One of the greatest parts of the college experience is sporting events.
In 2008-09, the school saw one of its finest years ever across the board in its 23 varsity sports.
This is a quick review of that success.
Baseball
The baseball team finished with its best record in a decade, at 32-21. They ended the season with a series victory at home over in-state rival Virginia, which went on to make the College World Series.
Basketball
The men's basketball team finished 19-15, nearly knocking off eventual national champion North Carolina in the ACC tournament quarterfinals. The Hokies advanced to the second round of the NIT, before falling to Baylor at home. Next year the Hokies return four starters, including third-team All-ACC guard Malcolm Delaney, who averaged 18.1 points per game in his sophomore campaign.
The women's basketball team finished 12-18 on the season. Despite the losing record, they finished above .500 in Cassell Coliseum, where they finished 9-7.
Cross Country
The men's cross country team finished third in the ACC, while the women finished seventh. Senior women's runner Tasmin Fanning finished third at the NCAA championships in November 2008, the highest finish ever in the school's history.
Football
The nationally renowned football team won its second consecutive ACC championship when it defeated Boston College in Jacksonville, 30-12. It went on to the Orange Bowl, where it took down 12th-ranked Cincinnati 20-7. Coach Frank Beamer's squad returns virtually every key skill position player from that team, and with Bud Foster coaching the defense, expectations are as high as ever for the program in 2009. Tech opens the season on September 5 in Atlanta against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Golf
Jay Hardwick has built a stable golf program at Tech, and last year's squad was led by Drew Weaver, a third-team All-American. The Hokies finished 12th at the NCAA Austin Regional, where Weaver finished tied for 12th individually. Sophomore Marshall Bailey is the top returning Hokie, with a 73.5 scoring average in 2009.
Lacrosse
The women's lacrosse program wrapped up one of its best seasons as a varsity program, going 7-10. The team notched its first ACC win since joining the conference on March 14, when it beat Boston College 16-14 in overtime.
Soccer
After reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2007, the men's soccer program fell to 5-13-1 in 2008, and failed to win a conference game. Six of the 15 losses came by one goal. In early June, coach Oliver Weiss resigned after seven seasons at the helm of the program.
The women's soccer team enjoyed a 10-9-4 season, including a 4-4-2 record in conference play. It fell in the ACC Championship game to No. 4 UNC, 3-0. It earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, but it fell to Brigham Young University in the first round, 2-0.
Softball
After enjoying the best season in the program's short history of 15 years, coach Scot Thomas and the softball team followed up the 2007-08 season with a 28-28-record season. Outfielder Jenna Rhodes was named an All-American, and led the team to the ACC semifinals, when they fell to Georgia Tech, 14-4.
The Hokies suffered the loss of many players to injury throughout the season, and expect another deep run in the postseason in 2010.
Tennis
The men's tennis team made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to No. 4 Georgia 4-1.
Yoann Re qualified for the individual NCAA tournament, where Dennis Nevolo of Illinois defeated him, 2-0.
Track and Field
The outdoor track and field programs saw immense success in 2009, with 8 athletes qualifying for nationals.
Kristi Castlin won the NCAA Regional Championship in the 100-meter hurdles, and hammer thrower Dorotea Habazin was named Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year.
Volleyball
The volleyball program finished 20-11. At one point it was 14-2, and won seven of its first eight conference matches.