BLACKSBURG – Earlier this week, Virginia Tech Athletics announced plans to unveil a monument celebrating Coach Beamer to be unveiled at Moody Plaza during a pregame ceremony on Saturday. Today, Tech formally announced an in-game recognition that will take place at halftime of Notre Dame's first-ever visit to Lane Stadium on Saturday.
A first-ballot selection to the College Football Hall of Fame – the game's most prestigious honor – Beamer and the rest of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 will be officially enshrined in December. The term "BeamerBall" became synonymous with Virginia Tech's innovative approach on special teams as Hokies rose to national prominence thanks in large part to their ability to consistently make game-changing plays in the kicking game.
National Football Foundation Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute
Selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in his initial year of eligibility, the Notre Dame game will provide an opportunity for the National Football Foundation to conduct an on-field salute of Coach Beamer as one of the game's most revered figures. Coach Beamer will accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will stay on permanent display at Virginia Tech. The College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 will be inducted during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4, 2018.
"Induction into the College Football Hall of Fame is the ultimate achievement in our sport, and the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute tradition allows us to bring each inductee back to their alma mater for a truly memorable experience," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We look forward to celebrating the storied career of Coach Beamer with thousands of Virginia Tech fans who will witness his on-campus salute at Lane Stadium."
Beamer was the winningest active coach in FBS history at the time of his retirement in 2015, having tallied an impressive career record of 238-121-2 at Virginia Tech. Under Beamer, Virginia Tech football enjoyed unprecedented success, with 23 consecutive bowl appearances, a mark that the Hokies extended to 25 straight under current head coach Justin Fuente in 2017.
Appointed to the College Football Playoff selection committee in 2017, Beamer continues to serve Virginia Tech as an ambassador for athletics and the spokesperson for the Drive for 25 campaign that seeks to increase membership in the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund (aka the "Hokie Club") to 25,000 members.
Including a six-year stint at Murray State, Beamer owns a 280-143-4 career record as a head coach, giving him more victories than the illustrious likes of Tom Osborne, Lou Holtz, Bo Schembechler, Steve Spurrier and Woody Hayes. A three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year (1995, 1996, 1999), Beamer was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He was the consensus National Coach of the Year in 1999.
In 1987, Beamer became the head coach at his alma mater Virginia Tech, where he would win a school-record 238 games in 29 seasons (1987-2015). Arguably, his best season came in 1999 when he earned consensus National Coach of the Year honors after leading Virginia Tech to an appearance in the BCS National Championship at the Sugar Bowl following the program's first 11-win season and first undefeated regular season in school history.
