Hokie Sports 2025 Wrapped

BLACKSBURG – 2025 has been a year indelibly etched into Virginia Tech history. From an earthquake-inducing concert to record breaking attendance at events across campus, there have been plenty of thrilling moments that Tech fans won’t be forgetting any time soon.  

The year has also served as yet another example of Hokie Nation’s commitment to supporting the hundreds of student-athletes who perform in Division I competition. Milestones, memorable atmospheres and landmark achievements resonated throughout the community, highlighting the spirit and dedication that define Blacksburg. 

In the inaugural edition of HokieSports’ 2025 Wrapped, we take a numbers-driven look at the moments and memories that defined Blacksburg in the last year. 

In perhaps the most electrifying moment of 2025, Virginia Tech and Lane Stadium played host to legendary rock band Metallica as they traveled on the M72 World Tour this past May. Over 65,000 fans packed into Lane as the band took the stage, rocking on to signature tracks such as “One,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Fuel.” “Enter Sandman” served as the nightcap on the unforgettable evening, sending fans off to never-never land with a live rendition of the song that has defined Hokie football for 25 years.  

Excitement for the event was palpable since the news broke on Sept. 19, 2024, and continued until the performance on May 7. As it currently stands, the live recording of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” at Virginia Tech is the top-performing post on the HokieSports Instagram, liked by over 216,000 members of Hokie Nation. The night will live on forever for many Hokie fans, especially seeing as the energy from the concert registered on the Richter scale. 

On January 19, Elizabeth Kitley became just the second woman in Virginia Tech women’s basketball history, and the first in the 21st century, to have her jersey retired. The celebration took place at halftime of the Hokies’ victorious matchup against Louisville, with a sold-out Cassell Coliseum crowd of 8,925 on hand, marking the eleventh sellout in program history. 

The celebration didn’t end there. Fans who couldn’t be in Cassell had the chance to experience the moment through an exclusive virtual stream, which included a limited-edition Liz Kitley bobblehead and directly supported the Hokie Club. The effort generated $18,414 in donations, and over 1,000 bobbleheads made their way to Hokie Nation through the fundraising campaign, a special “Double-Double” ticket offer, and select giveaways. 

The buzz spilled onto social media, where Kitley-related content drew nearly 3 million impressions across 234 posts on Meta, X, and LinkedIn. The All-American and three-time ACC Player of the Year is now back in Blacksburg on head coach Megan Duffy’s staff as Assistant to the Head Coach, External Operations. Don’t miss what’s ahead—secure your seats for an exciting slate of ACC matchups in 2026! 

On Nov. 17, the Hokies fully invested in the future of football as Virginia Tech welcomed James Franklin to be the program’s newest head coach. The college football veteran arrives in Blacksburg with over 30 years of coaching experience in a variety of roles, most recently serving as the head coach at Penn State. The announcement and follow-up posts on @hokiesports and @hokiesfb garnered over 34.8 million total views, 1.7 million engagements and 75,114 shares combined.  

It wasn’t just fans of Tech football who took notice of the hire, however. A plethora of elite-level talent began to buy into what Franklin provides both as a head coach and a mentor, most evidenced by the 22 recruits in the 2026 class. Franklin, in just 17 days between his hire and National Signing Day, raised Tech’s No. 124-ranked recruiting class over 100 spots to the No. 23 class in the nation.  

Of the class, a staggering 8 recruits are designated with four-star rankings. The total ties for the most four-star signees since 2019, and the class marks the 13th consecutive top 30 class Franklin has assembled. The 2026 class also features 6 of Virginia’s top-25 prospects, tying the highest mark over the last 14 years.  

This class also reinforces one of the most unique and cherished traditions in Virginia Tech football: The Brotherhood. With Will Love’s commitment, the legacy of brothers suiting up for the Hokies continues, bringing the all-time total to 37 sets of brothers who have appeared on the Virginia Tech football roster.  

Franklin’s message is resonating; the Brotherhood is growing and the foundation for the next era in Blacksburg is officially set – secure your spots today for what’s coming in 2026. 

In several moments over the past 12 months, Ut Prosim was embodied to its fullest extent. Hokies and members of the New River Valley area continued to demonstrate their ability to serve not only themselves, but their communities.  

The annual Run for Remembrance took place this past April, the 3.2 mile run commemorating the 32 lives tragically lost in 2007. An estimated 15,500 members of Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community appeared at the event on April 12, 2025, honoring the vibrant lives who were taken far too early 18 years ago.  

This past November, Hokie Nation and The Marching Virginians Marching Band showed the power of togetherness, collecting canned food items for the band’s annual Hokies for the Hungry food drive. Between the members of the band and donations from Tech fans, a record-breaking 28,829 cans were collected, all of which were donated to the Montgomery County Christmas Store in Montgomery County, Va.  

Service was also a pillar for student-athletes of all discipline at Virginia Tech, with 100% team participation in community service initiatives at some point this year. Over the last seven semesters, 2,000+ hours of service per semester were logged by athletes, explicitly showing the power of giving back to a community that is unwavering in support of Virginia Tech athletics.  

And in the vein of generous giving – at a historic juncture for Virginia Tech Athletics, a donor stepped forward to make the largest ever gift to Hokie sports – $20 million. The gift commitment will empower new head coach James Franklin and all other athletic programs to compete at the highest level.  

Waves of maroon and orange cascaded throughout Lane Stadium yet again this past fall as fans of all ages showed their support for Hokie football. Over the seven home games played in Blacksburg this season, a staggering 419,619 Tech supporters rolled through the gates. Lane Stadium also welcomed its 17-millionth fan this past season, doing so in the exhilarating double-overtime victory against Cal on Oct. 24.  And no gameday in Blacksburg would be complete without the Corps of Cadets – who powered through 546 pushups over the course of the season, keeping tradition strong with every Hokie score. 

It wasn’t just the action on the field that kept Hokies coming back. Lane Stadium’s most iconic concession item, the Lane Leg, continued its reign as a fan favorite, fueling crowds 8,004 times with its unmistakable gameday flavor. 

For many Hokies, fandom goes far beyond Saturdays. The No. 25 maroon jersey, enshrined with Hokie Stone elements behind a base maroon color, was the most sold item at the Hokie Shop this season.  

Looking to match with your fellow Hokies? Don’t forget to visit the Hokie Shop either online or the next time you’re in Lane Stadium!