Alumni Weekend 2013

 

VIRGINIA TECH 35th ANNUAL MEN’S LACROSSE ALUMNI WEEKEND

4-6 May 2013

35 years of a bunch of old guys strapping it on in an attempt to exact a little glory from a bunch of youngsters who are frankly in better shape and whose skills are juuuust a bit better, just a bit.  It hasn’t all been for not though.  The buzzards have snuck up on the youngsters a couple of times over the years.  There was the game that wasn’t a “real” game as Joel likes to tell it because he wasn’t coaching the team in 1986 and of course it was the only alumni game Donnie Tillar played in, man that guy had game.  Then there’s the “no excuses, old timers manning up, nail biter, Thrilla in Manila” of 2010 where we took it to a pretty darn good Hokie squad and pulled it out 12-11.  The fact that we had 6 All Americans return for that one didn’t hurt either, just sayin.  And of course last year’s game we dropped in overtime against a Conference Champion, National Title contending Hokie team sporting a MCLA First Team AA Defender, Second Team AA Attack, and three other Third Team and HM AAs. We were THAT close to beating the SELC Champions!  Alas.  


(I had a really good picture of dinosaurs in VT Lacrosse uniforms but I couldn't figure out how to load it.)

 

So for those who haven’t kept up lately let’s review…1986 victory, check….2010 victory, check…and that’s pretty much it in 35 years.  We followed up the 2010 victory with a very forgettable effort in 2011, suffice to say it was the standard mauling but, last year, that stumbling train wreck of alumni blubber showed up for number 34 and fought to the verge, THE VERGE of victory!  We rallied back from about a 5 goal deficit scoring the tying goal with about a minute left to force overtime.  Sloths of VT Lax lore UNITE!  The pride was back, overtime, victory in the balance, hearts pounding with anticipation of…apparently giving up the face, watching them take it straight down the field and score. Matt Giannalli should have got the AH award for that one.  Man did THAT suck.  SO close, oh well.  We almost pulled it off twice in three years.  This year?  Depends on who shows.  A lot of you guys are playing old fart league and still got some serious game, we need ya.  If nothing else come back for a nostalgic stroll around the campus.  If you haven’t been back in while, well, let’s just say the place has undergone some “renovations” in the last decade or so.  See some old, familiar faces and catch up.  It’s well worth the time and financial investment.  You’re encouraged to bring family if it fits your plans.

  

Thanks to all of you who made the trip last year and a big thank you to all who provided financial support.  Without your generosity and support it gets harder for these guys to compete on a national level each year.  

Hotel 

Comfort Suites University said they can accommodate us and have offered a reduced rate at 95/night.  Its across the street from the old Red Lion Inn.  To get the rate remember to mention VT Alumni Lacrosse.

Weekend Activities

(Check the alumni site occasionally for potential updates and schedule changes)

 

Friday May 3th

Alumni Golf Tournament

o Start time: 1000 (normally, its flexible based on who wants to play and when you can get there)

o Where: Pete Dye River Course - Turn left just across the bridge past the arsenal. The new club house is open and it’s just gorgeous if you haven’t seen it yet.


Social Gathering

o Time: meet up between 9-10pm

o Where: It’s usually the River Mill Map Company Bar and Grill at 212 Draper Rd (540-951-2483) followed by a slow campus crawl if you still got it in you.  If you miss the start, look around in a few close by bars, we’re fairly easy to spot, the group usually gets bigger (and louder) as the night wears on.

Saturday May 4th

THE GAME

o 1:30 show time

o 2:15  George D Oberly MVP Trophy presentation

o 2:30 Game 

 

THE Banquet and Awards Ceremony

o Time: 6pm

o Where: University Center (at Otey and Wall St)

§ $50 is appreciated for each alumnus, friends of alumni and guests

§ $25 is appreciated for students and each guest (players and their guest are exempt)

§ Children 15 and younger are guests of the Alumni

§ Note:  All money collected is dedicated to defraying game and banquet costs

 

Support the Team

You don’t have to be a Rockefeller or a Bill Gates.  $10, $20, $50, whatever you can spare makes a difference.  As is the case every year, the team’s operating cost exceeds the funding provided by the university.  The financial burden of being one of the best programs in the country is steep, your help is needed.  The individual cost for each player is staggering, about $1500 per year and if the team earns an invitation to the MCLA National Championships, the cost is well over $2000 per player.  These are true student athletes, competing without the benefit of athletic department support.  Even if you can’t attend this year, please consider contributing to the program’s general operating fund, every little bit helps. Your donations go a long way to helping these student athletes continue to compete at the highest level.  Your support is greatly appreciated by the coaches and players.  Please send your tax deductible donations to:

Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc

210 Pack Building

Blacksburg, VA 24061

 

(Make checks payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, AND please annotate “VT Men’s Lacrosse Team” in the note/remark space on your check to ensure it is routed properly.)

  

Ensure the Legacy

Still looking for old Hokie lax material for the archives and well, we always will be.  So there’s an open invitation to send any and all Hokie lacrosse articles and pictures for inclusion (pictures, articles, flyers, programs, rosters, etc).  As always, softcopy is preferred but not required.  If you have something in original form (not electrons), we’ll happily accept those and return the original if you desire but scanning and sending is probably the better idea.  If you have pictures of past t-shirts please send those in (front and back if you can).  We have 86, 90, 91, 93, 94, 98, 2000, and 08.  Not much, but a start.  You can also post them to the team FB page or website and we’ll grab them down.


As usual, if you discover any errors on the alumni site, let us know.  Some have email address but no name on the site.  If you would, make sure that your name and email are included and current.  We’re stepping into the 21st century with the Alumni letter and will link to it via an email.  The Official Alumni email address is vtlaxalumni@gmail.com.  So if you see it, it’s not spam.  If you prefer snail mail ensure your profile includes it and we’ll lick some stamps.

 

Thanks to those who’ve supported these events with your presence and your donations.  Remember you don’t have to play to attend.  We’re on the 35th Alumni weekend and counting thanks to all of you.  The fact that we’ve been holding these without interruption for over 30 years is a testament to you, our alumni.  Look forward to seeing you there but, if you have a scheduling conflict and can’t make it, please consider a donation.  Hope to see all of you on May 4th.  Go Hokies!

 

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Alumni Website - http://www.lacrosse.org.vt.edu/alumni/?q=node/1