College Sports Established
1895
Location
Blacksburg, Virginia
College Name
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
2004 - Present / ACC
1991 - 2004 / Big East Conference
1978 - 1991 / Metro Conference
1965 - 1978 / Independent
1921 - 1965 / Southern Conference
1907 - 1921 / South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1895 - 1906 / Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Nickname
Hokies - The Virginia Tech Hokies have been the proud mascot of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University since 1896. The origin of this beloved nickname has been debated for decades, with many different theories surrounding its origins.
One popular theory states that the name was derived from a cheerleader’s chant during a football game in 1896 between VPI (now known as Virginia Tech) and archrival University of North Carolina. During the game, VPI's team captain yelled "Hokie! Hokie! Hokie!" to rally his teammates towards victory – thus inspiring what would become an iconic school spirit battle cry for generations to come.
Another theory suggests that “Hokies” refers to an old Native American term meaning “people who live by their own rules." While there is no direct evidence linking this phrase with VPI or its teams, it does make sense given how fiercely independent and dedicated fans are when cheering on their beloved team each season in NCAA Division I athletics competition – especially during rivalry games against rival schools such as UVA Cavaliers or NC State Wolfpack.
Whatever its true origin, one thing remains certain: The term "Hokies" has become synonymous with pride and loyalty amongst students & alumni alike at both Virginia Tech & beyond - making it truly deserving of being called everyone's favorite college sports mascot!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1892
- 1983
- 1984
- 2004
- 2010
- 2019
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Hokies First Football Game
In 1892: The first football game is played against St. Albans Lutheran Boys School, resulting in a 14-10 win. -
Hokies Star – Dell Curry
Curry was a four-year starter at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg along with contemporaries Bobby Beecher, Perry Young, Al Young, and Keith Colbert. The Hokies appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1983 and 1984, finishing third in the latter. Although the team qualified for at-large bids to the NCAA tournament in 1985 and 1986, it lost in the first ... -
Bruce Smith – Virginia Tech Hokies
Following an all-state high school career, Smith accepted an athletic scholarship to Virginia Tech. Known as “The Sack Man” at Virginia Tech, Smith finished his college career in 1984 as the most honored player in Hokie history. Foreshadowing his future success in pursuing quarterbacks in the NFL, he had a career total of 71 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, ... -
football team wins its first ACC title under coach Frank Beamer
In 2004: The football team joins the ACC conference and wins its first ACC title under coach Frank Beamer and features quarterback Bryan Randall. -
women’s soccer team reaches the NCAA College Cup
In 2010: The women’s soccer team reaches the NCAA College Cup for the first time under coach Chugger Adair and features forward Marika Gray. -
Hokies basketball team reaches the sweet sixteen
In 2019: The men’s basketball team reaches the Sweet Sixteen for the second time under coach Buzz Williams and features guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies are one of history's most successful college sports teams. They have won numerous NCAA championships, including two national football titles and three men’s basketball Final Four appearances. The Hokies have also had great success in other sports, such as soccer, baseball, softball, and track & field, with a notable rivalry against the Virginia Cavaliers.
The team was founded in 1892 when a group of students from Virginia Polytechnic Institute formed the school's first-ever intercollegiate athletic program – football. Since then, they've become one of the most dominant programs in college athletics, with multiple conference championships across all major sports over their long history. In addition to their impressive record on the field, they've also produced several notable coaches who went onto bigger things after leaving Blacksburg; Frank Beamer is perhaps the most famous example, which led them for 29 years before retiring following his induction into the College Football Hall Of Fame last year.
In recent years Virginia Tech has made waves by joining forces with ESPN to form an exclusive multimedia rights deal that will ensure fans can follow every step taken by their beloved team no matter where they are located around the world or what device they happen to be using at the time! This agreement ensures that everyone will get access to high-quality content related to VT Athletics, which should only help increase the fan base even further in the future generations come through doors at Lane Stadium/Cassell Coliseum to support this storied program each fall Saturday afternoon!
Sports Fan Products
