BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Athletics, the Hokie Club and the Office of Advancement at Virginia Tech are pleased to announce the tremendous progress within the $400 million Reach for Excellence campaign, about one year after it was publicly announced. As part of the university's wider-reaching $1.5 billion Boundless Impact: The Campaign for Virginia Tech, the Department of Athletics has surpassed $200 million in new gifts and commitments since the launch of the Boundless Impact campaign in 2019.

Significant strides have been made in the campaign in the following areas:

• Creation and expansion of the Football Enhancement Fund
• Achievement of the "Drive for 25" initiative
• Founding of "Team F1rst" and "Front Court" groups in support of football and men's basketball
• Major progression of the Cassell Coliseum renovation project
• Exponential growth of sports-specific fundraising
• Increase in both funding and overall endowment of the Hokie Scholarship Fund for nearly 600 student-athletes

"Athletics play a huge role at Virginia Tech, enhancing the student experience, the local economy, and the national image of the university," said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. "I am incredibly proud of the collective effort of Hokies across the world to propel our athletic department's budget into the top-third of the ACC. I know this vision can be accomplished if we stay on this trajectory with the help of our alumni, fans, and friends of Virginia Tech."

The Reach for Excellence comprehensive campaign was launched as the largest ever campaign for Hokies athletics. The campaign is set to end by December 2027 to coincide with the completion of Boundless Impact.

"We started the Reach for Excellence campaign with the goal of cementing Virginia Tech Athletics at the forefront of the ACC and to ensure our student-athletes fulfill a world-class educational and competitive experience in Blacksburg," said Whit Babcock, Director of Athletics. "I'm absolutely encouraged by the progress that Hokie Nation has sparked for this initiative, and I know they can help us continue to provide the resources necessary to achieve the biggest athletics fundraising effort in this school's history. We are grateful for the alignment within Virginia Tech, including the needed support and commitment from President Sands and Charlie Phlegar."

"Our athletics programs are a critical part of the enduring Hokie Spirit that keeps our alumni and donors engaged, as well as a key economic driver for the region, with home football games alone generating up to $100 million in economic activity," said Vice President for Advancement Charlie Phlegar. "We set out to build a best-in-class partnership between Athletics and the Advancement division, where we're fully aligned and committed to building upon our strengths, and the ongoing success of Reach for Excellence is a testament to this. We are immensely grateful for every donor who has stepped forward with a gift of any amount. The Hokie Nation is rising to the occasion."

Football Enhancement Fund
As part of the Football Enhancement pillar of the campaign, the "Team F1rst" group was created with a collaborative effort from the Hokie Club, Virginia Tech Athletics, and University Advancement. This group of dedicated, philanthropic donors has greatly contributed in the allocation of funding towards Virginia Tech football's operating budget in the hopes of steering that budget towards the top of the ACC. The major gifts donated through Team F1rst have substantially boosted the resources needed for assistant coaches' salaries, recruiting, player development, quality control coaches and capital enhancements of the football program.

"On behalf of our entire football team and our staff, we are very appreciative to have such a passionate group of donors supporting us," Virginia Tech Football head coach Brent Pry said. "Coach Beamer was always fond of saying that 'we're all in this together,' and he is right. There is a great deal of work to do, but we are all in this together as Hokies. I cannot wait to see you at Lane Stadium this season."

Substantial strides have been made in football facility improvements during the course of the Reach for Excellence campaign. Since the launch of the campaign, Virginia Tech Football has upgraded its strength and conditioning area, built new player meeting rooms, unveiled the Sanghani Player Lounge, and now plan to reconstruct the locker room thanks to a recent $5 million pledge from Win Sheridan. Alumni engagement is also increasing at an encouraging rate, including major gift pledges from Bruce Arians and the Fuller family.

Sport-Specific Fundraising
Virginia Tech Athletics and the Hokie Club have devised strategic efforts in order to supplement the operational needs of all sports. Since the launch of Reach for Excellence, the Hokie Club created a position strictly dedicated to fulfilling the sports-specific pillar of the campaign. Sports-specific fundraising initiatives have been introduced in the year, including the "Triumph Together" campaign and the creation of a year round crowdfunding page for each of Virginia Tech's varsity sports. In the 48 hour span of the university's giving day, Virginia Tech Athletics received over $1.1 million in sports-specific fundraising alone.

Similar to the Team F1rst group for football, the "Front Court" group was established to provide considerable operational support to the men's basketball program. This dedicated group of donors helps provide the resources needed for facility improvements, recruiting, and the bolstering of the operational budget to make Tech competitive in the ACC and nationally.

Capital improvements have been pledged over the course of the campaign. A generous anonymous contribution has allowed Virginia Tech Baseball to break ground on a new pitching facility to develop student-athletes. Current pledges have been made to make upgrades for both men's and women's basketball's locker rooms.

Hokie fans and supporters are encouraged to give as they are able to any of our 22 sports they feel connected to support their operational budgets and other needs, both through major gift commitments and annual gifts.

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Cassell Coliseum Renovation
The Hokie Club and Virginia Tech Athletics have made significant strides in seeking the funding for the ambitious Cassell Coliseum renovation project. Major gift officers have received multiple pledges towards the $75 million project, with the goal of elevating Cassell into one of the premier venues in the ACC. These gifts will go towards a variety of arena renovations, including a revamped entrance on Washington street, widened concourses, and new luxury premium seating areas including suites and club seats. The momentum is there to reach the funding target to give Cassell Coliseum a well-deserved extensive renovation.

If you are interested in helping Cassell Coliseum become a top-tier venue, click the button below.

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Scholarship Fundraising Growth
The scholarship endowment is also increasing at an encouraging rate for Virginia Tech student-athletes. At the close of the 2022 Drive Year on March 31, 2022, the Hokie Scholarship Fund totaled over $17 million in annual giving. In addition to annual giving, Virginia Tech Athletics has a scholarship endowment of just over $70 million. Virginia Tech will continue to pursue gifts of $100,000 or more in order to provide the resources needed to allow additional scholarships.

Click the button below if you would like to learn more about supporting student-athletes through an endowed scholarship.

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