Football team embraces Virginia Tech's values

BLACKSBURG — During their daily walks around campus, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer and associate athletic director for football operations John Ballein often strolled past Memorial Court and noticed the names and symbols etched on the pylons.

The pylons are dedicated to the core values of brotherhood, honor, leadership, sacrifice, service, loyalty, duty, and ut prosim (a latin phrase that means “that I may serve”).

“We open every session with the team repeating the things that’s on the pillars,” Beamer said Thursday. “Everything that’s a core value of Virginia Tech should be the core value of a good football team. It’s one and the same. That’s why we remind each other each and every day what our core values should be.”

Thursday, after having his players assist fellow students and their parents on move-in day at Tech, Beamer brought the team to Memorial Court to get a closer look at the pillars and the names etched on them, the name of every Tech student who has died in military service since World War I.

Senior linebacker Tariq Edwards stood before the team and shouted the eight core values, with the team repeating them in response. Then coordinator of special events and War Memorial Chapel operations Isaac Barber gave the team a talk on the history and significance of the pillars.

“There was a moment where the corps of cadets was marching across the Drillfield, and they had the football team there, we’re standing here on Memorial Court,” Barber said afterward. “It’s all about the tradition of the institution, what we stand for, the things that make us Hokies.”

The team is going to wear a small logo of the memorial on their helmets this season, as well as a large logo for one game during the year, Ballein said in an email.

This is the first year Beamer has brought the team to the memorial, but the annual move-in operation has been going on for years.

“It helps kids moving in, number one,” Beamer said. “But it also says we’re a part of this university. We help each other. We’re united. I just like the statement that it makes to other students, parents, that we’re a part of this.”

Coleman improved

Sophomore tailback J.C. Coleman was part of the crew helping students move into the dorms on campus. Running backs coach Shane Beamer took that as a sign that Coleman’s sprained ankles are healing nicely.

Beamer and Coleman said Thursday they anticipate Coleman playing in the team’s season opener against Alabama on Aug. 31 in Atlanta.

“I’m planning on him being there,” Beamer said after he helped carry some boxes into the dorms. “I haven’t really thought of him not being there. He walks around good. You hardly even know he’s injured.”

Coleman suffered a high sprain in his left ankle and a regular sprain in his right ankle last Wednesday when a defensive tackle rolled up on his legs. Coleman said he expects to be ready to play against the two-time defending national champions.

“Definitely,” Coleman said. “I still think I’m on pace to be back.”

Coleman said his recovery is going well.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “I was able to do a little more [Wednesday]. I was real loosened up and everything, so I did a little more heavier jogging.”

Still, Coleman said he made sure not to overdo it while the team helped students move in.

“I was carrying a little bit of things but nothing too major,” he said with a smile.

Walk-on freshman fullback Sam Rogers, who recently was named the team’s starter, carried as many boxes as he could.

“From Day One, he’s been on a mission,” Beamer said of Rogers. “Some walk-ons come in and they want to make the travel squad or they want to eventually play on special teams by their second year. He’s been on a mission to start from Day One and wasn’t going to be denied.”

Rogers said that while he’s thrilled to have won the job, he has no plans to let up for fear he might lose it to backups Fuller Hoepner or Greg Gadell.

“It was my goal coming in to come in and play,” Rogers said. “It’s not like the spot is solidified and can never be taken away. I’m not going to take that for granted. I have to improve every day.”

While Coleman and Rogers carried boxes, senior tailback Tony Gregory joined senior wide receiver D.J. Coles in directing traffic. The duo helped students and their parents cross the street and made sure cars weren’t traveling at an unsafe speed. Gregory spent the entire time smiling, something he’s managed to do despite suffering a fourth ACL tear. This one, in his left knee, happened in practice last week and ended his college football career.

“At the end of the day I just think about I gave it my all,” Gregory said, speaking for the first time since the injury. “I put everything into it. I’m taking it like that. Staying positive about it. I’ve had some good experiences.”

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