Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Virginia Tech for short, is a university in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, in the New River Valley of western Virginia near the Appalachian Mountains. Virginia Tech is best known for academic programs in agriculture, architecture, computer science, engineering, and veterinary medicine, and recently for the success of its football program.

Athletics

The school's sports teams are called the Hokies; the school's mascot is the Hokie Bird. They participate in the NCAA's Division I (I-A for football) and in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which the school joined in 2004 after leaving the Big East Conference.

Related Topics:
Hokies - Hokie Bird - NCAA - Football - Atlantic Coast Conference - 2004 - Big East Conference

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The word "Hokies," which originated from the Old Hokie spirit yell, is often used interchangeably with "Fighting Gobblers" to refer to the sports team, fans, students, or alumni, although the former is the official usage. The word "Hokies" originated in the 1890s; see Hokies for more information. The mascot is the Hokie Bird, a turkey-like creature. Originally the teams were known as the "Fighting Gobblers" and the turkey motif was retained despite the name change.

Related Topics:
Old Hokie - 1890s - Hokies - Turkey

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The stylized VT (the abbreviation for Virginia Tech) is used primarily by the athletic department as a symbol for Virginia Tech athletic teams. The "athletic VT" symbol is trademarked by the university, and appears frequently on licensed merchandise. The logo is available on the university's website http://www.unirel.vt.edu/funstuff/images/vtandwall1.html.

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Virginia Tech's fight song, which was created in 1919, is Tech Triumph. It remains in use today, although the Old Hokie spirit yell is more widely known.

Related Topics:
Fight song - 1919 - Tech Triumph - Old Hokie

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Virginia Tech has become a major power in college football in recent years. The Hokies currently have the fifth longest bowl streak in the country, having participated in bowl games each of the last 12 seasons. Head coach Frank Beamer has become one of the winningest currently active head coaches in Division I-A football (167 following the 2004 season).

Related Topics:
Frank Beamer - 2004

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In 2000, the Hokies played for the national championship at the Nokia Sugar Bowl against Florida State University. The 2002 and 2003 seasons started out well for the VT football team, but ended disappointingly.

Related Topics:
2000 - Nokia Sugar Bowl - Florida State University - 2002 - 2003

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In 2004, all Virginia Tech athletic teams moved from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference. After losing several top players to the NFL draft, graduation, and disciplinary action, few expected the football team to fare well. However, to the surprise of many college football viewers, the Hokies won the ACC championship and went on to play in the Nokia Sugar Bowl against Auburn University.

Related Topics:
2004 - Big East Conference - Atlantic Coast Conference - NFL - Nokia Sugar Bowl - Auburn University

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