Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Football will honor members of the military community during the Hokies’ matchup against Wofford on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. inside Lane Stadium. The day’s events, part of Virginia Tech Athletics’ longstanding commitment to recognizing military commitment and service, will spotlight veterans, the Corps of Cadets, and those making an impact in the military community through meaningful gameday experiences.
White Effect and Operation Hat Trick
Fans are encouraged to wear white as part of the White Effect, a tradition that raises awareness and support for wounded service members and veterans in partnership with Virgnia Tech and Operation Hat Trick. Official White Effect merchandise is available online here and on gameday at Hokie Shop locations while supplies last. Proceeds support recovery efforts for injured service members. To learn more about Operation Hat Trick, click here.
Building Community Together
Virginia Tech Football extends a special welcome to veterans and their families in partnership with the Office of Veteran Services and Veterans@VT, a chapter of SVA. The weekend, hosted by these organizations, includes a tour of the athletics facilities, a nearby tailgate, and a special “Enter Sandman” experience for a select group. Fans may learn more about the Office of Veteran Services here and Veterans@VT here.
In addition, a select group of veterans will be recognized on the field during the first quarter for their extraordinary service and their impact on the Virginia Tech campus and community. Additional tributes to veterans and service members will be shared throughout the game on HokieVision.
Celebrating the Corps of Cadets
The afternoon game will feature a number of traditions that celebrate and honor the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the military community. The Regimental Band of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the Highty-Tighties, will take the field to lead the pregame show, which will include—weather permitting—a U.S. Air Force flyover featuring two UH-1N (Huey) helicopters. Like at other home games, the flyover crew will be recognized during the third quarter.
Pregame will also include another memorable tradition as nearly 100 Army ROTC Cadets take their contracting oath live on Worsham Field in Lane Stadium. The annual contracting ceremony celebrates the commitment and dedication of the next generation of service members as they start their journey at Virginia Tech.
Alumni of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets—many of whom are either currently serving in the military, have served, or are retired—will be marching onto the field with current members of the Corps of Cadets. Together, the past and present members of the Corps will conduct the pregame national anthem ceremony.
In addition, Cadets will have donation stations set up near entrances of Lane Stadium in support of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets hosts this donation drive annually to honor the memory of those lost in Normandy. Notably, one of Virginia Tech’s eight Medal of Honor recipients, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Jimmie W Monteith Jr., earned the nation’s highest award for valor posthumously for his heroic actions in Normandy.
Fans can also look forward to the Military Salute in the second quarter—a special tradition of honoring a military service member that takes place at every home Virginia Tech football game.