Virginia Tech beat Clemson 60-57 on Saturday. After the win, Buzz Williams thanked both the Hokies' administration and fans for reenergizing the game day atmosphere in Cassell Coliseum.
"Very appreciative (of the crowd) would be the first thing I would say," Williams said. "Desiree (Reed-Francois), the associate AD, has been great on trying to figure out ways, as has the marketing staff...I'm not a very good marketer, particularly this time of the season, but I think that it's an important brick just like all of these other things that we're trying to accomplish. All of those people, students, alumni, season ticket holders, they have a role in what we're trying to do. And as we try to grow the roster, or as we try to grow the team, we have to continue to grow the consistent support that you need so that as all of it's growing, that's included. And I understand so much of this is, 'Is it the chicken or the egg, which one comes first?' Well if you win, we'll show up. I understand. But the last three home games, how things have blossomed, is what we need. Because it's turning into a really hard place to play. And I don't know that that's been the case in a long time. Old people, young people, in school, never went to school, we need to get them here. And if we need to pass out donuts, whatever. Whatever gimmick is needed. But then we need to be able to get off the gimmicks because it's a hard ticket to get. And the only way that you can get to that point is the product that you put on the floor. And I think there's probably more basketball knowledgeable people here than you think. And I think they know that we're trying to do right. And I think they know our kids are trying to do right, playing hard. So we just need some consistency. And if we can get to that, then I think we're taking the next step."
Thanks again to all the @virginia_tech students & @CassellGuardVT members-you were the difference today! pic.twitter.com/AGZMq5nKHe— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) February 7, 2016
For everyone that was a part of helping us today, we are incredibly grateful! Thank you.Our #getBETTER pic pic.twitter.com/MdOb3s56PS— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) February 7, 2016
In related news, the Cassell Guard got live to Enter Sandman near the end of the game.
Comments
Keep em rocking Buzz. I know from experience you put it all out there for a full house, their energy becomes yours, the adrenaline takes over and puts you in a other place.
Thats freaking awesome!
And I am appreciative of Buzz and his team. While I've only trekked back to the burg for about 4 games over the last two years (the upcoming Pitt game will be 5, weather and work permitting) it's been really cool to see the ground floor of something that's turning into a special team.
I'm sure the football visitors enjoyed the heck out of that. So proud of this athletic department across the board , and the 2 new coaches who have given us reason for optimism going forward. We are lucky to have them and Whit.
Sands - December 2013
Whit - January 2014
Buzz - March 2014
Fuente - November 2015
Collectively they have just a few years of experience at VT and the changes that have already been made are monumental. Our University is in extremely good hands.
Also, I'd pay a lot of money to have a beer with those four guys.
I logged in just to leg this comment. I've also been really impressed with our big four recent hires as well. Making some big moves for our beloved alma mater.
I will never pass up the opportunity to say I've been at a kegger with Sands. It was awesome.
I ran into him and his wife at the Blacksburg ABC store. I asked him if he was throwing a rager in Burruss that night. He laughed and said they were hosting some family friends.
...make a large enough donation and you can! :)
We could not have hired a better guy to rebuild a program.
The freshmen students that are experiencing VT basketball for the first time have no idea that Cassell was empty for the past __ seasons. This is their norm. We can only go up from here.
Haha... oh how these freshman are lucky. Pretty sure I've endured the worst stretch of VT major athletics during my tenure here (2012-graduating in May), so going to these bball games and watching a true competitive product has been incredible.
With that said, the future is bright!
Your pretty sure your tenure was worse than than the late 80's? 2-9 in football, losing 3 out of 4 to LOL? Never qualifying for a bowl game? Finishing 2-10 in the Metro in Basketball? Never winning a post season BBall game, not even conference tournament when we qualified? Last stretch has been a down time, but better then my time at school.
Grew up a Hokie (Dad graduated in '84) but contrast that with my time at VT:
Fall of '07-Spring of '11
We won the ACC 3/4 years in football and should've been to at least three NCAA Tourneys.
Very spoiled.
Any time at Tech is a great a time, and the great thing about being a Hokie is you are still have the sports when the school part is over. I look forward to the next few years, as to me the funnest seasons are the ones where you beat expectations, like BBall this year.
My first game in two years was great, thanks to Buzz and Co.
Went with a duke fan and even he was impressed with the attendance and atmosphere, keep it up Hokies!
so happy to see cassell rocking again, that place can be so loud when its packed!!!!!
How could you not love this team? They play with great heart and passion. Thanks,Buzz!
Frank Beamer and Bill Roth were both at the game yesterday, which means they both must come to every game the rest of the season.
It's a great chance to buy low on a team that is moving up! Hopefully he is right and it becomes a hard ticket to get.
Clemson game tix went up 97% on the secondary market over the past week. Its happening...
Was gonna post the "it's happening!" gif but decided to go with this instead:
It alllllllmost looks like he's saying "it's happening"
It fits perfectly! Thanks for the addition!