Hokie ClubThe Virginia Tech football team held a charity car wash Friday afternoon in the parking lot across from Lane Stadium with all donations being given to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster; graduate assistants James Miller and Zac Lowe; and players Jeff Beyer, Matt Finnegan and Justin Young kicked things off at 3:43 with a Honda Civic, and two and half hours later, 178 cars were washed and just over $4,000 was raised by the Hokies and the coaching staff.
All 105 players on the training camp roster took part, and were divided into two shifts of eight groups. Vehicles were greeted at the entrance of the parking lot by associate head coach Billy Hite, who collected all donations. The cars were then funneled toward one of the eight washing stations, where the Hokies were armed with a hose, a bucket of soapy water, sponges and a slew of towels.
The most efficient washing group was arguably the one headed up by quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain in the first session. Holder/backup QB Grant Throckmorton made a bid for MVP honors, as he was seen barking out orders and strategies while jumping into the task barefoot and with a sponge in each hand. They were joined by PK Jud Dunlevy and WR Jacob Sykes, with TB Branden Ore manning the hose.
"Get 'em goin' O'Cain!" shouted head coach Frank Beamer from a distance.
One fan suggested to Beamer that he should join the fray, but the old ball coach laughed off the notion.
"I'm a much better organizer," he said.
The group of K Tim Pisano, QB Ike Whitaker, DE Orion Martin and LB Dylan McGreevy briefly tried to compete with Team Throckmorton, but after losing out on a white Honda, they wasted no time in waving down a shiny, blue Corvette and taking their time with it.
"Be careful with this one, guys," warned defensive line coach Charley Wiles.
Although Team Throckmorton jumped out to an early lead, the group led by PK Jared Develli and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray made a late push when they washed and dried the "Yellow Submarine," a 16-passenger van than doubles as a late-night taxi for Tech students on the weekends, in three minutes and 21 seconds. Develli and Gray were not afraid to take on the large vehicles, as they had the services of hulking linemen Aaron Brown, Nick Marshman and John Graves.
Freshman QB Tyrod Taylor was also a part of Team Develli, and he took quite a ribbing from his teammates throughout the session. He's apparently not as quick with the hose as he is with the football, as he was relieved of that duty early on. He then got hassled for scrubbing the same six-inch portion of a truck for nearly two minutes straight while giving a television interview. They must not teach that kind of multitasking at practice. He got a soapy sponge to the face and a bucket of water to the back for his efforts.
The 100th car made its way into the parking lot after just one hour, and among the customers were QB Sean Glennon, LB Xavier Adibi, equipment manager Lester Karlin, the Channel 10 news team, and Virginia Tech police chief Wendell Flinchum.
The event was covered by much of the local media, and two radio stations - 101.7 Supertalk and 105.3 The Bear - broadcast live from the car wash. ABC National News even made an appearance, interviewing Beamer, Glennon and FB Carlton Weatherford.
A good time was had by all, as fans not only had a chance to donate to a great cause, but also to meet their favorite Hokies. Fans are reminded that Saturday's scrimmage in Lane Stadium is open to the public, and they are encouraged to come. More information is available here.
• In other news, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team is holding open tryouts for a goalkeeper Aug. 21-23. Interested students should contact goalkeeper coach Michael Lovett (lovett@vt.edu) at 231-6660 prior to 2:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 21.