Virginia Tech announced on April 20 a $400 million fundraising campaign to propel Hokie sports to the forefront of the Atlantic Coast Conference, prepare generations of student-athletes for success in life, and raise the university’s profile nationwide.
“Athletics is an important part of the Virginia Tech experience, supporting the university and our local economy, and creating national visibility that engages our worldwide community of alumni, friends, and fans,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said while highlighting the Reach for Excellence campaign alongside Athletic Director Whit Babcock and other university leaders.
As vice president for advancement, Charlie Phlegar heads the university’s fundraising efforts. He stressed the value that Virginia Tech athletics brings to the university, its students, and the wider community that surrounds it.
“When you look at the regional economy, home football games alone bring in up to $100 million per year,” Phlegar said. “And unlike many intercollegiate athletic programs, Hokie sports has a history of providing net positive income to the university. Athletics, particularly the games, are a primary driver of alumni and donor engagement in a way that benefits our academic programs to a great degree as well. Reach for Excellence is a crucial campaign, coming at a critical time for the future of Hokie sports and the national reputation of Virginia Tech. We look forward to working with Whit, the coaches, and our many supporters around the nation, to make sure this campaign is a resounding success.”