COLLEGIAT ETIMES
VIRGINIA TECH FIRES FOOTBALL HEAD COACH BRENT PRY
Sam Mostow, Thomas Bray and Dylan Tefft | Sports Editors
Pry was at the helm for three-plus seasons and went 16-24.
Virginia Tech relieved head football coach Brent Pry of his duties on Sunday, following three-plus seasons and a 16-24 record.
“We appreciate Coach Pry’s efforts and service since 2021,” Virginia Tech university president Tim Sands said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the results on the field were not acceptable and a change in leadership is necessary.”
Sands named offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery the interim head coach. Montgomery served as Tulsa’s head coach from 2015 to 2022, as part of more than two decades of coaching experience.
A dismal 45-26 loss to Old Dominion on Saturday cemented the end of Pry’s reign over the Hokies. An 0-3 start, including losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt, fell far short of expectations in what was a make-or-break season for Tech.
“Board of Visitors members J. Pearson and Ryan McCarthy have been charged
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by the rector, John Rocovich, to work with university leadership and (athletic director) Whit Babcock to develop a financial, organizational and leadership plan that will rapidly position the Virginia Tech football program to be competitive with the best in the ACC,” Sands said, noting the board members will present their plan later this month.
Pry, 55, arrived in Blacksburg following eight seasons as the defensive coordinator at Penn State. Long before that, he was a graduate assistant under legendary Hokies head coach Frank Beamer from 1995 to 1997. Pry returned as Tech’s head coach in 2022 and presided over two bowl game appearances, but his tenure was plagued by a 1-12 clip in one-score contests.
“On behalf of Amy and our entire family, I want to thank President Sands, Whit, and the Virginia Tech community for giving me the opportunity to lead this proud football program,” Pry said in a statement. “Coaching at Virginia
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Tech has been an incredible honor and a chapter of our lives we will always cherish. To the outstanding young men I have been privileged to coach, you have left a lasting mark on me and my family. Your hard work, resilience, and commitment to excellence—on the field, in the classroom, and as members of the community—have been inspiring every single day.
“To the dedicated assistant coaches and support staff, I am grateful beyond words. Your sacrifice, professionalism, and loyalty keep this program running and create the foundation for everything our players achieve. … Blacksburg will always hold a special place in our hearts. We leave with wonderful memories and lifelong friendships, and we will forever be cheering for the Hokies.”
The Altoona, Pennsylvania, native hired two first-time coordinators in Tyler Bowen and Chris Marve shortly after starting, then adjusted his staff following a disappointing 6-7 finish in 2024; he fired Marve, offensive line coach Ron Crook and strength coach Dwight Galt IV, then Bowen left for Ohio State. The Hokies have struggled under Montgomery and defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes, who were hired before the 2025 season.
Babcock hired Pry after tumultuous
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seasons with Justin Fuente at the helm. The Hokies went 3-8 in 2022, Pry’s first campaign, which started with a 20-17 loss to Old Dominion.
Tech began 1-3 in 2023 before striking a 5-2 finish and bowl game win that injected excitement into the program. 2024 was a step back, with the Hokies going 6-7 and 4-4 in conference.
Under Pry, the Hokies were 10-13 in ACC play and have failed to beat a non-conference Power Four opponent. NCAA rules dictate that a 30-day transfer portal window opens immediately following the departure or firing of a head coach. Players can redshirt and preserve another year of eligibility if they play no more than four games in a season.
Tech Sideline’s Andy Bitter reported Pry’s buyout will total $6.8 million, paid in quarterly installments through 2027.
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CHARLIE KIRK’S PASSING: THE IMPACT ON VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS
Erin Bailey and Max Painchaud | News Editor and Assistant News Editor
Kirk’s passing has impacted students from both Democratic and Republican organizations.
On Sept. 10 at approximately 12 p.m., Turning Point USA co-founder and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University during a campus event, which is sparking conversations about political violence.
“We are all devastated by the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” said Jack Medler, chairman of College Republicans at Virginia Tech, and a junior majoring in financial planning and wealth management. “Our hearts go out to his wife and children, who will never be able to see him again. We hope that they will be able to find peace again and know they have friends, family, the nation and the world supporting them.”
Kirk created Turning Point USA at the age of 18 and designed his organization to spread conservative views across leftleaning colleges and universities. During the American Comeback Tour, he invited college students and local attendees to
debate him on social issues.
The campus event at Utah Valley consisted of Kirk’s “Prove me Wrong” debate. He can be seen sitting at a table facing a large crowd.
“I think his passing comes at a time when we are seeing a real rise in political violence across the country,” said Dawit Sheckler, president of Young Democrats at Virginia Tech, and a junior majoring in political science with a legal focus. “It forces all of us to think about how we keep people safe and how we bring down the temperature in our debates. If people start feeling like speaking out comes with real danger, we lose something beautiful about what our country stands for. We have to be able to disagree without seeing each other as enemies because that is what our highest ideals demand.”
Podcasts and social media posts on Kirk’s platforms encompass his political
stances on issues such as climate change, gun control, faith and family values. In the 2024 election, Kirk played a vital role in receiving votes for the Republican Party and assisted President Donald Trump with his presidential reelection in November 2024.
“I think that his assassination will have a long-lasting impact in American politics,” Medler said. “He was one of the leading conservative and MAGA voices among younger generations, and his killer tried to send a message that free speech will not be tolerated. I believe that his message will fail and will encourage more people to follow in Charlie’s footsteps of open debate and free speech.”
The suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination is a 22-year-old male resident from Utah, Tyler Robinson. A family friend of Robinson notified the Washington County Sheriff’s office,
implying that Robinson had committed the crime.
“Virginia Tech is a big place with a lot of different perspectives, but I know many students respected him and were looking forward to his visit,” Sheckler said. “This is going to be a very tough time for them, and they deserve the same compassion and space to grieve as anyone else.”
Virginia Tech was set to host Kirk Sept. 24.
PETA SUES VIRGINIA TECH OVER EXPERIMENTS ON MINIPIGS
Ava Garrison | News Editor
Virginia Tech has a history of other violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sued Virginia Tech, alleging that the university is withholding records that prove that there have been illegal experiments that have killed or injured minipigs.
PETA’s lawsuit is a Virginia Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in Norfolk Circuit Court. The lawsuit explains that Virginia Tech will not comply with PETA’s request to provide records about experiments conducted. These experiments include traumatic brain injury experiments that caused multiple Göttingen minipigs to die or become injured. In 2024, PETA requested media such as photos and videos after they got records from the U.S. Department of Agriculture explaining that Virginia Tech conducted experiments that killed four minipigs. PETA described these experiments as gruesome, in which Virginia Tech staff used high-pressure blasts to injure the
animals’ brains.
Since requesting the records, Virginia Tech has not complied on the basis that they are exempt because of the state’s open record law; however, PETA’s lawsuit rejects this.
“According to public documents, the first pig ‘didn’t look alive’ after the blast. Despite this evidently unexpected death, experimenters failed to notify a veterinarian and instead attempted to troubleshoot the blast procedure, subjecting more pigs to trauma and gruesome injuries. Blood was seen in intubation tubes, and some pigs’ lungs were ‘pretty beat up,’ according to the experimenter. Only two pigs survived the experiment, both showing abnormal neurological signs, including muscle control problems, weakness in all four limbs and depression. One pig was visibly trembling,” explained PETA in an email to Collegiate Times.
According to PETA, this is one of seven federal Animal Welfare Act violations that the USDA has charged Virginia Tech with, resulting in a civil penalty of $18,950.
“Virginia Tech apparently has no qualms about using tax dollars to repeatedly blast the brains of minipigs, but it’s fighting tooth and nail to evade basic transparency,” said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA’s lawsuit seeks Virginia Tech’s disclosure of public records under the Commonwealth’s open records laws, a requirement Virginians rightfully expect of this publicly funded institution.”
PETA also explained that the university has a history of other violations with the federal Animal Welfare Act, including 19 USDA violations in a five-year period.
To learn more about the violations Virginia Tech is currently facing, visit
PETA’s website for information.
VIRGINIA TECH BIDS FAREWELL TO HUGS FOR HOKIES
Bailey Miller | lifestyles staff writer
Lifestyles writer summarizes the history and impact of Hugs for Hokies on campus.
Standing at booths scattered throughout campus, local moms volunteered for Hugs for Hokies, handing out drinks, snacks and warm embraces.
Through the program, these volunteers provided more than just hugs. They offered high-fives, words of encouragement, and a listening ear. They comforted students who had just failed a test and celebrated with students who made a new friend. Upperclassmen may remember the event from their own experiences, but in recent months, it has quietly disappeared from campus.
The idea originated in February 2022 when local Hokie mom, Dayna Fladhammer, began regularly hosting her children and their friends at her Blacksburg home. The Fladhammer house became a haven for these
students, especially after a downtown shooting Feb. 4, 2022.
Fladhammer offered hugs to the students crowded in her home, to which many accepted. This inspired Fladhammer to team up with her friend, Erin Vogt, and Virginia Tech’s New Student and Family Programs department to offer mom hugs to the entire student body. On Feb. 21, 2022, the first official Hugs for Hokies event occurred on the Drillfield.
Though the program was created to remind students of home, volunteers felt they had more to give, wanting students to feel as supported as possible.
“The moms handed out cards with contact information for the Cook Counseling Center, Hokie Wellness, the Women’s Center, and other campus
resources,” said Melody Warnick, writer, in a 2022 Virginia Tech News article.
Hokie moms noticed the food insecurity that is prevalent on campus, especially near the end of the semester when many students’ dining plans would run low. Hugs for Hokies volunteers offered oatmeal packets, ramen noodles, peanut butter cups and other snacks to keep Hokies fueled.
“No doubt, the Hugs for Hokies program was very popular and had a very warm impact on our students,” said Mark Owczarski, interim vice president for marketing and communications and university spokesperson.
The program also impacted non-local Hokie parents, letting them breathe a sigh of relief knowing their students
were still receiving motherly support on campus.
On Feb. 14, 2025, the moms manning a booth outside of Newman Library gave out t-shirts, stickers and hugs, as well as offered photo ops to send back home.
Little did they know, this would be the last time students would see Hugs for Hokies on campus.
“New Student and Family Programs, who conceived of and ran that program, recently reviewed its core purpose, which resulted in the decision to refocus its primary work on supporting new student orientation and the transition of students from either high school or another higher education institution to Virginia Tech,” Owczarski said.
While the Hugs for Hokies program continued on page 5
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that the university still values the impact it had on students and parents. Virginia Tech continues to provide other wellness resources to help support students, including the Cook Counseling Center and Hokie Wellness. To parents visiting during Fall Family Weekend, be sure to hug your Hokie extra tight.
CREATING CONNECTIONS: INSIDE THE PLANNING OF FALL FAMILY WEEKEND
Emma Duncan | lifestyles section editor
New Student and Family Programs provides a behind-the-scenes look into Fall Family Weekend.
Fall Family Weekend is a time for parents and relatives to visit their students, catch up and check in on how they are transitioning to college life. The weekend is packed with activities for students and their families to participate in, from completing the Venture Out Challenge Course and playing in the Breakzone to watching the Hokies take on Wofford in Lane Stadium.
From check-in Sept. 19 to check-out Sept. 21, families don’t have to worry about what to do next, thanks to New Student and Family Programs. The department staff collaborates with university and community partners to showcase life at Virginia Tech and in Blacksburg through settings that encourage connection and conversation.
“We hope families leave feeling more connected to their student, more connected to Virginia Tech, more confident in the resources available to support their student,” said Clara Roller, program coordinator for family engagement. “We want our students and families to feel more at home in the Hokie community. The weekend is as much about strengthening family bonds as it is about reinforcing the lifelong sense of belonging that comes with being part of Hokie Nation.”
During Fall Family Weekend, several university partners host information sessions to further educate parents on the opportunities their students have at Virginia Tech. These partners include: Office of Undergraduate Research, Global Education Office, Housing Services, Off-Campus Housing and Fraternity and Sorority Life. The Family Weekend Resource Fair gives a broader view of campus partnerships and organizations.
“New Student and Family Programs is the host for Fall Family Weekend, but we could not execute the weekend
without help from the Virginia Tech community,” Roller said. “The goal is to provide a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ experience, so families can tailor the weekend to fit their preferences — whether that’s diving into academic support resources, cheering at a football game, or exploring the arts.”
New Student and Family programs then send out a survey to their campus partners, receiving feedback on how to ensure families and campus partners are connecting in the best way possible.
However, a college student’s life doesn’t stop at the edge of campus grounds. As a student, exploring your college town opens doors to new shops, restaurants, people and opportunities. Specifically in Blacksburg, students can immerse themselves in diverse cultures, recreational opportunities and music events. Bringing one’s parents on a journey through the New River Valley can open the door to more visits throughout the semester.
“While the focus is on the Virginia Tech experience, the Blacksburg community plays an important role,” said Sam Buchanan, associate director for New Student and Family Programs.
“Local restaurants, hotels and businesses welcome families to town, and some host special events or promotions during the weekend.”
Buchanan also explained that collaborating with the town gives a sense of community between Blacksburg and the university to visiting families. “This may include local events that are appropriate on our family calendar or offering a hotel room giveaway from a hotel partner,” Buchanan said.
Roller and Buchanan explained that the New Student and Family Programs team begins planning a year in advance, which includes room reservations and applying feedback from the previous year.
“Each year, we work to add new opportunities that reflect feedback from families,” Buchanan said. “For example, we may highlight a new resource session, partner with a new organization, or host family-friendly social events at local venues. The schedule also incorporates seasonal traditions unique to Blacksburg and the New River Valley, making each year’s experience fresh.”
This year’s new fall events include a family social at Eastern Divide and a build-your-own care package station. These packages were popular online for years, especially on TikTok. Families have the opportunity to write letters to their student with specific criteria, such as “open this when feeling homesick,” “open this after a big exam” or “open this on your birthday.”
With many moving parts over the span of three days, the New Student and Family Programs team is met by challenges as they plan, such as
accommodating a large influx of visitors and ensuring that all events are accessible. This year’s family weekend schedule is packed full of activities, but the team had to balance providing plenty of choices with preventing overlap.
“Fall Family Weekend takes a lot of communication,” Roller said. “We attempt to provide clear communication to our families, students, on-campus partners and community member partners. Hosting Family Weekend on a football game weekend makes for a busier weekend; however, this is something our families and students have requested each year.”
The Family Weekends website provides more information for incoming families regarding parking, dining, lodging and the weekend schedule.
AZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Pedestrians cross the street at the main downtown intersection of College Avenue and Main Street the day before the start of the spring semester, Jan. 18, 2016.
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO CENTER STREET
Hunter Grove | lifestyles contributor
Before bringing family to Center Street, read these tips to stay safe and have fun.
With the third home football game and Fall Family Weekend right around the corner, families visiting their students can expect Blacksburg to be buzzing with activity. One of the highlights of game day for many is Center Street, a place where students and fans alike gather to celebrate and hype themselves up for the game.
However, navigating Center Street and the greater Blacksburg area can be difficult for both new and returning Hokie families.
“Center Street is not for the faint of heart,” said Michelle Nosthiede, mother and Virginia Tech alumna. “Get ready for loud music, funny smells, rowdy games and good fun. If that’s not your vibe, just go to PK’s”, referring to the Bar & Grill on North Main Street.
Parking
Several problems arise on game day weekend due to the influx of people visiting Blacksburg — especially parking issues. With plenty of different options, it can be tricky to find which lot and spot best fits your group’s
needs and game plan.
The Perry Street Garage and Southgate Lot are some of the most convenient options, but spaces can fill up quickly on the weekends, and the lots are located further away from the stadium. From there, families can walk or take Blacksburg Transit buses to Center Street or Lane Stadium.
For families who want to be closer to the action, parking is available at certain lots and private residences on and around Center Street, including Our Refuge church, which also hands out hot dogs. However, these spots are first-come, first-served, so it’s important to get there as early as possible. Single-game parking passes are available online on ticket vending websites.
Center Street
Center Street acts as one big tailgate for Hokie fans. While it’s home to many students in Greek life, you don’t need to be affiliated to join the party.
“I love having the parents over,” said
FALL FAMILY
Reid Ivy, a junior and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity member. “Most of them are fun to be around and we know they won’t cause any trouble. It’s also a great way to build the community.”
Police Presence
Local police and emergency services have small locations throughout Center Street to ensure the safety of the crowd. Emergency services usually hand out free bottles of water to keep everyone hydrated. Police officers manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as direct the crowds of students. Be advised that open container laws still do apply and local ordinances will be enforced.
General Recommendations
For families looking for the best spots to sit and park, it’s recommended that they arrive three to four hours before kickoff.
Tents, chairs and plenty of snacks are a must for those wanting to spend as much time at Center Street as they can before the game.
As kickoff approaches, many students will
walk through the Stadium Woods to enter the game. Those arriving late to the game from Center Street may find things a little hectic if they don’t beat the crowd.
Porta-potties are available toward the middle of Center Street, as well as along the paths that lead to the stadium.
Wearing comfortable shoes is essential because walking is unavoidable. Additionally, it can be important to show some Hokie pride. You can check what colors Hokie fans will be wearing for the game on the Virginia Tech Athletics website.
Center Street is more than just a road — it’s a tradition. It’s a window into the pride and excitement every Hokie fan holds for their team. Whether you’re spending time partying at the fraternities or just passing through to take in the atmosphere, there’s no doubt that Center Street is one of the most well-known places in all of Blacksburg on game day.
WEEKEND BRINGS BUSINESS BOOM TO DOWNTOWN
Cat Pizzarello and Ella Winterling| lifestyles assistant editors
Fall Family Weekend does more than bring families closer; it also makes Blacksburg busier.
About a month into each fall semester, Virginia Tech hosts Fall Family Weekend, an opportunity for loved ones of students to visit the campus, attend a football game and explore the town of Blacksburg. While many families take advantage of university-organized events that are available throughout the weekend, businesses throughout Blacksburg also become overrun by students and their families.
Sugar Magnolia, a dessert and gift shop located on North Main Street in downtown Blacksburg, reports increased traffic during large events, such as Family Weekend. Family Weekend also coincides with the Virginia Tech football game against Wofford College, which will further add to the campus bustle.
“Game day’s definitely busier in general,” said Martha Crawford, an employee at Sugar Magnolia for two and a half years. “I feel like there aren’t many options for places for students to bring families for family weekend, just because Blacksburg is small, and I feel like we’re one of the few stores that people feel normal and comfortable bringing their parents in.”
According to Virginia Tech News, “almost three quarters of restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets say they experience an average 15 to 30 percent revenue bump during home-game weekends,” without the additional patrons brought to campus for Fall Family Weekend. With the influx of families coming to Blacksburg, the economic effect that these families have on the town is even more significant than a typical home-game weekend.
“You definitely see a pretty big influx in business,” Crawford said. “Even up at Gift [their gift shop] and then down here [in the ice cream shop], we do inventory on Sundays, and I think it’s definitely always a little bit of a hit. Then we get pretty dead for a week after a game.”
Generally, planning events in or around small communities, such as Blacksburg, impacts the economy in a positive way. Family weekend connects families to the town where their students live, as well as students to their college town.
“We think the parents coming to events really enhances downtown,” said Tim Boyd,
a volunteer at Bonnie Charlotte’s Botanicals.
“The young people want to show their families the town they’re living in.”
Bonnie Charlotte’s Botanicals is nearing its first anniversary in Blacksburg. Charlotte’s is a small plant shop on Main Street with a wide variety of dorm and apartment-friendly plants for students, staff and locals. Charlotte’s has also noticed an increase in business on weekends when families visit.
“Most of the businesses try to embrace and have them [families] feel like they’re part of the community,” Boyd said. “We open later when there are events for parents. They’ll come in and purchase a gift certificate for their kids, then students come back in and purchase a plant.”
Virginia TecWh doesn’t appear to be the only college town noticing the increase in business. In an article published by The Daily Northwestern, reporter Maia Alvarez interviewed a coffee shop near campus the week after Northwestern University’s annual Family Weekend.
The general manager of the shop, John Albright, noted that “the cafe made over
$9,000 on Saturday, $1,000 more than it usually does on Saturdays.” Albright also said that he has always prepared to have 10 to 12 staff members to cushion the additional families in the area.
According to a press release published by High Point University, the president of Visit High Point, Melody Burnett, said that “the overall economic impact of this weekend alone brings an estimated $1.5 million” to the community. The weekend event brought an additional 5,000 people to the area.
Family Weekend provides Blacksburg with the opportunity to increase business, which can result in a positive economic impact. Students and families alike can explore all Blacksburg has to offer while contributing to local businesses and organizations that make the town unique.
For more information about this year’s Fall Family Weekend, visit the universtiy’s Family Weekend page to learn more about the schedule, parking, dining and much more.
MOSTOW: THERE IS NO EASY FIX
Sam
| Sports Editors
If losing to Vanderbilt a week ago was a significant cause for concern, then Virginia Tech’s defeat to Old Dominion on Saturday was a five-alarm fire for its athletic department.
Virginia Tech is 0-3 in 2025 with losses to South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Old Dominion. The Hokies led, 20-10, entering halftime against the Commodores a week ago, then dropped 34 consecutive points in a blowout loss. First, Lane Stadium was in shock. Then, it emptied – long before the end of the game. It was the type of embarrassment rarely seen at Virginia Tech, a university famed for its passionate crowds and devoted fans.
That humiliation pales in comparison to the Hokies’ most recent game. They trailed 28-0 to Old Dominion at halftime, culminating in a 45-26 loss. Since joining the FBS in 2014, the Monarchs are 3-15 against power-conference opponents. All of those wins are against Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech university president Tim Sands fired head coach Brent Pry on Sunday following the latest loss.
“Unfortunately, the results on the field were not acceptable and a change in leadership is necessary,” Sands said in a statement announcing Pry’s firing. “… We will continue to fully support our team and student-athletes for the remaining games as we strive together to significantly improve the trajectory of our football program this season. To our students, alumni, and the rest of Hokie Nation, we understand and share your disappointment with the season so far.”
Let’s tear off the Band-Aid: Pry’s tenure as Virginia Tech’s head coach was a failure, and athletic director Whit Babcock will likely lose his job as a result. Babcock failed in both of his football head coaching hires — Pry and his predecessor, Justin Fuente. He will not receive a third chance.
So, let’s assume Virginia Tech is without both a permanent football coach and athletic director by the end of the month. Then what?
The athletic director oversees hiring a football coach, but if the school does not employ an athletic director, does that mean Sands and the Board of Visitors are hiring a football coach? Does that
mean the school is replacing the football head coach, athletic director and all the people surrounding them at once? Would they rush to replace Babcock to hire a new football coach? All of this would take place on a tight timeline; a new coaching staff would need to replace much of Tech’s roster following the inevitable mass exodus of players. Waiting until February to select a new football coach is not an option.
There is no easy solution to athletic department success. Sands and the Board of Visitors cannot simply wave a magic wand, hire two competent people and voilà— the Hokies are national title contenders again.
Replacing the people in charge is a hassle, but it is necessary. Pry holds a 16-24 record at the helm in Blacksburg across three-plus seasons. That tally includes a 1-12 clip in one-score games. The highlight of his tenure has been a 6-3 run down the stretch in 2023, capped off by a Military Bowl win against No. 23 Tulane –– though the Green Wave lacked a head coach and many of its players.
Virginia Tech rode the momentum from the bowl win into the 2024 campaign. It returned most of its starters and many considered it a darkhorse contender for the College Football Playoff.
Then, the Hokies flopped.
They lost to Vanderbilt at the start of the 2024 season as two-touchdown favorites. They surrendered a 21-3 lead to Syracuse, leading to a 38-31 overtime loss in upstate New York. The eventual 6-7 season was so underwhelming that Pry fired defensive coordinator Chris Marve, offensive line coach Ron Crook and strength coach Dwight Galt IV. He had to adjust to prevent a disappointment like last season from recurring.
It’s happening again, which brought Pry and Babcock — plus their staffs — to the chopping block.
The financial landscape of college sports promotes football success more than ever before. Football has always been the NCAA’s most profitable sport, and new revenue-sharing agreements in the ACC provide more money to football teams that play on national networks in prime time. In other words, Virginia Tech would make more money playing on
ABC — a linear network that guarantees millions of viewers — than ESPN+ behind a paywall. Fielding a good football team is the path to earning more lucrative time slots.
“It costs money to win, it costs money to lose,” Babcock told the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors in August.
It is easy to see Pry and Babcock as dollar figures and easy social media scapegoats. They both indeed have lucrative contracts and lucrative buyouts. They are still people with families and staffs to worry about, however. Deciding to fire people is difficult because everyone involved is human, and because major staff changes to the top of the athletic department will ripple down to impact people who are less compensated and less visible.
Their jobs, though, rely on performance. If they cannot perform effectively, Sands and the Board of Visitors must fix the problem.
These fixes — however necessary — will not be cheap. Even if negotiated down from what appears in Pry’s and Babcock’s contracts, the buyouts for the two of them and their staffs are sure to cost tens of millions of dollars.
Still, the money will appear. Donors will contribute to the buyouts, or Tech
will draw the money from its athletic department budget. Pry’s reported $6.83 million buyout is less than the $8.75 million the university paid Fuente in 2021.
Virginia Tech must rebuild its athletic department infrastructure largely from scratch. This is certainly possible, but it cannot be done in a day. There is no on/off switch to athletic department success –– especially in the everchanging landscape of college sports.
Even if Virginia Tech magically hires a magnificent athletic director and football coach, it will not be instant. An easy, simple fix does not exist.
Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry. Now what?
Mostow
THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
OLD DOMINION ROUTS VIRGINIA TECH, CAUSING PRY’S FIRING
Sam Mostow | Sports Editor
Here are the facts: Virginia Tech football lost to Old Dominion, 45-26, on Saturday night, but the scoreboard does not adequately reflect the result. The Hokies lost to the Monarchs for the first time in Lane Stadium, marking a 0-3 record for the first time since 1987. They trailed 31-0 until four minutes remained in the third quarter. They allowed 113 penalty yards.
In other words, think of anything that could have gone wrong for Virginia Tech. It happened.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Virginia Tech plans to fire head coach Brent Pry on Sunday.
Since the start of the season, the Hokies’ opponents have outscored them 113-57. The tally includes a 65-0 stretch between halftime of Tech’s previous game against Vanderbilt and the third quarter on Saturday.
The Monarchs (2-1) pummeled the Hokies all night, producing 526 yards of offense — 276 in the air and 250 on the ground.
“Obviously, I’m incredibly disappointed. Not the direction I saw our team going tonight,” Pry said hours before his firing. “We couldn’t get stops. All of a sudden, penalties became a major issue. … We couldn’t get any momentum.”
Tech’s defense failed to stop the Monarchs in any capacity — especially through the first three quarters. Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph rushed for a six-yard touchdown nine minutes into the game, granting the Monarchs a lead after the opening quarter. Running backs Maurki James and Trequan Jones rushed for touchdowns in the second quarter, followed by a pass from Joseph to wide receiver Tre Brown to open the insurmountable halftime lead.
Old Dominion kicker Riley Callaghan booted a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter before Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones found wide receiver Donavon Greene in the end zone to break the shutout.
The Hokies and Monarchs paced each other through the rest of the game with two touchdowns apiece, though
the final result had been decided long before then.
Drones completed 26 of his 39 passing attempts, though much of his success came in garbage time. In the first half, he went 5-for-10 with 25 yards in the air without a completion longer than eight yards.
Virginia Tech running backs Terion Stewart and Marcellous Hawkins each received touches, though Tech’s rushing attack was limited due to the early deficit. Stewart rushed eight times for 55 yards, while Hawkins tallied 21 yards across four carries. Drones led the Hokies in rushing yards, gaining 97 yards and losing 32 — though much of those losses came from four sacks.
“There were flashes in the game of our ability to run the ball,” Pry said. “There were flashes in our ability to throw the ball. They were not nearly consistent enough.”
Joseph diced Tech throughout the game — both in the air and on the ground. He completed 16 of his 22 passing attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 63 yards
and a touchdown on the ground. The Hokies failed to sack him; in fact, Tech’s defensive line only forced four lost rushing yards.
“He’s a good quarterback,” Pry said. “He proved that in the last couple of weeks. I think his wideouts made some nice plays. There weren’t a ton of guys just wide open. They made some good throws and catches, but we’ve got to contest catches better.”
Since joining the top classification of college football, Old Dominion is 3-15 against power conference opponents. All three wins are against Virginia Tech — two in Norfolk and Saturday in Blacksburg.
In Pry’s fourth season, the Hokies are 16-24 with him at the helm. The last two games have concluded in embarrassing fashion. They carried a 10-point lead into halftime a week ago against Vanderbilt and lost by 34. Then, a Sun Belt opponent, Old Dominion, with a much smaller budget and footprint, ran them out of their own stadium.
The home crowd at Lane Stadium booed Pry and his team during
introductions and throughout the contest. “Fire Pry” chants were sporadic but not uncommon. Whether he admitted it or not, Pry faced criticism and pressure to perform entering the contest, and Saturday’s dud was his final chance.
“I get it. I’m frustrated, too, so I understand where (the fans) are coming from,” Pry said. “The expectations at this place are to win. We’ve got great fans here, so I understand their frustrations. They’ve been fantastic to us.
“I thought the crowd was a good crowd tonight, and we let them down.”
The Monarchs beat the Hokies in Lane Stadium for the first time.
THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry reads game stats as he exits the field on September 13th, 2025, in Blacksburg, Virginia.
BRAY: LANE STADIUM LOSING LIFE AS LOSSES LOAD UP
Thomas Bray | Sports Editor
The Hokies’ home stadium was a sore sight on Saturday.
A light fall breeze cut through Blacksburg on Saturday night. The wind rustled orange and maroon banners that hung limp along the concourse. The scent of concessions did little to mask the chill inside Lane Stadium.
Virginia Tech Hokies (0–3), once the heartbeat of the town, played before its smallest home crowd in years. Fans booed when Brent Pry’s name appeared during the starting lineups, the sound bouncing off empty bleachers like echoes in an empty hallway. By halftime, with Old Dominion (2–1) up 28-0, the stands had thinned to scattered pockets of orange and maroon.
Remaining fans shifted in their seats, some with arms crossed, others staring at the field as if hoping the next play could change what had already been lost. The silence that followed every Monarch’s touchdown was louder than any noise that came before, punctuated
only by the occasional stomp of a frustrated boot on the bleachers. As the game dragged on, the air felt colder, and the low murmur of conversation faded into near-silence.
“We let them (fans) down,” head coach Brent Pry said after the Hokies’ 45–26 loss, dropping them to 0–3 for the first time since 1987.
In consecutive weeks, Pry’s team allowed 34 unanswered points to Vanderbilt and 499 total yards of offense to Old Dominion.
On Sunday, the Hokies fired Brent Pry. Three games into his fourth season at the helm.
There was a time when Saturdays in Blacksburg meant dominance. Frank Beamer built Lane Stadium into one of college football’s most electric venues. Opponents crumbled under the noise, under “Enter Sandman,” under a program defined by toughness, special
teams, and consistency.
The energy in the stadium felt almost tangible, a current that carried players and fans alike.
That era feels distant now.
Since Beamer’s retirement in 2015, Virginia Tech has searched for footing. Justin Fuente delivered a 10-win season and an ACC Coastal crown in year one, but the foundation cracked quickly. Recruiting faltered. Enthusiasm faded. By the end of his tenure, the bond between program and community had thinned.
Pry was hired to restore that bond. A former graduate assistant under Beamer, he leaned on Hokie tradition and promised to rebuild the culture. Four years in, his pledge was unfulfilled.
This season has offered only brief glimpses. A strong Kyron Drones run here. A big Ayden Greene catch there. But every time momentum stirs, the
drive stalls. Vanderbilt pulled away in the second half of the home opener last Saturday. This Saturday night, Old Dominion landed its knockout blow well before the final moments.
“There were flashes of the ability to run the ball,” Pry said. “There were flashes of the ability to throw the ball. But not nearly consistent enough.”
Right now, flashes are all Virginia Tech has — sudden and bright but never lasting long enough to restore belief.
Pry’s overall record sits at 16–24, including 10–13 in ACC play. Over the last two games, the Hokies have been outscored 89-46 and allowed more than 1,000 yards of offense.
The numbers explain part of the decline, but the atmosphere tells more. Lane Stadium, once a football fortress, no longer carries the same weight.
The fans who once defined Virginia Tech’s identity aren’t filling seats, aren’t staying until the end, and no longer believe the outcome will change.
For years, “Enter Sandman” was a moment that electrified college football. On Saturday, it gave way to boos before kickoff and empty rows long before the final play.
The decline is clear: a once-proud program is now chasing more than just wins — it’s chasing respect and relevance.
THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech Hokies fan covers her face after an Old Dominion touchdown on September 13th, 2025, in Blacksburg, Virginia.
GRADING THE HOKIES AGAINST OLD DOMINION
Brody Bryan | Sports Staff Writer
How Virginia Tech football graded out in its 45-26 loss to the Monarchs.
Virginia Tech’s search for its first win of the year came up empty; Old Dominion dominated the Hokies, 45-26, sending the home team into an 0-3 record and a tailspin. Here’s how they graded out:
Offense
Quarterbacks: C-
While Kyron Drones finished the night with four total touchdowns, the Hokies didn’t score until they were already down by 31 points. The fifth-year senior completed 26 of his 39 passes for 266 yards, but averaged just 6.8 yards per attempt — as opposed to Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph’s 12.5. The offense picked up a bit in the second half, but it was much too little and far too late. Drones lost two fumbles and threw an interception to set Tech back early, and his late production wasn’t nearly enough to climb the Hokies out of a massive hole.
Running Backs: C+
Despite not getting many touches, the running backs were still somewhat productive. Quarterback Kyron Drones led Tech in both carries (18) and yards (65), but both Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart and redshirt junior Marcellous Hawkins also contributed, combining for 76 yards and averaging over five yards per carry. Tyler Mason and P.J. Prioleau added another 26 yards on a combined four carries, showing some positive signs amidst an otherwise meandering game for the offense. The highlight of the night for the bunch was Stewart’s 31-yard rush in the first quarter on a drive that was ultimately squandered by a Drones fumble in the red zone, a frustrating sequence that perfectly summed up Tech’s night. As a group, the running backs totaled 102 yards on the ground for no touchdowns, but on just 16 total carries, they showed some efficiency that may have warranted a larger role in the offense.
Receivers/Tight Ends: C-
Like Drones, this group didn’t find productivity until it was much too late. Junior Ayden Greene snagged a 67-yard catch to set up a touchdown, but it was his only reception of the night. Wake Forest transfer Donovan Greene led the Hokies in receptions (five), receiving yards (77), and receiving touchdowns (two), but that production came in the second half with Tech down by several scores. The group accounted for 229 of the Hokies’ 266 total yards through the air (running backs accumulated the other 37), and averaged over 14 yards per reception, but struggled to stand out until the game was long out of reach. Tight end Benji Gosnell had, statistically, his best game of the season with 18 yards on two catches, and Ja’Ricous Hairston and Harrison Saint-Germain added another combined 21 yards on two catches. Still, there was no consistent target over the middle or underneath the defense, leaving Drones without a security blanket when under pressure.
Offensive Line: D
What was a prominent area of concern for the Hokies through the first two weeks of the season remained such on Saturday night. Drones was sacked four times and was under consistent pressure throughout the game. Penalties remained a problem and the overall operation was shaky. The line held up solidly in the run game, allowing for a few nice gains on the ground, but the Monarchs’ defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the night.
Defense
Defensive Line: D
A group that showed promise in the season opener against South Carolina has struggled mightily since. The Hokies didn’t record a single sack against the Monarchs and were dominated on the ground by Old Dominion’s junior running back Trequan Jones, who rushed for 101 yards on 13 carries with a
touchdown in the second quarter that put Tech behind by three scores.
Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph also gave the Hokies trouble on the ground, with 63 yards on eight carries and a touchdown of his own. As a team, the Monarchs averaged 6.3 yards per carry and totaled an impressive four touchdowns on the ground, establishing dominance over Tech and controlling the tempo of the game.
Linebackers: C-
The defense as a whole appeared overwhelmed on Saturday, and the linebackers were no exception. Junior Caleb Woodson led the team in tackles with nine, and Kaleb Spencer wasn’t far behind with eight, but the Monarchs’ offense still churned out big gain after big gain. They registered multiple runs over 25 yards, slicing through the second level without much resistance. And while Tech’s linebackers looked decent in coverage, there were far too many
lanes open on the ground.
Defensive Backs: D+
In his only other game against a power-conference opponent (Indiana), Joseph threw for just 96 yards and tallied three interceptions. Against the Hokies on Saturday, he threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns without a single turnover. East Carolina transfer Isaiah Brown-Murray recorded both a tackle for loss and a pass defended, but outside of that, it was a bleak night for the secondary. Tech was picked apart through the air, allowing Joseph to complete over 70% of his passes and giving up a season-high in passing yards.
THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech Hokies safety Jordan Bass (6) attempts to tackle Old Dominion’s running back on September 13th, 2025, in Blacksburg, Virginia.
DEFENDING CHAMPS NORTH CAROLINA’S PAIR OF GOALS TOO MUCH FOR HOKIES WOMEN’S SOCCER
Despite a late equalizer from forward Taylor Lewin, Virginia Tech women’s soccer couldn’t withstand No. 19 North Carolina on Thursday evening, falling 2-1 to the defending national champions.
The loss was Virginia Tech’s (4-3-2, 0-1-0 ACC) third straight to the Tar Heels (7-2-0, 1-0-0 ACC); the last time that the Hokies took down North Carolina was in 2022. Across 27 all-time matchups, the Hokies hold a 3-23-1 record against North Carolina.
For the first 72 minutes, Hokie fans had reason to believe the match might tilt in Virginia Tech’s favor. The Hokies stood toe-to-toe with the defending champions, keeping the scoreboard deadlocked at 0-0 through the bulk of regulation. Defense took center stage for both sides; neither attack found much breathing room during the opening hour and change.
The tension spiked in the 66th minute when North Carolina threatened to break through, forcing Virginia Tech goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove into action. The graduate standout delivered a pair of crucial diving saves to keep the Tar Heels off the board, preserving the stalemate and energizing her teammates. At that moment, the Hokies appeared more than capable of hanging with one of the nation’s elite.
“[Hargrove has] been just amazing this year, and she had so many incredible saves… She can get the ball moving with us at practice and in games and she’s just one of our key players,” said midfielder Hannah Pachan.
In the 73rd minute, North Carolina finally broke through. Defender Tessa Dellarose capitalized on a half-volley that bounced near the top of the box and off the left post into the net for a 1-0 lead. However, Lewin answered just four minutes later with the equalizer, blasting home her second goal of the season to pull the Hokies level at 1-1.
“I was on the bench and I threw my Gatorade up in the air,” Pachan said of her reaction to Lewin’s goal. “She’s such a key player for us and she comes in when we need her most. So, for her to be able to find that, it was pretty amazing. And I felt like it lifted our spirits and it made us push even more.”
But with three and a half minutes remaining, Carolina forward Olivia Thomas delivered the final blow, absorbing a header from Virginia Tech defender Kylie Marschall and using it to zip the go-ahead goal past Hargrove and into the net. The score gave the Tar Heels a 2-1 lead they held until the final horn. Entering the match, Thomas led the ACC in total shots (46) and shots per game (5.75), was tied for first in goals (seven) and game-winning goals (three), while ranking second in shots on goal (19).
One spot behind Thomas in both total shots and shots per game was Tech’s Eliana Salama, who, in five games, averaged 4.4 attempts per contest. That mark, however, will remain unchanged for the rest of the 2025 campaign; head coach Chugger Adair confirmed in postgame availability that she will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery. In the meantime, multiple players are expected to shoulder the added load.
“I think we’ve got a number of attacking players that can step up and score goals,” Adair said. “She’s a special player for sure, Eliana is. But we’ve got a number of people to step up. Taylor Price, Natalie Mitchell, Hannah Pachan and all those kids have scored goals for us. And we’re gonna have to score goals by committee as we get through the season.”
The Hokies have managed just one win in their last six matches — a 5-1 victory over Campbell.
The two draws in that stretch were a
1-1 tie with Liberty on Aug. 28 and a 3-3 draw with William & Mary on Sept. 7.
Taken together, the six-game stretch has left the Hokies searching for answers and consistency as they begin their conference slate.
However, the mood remains optimistic. Pachan’s had a strong start to the season, leading the team in goals (four) and points (12) through the first eight games of her collegiate career.
“It was challenging at first and a little nerve-wracking, but I think I’ve adapted to it pretty quickly,” Pachan said. “I had such amazing coaches back home and I had great advice. And I knew older players that would help me and I would play with older players, too. So, it really helped me adjust to this playing style pretty quickly.”
And despite the late go-ahead goal
with less than four minutes of action, Pachan views it as an opportunity to learn.
“You never want to throw your head down, but it’s the third time that someone’s had a game-winning goal or tied the game with three minutes left,” Pachan said. “So, of course, at that moment, it’s like, ‘Why does it always happen to us?’ But then, that’s just a learning moment, too. So, we got to learn from that. We got to watch film again and we just got to be better in our communication.”
Tech’s second ACC game comes against Louisville on Sunday, Sept. 14 (1 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra).
Taylor Lewin scored a late equalizer, but the Tar Heels proved too much for Tech.
Thomas Hughes | Sports Staff Writer
HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech women’s soccer team celebrates their win in the first round of the NCAA tournament with the attending fans, Nov. 15, 2024.
VOLLEYBALL TOPPLES MARSHALL AFTER ROCKY OPENING SET
Virginia Tech volleyball improved to 6-1 on the season Thursday evening, opening the Hokie Invitational with a four-set victory over Marshall inside Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies dropped the opening frame in extra points, 28-26, but responded emphatically, closing out the match with set wins of 25-11, 25-15, and 25-21 to claim their sixth victory of the season.
Senior outside hitter Sarah Malinowski led the charge, finishing with 14 kills on a .480 hitting percentage while anchoring Tech’s (6-1) attack. The Hokies’ offensive efficiency improved dramatically after the first set, with strong serving and steady ball control keeping the Thundering Herd (4-4) off balance for much of the night after a rocky opening set.
The first set was where Virginia Tech appeared off balance itself. Although the Hokies possessed a 21-15 advantage, they allowed Marshall to work its way back into the game with a six-point run that knotted
Virginia
Thomas Hughes | Sports Staff Writer
Tech opens the Hokie Invitational with a win.
the score up at 21. Virginia Tech was unable to hang on, conceding three straight points to the Thundering Herd and dropping the opening set, 28-26.
The middle two sets were particularly one-sided. In the second set, Marshall managed just a single tie before the Hokies pulled away with ease to a comfortable 25-11 victory. The third wasn’t much different, with only two ties and a single lead change before Virginia Tech settled into control. It responded with timely kills from setter Erica Dellesky, outside hitter Reese Hazelton and middle blocker Isabella Mishler to close out the third set with a 25-15 win.
In set four, the Thundering Herd kept pace with the Hokies early, briefly taking an 8-7 lead. Tech then went on an eightpoint run to grab a 15-8 advantage. Marshall threatened twice late in the set, closing to within a point late, but Virginia Tech held firm, capitalizing on back-to-back attack
errors by the Thundering Herd to secure the set, 25-21, and claim the match victory.
Aside from Malinowski, five other Tech players tallied six or more kills against Marshall. Outside hitter Payton Woods — who received the 2025 Blue Hen Invitational Most Valuable Player Award — tallied her sixth straight double-digit kill day with 12 against the Thundering Herd. Right behind her was Hazelton with 11. Hazelton also tallied five blocks.
The blend of experience — anchored by transfers Ainsley Ranstead and Woods, alongside returner Malinowski — and youth allowed Virginia Tech to maintain pressure throughout the latter sets, preventing the Thundering Herd from regaining momentum and reinforcing the team’s cohesion heading deeper into the Invitational.
Graduate transfer Ranstead tallied nine kills, while middle blocker Brianna Holladay notched seven kills. Mishler
OPINIONS
also put up six kills and a game-high seven blocks. As a team, the Hokies recorded 12.5 team blocks, with every block being an assisted one. Mishler’s team-high seven was also aided by five apiece from Holladay and Hazelton, who tallied her second straight double-double with 11 digs.
Serving was a double-edged sword for the Hokies; although they tallied 12 service aces, they also yielded eight service errors. Defensively, the Hokies limited Marshall’s rhythm and forced the Thundering Herd into 21 errors, marking Marshall’s third consecutive loss. Tech’s squad looked sharp in all phases after the early stumble, particularly at the net, where their size and efficiency wore Marshall down. The Thundering Herd failed to top a 15% hitting mark in each of their last three sets after a stellar 38.5% mark in the opening set.
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THE GENTLE ART OF LETTING GO
The first few weeks of college are often filled with a whirlwind of emotions. For the majority of students, their new routine becomes lying awake in their dorms, missing all the little things from their homes.
Parents also experience a range of emotions during this period, like helplessness, pride and emptiness. Someone they spent eighteen years of their lives with one day just vanishes, equipped with a skill set that the parents were able to provide them. Homesickness isn’t something only the child experiences; the parents can also feel this invisible hurdle in everyday life. Homesickness is not a sign of weakness or immaturity — it is a natural emotional response to the feeling of being separated from one’s home. For example, I went to a boarding school and faced this reality much earlier in my life. One way I would encourage parents to approach this feeling is by engaging in open conversations with their children, especially during the
Parents and children can
summer before college.
work together in tackling homesickness.
Guardians should share their experiences with college, how to make the most out of college and how to deal with the hardships that college students face. Parents should tell their kids about what they expect out of their child and how to use these expectations as a driving force. However, parents shouldn’t put intense pressure or expectations on their children, so they shy away from sharing their problems with them.
Communication is important throughout the whole process of settling into college. Not only should there be open communication, but also multiple channels of communication. Parents should be available for calls, FaceTime and text messages — not only for the convenience of the child but also to give them a sense of reassurance that they are there for them throughout their trials. Being there for your child can be an incredible source of support, but there’s
a fine line between being there for them and being controlling. While it’s nice to call them regularly, overwhelming them through constant check-ins can increase their dependency on you for every decision, which becomes a hindrance to their effort to become independent.
It can also cause them to get irritated and may reduce their communication with you, which can be detrimental when they actually need you. Allow your children to make their own decisions, class schedules, friend groups and the organizations they want to join. Let them do it. Not to say that you shouldn’t advise them, but let them make their own decisions.
Also, encourage them to spend the first few weeks on campus so they can build community and friendships there. Don’t make spontaneous rescue trips. Plan to visit them mostly on special occasions, like Family Weekends, football games or birthdays. This is necessary when it comes to preaching the importance of
balancing home ties with their on-campus responsibilities.
As for parents, separating from a loved one is hard, but the stronger you are, the easier it will be for your child to make it through the early days. Learn healthy separation techniques so you can be their number one supporter. Finally, always focus on being proud of your child’s independence rather than worrying about them living on their own.
In the end, both parties must realize that homesickness is not a sign of distance but of love — a reminder that roots run deep even as wings begin to spread. Keep your hearts open so one day you realize that separation was never the ending, but the beginning of growth.
Mohib Amjad | Opinions Assistant Editor