Marty Gordon
Virginia Tech football’s 2025 spring game, presented by PMSI, will take place Saturday, April 12. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in Lane Stadium.
More specifics about the spring game, including advance ticket purchase options, will be released when finalized.
Bobcat back to North Cross
A standout running back from Radford High School has entered the transfer portal. Rising-junior JD Grubb is now at North Cross School in Roanoke. This past year, he rushed 123 times for 493 yards and was a member of the All-County/All-City Team.
Former Hokie to manage Kannapolis
Former Virginia Tech baseball standout Chad Pinder has been named field manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Thursday, taking the reins of the Chicago White Sox’ Single-A affiliate in the Carolina League.
The Kannapolis managerial job is the first of its kind for Pinder, who was drafted in 2013 by Oakland after a standout career at Virginia Tech. The Richmond native played 553 games in the big leagues for the A’s between 2016 and 2022.
Pinder accumulated a career .242 batting average, tallying 62 home runs and 197 RBI as the ultimate utility player, playing in at least one game at every position in the field in his six-year career except for catcher. Pinder retired from playing baseball in the middle of the 2023 season after bouncing around to three different organizations in the span of four months.
VaSID honors Adair, George
Hokies women’s soccer continues to rack up postseason accolades as five players have earned Virginia Sports Information Directors (VASID) recognition. Additionally, Allie George earned Defensive Player of the Year honors along with head coach Chugger Adair, who was named Coach of the Year.
Head coach Chugger Adair completed his 19th season in Blacksburg and his 14th season as the women’s soccer head coach with a VASID Coach of the Year award. He led the Hokies (14-6-3, 6-2-2 ACC) to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance, marking the second time the Hokies have advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Hokies had one of the best defenses in the ACC with a goals allowed average of 0.74 that ranked second among ACC schools. Additionally, the Hokies recorded 11 total shutouts this season.
George, the Defensive Player of the Year recipient, tallied an impressive 1,826 minutes this season. She was part of a strong backline that recorded 11 shutouts on the year, the most in a single season since 2014. In addition to her notable skills as a defender, she scored four goals along with two assists. She scored three game-winning goals, one of which secured a Hokie victory against No. 17 Iowa in the NCAA Sweet 16 that sent the Hokies to the Elite Eight.
George signs with Louisville
Allie George has signed a professional contract for the 2025 season with Racing Louisville of the NWSL.
George was crucial in the Hokies’ Elite Eight appearance in 2024. Starting 21 matches for Virginia Tech, she tallied four goals and two assists in her senior campaign, including the game-winner for the Hokies against No. 17 Iowa in the Sweet 16. She also recorded back-to-back goals for the first time in her career against Loyola Maryland and High Point to earn ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors Sept. 3, 2024.
The defender also played for Racing’s USL W League team, a pre-professional squad, each of the past three summers.
Cheney preseason honors
The Big South Conference released its 2025 Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll that predicted Radford University to finish fifth overall Tuesday afternoon. Along with the poll, the preseason all-conference team was announced that saw midfielder Mady Cheney receive recognition in the awards.
It was no surprise to see Cheney being tabbed the honor after earning second-team all-conference honors in her sophomore season with the Highlanders. Cheney also went on to record 35 goals that included six hat tricks. The Georgetown, Texas native also led the Highlanders in draw controls for the 2024 season having 51 to her name.
Short named all-state first-team
VaSID recently announced Virginia’s all-state teams which included Lilly Short on the first team for her fantastic 2024 campaign with the Highlanders.
The Georgetown, Del. native was a crucial part in Radford’s success last fall, leading the team and Big South in multiple offensive categories. She scored 10 goals across the season, a team-high, including two game winners across a career-high 1,479 minutes played. Her 23 points, 34 shots, 25 shots on goal and 18 starts on the season were all also personal bests. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Short was named to the Big South’s first-team all-conference and all-tournament teams.
