HOKIES 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE

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#HardSmartTough #Hokies #LPD
JON LAASER (pronounced “laser”) enters his third season as
“The Voice of the Hokies” in 2017. In that role, Laaser serves as the lead
announcer for Virginia Tech football and men’s basketball across the Virginia
Tech IMG Sports Network. Additionally, he is the host of the weekly Tech
Talk Live! radio program and Virginia Tech Sports Today television show.
The 38-year old also pens the “Behind the Mic” column for Inside Hokie
Sports magazine and frequently serves as an emcee, public speaker and
ambassador for Virginia Tech. The Chanhassen, Minnesota native boasts
a wide range of football, basketball and baseball announcing experience
throughout his 17-year broadcasting career. Officially named to his current
position on June 23, 2015, he joined Virginia Tech after spending four
years working as a television and radio broadcaster for VCU basketball. His broadcasting journey
originally brought him to Virginia in 2009 as one of the founding staff members of the Richmond
Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. He served six seasons (2010-
2015) as “The Voice of the Squirrels” and during that time garnered regional college basketball
television assignments which included partnering with analyst John Feinstein on Comcast
Sportsnet Washington.
Recognized by his peers as one of the top young play-by-play talents in the country, longtime
FOX Sports and Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was one of several prominent
sports figures who endorsed Laaser along with the “Voice of the Minnesota Vikings” Paul Allen
and San Francisco Giants general manager Bobby Evans.
Working for Hampton Roads Sports Network in 2014-15, Laaser served as lead play-by-play
broadcaster for college, high school football and basketball telecasts featuring schools throughout
Virginia. He was also “The Voice of the Buccaneers” for the football and basketball programs of
Charleston Southern from 2008-09, in addition to baseball broadcasting duties with the Myrtle
Beach Pelicans, which at the time was the Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
His extensive minor league baseball background also includes stints with the Altoona Curve
(Pirates AA affiliate), Yakima Bears (Diamondbacks short-season A affiliate), St. Paul Saints
(independent) and St. Cloud River Bats (Northwoods League). Laaser’s professional career began
in Minnesota with stints working for KFAN Radio in Minneapolis and KXSS Radio in St. Cloud as
well with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. Laaser is a graduate of Brown College in the Twin Cities.
@MikeBurnopVT
@AAllegretta
V I RG I N I A TECH IMG
SPORTS MARKET I NG
250 South Main St., Suite 224
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone: (540) 961-7604
E-mail:
THE HOKIEBIRD
Virginia Tech’s lovable mascot
WHAT I S A
HOK I E?
That’s a frequently asked question in Virginia
Tech athletics, and the answer leads all the
way back to 1896 when Virginia Agricultural
and Mechanical College changed its name
to Virginia Polytechnic Institute. With the
change came the necessity for writing a
new cheer, and a contest for that purpose
was held by the student body. Senior O.M.
Stull won first prize for his “Hokie” yell
which is still used today. Later, when asked
if “Hokie” had any special meaning, Stull
explained the word was solely the product
of his imagination and was used only as an
attention-getter for his yell. It soon became
a nickname for all Virginia Tech teams and
those people loyal to Tech athletics. The
official school colors – Chicago maroon
and burnt orange – also were introduced
in 1896. They were chosen because they
made a “unique combination” not worn
elsewhere at the time.
@LazeVT
IMG SPORTS NETWORK
ANDREW ALLEGRETTA is in his seventh season as the
Director of Broadcast Operations for Digital Media and Olympic Sports.
He serves as the sideline reporter and pre/post-game host for football
broadcasts on the Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. He also serves as
the play-by-play broadcaster for Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball and
baseball teams. In addition, he anchors coverage of Tech Olympic sports
on HokiesXtra and . Allegretta is also a contributor to
men’s basketball radio broadcasts and Virginia Tech Sports Today, the
network’s weekly regional television program. A native of Yarmouth, Maine,
Allegretta graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast
journalism.
MIKE BURNOP, Virginia Tech’s Hall of Fame network analyst
received a multi-year contract extension prior to the 2015 football season
and enters his 35th season in the Hokies’ football booth. Burnop, a former
star tight end for the Hokies, held the Virginia Tech record for receptions
in a season by a tight end with 46 from the end of his playing career until
it was broken by Bucky Hodges in 2016 (48). Burnop also ranks second
all-time (Hodges) for career yards receiving by a tight end. In addition
to his broadcasting duties, Burnop owns New River Office Supply; a
business operating in Blacksburg, Pearisburg and Salem, Va.
In addition to his role as analyst, Burnop handles all post-game
interviews from Tech’s locker room. His versatility at the mic is nearly
unparalleled in collegiate athletics as he also serves as the analyst for Tech men’s basketball
broadcasts. He is one of just a few announcers nationwide that provide analysis for both sports.
Burnop is a prominent member of the Blacksburg community, frequently lending his time and
talents to philanthropic causes throughout the area.