Wade Bland transferred from Blacksburg High School to Stuart Hall School in Harrisonburg this past year to play basketball.
After a successful junior season on the court, Bland has been named VISAA first team all-state. Stuart Hall won the divisional state championship as 6-1, 185 guard averaged in double figures.
RU Associate Head Coach
Newly named Radford men’s basketball head coach Zach Chu has made the first addition to his coaching staff official as Marcus Jenkins was named the associate head coach of the Highlander program on Friday.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a highly respected and proven veteran of college basketball in Marcus Jenkins joining us at Radford as our associate head coach,” Chu said. “Over his career spanning 19 years, Marcus has distinguished himself as a gifted communicator, tireless worker and exceptional leader. Most importantly, Marcus aligns with our vision for Radford basketball with his impeccable ability to connect with student-athletes and fully engage in their total growth and development. I am excited for our student-athletes to be the beneficiaries of his remarkable influence.”
Jenkins brings over 19 years of championship experience to the New River City and most recently worked as an assistant coach with Minnesota out of the Big Ten for the past four seasons. Before he joined the Gophers, Jenkins served as the associate head coach at Richmond for three years after he was promoted from assistant coach after three seasons in the role. A proven recruiter, he helped the Spiders to a 14-9 record during the 2020-21 campaign and a spot in the NIT Quarterfinals. He also oversaw scouting operations for Richmond’s biggest victory of the season; an upset at No. 10 Kentucky in legendary Rupp Arena. The win was the first road victory over an AP top 10 opponent in school history and propelled Richmond to 19th in the AP Top 25 poll, the highest ranking for the Spiders in 63 years.
Salem Rebranding
A new era of baseball is coming to the Roanoke Valley.
The Salem Red Sox, proud Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are thrilled to announce that the organization will undergo a full rebrand ahead of the 2026 season. While the team will continue to deliver the same high-caliber, family-friendly entertainment that fans have come to love, the rebrand will usher in a bold new identity designed to celebrate the unique spirit, culture, and energy of the Blue Ridge region.
The current 2025 season will continue under the Salem Red Sox name and identity, with the new branding set to debut on Opening Day in 2026. Salem will remain the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
“This rebrand is about honoring our roots while embracing the next chapter in our story,” said General Manager, Allen Lawrence. “We’re incredibly proud of our history as the Salem Red Sox, and we’re even more excited to create an identity that truly captures the pride and personality of our community.”
The new name, logos, and uniforms will be officially unveiled in the Fall of 2025. Fans can expect a fresh look that reflects the deep baseball tradition of the area, pays homage to the region’s assets, and embraces the pride and innovation that points toward an exciting future in Salem.
Former Blue Demon First Save
Brady Kirtner, a Christiansburg High School graduate and former Virginia Tech pitcher, picked up his first save this past week for the Tampa Tarpons, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. Kirtner got the save during the team’s season opening victory against Lakeland.
