From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
The Virginia Tech football team might find some speed this season from a familiar face. Former Blacksburg speedster Cole Beck will suit up for his final year of eligibility on the football field.
The 6-1, 195 grad student is being listed on the roster as wide receiver. He competed in both football and track for the 2018 and 2019 seasons before focusing on track, which he was very good at.
One of the best track and field athletes in the ACC the last few years, Beck owns the program record for 100 meters during the outdoor season. In 2022, he was named the ACC Championships Track MVP for both the indoor and outdoor seasons after winning the 200m and 4x100m races. He is a two-time outdoor All-American on the track.
It was the 100 meters that he bragged about.
This past May, Beck broke his own 100m outdoor school record at Virginia Tech clocking in a time of 10.05 in the first round of the NCAA East Regional, but the best was yet to come.
As a three-time ACC champion and two-time conference MVP, Beck has rewritten the record books time and time again with his fast legs.
Days after the 10.05, Beck became the first Hokie to run a competitive 100 meters in under 10 seconds. Beck clocked a 9.87 at the NCAA East Regional. Thus, he claimed himself to be the fastest football player in the world. Some
Current NFL star Tyreek Hill has been labeled the fastest wide receiver in the country. Shortly, after Beck excelled in the 100, the twitter world called out Hill and so did Beck.
Several national media outlets gave Beck the label of being the “fastest white man of all time”.
After taking off two seasons from the football field to focus just on track, Beck came back last year and played in nine games on special teams. He attempted five kickoff returns totaling 102 kick return yards (20.4-yard average) and brought back two kickoffs totaling 43 return yards, averaging 21.5 yards per return.
He was also a two-sport athlete at Blacksburg, earning three letters in track and field and football and was a three-time winner of the VHSL 4A state meet in the 100- and 200-meter dash. In addition, he was the runner-up in the 100-meter dash at the New Balance National Championships with a time of 10.41 He then set a high school personal record of 10.37 in the 100-meter dash at the Blacksburg Invitational.
Now he will be given another shot on the football field. Run Cole, run.
Fan Day Aug 13
Fan Day presents Hokie Nation with the opportunity to interact with head coach Brent Pry and the rest of Tech’s staff and players on Sunday, Aug. 13, inside the Beamer-Lawson practice facility. The event is free and open to the public.
Triumph NIL will host an exclusive session at 1 p.m. ET for its subscribers to meet with select Virginia Tech student-athletes and Pry. Hokie Kids’ Club maroon level members will receive exclusive early access, starting at 1:15 p.m. The general public will enter 15 minutes later at 1:30 p.m. The Fan Day festivities will conclude at 2:45 p.m.
RU, National Bank partnership
Radford University Athletics and National Bank are excited to announce a new partnership, making National Bank the official partner of the Courtside Lounge and preferred banking partner. As part of this partnership, National Bank will have a strong campus presence through on-site activations, signage, and advertisements at Radford Athletics events.
“We are excited to welcome National Bank as one of our newest partners,” said Radford Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg. “In alignment with our mission of supporting our student-athletes and the local community, we are excited to welcome National Bank to the Highlander family.”
“The partnership between Radford Athletics and National Bank is a great fit,” said National Bank President and CEO F. Brad Denardo. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support the student-athletes, staff, and fans of Radford Athletics and we look forward to strengthening the ties between our community bank and the broader Highlander community.”
Founded in Blacksburg in 1891, National Bank has been serving the citizens of Southwest Virginia for well over a century. With 24 full-service branch offices and over $1.6 billion in assets, the bank has grown along with our region’s dynamic economy while staying true to its community banking roots.
“We are excited to partner with Brad, Lara, and the entire National Bank team as our newest partner,” said Matt Harman, Assistant AD for Business Development. “The partnership with National Bank will allow us to highlight an additional Southwest Virginia business and build upon our commitment to the community.”
Meanwhile, Radford University is committed to find new ways to improve the fan experience inside the Dedmon Center each and every year. With schedule announcements and season ticket sales right around the corner, let’s take a look at the enhancements being made for the 2023-24 season.
Radford Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy at the Dedmon Center starting for the 2023-24 basketball season. The policy is designed to put Radford in line with the majority of college and professional venues in terms of fan safety measures.
Radford Athletics encourages fans to leave all bags at home, but the following items will be allowed into the Dedmon Center:
Any clear plastic or vinyl bag no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″. A single gallon size freezer bag is acceptable.
Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″
Necessary medical items following inspection at entry gates
Small diaper bag for families with infants and/or toddlers present
Seat cushion with no pockets that is no larger than 16″
Prohibited items include but are not limited to the following: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, computer bags, and camera bags.
Radford fans never have to miss any of the action this season thanks to new technology coming to the Dedmon Center! With the launch of mobile concession ordering, fans can order food and drinks on their phone and skip the line, not the game.
Mobile concession users can skip the line with an express pickup location once your food is ready. All standard game day concessions will be available including hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, water and more. This cashless and contactless option is available by simply scanning a QR code provided at each seat, digitally taking fans to the mobile ordering platform.
Mobile ordering will be available at all men’s and women’s basketball games starting this season.
Premium hospitality is returning to the Dedmon Center again this year with the National Bank Courtside Lounge. Located in the south end zone, the courtside lounge gives members access to premium hospitality in the heart of the action. Access will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres, soft drinks and waters, plus a cash bar will be available to purchase beer, wine and hard seltzers.
