Tweet

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team hosted an exclusive viewing of practice on Thursday night in Cassell Coliseum. This was one of a number of incentives available to those season ticket holders who renewed their tickets by August 1, 2014

The group was invited to come to Cassell, watch practice, enjoy some Papa John’s pizza and meet the team as a thank you for their loyal and lasting support of the Hokies. The team put on a high-energy practice that gave those in attendance insight into just what goes into preparing for games. The fans paid close attention to all the instruction and came away with a better understanding of this program.

“I loved it,” said Christiana Hoff, a freshman at Virginia Tech. “I thought it was interesting how intense it was, but how they were all really supporting each other. They were really trying to make each other better players, as opposed to just trying to win.”

Hoff was here with her grandfather, David Parcell of Richmond, a season ticket holder who made the trek to Blacksburg to spend some time with his granddaughter and see the Hokies practice. “I was impressed by the intensity of the practice. Just how intense it is in the paint,” Parcell noted.

Multiple generations of Hokie fans were in attendance. Season ticket holder David James of Roanoke was here with his six-year-old grandson, Riley.

“I’m here because he likes it a lot and we asked his mother if we could break curfew,” the elder James said. “We’re from Roanoke and we’re going to get home pretty late on a school night. We’ve been coming to the games and enjoying it and Riley came to Buzz Williams’ camp last summer and had a blast.”

Season ticket holders who renewed early shared their good fortune with friends tonight, as well. Brenda McKinney accompanied her friend, season ticket holder Meridel Jackson.

“I’ve been coming to the home games and just enjoy watching the guys and was excited about coming to a practice,” McKinney said. “I’ve learned that they really have to work hard and the practices are very challenging. It’s nice to see them playing as a team.”

Included in the practice was a short scrimmage, along with an intense set of drills. The fans in attendance were up close to all the action. After the conclusion of practice, head coach Buzz Williams had everyone on the court, players, coaches, staff and managers, line up and introduce themselves and what their duties entailed. Then it was up to the concourse of Cassell Coliseum for an autograph session and a chance for everyone, young and old alike, to get to meet the team.

The Hokies return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum, as they host Alabama A&M in the second game of a doubleheader. In the opening game, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will host Western Carolina at noon. To purchase tickets, please call or visit the Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-VATECH4

For updates on Virginia Tech men's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MBBall