokie football?
My opinion of playing ODU is positive. By the time we play them they will have been in an FBS conference for a few years. I find that better than playing FCS schools. As far as playing in Norfolk, I don’t have a problem with that either. Not sure who said it earlier but playing and winning in front of the 757 recruits will be a positive. The comparison of ODU and Marshall is apt although it may be easier to recruit players to Norfolk than Huntington.
Lighten up guys on the subject of Tech playing ODU in Norfolk. ODU is moving up to FBS and will be there by the time the 2 teams meet for the first of three games. The 2 for 1 series is about the only way Tech can play a game in the 757 area code. Tech historically played every few years in the old Oyster Bowl, which was held at Forman Field. As a Tech Alum and season tecket holder living in Virginia Beach, I and thousands of others look forward to having Tech play in our home area. Even in FCS ODU is no slouch and their quarterback (a Soph at that) walked away with the Dudley Award this year. Also, the seating capacity at ODU will exceed that of any other state FCS schools by the time these two teams meet on the field in Norfolk.
Between VT and Rutgers, they will be lucky to sell a total of 10,000 tickets. This game reminds me of the Orange Bowl a few years ago that featured VT and Cincinnati. I don’t think anyone cared about that game.
Georgia Southern ended up not being so much of a cupcake after all.