Whit Babcock Delivers Christmas Gift For HokieNation

Ho, Ho, Ho, hold off on that East Carolina series.

Christmas came early this year, and a beardless, tall, slender man put the present under the tree for the Virginia Tech faithful. Whit Babcock yanked all future road games against East Carolina off the Hokies' football schedule. This was a brilliant move, for a couple of reasons.

1. It added a seventh home game to the 2019 schedule. The 2019 home schedule is weak (Furman, Old Dominion, Duke, North Carolina, Pitt, and Wake Forest). That's due to the odd-year flip-flop of ACC games, plus lack of a marquee non-conference game in Lane Stadium (and I expect ECU's replacement to be a sleeper, but that doesn't matter). Wake Forest is a solid rotational matchup, but not a headliner. Babcock tried to make up for quality with quantity. And at this stage in the game, it's a shrewd move to make season ticket packages more appealing.

2. The series was stale, and 100% of Virginia Tech fans wanted to see it end (+/- 1% error). The two programs played 21 times since 1987, and every year except 2012 from 2007 through 2017. The Hokies were scheduled to face the Pirates six times over the next seven seasons. And even though the home games against the Pirates remain the schedule, Babcock was playing chess.

Now the ball is in East Carolina's court. Its new athletic director, Jon Gilbert, made public comments about the significance of the series.

"We have talked and it's an important series," Gilbert said of communicating with the Hokies. "It's a series East Carolina has had back to 1956. The teams go back and forth. We travel well there. They travel well here. It's a good regional game. I think it is important. We want to be good partners and we want to make it work."

It became less of a partnership this past season when ECU made a unilateral decision and announcement to cancel the 2018 contest.

Either the Pirates travel to Blacksburg and Virginia Tech benefits from a home-only series against a G5 program (I hear the "big dogs" barking), or the Pirates walk away from the table and Tech schedules fresher, possibly more desirable, non-conference matchups. Both outcomes are beneficial for the Hokies.


I suspect ECU will opt out of those home games but wait until the last minute before fines set in, to do it, to try and keep VT from scheduling the best opponents possible.

This is going to be great for the ACC.

If they wait to the last minute to reschedule, they'll also be in a bind to reschedule the games when they want them. Plus, if they keep screwing around we'll NEVER play them again.

I see no reason for a feud, but adjustments will need to be made.

Valid concern, but I think with this move if Whit catches so much as the scent of this being a possibility he'll drop the games immediately.


Of course, that idea has been floated on the ECU board.

Problem is that screws ECU up too. If they pull that move, they're not likely to get a decent last-minute replacement either, and it also hurts their reputation for scheduling anyone moving forward.

Yeah I'm sure we'd totally be screwed trying to find someone of ECUs quality to fill that kind of slot. And I'm sure other P5 programs won't be paying attention to how they managed to keep fucking over a P5 program for their own gains. I'm sure others would totally be willing to schedule at ECU for the effort going forward.

I'd love for them to continue going down the petty path. They're the ones in need of the handout, not us.


over at r/cfb, they have delusional fans saying things like they will attract "big" games now

the whole directional carolina horde has gone full-on baghdad bob

I been here since day 0.

How were they unable to attract "big" games with us on the schedule?

I don't think ECU will play any nasty games here. Either through incompetence or miscalculation, and probably due to the absence of an AD, they have already screwed up once. If they play any more nasty tricks they will be blackballed.



Ha ha yes. Whit is publicly saying the right things but we all know what ECU did was calculated. A stupid miscalculation. But calculated nevertheless


Now we just gotta figure out a way to get him to drop the Liberty series. God I hate that school.

"God I hate that school"

I see what you did there... I think He (or She) does too.

I concur. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, didn't Whit have a major role in scheduling Liberty and ODU?


Weaver originally scheduled ECU, but Whit added more games. Whit scheduled Liberty.

And contrary to the "hatin' on Liberty" crowd here, scheduling Liberty was the right call from a football perspective. I've always thought that scheduling additional ECU games was too much, because we already had ECU fatigue at that point.


Any idea on ODU?


Whit scheduled ODU, and I think his logic was pretty sound there, too.

Our performance against them this year wasn't Whit's fault, and normally that game should have been good for recruiting...

As we can see plainly, regardless of the metric you want to use that these games against ECU/CUSA teams do not help recruiting one bit. Zilch. nada. Especially when you lose the games.

I see his thought process, I guess I'm just not a fan of these super long series. Perhaps he wants to take the money where he can get it.


Me being the shady and petty person I am looking at Whit now.

FAM! Way to go Whit!

“I'm addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn't matter”~steven wright

Just dropped $100 into the Hokieclub for this.



Dear ECU

Hope the double dip on game checks this year was worth it. You had one of the best scheduling agreements that any G5 team had and you pissed it away for a short term gain.

Bye, bitches


Even more enjoyable right now is going to Boneyard Banter to see the outright vitriol being spewed toward Whit after those same people went on the offensive toward us after the game was cancelled. Their reaction was a big part of why this thing soured and now they're livid they have to sleep in this bed they made.

God, just inject today into my veins.


"Vagina Tech." Good one pirates...


In all honesty we should have moved on from the series regardless. To say it was a stale series is an understatement. I read some of their fans comments. What they dont seem to realize is that college football is basically just a business. They made a business decision that negatively impacted us after we gave them a permanent P5 opponent. It was time for everyone to move on. Their fan base needs to be more reasoned.

And they keep throwing 2007 at us, acting all high and mighty about that, not realizing that it all came down to the luck of the draw being the first team on the schedule that year.

I know, I can't stand them using that. There is UVA-level butt hurt going on over there. You made a really dumb string of decisions and now you're paying for it. I admittedly gave them the benefit of the doubt when the game was first called but after the way they handled the whole situation I couldn't be more happy we're done with those petty Pirates. The booty is all ours, bitches. ARGHHHHH


In the spirit of Christmas, I have this assessment of ECU:
ECU uses 2007 like Danny Kaye used his arm in White Christmas. They did something nice in a time of need. While most decent people would have done the exact same thing in the same situations, they used their "heroics" to get their way.

2 time Longwood grad married to a Hokie.


It is Christmas morning; the presents have been opened; we are watching White Christmas at this very moment; and, I kid you not, Danny Kay just used the old-war-wound-I-got-saving-you on Bing Crosby.

Merry Christmas to all my Hokie family.

Ut Prosim Ad Dei Gloriam

Eh doesn't have quite the same ring as the "Virgina Tech" on the cover of my freshman engineering textbook in 2010

That was excellent. They tried to give us stickers to cover it and correct it. No one in my class used them.


I'm a man of my word. Donated $150 to the scholarship fund 20 min ago.

Antonio..... No no too sexy!


I'm going to go with +1% error.

Yep, i came here to quote this as well
I am 800% committed to this series ending.
Merry Christmas Hokie Nation!

Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!



I really hope we schedule lower tier P5 programs instead of these group of five teams, I always enjoy playing teams like Indiana or a Oregon st. If we're gonna play weak times I'm happy to trade fcs or group of 5 teams (there's only a handful actually worth the potential loss) for lower tier P5 teams.


The problem is that some of those lower tier P5 schools would like to make a bowl too and G5 is a better option for them than VT.

I donated $250, its what Beamer would have wanted!


Waho's suck
Uva swallows

So we gonna do a home and home with UCF? Good excuse for a "Disney" trip for the wife and daughters...

TKPhi Damn Proud
BSME 2009

That's a real Goode idea

You are a beautiful, beautiful Hokie there, AZ.

Well played, but is he really ready for Heupel's workouts? If he thought Fuente was tough, he hasn't worked out for Heupel

TKPhi Damn Proud
BSME 2009

I'm guessing the UCF coaches had that conversation with him before making a committable offer, and he assured them that he realizes he screwed up and it won't happen again. No coach wants to deal with that.

Hell yesssssss!!!

Yikes, so two FCS games in one season?

They're just fillers.

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Yeah. It's just the preseason anyway.


Fillers as in we are going to replace them come next season with another team?

While, I too, was getting tired of ECU, I'm not thrilled about having 2 FCS foes in one year. If we're gonna do that, bring in North Dakota State or another FCS top-5 program. We only get so many games per year. If we're going to schedule "tune-up" games, we might as well make them worthy opponents, so we get some valuable experience from it. I'm sure a lot of folks will point to NDSU's record of success against FBS teams and argue that we don't want to play a game we might lose, but who cares? We can only count one FCS win toward bowl eligibility anyway. Let's get the best possible opponent in here.

― John Madden (describing VT's offense?)

I agree with everything you say, but would still rather play an FCS team at home than travel to ECU.

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

If I were Whit I'd see if UNC Charlotte would be up for a 2-1 to replace ECU.

Though I'm happy with whatever FCS team we play in the meantime.


Well done, Whit

VT '10, Born & Raised in the 804.
Rockin the Bakken.

The final horcrux of Jim Weaver


Damn, you #SAVAGE

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It's Time to go to Work

I wonder if W&M is available. I'd love to put TimeCop in his place right away.

THIS is how it's done.

Virginia Tech and ECU are NOT peer football programs.

What that basically means is that ECU over played their hand. That is because playing ECU has ZERO value to Virginia Tech as a program. Therefore, Virginia Tech has ZERO incentive to be overly accommodating.

Sometimes programs and their ADs need a reality check. I feel for the new AD.

I feel for the new AD.

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I feel for the new AD.

I gave a leg, instead of a down vote, but I 100% disagree with this. I don't feel for him at all. He was hired in 3 weeks ago. He should have gotten an honest assessment of the situation and realized that a poor decision was made and been VERY accommodating, if he wanted to keep the series. Neutral site for 2019, to keep the series wasn't an over the top demand.

I appreciate the leg, but what's to downvote?

As a general reminder to all of us: From COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Turkey legs are a delicious, sobering, slab of meat on a stick. They're also The Key Play's karma currency and moderation mechanism.

Members can award them to each other by upvoting comments and forum topics. If someone posts a funny picture, witty reply, good statistic, something you like etc..., then upvoted and give them a turkey leg. Conversely, if someone flames, wages a personal attack or doesn't follow the community guidelines, then downvote. Do not downvote for disagreeing with someone's opinion. In general, upvote more often than you downvote.

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It was kind of intended as a joke but definitely not a good one.

I do in fact understand the purpose of down votes. I don't think that I've given more than 5 down votes in the time that I've been on TKP.

Oh. My bad.

I very rarely downvote as well. Probably about the same number as you have.

You didn't understand a joke? That's a downvote.


Yeah, but let's be honest, those guidelines aren't followed to the T on here and folks get carried away.

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Probably because Georgia Tech stole it.

Is it too late to get in one more Fuck Paul Johnson?

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

I rarely downvote anyone but I should probably read the rules more often. Thanks for this timely information

"Hamdog is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life"....Brian Carson from the Internet(s)

I haven't read everything there is about this whole deal but it seemed like he realized his predecessor pooped the bed and he tried to fix it but there was too much damage done.

Absolutely agree.

There is very little you can do as a new AD at this point. He was likely in the dark about all the real details about what happened until after the ink was dry on the contract. Now, if he backs out, he's the bad guy and in breach of contract. In reality there is very little recourse he would have. For the most part all that information is considered confidential and he wouldn't be entitled to it prior to hiring on (regardless of what NDAs have been signed).

whit babcock, presumably definitely

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lol they got their beat writers spinning this more than a dreidel . they fucked up when they hired ruffin the scab, fucked up even worse when they fired him, and now this. i think they are now realizing that they are a directional backup school with a mickey mouse athletic program.

at least loluva has a good underwater basketweaving program

I been here since day 0.

Whit with the check-raise! Only cancelling the away games was even more of an F you than if he cancelled the series altogether IMO.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!


Well, technically speaking, a president precedent was set that the visiting team can cancel with no penalty. I'm guessing that this isn't just a troll attempt, but the fact that it would be very tough for ECU to claim damages, when the didn't pay VT damages.


Thank you. I'm not sure where my mind was.

Sep 15th in Blacksburg.

After further review, I'd like to add this to the discussion:

Based on their fan reactions, good riddance!! They've clearly been drinking the tainted rum!


Can't believe this hasn't been stated yet, but...

And a Merry Christmas to all the Hokies! Whit

Damn, yesterday was one of the GREATEST days EVER!

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Now that we've dealt with ECU, how about that Nike deal?


It runs until June 2022 but I'm willing to bet it's on Whit's radar

VB born, class of '14

no reason for a feud

I say bring it on Hatfield style!


So it's a slow work day, I went through a bunch of the power schools' schedules and figured out that Houston has an open slot for 2019 (Link Here). I think this is our best shot of filling the slot with a quality opponent without having a school break an existing game to come to play us.

I also think it would be ironic to have a better AAC program to come play us instead of ECU....akin to breaking up with a girl and then start dating her younger, hotter cousin.

I'd also be down if a power 5 school broke an existing game to either come to Lane or have a neutral site game in FedEx.

No more games at FedEx.

It's Time to go to Work

I feel kinda split on this. On the one hand, we have an abysmal record there (1-3), plus I don't wanna send anymore fundage to one Dan Snyder. On the other side of the coin, the one game we DID win there was a key moment (WVU) & very tormenting for them. Fuente finally got that monkey off our back (& he's been systematically doing that at most of NFL venues we've played at).

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I don't care about the superstitious aspect. The parking is a disaster and the stadium isn't nice. The obstructed veiw seats are horrendous. Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is a far superior venue. If you want a neutral site game close by do it there.

It's Time to go to Work

Meh, sorry to be that person, but it's not close to: NOVA, Central or Tidewater VA. M&T Bank is newer than both DeadEx & BoA.

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I have never been to M&T Bank stadium so I don't know if it is nice or not but Charlotte as a location is nicer than Baltimore . Close is a relative term and Charlotte is close relative to the other common neutral sight options in Georgia and Florida. I'm not aware of any neutral site games hosted at M&T Bank Stadium.

It's Time to go to Work

I believe they've hosted the 112th meeting between Army v Navy, as well as a few Maryland games.

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M&T Bank Stadium is a good spot. Good stadium, good tailgating atmosphere, tons of parking options, and its walking distance to my house

1) Don't ever disagree with the Bunk
2) Would Maryland be willing to bump Howard or Navy be willing to bump Holy Cross to have a "neutral site" game at M&T?

Between Charlotte, the Triad, and the Triangle, NC has a huge alumni presence. Not everything had to be in NOVA for it to be predominantly Hokie.


I know & I wasn't implying that (I am all about that #NC2VT). I believe it should be distributed equally.

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So if you're wanting to distribute it, play a game in Charlotte. Off the top of my head, we have played in FedEx 4 times (USC, Boise, Cinci, WVU) and in Charlotte once (ECU). But that ECU game was a ECU home game moved and was actually a ECU home game in everything but location for everyone who was there.

Let us host a game or two in Charlotte, and let the NC alumni have their fun.


We just need to play in more ACC Championship games if we want to play in Charlotte - or the Belk Bowl.

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

Ah, see I was counting the total number of games played (sans bowl) in Charlotte.

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See I don't like counting the ACC Championship game as a VT neutral site. When we play against Clemson, which we did the last 2 times, we're easily outnumbered 2 to 1 and it might as well be a road game. And those bowl games you only have a couple weeks to plan for, and unless its NY6 or playoff, attendance in any bowl struggles.

Give me a neutral site in Charlotte that is announced a year or two in advance giving us time to plan for it, and it'll be great for our alumni and fans. And really, its so much better of a venue than FedEx, we really should try and do that more often.


While I agree that Charlotte is a better quality than DeadEx (especially because Snyder isn't involved), it's still not a favorable location for the alumni based in Nova, MD, Central & Tidewater VA. And I'd be willing to gander that those are where the bulk of the alumni & fan base resides (in comparison & with respect to the awesome fanbase holding & locking it down in Carolina).

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And concentrating only on Nova and the 757 is a great way to make the NC alumni feel forgotten and ignored to the point where they don't feel bothered to donate anymore.

Last year, for the Duke game, despite having about 300 in an alumni event next to Wallace Wade, Whit didn't bother to make an appearance for us as he had the 2 or 3 previous games in Duke, all of which also had the same event in the same venue. Later found out Whit was at the game, so it was an intentional decision to not show up. And it wasn't for lack of reaching out on the organizer's part.

Its great that we're making inroads in places like the 757, but don't rob Peter to pay Paul. You have to keep the outreach going everywhere, and they're majorly dropping the ball in some of our largest non-VA bases lately. Raleigh has been essentially forgotten the last year, and our alumni base is one of the 2 or 3 largest outside Virginia/NoVa.


Alright in terms of Whit making appearances or not, that's definitely & absolutely something I have zero control over. But I believe I have an equitable solution: all the fanbase in VA advocate and impress upon Whit to make his appearances to the NC fanbase (as well as scheduling an additional non-bowl, non conference champ game in Charlotte), while the NC fanbase impress upon Whit to schedule a separate game for M&T. There, problem solved. Everybody looking out for everyone.

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But that ECU game was a ECU home game moved

I'm pretty sure the neutral site was part of the original deal. We played in Blacksburg the previous year and in Greenville the following year.

And it may have been, but that was no neutral site game. ECU's PA was calling everything for the in-stadium audience. They used the standard ECU in-game presentation for all sounds and animations on the scoreboard. They hyped the crowd on 3rd downs when we were on offense, and didn't return the favor when we were on defense. It was every bit the one sided shitshow we saw in Bristol.


Bristol sucked. And I used to like Lee Greenwood...