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BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech football team announced plans for its uniform combinations for the team’s final two regular season games. Based on feedback from Hokies’ student-athletes, head coach Frank Beamer has blessed his players’ wishes to wear a black helmet and uniform combination for Saturday’s game vs. North Carolina. Beamer has also approved the team’s desire to wear a retro road look for Beamer’s final regular-season game at Virginia on Nov. 28. That maroon helmet, white jersey and white pants combination will replicate the Hokies’ road look from Beamer’s inaugural season as Virginia Tech’s head coach in 1987.

“My goals for these player have been the same for decades,” Beamer said. “I want them to get a quality education, have a positive experience and mature as people in our program. This has been a very responsible group that has worked extrememly hard. They haven’t asked me for one thing this season. When they approached me and asked to wear the black uniforms for our final home game, I had no problem with it. If it makes it more fun for them, I’m good with it.”

Saturday’s game will mark Beamer’s 180th and final game on the sideline of Lane Stadium as Virginia Tech’s head coach. Several team leaders expressed their logic for wearning the black uniforms with orange numerals in Beamer’s home finale. The black helmets will feature the VT logo on one side with No. 25 that Beamer wore as a player in orange on the other side.

“We’ve been waiting all season for a chance to wear these uniforms,” defensive end Ken Ekanem said. “This is a perfect time. They’re special uniforms, and with this being Coach Beamer’s final home game it’s going to be a special day.”

“The look is pretty awesome,” fullback Sam Rogers added. “The guys like it and the team is pretty excited about it.”

More Details On Commemorative Logo and Apparel

In addition to the uniform combinations for the remainder of the season, the team will also continue wearing commemorative helmet decals that it debuted last week at Georgia Tech. The logo recalls and iconic shot of Coach Beamer after an on-field celebration following a 38-14 win at Lane Stadium on Nov. 26, 1999, that capped a perfect 11-0 regular season. That victory sent Virginia Tech to a national championship tilt against Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.

The seven stars on the logo depict each of the seven conference championships (4 ACC, 3 Big East) that Virginia Tech has claimed during Beamer’s tenure. Beamer’s No. 25 is already retired at Virginia Tech, but as an additional homage to the legendary coach, the 25-yard lines will receive symbolic treatment for Saturday’s game. Additionally, Beamer’s signature will also appear on Worsham Field.

A commemorative line of apparel and items featuring the logo is available through the University Bookstore and partner outlets. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will benefit Beamer’s charity, Herma’s Readers, named in honor of Beamer’s late mother, who was a teacher. The program has distributed over 100,000 new and used books across Virginia and has raised $145,000 for the purchase of additional books.

Saturday’s game also marks the 19th annual Hokies For the Hungry Food Drive. Sponsored by Tech’s Marching Virginians and the New Life Christian Fellowship in Blacksburg, the goal for this year’s event is to collect 65,632 cans of food, or one can from every seat in the stadium. Senior running back J.C. Coleman is the honorary chairman of the event.

“This time of year provides a wonderful opportunity to share and help provide for the less fortunate families and individuals throughout the region,” Coleman said. “It is my hope that Virginia Tech and North Carolina fans will find it in their hearts to share and donate towards an exceptional cause during this special time of year.”

All donated items will be distributed via the Montgomery County Christmas Store in Christiansburg, a non-profit organization that provides holiday shopping opportunities and food items for income-qualified residents. Fans of both teams will see drop-off locations for non-perishable goods at locations around Lane Stadium.

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