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Throughout preseason football camp, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications Rachel Perreault will take you on a behind-the-scenes look at different aspects of the football program that go beyond the practice field. In today’s 13th installment, she takes a look at the team's service project: helping with freshman move-in.

With the final days of camp approaching, the football team made time for a service project earlier today, helping the campus newcomers move into their new dorms. Annually, the squad takes the day after its second preseason scrimmage to assist the freshmen on their move-in day. Since the team doesn’t practice the day after a scrimmage, the coaches still put the players to work, while also getting them out in the community.

Freshmen move-in began yesterday as the campus again became busy with many families and new faces swarming campus like a football game day. The process will continue this weekend, but those who moved in today got a special surprise when they made their way down Washington Street in search of a place to pull over and unload.

In an attempt to get the players motivated to move, the team had a cook-out in the lounge before meeting and heading out to Washington Street. Broken up into groups of 12 or 13, the players were assigned to a coach and a dorm along one of campus’ busiest streets. Remaining a united group, the team wore white T-shirts with this year’s slogan “Complete Control.

If there was an MVP awarded today it would have gone to freshman corner Donaldven Manning. Manning was never stationary during the hour the team spent out on Washington Street. Requesting to take care of the heavier items for the newcomers and their families, Manning was also seen rushing to those with loads and climbing over railings to relieve the new students of the cargo they carried.

With local TV cameras around to talk to Head Coach Frank Beamer as well as the players and new students, they likely caught some footage of some of the day’s other eager beavers. Earning All-First Team honors for their work today, along with Manning, were Trey Edmunds, Alston Smith, Davion Tookes and Joshua Stanford.

Overall, the freshman class was the most eager to help out but everyone was putting in some work, even the graduate assistants and coaches. It’s a warm, sunny day in Blacksburg today, so while some players chose to take a break in the shade, others were never out of the sun. Redshirt junior Tony Gregory, like many of the upperclassmen, is not one for heavy lifting. With his counterparts volunteering first to carry the pillows, Gregory spent most of his time directing traffic and helping keep his teammates safe while they crossed the street with full hands.

It is a hectic day on campus today, but the excitement is back in town. The students will begin the fall semester on Monday, and one week from then, the Hokies will hit Worsham Field inside Lane Stadium and kick off the season. Expecting a full stadium for the evening opener, the squad hopes these newcomers and their families will return the favor and come support them on Labor Day night.

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