Andy Bitter

1 week ago | virginiatech.sportswar.com | Andy Bitter

We interrupt this welcome moment of Blacksburg basketball optimism to bring you a summer Virginia Tech mailbag. To the questions! What’s worse fan behavior — harsh criticism or blind loyalty? — Baltimore HokieWe’re at a point in the offseason where on-field happenings feel so far away, either looking back to the spring or in the future in August, that it’s a good time to tackle the pressing philosophical questions about sports — and this is a good one.

3 weeks ago | virginiatech.sportswar.com | Andy Bitter

Bhayshul Tuten had no expectations on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, so he planned travel for that day, flying back to Blacksburg in anticipation of his big moment that weekend. Some buzz remained on Day 2, however. The Virginia Tech running back had a few projections in that range, with several teams calling his agent to show interest, so he watched casually, gathered with friends and family at his house but not zeroed in on the TV. By the end of the third round, however, he hadn’t heard his name called.

1 month ago | virginiatech.sportswar.com | Andy Bitter

We’ve reached the start of peak offseason, where we all argue about postseason formats and the virtues of an eight- or nine-game schedule before a realignment rumor sustains us for a couple of weeks. To wit, our opening question this week is about the College Football Playoff:If you had an NCAA football magic wand, what would you make the playoff look like? Format, number of teams, seeding, automatic qualifiers, at-large… Everything.

1 month ago | virginiatech.sportswar.com | Andy Bitter

When Norm Latona received a diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder destined to render his kidneys ineffective, the wrestling community jumped into high gear. Latona had long been a supporter of the sport, a participant back in high school whose love for the mat was rekindled as his sons, Dom, Sam and James, all followed suit.

1 month ago | virginiatech.sportswar.com | Andy Bitter

Though Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock procured a pair of “Snake Pit” tickets for the Metallica concert earlier this month, he took in the show from up high in Lane Stadium, instead watching as his wife, Kelly, and executive associate AD Reyna Gilbert-Lowry ventured into the center of the circular stage. He’s happy to report that they came back in one piece and with some high-quality video, having had a unique vantage of a night that seemed to draw sterling reviews.