Good morning, Tech Fam. While the rest of us are still thinking about the beach or the lake from the holiday weekend, our Hokies are grinding their way towards next year!

Don’t miss the opportunity to secure your ticket memberships for 2026-27!

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

🇺🇸 Salutin’ The Troops
⚽️ Setting The Slates
⏱️ Countin’ Down: 61 Days
🦃 And much, much more!

🇺🇸 SALUTIN’ THE TROOPS

Coming off a weekend in which we all celebrated our freedom and our country, fans have another chance to support the brave men and women who serve our nation through the Tickets for Troops initiative.

Through a continued partnership with the Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), this program gives Hokie fans a powerful way to give back, by sending veterans, active-duty service members, and their families to Lane Stadium to experience the energy of Hokie football firsthand this season.

Fans can donate in $25 increments, and Virginia Tech Athletics will match every gift to cover the full cost of a game ticket.  

🏈 COUNTIN’ DOWN: 6️⃣1️⃣ DAYS

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.

The Hokies have a long history of great play from the center position.

Among that group is #6️⃣1️⃣ Billy Conaty, who took over for Jim Pyne in the mid-90s.

Conaty stepped up for the challenge, he was a dominant force on the 1995 Big East Championship team that beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl. He was named a first team All-American in 1996, becoming only the third Tech O-lineman in history to receive that honor.

For his career, Conaty started a then school record 48 straight games.

🔼 Setting The Slate. Now that we’re back from the holiday weekend, let’s start filling up that fall calendar.

Late last week, both Virginia Tech soccer programs unveiled their full slates for the upcoming 2026 campaigns.

The men’s squad will see the pitch 18 times in the regular season, will play 10 matches at Thompson Field. Eight of the squads on 2026 fixture list were 2025 NCAA tournament teams, including two College Cup participants.

The women’s slate features nine teams that advanced to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including a matchup with the defending National Champions, Florida State.

⚽️ A Full Look At The 2026 Men’s Slate
⚽️ A Full Look At The 2026 Women’s Slate

🔼 Building Blocks. Coming off their run to the 2026 NCAA Los Angeles Regional, John Szefc, the Hokies' head coach touched on the year's best moments with radio voice Evan Hughes.

🎥 Check Out The Full Interview With Coach Szefc

🦃 THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOKIE NATION

Welcome to NextGen Hokies – the youth engagement membership club for the next generation of Hokies!

Now in its second year, NextGen Hokies is a rebrand of Hokies Kids’ Club that reflects our commitment to growing the next wave of Hokie fans and leaders. The new membership club better represents the inclusive and forward-looking spirit of our youth engagement efforts, with enhanced benefits, intentional opportunities, and increased access to Virginia Tech Athletics.

🤔 HOKIE TRIVIA

Although he went undrafted, Billy Conaty spent nine years on NFL rosters until his retirement in 2005.

Who was the first team that Conaty appeared in an NFL game with?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom and find out!

📆 THE DAYS AHEAD

*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

Thursday, Aug. 27
⚽️ Women's Soccer at William & Mary @ 6pm

Friday, Aug. 28
⚽️ Men's Soccer vs. Kentucky @ 6pm | Live Stats

🟠 Click here to see the full Virginia Tech Athletics Calendar

🤝 SPREAD THE WORD

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: The Buffalo Bills

🦃 Have a great one, y’all!