An Open Letter and Thank You to Mrs. and Mr. Fuller

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Fuller,

Your kids are awesome. Really, really awesome. You already know this...you wear Mom and Dad goggles every day and there is very little that could change how highly you regard your children. Your four sons have been beloved by HokieNation since the moment they set foot on campus, and even earlier in Kendall's case. Each of them have engineered key moments in Tech football history; from Vinnie's blocked kick return against the Cousins in 2004 to Kendall's three picks against Duke, the Fullers have already left an indelible imprint on Hokie history.

Every year, we tend to look back on the year and place it within the greater context of our lives. In 2013 we saw Corey get drafted by the Detroit Lions. We saw the culmination of Kyle's game during a key Thursday night clash against the Bees on national television. Kyle showed the nation how his tenacious style of play can wreak havoc on opposing offenses. It was also a year in which we saw Kendall shine as a true freshman, teaming up with fellow rookie Brandon Facyson to form the nation's most fearsome defensive backfield duo for years to come.

Now with all of your sons accomplishments in the last year alone, think about what you've done, as parents during the last 30+ years: You have managed to raise four sons that have each gone on to accomplish amazing things on the football field while being great ambassadors off the field. Between the four Fuller children, they have earned 7 All-ACC and 2 All-American honors (1 Freshman), an ACC ROY, and 2 ACC Championships. Clearly Blacksburg is a better place with a Fuller. The Virginia Tech program is 65-28 (.698) with a Fuller versus 622-396 (.611) all-time without a Fuller. Even Coach Frank Beamer is better with a Fuller on the roster, notching a record of 159-80 (.665) sans Fuller. Assuming Corey's game continues to develop, Kyle is drafted this upcoming April and Kendall's career continues on its current trajectory, your children could become the first set of four or more brothers to play in the NFL in 60 years. (For those of you keeping score at home, the Nesser Family had six [6!] brothers play in the league between 1920 and 1931 and the Kissel Family had four from 1942 to 1956).

So often when the success of the Fuller family is discussed amongst the Hokie faithful, Mama Fuller is given all of the thanks — and rightfully so. Mrs. Fuller, you have clearly had an immense impact on the lives of your children; from the time that you carried them to the days that you cheered them on at Lane Stadium. The unsung hero in the Fuller Family is clearly Vincent Sr. Mr. Fuller, your impact on Virginia Tech has never gotten the public appreciation that it deserves. If it were not for you and your continued contribution of the Y-chromosome, the impact of the Fuller name in Hokie lore would not be quite what it has become and what it will continue be. Sure one of you may have been holding out hope for a daughter, but you should feel better knowing your genetics produced four blessings for HokieNation.

Hopefully one day, the Fuller name will be emblazoned in a vertical typeface on a maroon banner above the North Endzone. Fuller would forever stand alongside Hokie legends like Smith, Loria and Vick. But unlike those greats, I would argue there should be no number below the Fuller name, because let's be honest, how can you single out one Fuller? I would argue that all of the Fullers should be honored on Worsham Field, including you, Nina and Vincent Sr. If it were not for you...well...all of our lives would be a little bit different. The commemoration of the Fuller Family's achievements would be a fitting way to honor the contribution that you all have made to Virginia Tech and embodying the motto of Ut Prosim. (I use the word commemoration because the term "retirement" would be counterproductive. I mean, we still have 16 more Fullers in the next generation to look forward to.)

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your contribution to our lives and that of the University. May you have a blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

Pierson Booher and #HokieNation