Good morning, Tech Fam. Pittsburgh, you’re going to love him!

What all are we covering in today’s edition, Hokies? Check it out below!

🏈 In Good Hands
📚 Head Of The Class
⏱️ Countin’ Down: 45 Days
🦃 And much, much more!

Throughout the summer, we will be counting down the days
to the return of Virginia Tech Football this fall. The Hokies will host
VMI on September 5 at 7:30 p.m.

At 6-2, 325-pounds, Eric Mensah is intimidating presence on the defensive side of the ball for the Hokies.

Mensah, who will wear #4️⃣5️⃣ this fall, is one of many new faces who arrived in Blacksburg this spring. The Stafford, Va., native returned to his home state after spending the past two years at Ohio State.

At Mountain View High School, Mensah was named the Class 6, Region B and District Defensive Player of the Year accolades during his senior season.

🔼 In Good Hands. Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins may be known for his play on the field, but this week, he was reconized for his efforts off the field.

Hawkins was named to Allstate’s 2026 AFCA Good Works Team nominee list. He is one of 162 student-athletes nominated for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognizing college football players who lead through community service, academics and athletics.

During his time in Blacksburg, Hawkins has made a positive impact in the New River Valley and surrounding region. Among his efforts, he helped spearhead a canned food drive for Micah's Backpack, which collected nearly 2,400 cans of food to help address food insecurity in the New River Valley. 

🏈 More On Hawkins’ Recognition

🔼 Welcome To The Fam. Director of Athletics Brian White announced the hiring of Mary Giardina as the department's Deputy Athletics Director and Chief of Staff, adding one of the nation's most respected senior administrators to the Hokies' executive leadership team.

Giardina brings more than 15 years of experience in collegiate athletics administration, including leadership roles at West Virginia, Florida Atlantic, Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference. She most recently served as West Virginia's executive senior associate athletics director for student-athlete experience, governance and compliance after joining the Mountaineers in January 2026.

🦃 More On The Newest Hokie

🔼 Head Of The Class. Six Virginia Tech student-athletes have been selected to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Academic All-State Team.

Representing four different Hokie programs, the honorees were recognized for their academic excellence and impact within their respective sports.

Virginia Tech’s selections include Kylie Aldridge (softball), Valentine Delon (women's golf), Nate Paris (track & field), Mariana Pestana (track & field), Chiara Sistermann (track & field) and Carleigh Wenzel (women’s basketball).

🦃 More On The Honorees

🔼 Raising The Bar. The Virginia Tech men's and women's track and field programs earned a combined 20 individual honors on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team for the 2025-26 indoor and outdoor seasons. Both the Hokies' teams also received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition.

To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period. Nominees also must have completed at least two semesters or three quarters at their institution.

🦃 More On The Academic Accolades

Now it’s your turn Hokie fans.

Voice of the Hokies, Bill Roth, will welcome new Director of Athletics Brian White to the next Hokie Sports Insider and this is your chance to get your questions answered about Tech athletics.

We want to hear from you. Take our reader survey and tell us a little about yourself, what you love, and what you want more of. Your feedback helps us make sure every edition of Inside HokieSports is worth opening.

In his first season in Blacksburg last fall, Marcellous Hawkins was Tech’s leading rusher.

How many yards did Hawkins run in 2025?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom and find out!

*all times are ET*

Thursday, Aug. 13
⚽️ Women's Soccer vs. Old Dominion @ 6pm | Live Stats

Sunday, Aug. 16
⚽️ Women's Soccer vs. VMI @ 6pm | Live Stats

Thursday, Aug. 20
⚽️ Women's Soccer vs. Liberty @ 7pm | Live Stats
⚽️ Men's Soccer at Ohio State @ 8pm | Live Stats

Sunday, Aug. 23
⚽️ Men's Soccer vs. Howard @ 4pm | Live Stats
⚽️ Women's Soccer vs. Maryland @ 6pm | Live Stats

Saturday, Sept. 5
🏈 Football vs. VMI @ 7:30pm | ACC Network | Listen | Live Stats | Buy Tickets

🟠 Click here to see the full Virginia Tech Athletics Calendar

Answer: 749

🦃 Have a great day, Hokie Nation!