Former Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer (third from left) is congratulated by the Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg President Brandon Cross, and award committee members Doug McAlister, Tom Tillar, Howard Moses (chair) and Reverdy Wright on his winning of the 2018 Professional Leadership Award.
The Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg recently awarded its 2018 Professional Leadership Award to Frank Beamer, former Virginia Tech football head coach and current Special Assistant to the Virginia Tech Athletic Director.
The award recognizes individuals who have gone beyond the boundaries of conventional professional success by demonstrating exceptional leadership in the development and implementation of programs beneficial to the community.
The award has been given annually since 2000 to individuals in diverse professions such as technology, education, medicine, finance, and public safety.
Many know of Beamer’s long career, leading the Virginia Tech football team to 23 consecutive bowl games, the winningest coach in Virginia Tech football history, receiving numerous coach of the year and hall of fame honors and being recognized with a roadway and locker room named for him.
Fewer likely know of his efforts to raise money for student-athlete scholarship funds, literacy, and cancer research through causes such as Drive for 25, Swing for a Cure, United Way, Breast Cancer Awareness, Wounded Warriors, Cyrenius H. Booth Library (Sandy Hook), Uplifting Athletes, Cycle for Survival, First Book, Hokies United, and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
One cause near and dear to Beamer’s heart is Herma’s Readers. Founded in 2008 as a tribute to his mother, Herma Beamer, an educator for over 30 years and believer that we should “Make every day a reading day.”
The project has purchased, collected, and distributed over 170,000 new and used books to promote literacy throughout Virginia. In addition, Beamer reads to students at local schools.
In the words of Christiansburg-Blacksburg Rotary Club member Dr. Doug McAlister, “Frank Beamer has brought national credibility to Virginia Tech and the surrounding communities, not only through excellence in sports, but also for being recognized for doing it with integrity and honesty.
“He is a positive representative/spokesperson for Virginia Tech and all the good values we aspire to have. He is a genuine person who always takes time for others. Never have I seen him say no to events that enhance the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim, That I May Serve.”
Founded in 1923, the motto of the Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg is “Service Above Self”.
The Professional Leadership and Citizen of the Year Awards, the semi-annual blood screening event, youth development programs, and community service projects as well as participation in Rotary International programs like PolioPlus and Group Study Exchanges exemplify this motto.
