The Tech Lunch Pail is excited to announce the launch of the new TLP Insider subscription. Sign up for an account and get the best news, inside scoops, and analysis on the Hokies! Learn more

Virginia Tech Athletics Launches "Reach for Excellence" Program

Robertson Babcock Sands Fuente
Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics

Virginia Tech made a significant financial announcement on Tuesday that will help shape the athletics program for years to come: The Reach for Excellence Program.

"Athletics is an important part of the Virginia Tech experience,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said. “Supporting the university and our local economy, and creating national visibility that engages our worldwide community of alumni, friends, and fans.”

The department stated that a $400 million fundraising campaign will help move the Hokies into becoming one of the premier programs of the ACC as well as one of the most successful programs in the NCAA.

When the announcement was made Tuesday morning, the program issued the five main pillars that this program will prioritize with the two largest being the increase in football expenditures and renovations to Cassell Coliseum.

The football enhancement fund is designed to keep the program consistent with the rest of the ACC as one of the perennial programs, by setting aside $30 million over time in recruiting efforts, assistant coaches’ salaries, quality-control coaches, player development and capital needs.

"We have a responsibility to this university and to this football team to give these young men the resources and support that their peers across the ACC and other Power Five programs currently receive,” Virginia Tech Football Coach Justin Fuente said. “Our staff is dedicated to helping Virginia Tech reach its objectives on the football field.

Fuente is signed through the 2024 football season as the head coach at Virginia Tech, and despite having a losing record and missing out of a bowl game for the first time in 27 years in 2020, this will definitely be a positive for their program as they look to return to being to the top of the ACC.

Moving north on Beamer Way, you run into one of the oldest buildings at Virginia Tech: Cassell Coliseum; home to the Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Wrestling, and Volleyball programs.

The house to some of Virginia Tech’s most successful programs will be getting some significant upgrades in the next four to five years which will see changes to the exterior of the building and the introduction of club seating inside the arena.


The total renovation cost will be up to $75 million, but $50 million will be raised privately for the process to take action.

In the past, Cassell Coliseum over the last few years has upgraded the seating in the upper bowls of the arena, moving from the older wooden chairs to maroon seats that replicate what was located in the lower sections of the court

This announcement overall will help move the athletic department into the future keeping up with the ACC and Power 5 teams as a whole.

"The gifts and engagement that our Hokie Club donors and friends offer are foundational to this effort,” said Brad Wurthman, Virginia Tech’s senior associate athletic director for external operations. “We have amazing fans and are extremely grateful for all that they have done. We could not have achieved our results without them, and we will need their support to reach for excellence for years to come."

Advertisement
You must login in order to comment on this post.
Loading Indicator