An Open Thank You Letter to Coach Frank Beamer

Dear Coach,

I entered Virginia Tech as a freshman in August of 2011. Prior to September 3 of that year, I had never watched a college football game, let alone a Virginia Tech game. At orientation when 'Enter Sandman' played, I stood idle for a moment. The girl behind me smacked me and yelled "What are you doing? START JUMPING!" At the time, I didn't understand why I deserved that smack, but on September 3rd, I learned my lesson. When 'Enter Sandman' played, Lane Stadium erupted. Things have changed quite a bit for me since then. After just one note of the Metallica song blares, I'm jumping.

The Hokies went on to have their eighth consecutive ten win season that year, and I started to understand why you are so highly regarded. As they say, all good things must come to an end however, and the streak came to an end the following year. It was over the next few years that I truly learned why you are so highly regarded. Yes, winning is important, but it is a very small part of why you are so loved by the Hokie Nation. As proven in the hours following your announcement today, there are countless stories of times when you have positively influenced people. Some of these stories come from people you know very closely, others come from fans that you've met just once or twice. I'm one of those fans that has only interacted with you a few times, and yet when your retirement was announced today, I teared up a bit way more than anyone should upon reading an ESPN notification on their phone. While I'm sad to see you go, I'm also very happy that I got to meet you while attending Virginia Tech.

Prior to the start of the 2013 football season, I entered the 'Coach 'Em Up' contest hosted by Virginia Tech Athletics. The Grand Prize was the opportunity to lead the Hokies through the tunnel in Lane Stadium as "Coach for the Day" alongside you. While the video is nothing to write home about, it fit the parameters of the contest rules, and won me the grand prize.

I vividly remember the day we met. It was September 21, 2013. The forecast called for rain as the Hokies dawned their camouflage Military Appreciation helmets against the Marshall Thundering Herd. I watched the teams warm up from the sideline and spent some time chatting with then head basketball coach James Johnson. As the stadium filled and kickoff neared, I made my way toward Merryman Athletic Center to meet you. Just before we met, I was introduced to your son, Coach Shane Beamer. He gave me two pieces of advice as I prepared to run on the field. "Have fun and don't get trampled." We were introduced as we walked from the locker room toward the tunnel. I remember you introduced yourself, as though I didn't know who you were. After a brief chat, we marched on. We entered the tunnel with the echo of cleats stomping behind us and 66,000 people alternating the chants of "LET'S GO!" "HOKIES!" ahead of us. We waited at the entrance of the tunnel, as 'Enter Sandman' blared and the Hokie faithful jumped in the stands. We stood at the entrance of the Hokie Stone clad tunnel in our matching white Nike windbreakers, staring into the sea of maroon and orange that filled Lane Stadium. As the drum beat of Enter Sandman sped up, we were ushered onto Worsham Field, to lead the Hokies in what would turn into a triple-overtime thrilling win over Marshall.

Just a few weeks later, on October 15, 2013 I was walking through Squires Student Center when a couple stopped me and asked for directions to Class Ring sales. We got to talking and it turned out the couple, members of the Virginia Tech Class of 1954 and 1956 respectively, live in my home town of Vienna, Virginia. The wife told me a story about you that made me smile. She had grown up in Blacksburg in a house on what is now Main Street. Her family moved, and rented the house out. Not long after, the house burned down, but not before you met your wife Cheryl in that very house. A few years ago, she told me she found a picture of the house in her attic. It was the only picture she had of the old house. On her next visit to Virginia Tech, she brought the photo with her, to give to you. She explained that she left the photo at your office, as you were not available at the time. A few weeks later, she received a thank you note from you that she described as one of kindest thank you notes she had ever read. I tell this story as it shows once again how special you are to so many people.

You have helped so many people in your time at Virginia Tech. Countless players, current and former, chimed in today on the impact you have had on not only their football careers, but their personal well being as well. People from all throughout the Hokie Nation have sent their praises and thanks your direction throughout the day, and I am sure the praises will only continue over the coming weeks. I can only imagine how many people you helped throughout the years. Your donations to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund have helped support the families of military personnel lost in service and severely wounded military personnel and veterans. Your establishment of Herma's Readers in 2008, has led to the collection of over 100,000 new and used books and $125,000 to promote literacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2013 when the Virginia Tech Baseball team surged into the NCAA regional tournament, you donated $5,000 to increase the seating capacity of English Field. While you may not have thought twice about it, it made a difference. The examples of your selflessness listed above are just a few of the many I've heard in the five years since I joined the Hokie Nation. With 29 years as head coach under your belt, and many more as an Alumni of Virginia Tech I am excited to hear many more stories about the "Beamer Way" in the coming weeks.

While winning the 'Coach 'Em Up' contest is as close as I'll ever get to being like you, it was an honor to stand by your side, if only for one game. On behalf of the Hokie Nation, thank you Coach Beamer, for all that you have done for our beloved University and congratulations on an incredible career. Go Hokies!

In the spirit of the theme of this blog: Ciao, Coach Beamer!

P.S. Danny Coale made that catch.