COLLEGIAT ETIMES
November 11th, 2025
UNF*CK AMERICA — VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS TAKE ON POLITICAL DEBATES AGAINST LEFT-WING POPULAR STREAMER
Haley Stoehr | News Writer
Unf*ck America is a left-leaning debate group that hosts debates on college campuses.
Unf*ck America, an organization focused on reigniting the Democratic Youth vote, is building a progressive/ left-wing activist initiative organized by National Ground Game. The tour is similar to Turning Point USA, but is rooted in different beliefs.
The goal of the tour is to counter right-wing campus organizing efforts by engaging progressive youth on college campuses. They schedule campus stops at major colleges and universities where they hold live debates, and anybody is welcome to step up to the microphone.
The Unf*ck America tour stopped at Virginia Tech’s Drillfield Nov. 3, 2025.
Steven Kenneth Bonnel, better known as Destiny, is a streamer who was the
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main debater for the Virginia Tech stop of the Unf*ck America tour. The topics debated included elections, abortion, veganism, President Trump’s actions, ideological confrontation, gun control and more.
Along with those current political topics, fascism and the current state of the country were also major talking points during the two-hour and thirty-minute debate. Both parties used past events in order to back their arguments.
Destiny argued that Trump’s use of executive power in multiple scenarios can be seen as an authoritarian dictator, but a Virginia Tech student responded against this argument using instances from Biden’s and Obama’s presidencies,
that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.
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While walking down any of the
where this idea of “authoritarian force” was used.
Destiny continued to debate with a number of other VT students, creating an open environment for conversations, and throughout the two and a half hours the event took, it attracted a large crowd
of students.
To learn more, watch Unf*ck America’s livestream of the event on YouTube.
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ELLA WINTERLING / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Drillfield’s pathways, students are bound to be met with beautiful views.
VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS COULD BE DETERMINANT OF BLACKSBURG MAYORAL RACE WIN
Ben Woltman | News Writer
Virginia Tech students could decide the outcome of the Blacksburg 2025 mayoral race with student voting.
While Democrats secured major victories across Virginia on Election Day, the most immediate story at Virginia Tech lies not in Richmond but in Blacksburg, where students’ votes will likely determine the next mayor of Blacksburg.
At the statewide level, Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle‑Sears, becoming the first woman elected governor in Virginia’s history. Democrats also reclaimed the attorney general’s office with Jay Jones prevailing over incumbent attorney general Jason Miyares. Across the ballot, Democrat momentum continued, and the party expanded its margin in the House of Delegates, flipping several key seats statewide. Notably, Lily Franklin
won Montgomery County’s District 41. After narrowly losing to Republican Chris Obenshain in 2023, Franklin’s win represents a representative win for Democrats and a larger Democratic surge statewide.
Focusing on Blacksburg, the mayor’s race is close and will likely come down to Virginia Tech students’ votes. With no incumbent on the ballot, the race is between independents Peter Macedo and Michael Sutphin. As of Nov. 6, just 46 votes separate the two candidates, while 2,028 provisional ballots remain to be verified and counted.
Provisional ballots are issued when a voter’s eligibility is uncertain, common causes being that they regis tered recently, changed addresses or
lacked identification on Election Day. If verified, those ballots are added to the final count.
Because both mayoral candidates ran as independents, many voters were unable to use their party affiliation to guide their choices. Many were unaware of the race until they arrived at the polls, according to Cardinal News. Most students turned out for the statewide elections, only realizing their ballots included local offices once voting began.
Campus groups like the Hokies Vote Caucus worked to bridge information gaps like these, setting up registration drives and informational tables across campus to emphasize the importance of voting, civic participation and informed decision making.
According to the Voting at VT website, students can “join Hokies Vote Caucus in (its) efforts to increase voting acces sibility as well as encourage student activism.” For the Hokies Vote Caucus, the message is apparent: Civic education matters. Whether it’s for the governor’s mansion in Richmond or the mayor’s office on Main Street, student turnout and education can change outcomes locally and statewide.
For more information on how to register to vote, visit the Department of Elections website.
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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK 2025 KICKS OFF NOV. 11
Laura Pajoma | News Writer
Virginia Tech will host International Education Week 2025 with various campus events for students.
From Nov. 11 to 18, Virginia Tech will host International Education Week, featuring a variety of events high lighting global engagement and cultural exchange.
According to Global Engagement, IEW is “a weeklong celebration to promote the power of global engagement and intercultural exchange developed by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.”
The week will officially begin with an opening reception at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Perspectives Gallery, featuring “Seascapes of the 21st Century” by Eugene Maurakis. During the reception, guests can pick up an IEW passport for a chance to win an exclusive Hokie Culture Crawl T shirt designed by Steven White. Following the reception, the Dance of Nations will begin at 6 p.m. at Haymarket
Theatre in Squires Student Center, featuring 15 international student performances.
Wednesday’s schedule includes a variety of events, beginning with the webinar “Exploring Well Being, Social Bonds and Trends Across the Globe” at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom, featuring inter national experts Laura Aknin and Alberto Prati. Other activities include WatercolorWednesday, Guess That Vibe: Cultural Game Day, the Unpacking Study Abroad Zoom session and the Itraab Music Ensemble Workshop at 6 p.m. at the Center for the Arts.
On Thursday, events include “The Queer and Trans International Student Experience” at the Pride Center and “Defying Perpetrator Victim Stories in France and India” at the APIDA+ Center. The day continues with the Global
Development Discussion Series and the Graduate International Café. The day concludes with a ramen tasting at Hefun and a screening of “Ramen Shop” at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre.
Friday’s events include the Let’s Talk About series “Dating in American Culture” at Harper Hall and “Tea at Two” in the APIDA+ Center.
Events continue into Monday with the webinar “Global Learning and Engagement Community of Practice: Discussing the Global Teaching Scholars Program.”
The celebration wraps up Tuesday, Nov. 18, beginning with “Bubble Tea and Games” at 5:30 p.m. at Newman Library and concluding with a Multilingual Open Mic Night at Harper Hall, where attendees can also pick up their Hokie Culture Crawl T shirts.
For up to date schedules and regis tration details, students and attendees can visit GobblerConnect and the official International Education Week webpage.
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ONE YEAR OF SUCCESS AND MANY MORE TO GO
Anna Payne | Lifestyles Staff Writer
One year in, Virginia Tech’s SVPEO continues building a safer, more informed campus.
This fall marked the first anniversary of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Office (SVPE). On campus, the space is dedicated to fostering open conversations, educating the community and creating a culture of safety at Virginia Tech.
“I think what folks forget to understand is that gender-based violence is an everyone issue,” said Jenn Wiggins, director of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Office. “I think we tend to assign it to be a women’s issue or a girls’ issue, but the reality of it is it’s a community issue that we all play a role in minimizing.”
In fall 2023, the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative shifted Virginia Tech’s approach to sexual violence prevention, moving the focus to a shared community-wide responsibility. The initiative developed into the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education, dedicated to promoting a campus community that is safe, educated and accountable.
Now, upon its first year of operation, SVPE has made a significant impact on campus
through educational programs and workshops that raise awareness about genderbased violence. Alex Kennedy, the graduate social media intern for SVPE, was excited to begin working with the newly developed team.
“I figured if I got a job here, I’d be able to help a lot of people on campus with this issue,” Kennedy said. “No one ever talks about the prevention aspect, so being able to be a part of preventive measures is amazing.”
Two particular programs that Wiggins is proud to have accomplished are the Safe Bars and VOICES peer educator programs.
“For us, collaboration is really important; we do see ourselves as bridge builders,” Wiggins said.
Safe Bars is a program designed to educate establishments that serve alcohol to students in the community. Through outreach, SVPE provides local restaurants, bars and other institutions with free bystander intervention training.
“They can intervene on behalf of our students, but also help promote safe spaces
within their bars and restaurants,” Wiggins said.
This program further embraces a community-wide responsibility to make Virginia Tech’s campus safe, welcoming and accountable.
The VOICES peer educator program, hosted by SVPE, aims to foster “A safe, respectful, and inclusive environment while honoring all voices and diverse experiences.”
As a certified peer educator, Kennedy can help students seeking prevention education.
“We are able to cover consent, bystander intervention, gender-based violence and the Core Four (teaching curriculum),” Kennedy said. “We are able to train whoever asks for it on these specific topics.”
VOICES comprises paid student positions and volunteer roles, both of which are essential to the campus’ dedication to proactive prevention. Wiggins shared the main goal of the peer educators program: to uplift all student voices.
“The idea is that we are uplifting all voices of survivors or those impacted by
gender-based violence,” Wiggins said. “We are thinking about how we hear what students are saying and the experiences that they are having, and then also what pieces we know might be helpful to really improve their experience on campus.”
She further noted that these resources aim to educate students beyond their time at Virginia Tech: “They will always be a Hokie, but even when you’re beyond your time here as a Hokie,” Wiggins said.
While SVPE accomplished a great deal in its first year as an established institution, Wiggins looks forward to what is to come in the next few years.
“My real hope over the next couple of years is to see us continue to grow into those pockets of spaces,” Wiggins said.
As SVPE enters its second year, its mission remains the same: To create a culture at Virginia Tech where every Hokie is educated, uplifted and has a safe place to call home.
VT VS. MOTHER NATURE: MEET THE FORECASTING CLUB
Dani Ingle | Lifestyles Contributor
As Blacksburg’s weather changes, one club helps students stay ahead of the storm.
Over the past two weeks, students have experienced just how unpredictable Virginia’s weather can be. They’ve gone from dragging around a coat to every class to wearing a light sweater and feeling a lovely 70 degrees on their faces.
“The geography of Blacksburg definitely makes things really interesting when it comes to weather here,” said Xavier Burns, a senior studying meteorology and the president of the Forecasting Club.
Traditional weather models use large grids to predict weather in specific regions, Burns explained. They do not account for the significant elevation differences that can occur within these boxed-off areas.
“You have to use higher resolutions, going into smaller grid spaces, to get a better representation,” Burns said.
With all this uncertainty in Blacksburg’s weather, the Forecasting Club is a beacon of hope in the storm. Through this organization, students learn to account for the nuances of Mother Nature and details that a model can’t
attach a number to.
“We’re not going to know where exactly, to a pinpoint, where a storm is going to develop,” Burns said. “It’s all about knowing what’s going on and the science behind it so you can put an accurate prediction out.”
While their sister club, the Meteorology Club, focuses on advancing meteorology majors professionally, the Forecasting Club hones the skills of members in producing forecasts through participation in weekly challenges.
The club is given a random location in the U.S. every week, and members use various data sources and observations to produce forecasts for that location in the near future.
The student organization started small in 2023 with only a few senior meteorology majors who were enthusiastic about practicing forecasting. The club, however, has grown into a moderately sized, tight-knit community of student forecasters.
While members may be competing with their forecasts, there is a strong sense of
camaraderie among them. With an emphasis on engagement with the general members, Burns and senior members ensure that meetings are run casually while still providing relevant information.
“Meteorology has always been close-knit,” Burns said. “You have so few people in the major, it’s a big group of friends that constantly want to engage with the topic.”
While most members are meteorology majors, the club is open to any weather fanatics, even those who don’t wish to pursue a career involving forecasting.
For new members, forecasting can be a daunting task. The craft involves a good understanding of atmospheric phenomena, physics and chemistry to produce an accurate forecast. The Forecasting Club emphasizes the importance of human expertise for reliable predictions. Of course, they didn’t all start as experts.
“For me, coming into college with absolutely no forecasting experience and consistently doing well in the challenges — it’s
shocking,” said Kenzie Tate, a meteorology major and senior member of the organization. “If I told my freshman self that I would start becoming a better forecaster, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Along with the general guidance provided in club meetings, members of the club can receive one-on-one mentoring from another more experienced member. This aspect takes the edge off for those who may be nervous about having little to no forecasting opportunities before joining, like Tate.
The dedication of club members is inspiring not only for fellow students but for people in an increasingly automated world where hands-on approaches are rarely appreciated. The Forecasting Club is still accepting new members and can be found on Instagram, where they are open to emails about joining their sunny organization.
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SUPERMARKET SUPERLATIVES: RANKING BLACKSBURG MARKETS FOR THE GROCERY CONNOISSEUR
Grace Keller | Lifestyles Contributor
From local gems to big chains, find the grocery store fit for you.
Grocery shopping is a necessary part of life. Everyone has to do it: Some love it, others hate it. The Blacksburg area has a multitude of great options, from large chain stores to smaller local shops. Here’s a shopper’s guide to choosing the grocery store that will be the best fit for them.
Old Reliable: Food Lion
Operating out of Blacksburg since the early 1980s, Food Lion has made a name for itself as a staple in the community. It is situated in two convenient locations: one on North Main Street and another on Hethwood Boulevard. Upon entering, shoppers are greeted by associates who are more than happy to offer their services.
“While I love that Food Lion is so close, I sometimes get overwhelmed by the disorganization,” said Hannah McCaig, a junior majoring in cybersecurity. “I feel like Food Lion has not caught up with modern branding techniques, and they don’t seem to appeal to consumer behavior like some of the other grocery stores in town.”
Jade Stanaway, a junior majoring in marketing management, shared similar feelings.
“I don’t like the layout,” Stanaway said. “If I’m looking for a specific item, it’s hard to find.”
Despite the disorganization and the fact that it is a little bit outdated, shoppers are sure to get a bang for their buck at this chain. A Food Lion membership unlocks lower pricing on many items, as well as coupons and personalized offers based on shopping history. This much is clear: Its accessibility, stellar customer service, pricing and membership perks make up for the confusing organization.
A Granola Mom’s Heaven: Eats Natural Foods
Located at the top of Main Street, Eats Natural Foods is one of Blacksburg’s hidden gems. While it is lesser known than the larger competing chains, it is one of the oldest grocery stores in the area, established in 1974. Not only is it a health food store that offers organic, locally sourced groceries, Eats also carries supplements, crystals and homemade gifts.
For the environmentally conscious shopper, Eats is a dream come true. The store does not use plastic bags. Instead, customers are provided with paper bags
and cardboard boxes, as well as recycled jars and bottles to fill with their wide selection of seeds, nuts and beans.
Elizabeth Jacobs, a junior majoring in political science, is a frequent patron at this local establishment.
“Natural Eats is so good,” Jacobs said. “There are minimally processed foods, the store is organized, and I can find items here that I would not be able to find anywhere else. Eats is expensive but it has so many good options for people trying to lose weight.”
However, because of its pricier selection, some students may opt to go only when looking for something specific. “If I want a fancy cheese, (Eats) is where I’ll go,” Stanaway said.
While Eats may not be the most convenient when it comes to fitting a student’s budget, the higher price point does not come without good reason. Patrons are supporting local farmers and artists. Access to good, organic foods can be harder to find in more rural areas such as Blacksburg, but Eats is changing that.
The People’s Princess: Kroger
Like its competitor, Food Lion, Kroger is conveniently located in multiple locations around Blacksburg (University
OPINIONS
City Boulevard and South Main Street).
Known for its cheap prices and seemingly infinite selection of any brand of cereal a person could think of, it is beloved by many on campus. The store is modernized, and finding items is a breeze due to the clear organization by aisle. The multitude of self-checkout registers allows for a swift checkout experience, with little to no wait time. Not only does Kroger offer food, but it also provides gas at a discounted price. “I like going to Kroger because of their gas points,” Stanaway said. “I get good discounts on gas.”
With its wide variety of produce, meat and frozen meals, it is no surprise that Kroger comes out on top.
Depending on a customer’s needs, shoppers can use this guide to determine where they should go. For organic health foods and vitamins, Eats Natural Foods is the perfect spot. For a convenient and affordable experience: Food Lion. For a quick stop with a wide range of brands plus perks like gas points, Kroger would be ideal.
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GENTLE PARENTING: IT’S SETTING KIDS UP TO FAIL
Caroline Kobin | Opinions Contributor
In order for children to succeed, we need to put an end to gentle parenting.
There’s a growing trend among modern parents that’s subtly unraveling childhood: gentle parenting. Marketed as progressive and emotionally intelligent, it’s built on empathy, negotiation and the avoidance of punishment. But beneath the soft tones and endless validations lies a hard truth — gentle
parenting is setting kids up for failure. Children don’t need to be coddled — they need to be led. Gentle parenting often blurs the line between guidance and indulgence. When parents refuse to assert authority, children are left to navigate complex emotions and social expectations without direction. That’s
not empowering, it’s confusing. Kids thrive when they know who’s in charge and feel safe when expectations are clear. Discipline, when done with love and consistency, teaches right from wrong. It builds respect, not fear, that becomes the foundation for a lifelong bond between parent and child. When
children understand boundaries early, they don’t need constant correction later. They want to make their parents proud — not because they’re afraid, but because they care.
Take public spaces, for example: A child screaming in a restaurant isn’t just continued on page 6
continued from page 5
having a moment; they’re disrupting everyone around them. That’s not acceptable behavior, and it shouldn’t be ignored. Parents need to step in, remove the child and make it clear that this behavior isn’t okay. Children are capable of understanding social norms early on. They should be able to sit through a meal without a screen or a meltdown. If they can’t, it’s not their fault; it’s the parenting.
One of the most damaging side effects of modern parenting is the overuse of screens. Tablets at dinner, phones in strollers, cartoons on loop — it’s constant stimulation. But imagination doesn’t grow in front of a screen. It grows through boredom. Boredom gives children the opportunity to be creative. Let them be bored.
We remember what it was like to play outside for hours, invent games with sticks and rocks and build worlds out of cardboard boxes. We had color, chaos and creativity. Today’s children are being stripped of that. Their rooms are beige, their toys are curated, their play is digital and their imaginations are shrinking.
Walk into any beauty store and you’ll see 10-year-olds shopping for lip gloss and contour palettes. Scroll through social media and you’ll find elementary schoolers mimicking adult influencers. Childhood is being compressed into a performance of premature adulthood — and gentle parenting is part of the problem.
When parents refuse to say “no” and let children lead without limits, this process is accelerated. Kids aren’t just exploring — they’re imitating. They’re skipping the
messy, magical years of childhood in favor of curated aesthetics and adult behaviors. None of this means parents shouldn’t be loving. Quite the opposite. Children are the most important people in a parent’s life — at least they should be. Loving your child means preparing them. It means showing them how to behave, to cope and to respect others. It means putting them in the corner when they need a moment to reflect. It means saying “no” and meaning it. It means leading.
Gentle parenting often confuses love with softness. But love isn’t always soft. Sometimes it’s firm. Children don’t need perfect parents; they need present ones. They need leaders who love them enough to say, “You can’t do that,” and mean it.
Gen Z is rewriting the parenting playbook. We’re rejecting the idea
that children should be shielded from discomfort. We’re bringing back boredom, boundaries and backyard play. We’re saying no to sad beige rooms and yes to chaos and color. We’re not interested in raising miniadults — we’re raising kids, and we’re doing it with balance. We’re blending emotional intelligence with real-world consequences. We’re leading with love, not fear. We’re setting expectations early so discipline isn’t needed later. Because when kids respect their parents, they want to make them proud.
That’s the goal — not control, but connection. If you love your kids, stop setting them up for failure. Stop gentle parenting. Start leading.
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A BLOCKBUSTER WITH BITE
Shelby Brann | Opinions Contributor
Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” will be a fierce competitor for the upcoming 2026 Oscars.
As 2025 creeps to an end, Virginia Tech students prepare for finals — an end to the fall semester and the start of colder weather. While these events must be anticipated, I’ve personally found myself distracted by a perpetual, annual question: What movie of the year deserves an Oscar?
As with any year, it’s hard to say. Many naysayers proclaim that with the rise of streaming platforms, going to the theater to see a newly released movie is a thing of the past. Even more say that the movies released are effectively boring, overly political or simply trite. However, 2025 has presented an impressive lineup of new films to watch, and none of them share the same complex themes and concepts of “Sinners.” It was released in mid-April and has had the Internet raving since — and in my mind, no other movie stands a chance against it for the 2026 Oscars.
“Sinners”is filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s newest masterpiece. His previous work includes “Creed”(2015) and “Black Panther”(2018), both of which he co-wrote and directed. Coogler has so far been nominated for two Academy Awards and has received numerous accolades from various film organizations across the country. “Sinners” is widely considered an incredibly strong contender for the 2026 Oscars, including the categories of Best Original Screenplay, Best Casting and Best Director.
The plot follows two twin brothers,
played by the irrefutable Michael B. Jordan, who returned to their Mississippi hometown in the 1930s after having spent the past several years in Chicago building a name for themselves as mobsters and businessmen. The twins, Smoke and Stack, have come home to establish their own juke joint with the help of their young cousin, Sammie, who possesses a gift for blues music and happens to be the local preacher’s son.
The Jim Crow era depicted in the movie is only one major conflict that Smoke and Stack face as they reunite with past partners and old friends and establish their business. The movie takes a dark, twisted turn when they are targeted by a vampire on the opening night of their club, who wants Sammie to join him in a mysterious mission to turn humanity into vampires.
The film focuses on themes of horror — it’s rife with special effects, blood and supernatural practices. However, it counteracts these dark moments with a sincere approach to spirituality, family and the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South. The film takes on these themes with an air of American Southern Gothicism, in its richness of emotion and aesthetic, balanced with historical context.
The characters are faced with not only supernatural horrors, but also human ones and are forced to reckon with the racism and bigotry that was so prevalent at the time. “Sinners”isn’t just a horror movie — it’s a thoughtful dissection
of monsters, both alive and undead. It’s easy for horror movies to create a monster and have the audience fear it; it’s difficult to show a monster and an immoral human and ask the audience which is worse.
Although the film has received praise for its multifaceted approach to horror, some reviews claim the numerous subplots and various themes are too chaotic for audiences to understand. To this, I ask: When was the last time a movie truly tried to be this engaging?
In a world awash with nonchalance and subtle approaches to sensitive topics in media, it’s refreshing to enjoy a movie that takes chances and overtly states the truth. There are metaphors involved, but not political ones — “Sinners” delivers its stance on racism unequivocally and with strength. Movies used to be adventurous. Now they often simply reflect what society happens to want at the time. “Sinners” avoids this by addressing issues head-on and passionately.
The movie also tackles themes of blues music and spiritualism with ease. A plot point of the movie is that the vampire wants Sammie to join him so he can be connected with his long-dead relatives and friends through Sammie’s singing. In this subplot, the essence of music as a point of connection is established and built upon throughout the film. This emphasis on music — specifically blues, an African-American secular genre — adds a new layer to the film that explores the importance of music and its
connection to culture.
Besides plotlines and themes, “Sinners” stands out from its other 2025 counterparts when considering the Oscars for one major point: its sheer emotional ambition. In a little over two hours, Coogler allows Jordan to take the audience through an exploration of the human spirit when confronted with adversity, music and, yes, vampires. Jordan’s acting cannot be understated either; while watching the movie, it’s hard to imagine that the twins are indeed played by the same person and are not actual twin actors. The mannerisms and interactions between the two cannot be rivaled by any other acting performance this year.
Although there may have been other impressive movies this year — I’m looking at you, “Weapons”— it’s clear to me that “Sinners” stands as the overall triumph of filmmaking. Through a combination of interwoven themes, thoughtful interpretations of blues and the supernatural, and metaphors of spirituality, “Sinners”presents a deeply impactful movie that frightens and inspires at equal turns. When looking at the predicted nominations for the 2026 Oscars, mark my words, Coogler’s “Sinners” will be the one to beat.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ENTERS 2025-26 CAMPAIGN BETTER POSITIONED THAN A YEAR AGO
The outcome of the 2024-25 season for Virginia Tech men’s basketball was not the team’s desired result. The people in the building would be the first to tell you that. They would also be the first to tell you that this year is different.
The Hokies’ 2024-25 campaign ended in a double overtime loss to Cal as the No. 10 seed in the first round of the ACC Tournament. They came nowhere near the NIT, let alone the NCAA Tournament. The season bottomed out with a loss to Jacksonville, a game in which Tech paid the Dolphins to make the trip and beat the Hokies on their home court.
Those factors made the total 180-degree shift — beginning with a 98-67 win over Charleston Southern to open the season at Cassell Coliseum on Monday, followed by a win against Providence on Saturday — so dramatic.
Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young
Sam Mostow | Sports Editor
The team features a retooled roster, including guard Neoklis Avdalas.
said the team needed to get more talented entering 2025-26. Through increased resources to pay his players, the Hokies did. They acquired three players through the transfer portal: Amani Hansberry (from West Virginia), Jailen Bedford (UNLV) and Izaiah Pasha (Delaware).
That doesn’t even mention five-star prospect Neoklis Avdalas. The Greek shooting guard signed with Virginia Tech in June after withdrawing from the NBA Draft, when he could have been a late secondround pick. He averaged 7.7 points per game playing professionally in Greece as an 18-year-old. A strong showing in Blacksburg this season could propel Avdalas to a firstround selection next year, marking the program’s first NBA Draft selection since 2019.
Avdalas notched a game-high nine assists with a 3-for-13 shooting clip on Monday. Although most of his shots didn’t
fall, he contributed through facilitation while adjusting to NCAA competition.
“That game (in Europe) is different than ours,” Young said. “I’m not saying our game is better or their game is better. … They’ve got really good players now, really good coaches. This is a little bit faster and I think certainly more physicality — just more knocking and banging. But he’s super smart and he’s figuring it out and coming on. I thought tonight was a great start for Neo.”
Tech returned four players from the 2024-25 campaign: forward Tobi Lawal, guard Ben Hammond, guard Jaden Schutt and guard Tyler Johnson. Lawal — who Charleston Southern head coach Saah Nimley called the “best athlete in college basketball” — contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds across a 5-for-10 shooting clip on Monday. As the team’s leading scorer a season ago, Lawal scored the Hokies’ most points against Charleston Southern.
“I don’t really care who the leading scorer is,” Lawal said. “As long as we win, I’m good.”
Even if he doesn’t care who scores the most points, Lawal returning to Virginia Tech when he could have transferred or transitioned to professional basketball signals a change. Even if there are growing pains with the team’s seven new freshmen, the Hokies are positioned better than they were a season ago.
“(The goal is) to win an ACC championship, then everything else (individually) will take care of itself,” Lawal said. “If we win as a team, everything else and everyone else will get whatever they need. That’s it.”
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VIRGINIA TECH OUTLASTS PROVIDENCE IN OT THRILLER
Nyles Stone | Sports Staff Writer
Avdalas’s 33 points paced the Hokies in their second win of the year.
In Virginia Tech’s (2-0, 0-0 ACC) first test away from Cassell Coliseum, the Hokies overcame the Providence Friars (1-1, 0-0 Big East) in overtime 107-101 during the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off.
The Hokies were led by freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas, who scored 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including five threes on eight attempts. Amani Hansberry, a transfer junior from West Virginia, notched his second doubledouble of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds on 40% shooting. In comparison, senior Jailen Bedford notched 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 3-of-5 from the three-point line. Tech trailed 46-40 entering the
second half after struggling to slow down Providence’s backcourt of Jason Edwards (28 points, 10-of-19) and Jaylin Sellers (26 points, 9-of-19), who combined for 30 first-half points. The Hokies opened the second half on a 9-0 run and took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. Both teams traded baskets throughout the second half, leading to 12 different lead changes. With five seconds left in regulation, sophomore guard Ben Hammond drove in with two defenders tailing him. Hammond went for the scoop layup and missed off the backboard.
Hansberry got the offensive rebound and tipped in the layup to tie the game
86-86 with 3.8 seconds remaining. After a Providence timeout and some adjustments from both teams, the Friars inbounded the ball to freshman Stefan Vaaks (ended with 17 points, 5-of-13 from the field), who shot a deep, contested three and sent the game into overtime.
The Hokies went on an 8-2 run to open the overtime period. When the Friars attempted to make a late comeback with two minutes left, Hansberry hit a momentum-shifting three-pointer from the top of the key. Virginia Tech was able to maintain control, with timely free throws from Tyler Johnson (12 points, 4-of-7) and Avdalas.
Despite a strong contribution from the Friars’ backcourt, Providence was
outscored 21-15 in overtime. The Hokies’ win marks their second of the season. They return to Blacksburg Nov. 12 to face the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at 7:00 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TROUNCES TOWSON IN SEASON OPENER
Brody Bryan | Sports Staff Writer
It was a fun night for the Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday, as they tipped off year two of the Megan Duffy era with a dominant 100-56 win over Towson.
Sophomore forward Kayl Petersen led the Hokies with 17 points despite coming off the bench, while adding 11 rebounds and three assists.
“I always think there’s a big jump from your freshman to your sophomore year, and Kayl just fills into her role so nicely,” said Virginia Tech head coach Megan Duffy. “Just does all the small things for us. Carys (Baker) got a couple of fouls and was out in that first half, and she just seamlessly went in and got a couple buckets, big rebounds, and then that three-ball opened up in the second half, so just very proud of her game.”
“I’m just out here playing basketball,” Petersen said. “Teammates getting me open, I’m getting offensive rebounds. You can expect a little bit more from me
this year, just because of the confidence, so it’s just another game, and we’re going to take a day off and get ready to move on to the next one.”
Kilah Freelon (15), Carleigh Wenzel (14), Samyha Suffren (12) and Mel Daley (11) also reached double figures in scoring. It was Suffren’s first game back since suffering a shoulder injury that cut her 2024-25 campaign short.
“I think (Suffren) is just a great person,” Wenzel said. “She works extremely hard, and I think this last year has been hard, both physically and mentally, as it would anybody. So, for her to come back and kind of just get that confidence back in a love game, I think she’s going to be extremely great for us, especially defensively. … I don’t think there’s anybody that can stop her, especially when her confidence is as high as it was tonight.”
“I’m just happy for her,” Duffy said. “I told her at one point, ‘Can you have some fun out here?’ Like, you’re back, and
just being grateful for the opportunity to play again. It was a long year for her to obviously have the surgery and then spend time getting back into the swing of things and get the rust off. The more she plays, the better she’s going to get.”
The Tigers kept the game competitive in the opening minutes, ending the first quarter down just nine points, but that number quickly grew as the Hokies began to pile up offensive possessions. Tech totaled 76 shots on the night in just 40 minutes while shooting 48.7% from the field.
“I think watching Towson, we knew it was going to be a high-possession game, just watching them from last year a little bit,” Duffy said. “We just talk about pushing the tempo as much as we can, and as long as we’re taking good quality shots, we can live with those. Didn’t have to run a ton of offense throughout the game, which is okay for the first game.”
Alongside its returnees, Tech saw
several newcomers on the court, including all three of its active freshmen, who got to experience game action in their first collegiate contest.
“It’s a confidence builder, getting to see what it’s like to play at the collegiate level, because it’s different, let me tell you,” Petersen said.
“That’s the most important thing about tonight,” Duffy said. “Obviously, getting the win is great, but to see those freshmen out there and to see our transfers. Our returners, I feel like, are always ready. They know the experience here at Cassell. They’re excited, but they’ve been here, done that in some ways. So to get those new players in the jersey in front of our fans with the band and the environment, and the biscuits tonight, which was good, is a really good feeling.”
The win moves the Hokies to 1-0 on the young season.
“It was great to be back in Cassell,” Duffy said. “I missed it for a few months, and I’m just proud of our team. You never know, in the first game, how we’re all going to come out, but I thought we made some improvements as the game went on, and it was great to have everybody in the game.”
Tech will return to action at home against Loyola Maryland on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
Kayl Petersen scored 17 points in the win.
RILEY THOMPSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech Hokies guard Carleigh Wenzel (1) passes to forward Carys Baker (10) on March 23rd, 2025, in Blacksburg, VA.