The Shopper Director of Sports Information Heather Ireland couldn't resist a picture with so much VT football spirit! Fletcher Bryant of Main Street Inn, a silver sponsor, had just the shirt to wear to the event.

The Shopper Public Relations Executive Dr. Glenn Fritz ran into old friends at the event. From left: Glenn Fritz, Linda Foster, and James Foster.

The emcee of the night as well as the uncontested

A big-time college football fan herself, The Shopper Director of Sports Information Heather Ireland was well aware of what an honor it was to meet Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer. Coach Beamer is the winningest active coach in the FBS and has enjoyed unprecedented success with 21 consecutive bowl appearances, four ACC titles, five ACC Coastal Division crowns, three Big East Conference titles, six BCS appearances, and a trip to the national championship game. Wow!

Many highly coveted Hokie items were up for bid at the silent auction. For those not lucky enough to come away with a win, there was plenty of merchandise to buy as a consolation prize.

The Shopper Public Relations Executive Dr. Glenn Fritz, left, welcomed the newest addition to the Virginia Tech athletic staff: Kevin Jones, former football standout at both Tech and in the NFL, now working as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director

Virginia Tech fans were all thrilled to get the chance to meet the headliners and even get autographs. From left: VMI graduate James Foster with wife Linda (Hokie football season ticket holder), The Shopper Public Relations Executive Dr. Glenn Fritz, and long-time Virginia Tech Network Analyst Mike Burnop.

From left: Senior Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics Lu Merritt was happy to make his way to Hampton Roads for the event to meet with Hokie fans like Terry Forehand and Mac Duke

Getting excited talking about the upcoming football season, these alumni confirmed it's hard to beat an autumn game in Blacksburg. From left: Ed Moore, Tidewater Hokie Club Rep Ed Collins, and Robert Kelley.

From left: Gold Sponsor Piedmont Fabrication's Mike Pace with Poole Mahoney PC's Bert Poole. Bert is also the President of the Princess Anne Town Center Rotary Club.

All smiles as the social hour continues! From left: Retired Chesapeake Public School Teacher Nancy Winborne, husband Platinum Sponsor Clark Nexsen's Tom Winborne, and Retired Chesapeake Public School Teacher Mary Benn Failes.

From left: Future Hokie Justin Tidaback, Jim Richards, and his wife Linda

Reconnecting with Hokie friends continued even as those in attendance made their way to assigned tables. From left: Jim Chapman, a Partner at Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, PLC, his wife Sue, and Joe Donnelly.

Virginia Tech Network Analyst Mike Burnop had his own fan section in the crowd in the form of his family. From left: sister-in-law Jean Burnop, brother Bob Burnop, niece Kim Burnop, and Mike Burnop.

Everyone took pride in showing off their school spirit at the event, and these alumni were no exception. From left: YMCA of South Hampton Roads Board Chair Walter Potter, Land of Promise Farms Marketing Manager Shane Horsley, and Rose & Womble Realtor Donn Irby.

Tidewater Hokie Club was able to hand over a check for $32,500 to the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund as part of its $100,000 pledge toward the football locker rooms in the new facility. From left: Tidewater Hokie Club Reps Nick Moore of TowneBank, Dare Query of The Virginian Pilot, and Senior Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics Lu Merritt.

From left: Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock and Virginia Tech 16th President Dr. Timothy D. Sands, both recent hires for the school, sat down with the

Tidewater Hokie Club Rep Meredith King showcased the Virginia Tech Logan Thomas jersey and Virginia Tech football helmet signed by Coach Beamer put up for auction during the program

A lot of good-natured ribbing occurred throughout the night at the expense of alumni from other colleges, but none more so than the University of Virginia. Tech Head Coach Frank Beamer, left, and Bill Roth poked a little fun at UVA alumni in the crowd.

A common theme of the night was the Hokie tradition spanning several generations, and the Lampert family is no exception, all alumni of Virginia Tech. From left: Mass Mutual Financial Group's Zach Lampert, with Kenny Lampert and Ken Lampert, also of Mass Mutual. Ken Lampert is also known for his work as the Head Track & Field Coach for Norfolk Academy.

All the headliners for the event were very accessible to the faithful Hokie supporters in attendance. Virginia Tech's recently appointed Director of Athletics Whit Babcock, left, took the opportunity to chat with HRUHCA Executive Director Jim Stepahin.

From left: Silver Sponsor HBA Architecture & Interior Design's Mike Molzahn, Gold Sponsor MEB General Contractor's Tom O'Grady, and Rockville Development's Andy McCullough, who won the auctioned Virginia Tech signed football helmet

One of the longest-running college sports broadcasting teams, having worked together since 1998, and you can look at their faces and just know they still love what they do. From left: Virginia Tech Network Analyst Mike Burnop with Virginia Tech Lead Play-by-Play Broadcaster Bill Roth.

The Shopper Public Relations Executive Dr. Glenn Fritz, left, with Steve Philbrick of Philbrick, Inc.

Tidewater Hokie Club President Steve Henderson could not have been much happier with the night's success. Steve Henderson, left, with alumnus Ed Moore.