HOKIES BEGIN SECOND WEEK OF PRACTICE

So far, a freshman running back is gaining notice, and the staff likes its depth at the receiver positions

The Virginia Tech football team is in its second week of practice after opening practice Aug. 2. The Hokies participated in an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday and took Thursday off before resuming practices Saturday. Head coach Justin Fuente, several assistant coaches and several players met with the media Friday afternoon to discuss the scrimmage and the first week of preparations. For more on that, please click here.

PLAYERS READY TO SEND FOSTER OUT A WINNER

Tech's defensive coordinator surprised everyone by announcing his plans to retire at the end of the season, and the Hokies want to send him out the right way

Jarrod Hewitt remembers the first time he ever met Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

Hewitt was a junior at Venice High School in Venice, Florida, and his high school coach brought Foster into the school's weight room, where various members of the squad, including Hewitt, were participating in a summer weightlifting session. Foster chatted with Hewitt, telling the young man that he liked what he saw of him on film and of Virginia Tech's interest.

Hewitt, getting looks from several colleges at the time, knew little about Virginia Tech and less about Foster. But his high school coach delivered a tutorial after Foster left.

"My high school coach pulled me aside afterward and said, 'That's the most legendary coach that's ever been in my office,'" Hewitt said. "It kind of opened my eyes a little bit, and I did my own research to find out who Bud Foster was. Ever since then, I've wanted to make that man proud."

Hewitt and his teammates will only get one more season to do that, as Foster announced Thursday that he planned to retire after the 2019 season. His decision will end a 33-year tenure as an assistant coach at Tech, including the past 23 as the program's defensive coordinator.

For more on Foster's retirement and the players' reactions, please click here.

PRIOLEAU RETURNS HOME TO TECH

The former Tech defensive back took a position on Justin Fuente's staff and is excited about starting a coaching career at a place he loves

Since his retirement from the NFL in 2011, Pierson Prioleau and his family have made the New River Valley their home. They live in nearby Radford, the hometown of Prioleau's wife and an approximately 20-minute drive from the Virginia Tech campus.

But Prioleau believes this area isn't just his home. He passionately argues that Blacksburg and its surrounding suburbs serve as the home for all Hokie students, alumni and fans.

That pride for his university and for the football program served as primary reasons why he accepted the position as director of player development (defense) on head coach Justin Fuente's staff. He started roughly two weeks ago, and he immediately got to work meeting with players and developing relationships.

For more on Prioleau, what he'll be doing and what makes Virginia Tech such a special place, please read this feature on his return to Tech

TECH WOMEN'S SOCCER STRONG IN OPEN EXHIBITION

Holly Rose Weber scored two goals, and all players see action in a 3-0 rout of Marshall

Behind two goals from freshman Holly Rose Weber scored two goals and Allyson Brown added a goal, as the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team cruised past Marshall 3-0 in an exhibition match play Saturday at Thompson Field. The Hokies dominated the action throughout, out-shooting Marshall 21-3. Mandy McGlynn recorded one save in goal, while goalkeepers Alice Hamel and S.A. Phillips also played – part of an evening in which every Tech player on the roster played. The Hokies played another exhibition match Saturday against George Mason before opening the season Aug. 22 with a home match against Liberty. For more on Saturday’s exhibition against the Thundering Herd, please click here.

PARTING SHOT

Virginia Tech Athletics released its 2019-20 campaign video on Aug. 1. Please take some time to get hyped up for the upcoming season!