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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer has been cleared by his doctors to coach in the Dec. 27 Military Bowl. However, his medical team will not allow him to travel with the team to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Beamer will join the team Friday, and is set to handle his game-day duties from the Tech coaching box at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

“The doctors stress that they really don’t want me exposed to a lot of people right now because of the risks of viruses and infection,” Beamer said. “I’m anxious for them to clear me for full activities, but, at the same time, I respect their orders. They allowed me to work with the staff, and perform office duties, then, I was cleared to return to the field for practices in Blacksburg. It felt great to be back with our players. So, it’s a bit of a process, and so far, the process is going well. I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers, and look forward to being with Hokie Nation in Annapolis.”

“I’m encouraged with Coach Beamer’s progress to this point,” Dr. Gunnar Brolinson, D.O., Head Team Physician, said. “His surgery will require follow-up treatments moving forward. Our goal right now is to get him back to full strength and back to his full routine. He’s really chomping at the bit, but it’s my job to ensure that we continue on the road to recovery and don’t do anything that will result in a setback. We’ve made a great deal of progress and it’s prudent to continue to proceed cautiously.”

In addition, Beamer finalized the Virginia Tech travel roster for the bowl game. Receiver Josh Stanford is not on the roster as Beamer announced that Stanford has permanently left the program. Also, return man/receiver Deon Newsome will not accompany the team to Annapolis due to his suspension for a violation of team rules. Players not with the team due to injuries are running back Marshawn Williams, defensive tackle Luther Maddy and linebacker Dahman McKinnon.

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