Marty Gordon
Kristy Rueston Morrill is a longtime Hokie football fan, but she has always been curious what goes on behind the scenes before the team takes the field on Saturday afternoons.
She joined several other ladies this past week at Virginia Tech’s first annual Women’s Clinic.
“I typically just sit there and watch the game, never knowing what is really going on,” Morrill said.
Now, that has all changed.
“I didn’t realize all that they do until the clinic,” she said. “It’s amazing what they have to do in a less than a minute.”
The clinic was designed to give women an inside look at the Virginia Tech football program. Morrill said that was one of most intriguing parts of the clinic.
“We got the opportunity to hear from position coaches and lots of players. We received a lot of insight into the games and its preparations.”
She once played collegiate soccer and has been a Hokies fan since the early 90s. She now works at Virginia Tech as the student recruiter for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science.
Attendees enjoyed a full itinerary, which included learning basic fundamentals and terminology, a facility tour, dinner, an Enter Sandman experience and individual photos with head coach Brent Pry.
Pry said the day was perfect to give back to the community and the football team’s fans.
“The Virginia Tech community has embraced us, and the women’s clinic provided a way to connect our staff with those ladies who are so passionate about football and love the Hokies,” he said. “We were so excited to bring it back.”
More than 200 ladies attended. The clinic was designed to give women an inside look at the Virginia Tech football program. Morrill said it was a memory she will have for the rest of her life, running through the tunnel onto the field.
“It was like a wow factor,” she said.
Of course, there was the opportunity to take a one-on-one photo with Pry. They also received the opportunity to put on the shoulder pads, jerseys and helmets.
Morrill wants to know more and plans to attend it again in the near future.
“I appreciate what they (the coaches) do. I did not know what to expect, and it was amazing to find out what players give up to play. It definitely opened up my eyes,” she said.
Following the full day of activities, participants took home a Virginia Tech football necklace from Ed & Ethel’s Fine Jewelry and a complimentary ticket to the season home opener in Lane Stadium against Marshall on Sept. 7.