From Pep Band to Season Tickets: Greg Lowe’s Hokie Journey Comes Full Circle

Long before sold-out crowds and electric nights at Cassell Coliseum, women’s basketball at Virginia Tech was driven by a small but passionate group of fans. One of them was Greg Lowe, a trumpet player in the regimental band, the Highty Tighties, from 1993–97. Today, nearly 30 years later, he’s back in Blacksburg, not with a horn in hand, but with his wife Kate Lowe beside him as proud women’s basketball season ticket holders. 

Greg and Kate, both retired Air Force officers, live in Blacksburg. The pair taught Air Force ROTC at Tech from ‘21-24, and Greg currently serves as Virginia Tech’s inaugural director of the Defense Civilian Training Corps. Being in Blacksburg has always been a wonderful experience for the family, and Greg frequently reminisces about his glory days with his children. 

“I think back to that time, and there certainly weren’t as many fans as there are today,” Greg said. “But the pep band and cheerleaders were there in every game, trying to bring the energy. There were winning seasons more often than not, and we had a lot of fun.” 

Although, one of Greg’s most memorable moments from the 90s had nothing to do with the final score. It came during a halftime free-throw contest. 

“I won a blender from a local sponsor,” he laughed. “I even got one of the star players to sign it. I don’t know what a college kid in a dorm does with a blender—but my wife and I used it for a few years after we got married.” 

After some time away, Greg found his way back to Cassell with Kate, but this time, as a die-hard alum. Their first season in the stands came shortly after moving to Blacksburg. 

“We came to one game and just loved it,” Kate said. “The atmosphere, the times of the games with younger kids, the excitement—it was infectious. We kept coming back and I finally decided to get season tickets, I just love how wide the age range is,” she said. “There are retirees, families, kids, and students all coming together. It’s this continuous appreciation for what these women are doing.” 

Greg agreed, noting how rare that kind of support is nationwide. “It’s not like this at every school. The students show up, the community shows up—that’s what makes it special.” 

From his perspective as both a former pep band member and a current fan, he’s watched the program steadily rise. “Every year it grows a little more,” he said. “Winning drives excitement, and the competition in the ACC is incredible. With Coach Duffy here now, it just feels like we’re building toward something big.” 

The excitement of gameday for the Lowes starts long before tipoff. Known for their dedication to tailgating, even in cold weather, they’ve become a familiar sight in the parking lot before women’s basketball games. 

“We’ve tailgated when it’s been 40 degrees,” Greg said. “One time we were grilling donuts, and the baseball team walked by and asked for some.” 

The energy around women’s basketball creates a sacred place for Greg and family, with some of their favorite memories being from the loudest nights in Cassell. His daughter Maggie shared the energy of the student section when Tech played NC State on Jan. 7, 2024, the electricity of ESPN College GameDay in the arena, and the joy of experiencing those moments as a community. 

Looking ahead, their anticipation is as strong as ever. 

“I love seeing how new players gel and how Coach Duffy rotates the lineup,” Greg said. “And of course, we’re always watching for 75 points—because that means biscuits and bacon.” 

For the Lowes, support for the Hokie women isn’t just a hobby. It’s a family. 

“It’s a small town,” Kate said. “You run into players at the grocery store, and suddenly you’re cheering for someone you saw in the produce aisle. That’s what makes it special.” 

Despite attending many other Tech sporting events, the family proudly admits their loyalty is fully with women’s basketball. 

“We don’t even do a men’s March Madness bracket anymore,” she said laughing. 

The close-knit love from a courageous family moves milestones for women’s basketball as we celebrate 50 seasons together. Greg’s story reflects the growth of the program itself, proof that Hokie loyalty doesn’t fade with time. It only deepens. From pep-band trumpet blasts in the 90s to family traditions in the stands today, the Lowe family stands with the Hokies. 

That legacy will be celebrated in unforgettable fashion on Feb. 1, when the Virginia Tech Hokies host their longtime rival, the Virginia Cavaliers, in a can’t-miss Smithfield Commonwealth Clash inside Cassell Coliseum. With generations of fans in the stands, and a rivalry that always brings energy, families like the Lowes know it’s more than a game. It’s a celebration of where women’s basketball at Virginia Tech has been, and where it’s headed next.