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There will be a new addition to the 2012 Virginia Tech Homecoming Parade - albeit a louder addition - as the Hogs4Hokies will ride in this year’s parade to bring awareness to their annual spring ride. The ride will include Tech head softball coach Scot Thomas, who will be participating on his own bike.

“This is a great group for a great cause and I am excited to be a part of it,” Thomas said. “We are always playing in April, so I don’t get to ride in the spring, so this is an opportunity for me to ride with some fellow Hokies who have like interests, riding motorcycles and showing Hokie pride!”

The Annual Virginia Tech Homecoming Parade will begin Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and will go down Main Street to Alumni Mall. The parade is free to be in and to attend. This comes before the Tech Homecoming football game as the Hokies will host Duke University at 12:30 p.m. inside Lane Stadium.

Hogs4Hokies was founded by Frank Salzano after the tragedy of April 16, 2007. Salzano, a graduate of the Class of 1983 at Virginia Tech (civil engineering), wanted to give back something to the Hokie Community to show his support. He had his 2007 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic painted in a custom VT paint theme and then organized an annual ride to Blacksburg to help raise awareness and funds for the Virginia Tech Foundation “32 Named Memorial Endowments Fund.” This endowment provides funds in the names of each of the 32 victims for deserving students to attend Virginia Tech, thereby forever perpetuating the names of those lost on that fateful day in April 2007. The organization’s goal is to raise a minimum of $100,000 in memory of each of those lost on April 16, 2007.

“The term ‘Hogs’ generally indicates Harley riders, but Frank is quick to point out that all Hokie supporters with motorcycles are encouraged and welcomed to participate,” Thomas noted.

The rides have become an annual event on the last Saturday in April, with over 200 riders participating. Each rider is asked to donate $32 that will go to the “32 Named Memorial Endowments Fund." The motorcycle procession leaves Manassas, Richmond and Virginia Beach at 8 a.m. and makes several stops, including in Charlottesville, Shenandoah Harley Davidson near Staunton for lunch, and arrives in Blacksburg around 3:30 p.m. A short ceremony is held on the Virginia Tech Drill Field where all donations, including those of Virginia Tech alumni, local business partners, and friends are given to the Virginia Tech Foundation.

Anyone interested in donating to Hogs4Hokies can contact Frank Salzano at fsalzano@verizon.net or go to Hogs4Hokies.org for more information on donating and participating in next spring’s ride. Checks may be written to the “Virginia Tech Foundation” and mailed to 14416 Coachway Drive, Centreville, VA 20120. All proceeds from the ride go directly to the "32 Endowments Fund" from the Hogs4Hokies.

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