Category: Sports

by Johnny Kraft–

While intramural sports differ from official collegiate sports, they have a similar impact on the Virginia Tech community. Sports are an important aspect of the college experience at Virginia Tech, but many do not realize that also includes intramurals.

The intramural sports program at Virginia Tech serves over 8,500 students, faculty and staff every year, according to Intramural Sports Coordinator, Jeff Feldhaus. The program offers over 40 activities throughout the year including flag football, soccer and basketball as well as non-traditional sports such as inner tube water polo and battleship.

The biggest difference between intramural sports and varsity sports is that it is not about wins and losses. It is an inclusive, social experience emphasizing having fun, sportsmanship and making new friends by playing your favorite sports regardless of skill level.

“Intramural sports differ from varsity athletics in that our mission is to provide recreational opportunities for participants of all skill levels,” said Feldhaus. “We strive to get people engaged in exercise and sport-related activities that promote teamwork, leadership and build healthy lifestyles.”

Each year, teams and organizations join in the quest for the Hokie Grail, awarded annually to the All-University Intramural Champion based on a point system. It gives certain groups such as fraternities and sororities a chance to compete and earn points by participating in intramural activities over the course of the entire year, according to Feldhaus. In short, a group earns points by participating, displaying good sportsmanship, etc. and their points are tallied throughout the year so an overall champion can be determined similar to the Olympic medal count.

According to the Department of Recreational Sports, intramural sports enhances the quality of life for the university community by educating and encouraging participation in activities that promote healthy lifestyles, social interactions and leadership skills.

Intramural sports are a big reason why Virginia Tech has been named no. 1 fittest college, no. 1 best quality of life and no. 1 in their students love these colleges by The Princeton Review. According to Feldhaus, a survey from a few years ago, in which alumni were polled, showed that intramurals were one of their top three favorite things about going to school at Virginia Tech, behind only academics and athletic events.

In addition, the intramural and recreational sports programs at Virginia Tech take pride in serving the community in the spirit of Ut Prosim. Every year, student employees volunteer for a number of activities that serve the campus and local communities including Hokie Helpers and the Southwest Virginia Special Olympics Basketball Tournament.

These programs hope to continue to grow and serve the Virginia Tech community as an atmosphere that encourages individuals to develop life-long involvement in recreational activities and are dedicated to meeting the changing needs of a diverse community by offering quality structured and informal recreational opportunities.

“One of our goals for the intramural program is to increase the number of people we serve until we hit the 10,000-member mark,” said Feldhaus. “Additionally, many of our recreational sports programs will continue to pursue avenues for promoting health and wellness, not only on campus but in the local community.”

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Score: The maroon team scores two points in their 64-45 win to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – CoRec Competition: The great thing about intramurals at Virginia Tech is that regardless of gender and ability, you get the opportunity to play as male and female players join forces as teammates. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Intramural CoRec Basketball: Virginia Tech students face off in a CoRec playoff game at War Memorial Hall. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Crash the Boards: The white team prepares to grab a rebound following a missed shot. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Basketball: Players of all skill levels come together to enjoy the sport they love with a group of friends regardless of the outcome. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Defense: Team leaders square off as no. 15 in maroon defends no. 74 in white. Both players were their teams’ scoring leaders in the contest. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Free Throw: Players watch as no. 23 on maroon shoots a free throw. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – And 1: Players anticipate the rebound following a shot. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Rebound: Players prepare to get a rebound. Photo: Johnny Kraft

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 23 – Good Game: Players shake hands following a fun and hard-fought game. Photo: Johnny Kraft

by Blayne Fink–

John Engelberger, Cody Grimm, Will Montgomery, Sam Rogers—for some, those names are just that, names, but for Hokie fans, these are some of the most successful and impactful players to ever come through the Virginia Tech football program. However, what links these players is not just their success on the gridiron, but that they were all preferred walk-ons for the Hokies.

According to Recruiting-101, a preferred walk-on is a student athlete who has been noticed by a coach and are then offered a spot on a university’s athletic team, but who does not receive an athletic scholarship. With the glitz and glam of the recent National Signing Day still fresh in the minds of football fans, it begs the question: What is National Signing Day like for those preferred walk-ons?

“I kind of took part in it, but I just signed a blank piece of paper and got the pictures, that’s it,” said redshirt-junior wide receiver C.J. Carroll, a preferred walk-on for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team.

However, that’s not just it, it’s also the start of a long and trying process to ultimately earn that coveted scholarship and cement their name on the aforementioned list. Carroll, who was given a preferred walk-on spot in a signing class that featured highly touted players like Isaiah Ford and Travon McMillian, explains that his walk-on position requires playing with a different edge than that of scholarship athletes.

“You have to [play with an edge], there are very few of us out there that actually play, so once you get your opportunity, you have to make the most of it to try and earn a scholarship,” said Carroll. “As well as, to get the respect of other people who do have scholarships.”

Since joining the Hokies in the summer of 2014, Carroll has used that edge to work his way up in the team ranks, first, starting with the scout team and eventually becoming a key part of the Hokies offense and kick return game.

Carroll was also given the privilege of wearing the jersey number 25, awarded to the special team’s player of the week in honor of former head coach Frank Beamer, in the team’s game against Notre Dame. For Carroll, the opportunity had an even deeper meaning, as coach Beamer was always so giving to walk-ons like himself.

“It was crazy, that whole day was unbelievable,” said Carroll. “Notre Dame is a historic program and to wear that number 25 and play on national television…it was something that I won’t forget.”

As for the advice he would give to other players given a preferred walk-on spot?

“Work hard, earn the respect of players and coaches, and the rest will take care of itself,” said Carroll.

And that it did, just one day after the 2017 National Signing Day, Carroll was finally given his own, real, signing day when was awarded a scholarship by head football coach Justin Fuente.

Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 6- WATCHFUL EYES: C.J. Carroll watches on as his teammates complete their sets of benchpress for the day. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 6- LIFTING: C.J. Carroll engages in off-season weight lifting sessions. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 6- PUSHING TEAMMATES: A key expectation of preferred walk-ons is the job of pushing starters. Here, Carroll cheers on his teammates completing a set of benchpress. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 6- GEAR: Preferred walk-on players are given the same gear as that of scholarship players, such as the w1n-0 training tops Carroll sports here. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 6- GOOD TIMES: Laughing along with teammates during an off-season workout, Carroll was quick to note that preferred walk-ons are treated no differently among the team. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 6- FROM NO TO PRO: Cody Grimm, a preferred walk-on turned NFL draft pick, is among the many Virginia Tech walk-ons to don a spot on the “Hokies in the NFL” wall. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 6- SPECIAL PLACES: Cody Grimm even grabbed a spot in legendary coach Frank Beamer’s book “Let Me Be Frank.” Beamer was well known for his work with special teams, a job taken very seriously, especially by walk-ons. Photo: Blayne Fink

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 6- CAPTAIN: Former Hokie walk-on Jack Tyler earned a position as captain for the 2013 Virginia Tech football season. Former walk-ons such as Will Montgomery and Willie Byrn were also given the honor. Photo: Blayne Fink