Frank Beamer to be honored as Sun Bowl Legend

Legendary Tech coach guided Hokies to bowl berths in his final 23 sasons

December 1, 2017

EL PASO, Texas – The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai have announced on Thursday, Nov. 30 that former Virginia Tech player and head coach Frank Beamer and the CBS Network are the 2017 Legends of the Sun Bowl for the 84th Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl.

Frank Beamer retired from Virginia Tech in 2015 with an impressive record of 238-121-2 at his alma mater. Virginia Tech found plenty of success under Beamer as it made 23 consecutive bowl appearances, including an appearance in the 80th Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl in 2013. The Hokies have since extended that streak to 25 consecutive seasons, the longest active bowl streak in the nation and the third-longest in NCAA history.

"It was an honor for Virginia Tech, our football program and myself to participate in the Sun Bowl,” Beamer said. “I am also honored to be inducted as a Legend of the Sun Bowl Association."

While at the helm for Virginia Tech, Beamer led the charge helping his team to post 23 straight seasons of seven or more wins in school history. He also guided his team to the National Championship Game in 2000 against Florida State. Beamer helped the Hokies to become one of only six programs in college football history to go to a bowl in at least 20 straight years (Nebraska, Michigan, Florida State, Alabama, Virginia Tech and Florida).

Beamer also helped his team compile a school-record streak in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at 84 consecutive weeks. His team also earned seven conference titles and eight “major” bowl bids in a 23-year span. Including his tenure at Murray State from 1981-86, he finished his illustrious career with 280 head coaching victories.

“Hosting Mr. Frank Beamer and his team in 2013 was such an honor and pleasure,” said Executive Director of the Hyundai Sun Bowl Bernie Olivas. “We extremely excited to have Coach Beamer back in El Paso and talking with him, we know he is excited to come visit the Borderland.”

Beamer was appointed to the College Football Playoff selection committee in 2017 and also received the Neyland Trophy for his contributions to the game. He was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and was voted the Coach of the Decade in the BIG EAST Conference in 2000. He guided his alma mater to four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, five ACC Coastal Division crowns, three BIG EAST Conference titles, six BCS appearances, two "major" bowl victories. Including his tenure at Murray State from 1981-86, he finished his illustrious career with 280 head coaching victories.

Beamer continues to serve Virginia Tech as an ambassador for athletics and the spokesperson for the Drive for 25 campaign that seeks to increase membership in the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund (aka the “Hokie Club”) to 25,000 members.

The Sun Bowl Association is also inducting CBS as a Sun Bowl Legend this year in accordance with the 50-year celebration and partnership.

CBS Sports will bring viewers all the color, artistry and drama inherent to the nation’s second-oldest bowl game with live coverage of the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29 (3 p.m. ET; 1 p.m. MT). The game features select teams from the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) and the Pac-12.

For updates on Virginia Tech football, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Football and on Instagram @HokiesFB