Skipper. Enter Sandman. The Lunch Pail. Justin Fuente. Virginia Tech football is right around the corner. Again this season, The Key Play is committed to delivering top-notch film reviews, reports, recruiting updates, game analysis, insightful opinions and commentary.
In March I shared with TKP that I accepted a new job and as a result I would have to take a step back from TKP's day-to-day operations. That was a lie. Full disclosure, I was unable to find someone to fill my roles as editor, publisher, ignore-your-family-and-friends-guy-when-news-breaks asshole, software developer, small business owner, and general TKP overload manager. Some of my responsibilities were reduced, but not significantly enough. I'm burnt out two-and-a-half weeks before the season even starts. This is the least excited I've felt about a college football season, and I should be amped. Fuente and his staff have Hokie Nation juiced, but the workload of job, TKP, and family have gotten the better of my spirit.
What would unburden me the most from TKP is a full-time employee who can cover the Hokies from Blacksburg and contribute to TKP's editorial process. That requires money, and is among the main reasons for The Key Players Club. I want to hire a full-time beat writer that answers to and works for you, the diehard Hokie fan.
Based on TKP's demographics and site analytics, The Key Players Club has greatly underperformed my expectations. At this point, I am committed to one more football season (2016) the way things are currently run. After this year, if there resources aren't available for me to decouple myself from TKP's day-to-day there will be some major changes which will range from TKP closing up shop, to becoming a pay website, or to scaling back content.
Any of those aforementioned changes are not my ideal outcome for TKP. In a perfect world, TKP's top-notch community self-funds its own beat writer, and I am relieved of a big portion of my behind the curtain work.
I hope that adequately explained where my head's at, and why TKP needs your help.
Become a benefactor of TKP and join The Key Players Club.
Comments
Join the Key Players Club. Just do it.
But seriously, join it and help keep this place amazing. Of all the forums and sites I visit, this is by far the best. And not because of the top-notch, best in the business, football analysis and media reporting. It is amazing because of the community, layout, and humor. Joe created something special here.
Nowhere on the internets, have I seen a community quite like this. We may always have our orange and maroon shaded glasses on, but hardly do I see us go full on to either side of the fan spectrum. We maintain a levelheadedness. The discussions are always interesting, and the cover so many topics. Education, food, Olympic sports, data, pro sports, international sports and so much more. Our members give some of the best (and sometimes only) analysis on VT and USA sports like tennis, rugby, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling and recently even fencing. What other college football/college sports site gives in depth analysis on fencing? WE EVEN HAVE AN IN HOUSE WEATHER GUY! One season a member watched every single Logan Thomas pass and gave an in-depth statistical analysis on his passing and created a scoring system based on how catchable each ball was. And this has all been done by members, not staff!
That was just he serious stuff. This community is just plain fun. The meme usage is fantastic, the ever increasing inside jokes are great. We've created serious movements here. #Gameday4Frank made some serious waves in the college football world. I honestly thought we could do it, and I know I'm not alone. And we are almost best at making fun at UVA (lolUVA is by far the best at doing it themselves).
The football analysis is unmatched on college football fan sites. French is a savant. The things he sees is amazing and he is just as good putting it into words, so us laymen can understand it. The intricacies he points out is crazy. He even guessed how we would defend tOSU before we beat them in Columbus! Urban Meyer himself said he was dumbfounded by us! And he is paid to see things like that and make a strategy!
Don't forget Billdozer and MStrawther! The videos they have created for this site are unmatched. They create masterpieces multiple times each year. Their preseason trailers make me want to do my best Kool-Aid man impression every year. Occasionally we get lucky and they create amazing pieces during the season too. They are top notch.
There is so much more than even all of this as well, so my apologies if I left something out. You guys rock too!
Joe has created magic here, Fully Dipped Sam Rogers Magic. Anyone could release amazing football analysis like this (if they find another Football mind like French), but it takes hard work and dedication to create, maintain and grow a community like this. I believe one of the reasons it has maintained this quality is because the site is free and open to such a diverse range of fans. So please, if you can spare to donate, do it. #TeamPie
Thank you Joe for creating this wonderful place. I hope to see many Giftories for many more years.
^^ what he said. Love this place and proud TKP Club member.
(Not to mention the TKP bottle opener is bad ass!)
The Key Players Club is one of those things that I always meant to get around to. This post was an excellent reminder of all the reasons I needed to get off my ass and just do it. Thanks Joe and team for all of your hard work and tireless dedication. And thanks hokiebuzz for the gentle elbow to the ribs.
Don't thank me. Thank Shia Labeouf.
I have a problem with the auto renewal. I'm over 80 and in heart failure and when I die, my wife will not understand what the charges are to our credit card. She has no,interest in Hokie sports.
$84/year = $7/month = $1.75/week = $0.231/day. You (yes you!) can afford $0.23 a day. I know you can. Face it: you've (and I've) spent more money on lesser things. Seriously, what was your tab at TOTS/local-bar-of-choice last weekend? Exxxxxactly. Buy some PBR, stay in for a night/weekend, and this membership is covered.
Here's how Uncle Frank will react if you don't become a member.
Nobody deserves a thumbs-down from Head Hokie Emeritus.
(Edit: mathifying. With a calculator this time.)
Not trying to be "that guy," but I think its more like $0.23 a day.
Story of my collegiate career: A for effort, F for maths.
What happened to the cents sign on keyboards!
Thank you Joe for all your hard work. I too am a little disappointed in the number of TKP benefactors. The content you all provide is top flight and if you have to go to a paid site (which I know you don't want to), I would gladly sign up for that too. I am not sure that some (and I mean some not all). appreciate all that goes into this site. Maybe you can create some sort of start company and ask for investors, just a thought and I hope you are around for a long time.
Should have done it sooner. Content here is next to none and surpasses any other pay site.
If this post gets 100 legs, I'll join.
Are you for real? This is a YouTube comment section quality comment.
If you have the money, and you feel like TKP continuing is worth it, which I assume you do considering I've seen you on here a fair number of times, then donate. Virtual turkey legs help nothing but maybe an ego.
Turkey leg this if you're reading this in 2016.
Joe told us the site needed money, but what happened next will BLOW YOUR MIND
This new rule has left members of TKP in SHOCK!
Other Tech websites hate him! One weird trick to enlarge your... subscriber base.
The movie Apollo 13 brought me here
triggering intensifies
TRIGGER WARNING: I personally find YouTube to be the perfect place to go and have intense intellectual discussions, particularly over historical and political matters. Everyone there is extremely kind and intelligent and they can all voice their opinions calmly and without condescension.
How does this guy get more legs than me and hasn't even joined?! For the record I am not even a Hokie Alum, just a die hard fan who was indoctrinated at an early age by two Hokie parents. 100 legs should be rewarded for joining.
You got me! Like a few other folks have said, I should have done it sooner. Shame on me. I'll go drink a liter of wild turkey and ponder my lack of action these past several months, while I wait for my key chain bottle opener.
I'm glad to see a good response in the past 24 hours. I know it's only about 10 new members (including myself) but I hope this momentum continues.
Waking up to 11+ new members is fantastic but we still need more! We need to help continue this push into the season as even more people flood back to this site.
Come on! Everybody's doing it!
I sincerely can't afford $84 right now, and probably won't have that much free cash for 2-3 months due to circumstances that result in a rather uninteresting story.
What I could manage immediately is a monthly contribution. I even think it would be fair to charge $10 a month, and I think a lot more people would be willing to do that. It's the same thing cell phone companies do when they sell you a phone. It's always cheaper to immediately pay full price for a phone rather than pay out monthly over the course of the contract for it. Yet most people take the monthly route because 10 is less than 84 and they don't think about paying more over time. It's a marketing strategy that works. As for TKP key chain, wait for between month 10 to 12 to send it out along with a note about how much their continued support helps TKP and to please continue supporting the site.
I would also like to add that I spend more time on this site than any other on the internet. It's where I go to make the good times better and the bad times bearable. It would be extremely upsetting if I ever saw it come to an end. It's also because of this that I encourage anyone who can, please support TKP, It's the best damn website there is.
I already pay $10/month for Netflix, you bet your ass I'd be willing to pay that for TKP.
I'm in the same boat you are, though. Just started a new job at Tech so I won't be getting a paycheck for another month or so. I plan on joining TKPC immediately following our victory over BC to improve our record to 3-0.
I'm pretty much captain of that boat at the moment. But even if TKP went to all pay and I couldn't access it right now, I'd be ok with that. I'm not going to be broke forever, but I can't stomach TKP not being here or taking a step back in content.
A monthly contribution of your choosing? Not to improperly invoke the Bees here but: You can do that!
Support The Key Play
I appreciate the enthusiasm/sales pitch, and wasn't really thinking about direct donations and was more focused on increasing TKPers club membership. Also, I didn't know you could setup automatic monthly payments with paypal.
Edit: grammer/phone error
It's what I do, been doing it for years. I probably annoy Joe every time I get a new debit card and he has to email me to remind me to update it.
I appreciate the solid feedback. I knew when I opted for the yearly over the monthly plan it would be difficult for some folks to budget. I made that decision because it simplified the software development and logistics.
The Key Players Club isn't meant to put a financial strain on any TKPer. If you enjoy the heck out of TKP and can afford to be a benefactor, then I hope you join immediately. Otherwise, continue to enjoy the heck out of TKP and I hope when you have the financial flexibility to join, you do.
That's fair. I don't really know how much time it would take to set up the system I was proposing. I was thinking from my perspective and forgetting that ultimately you're trying to get some time back for your own life, which I totally can understand working 60-70 hours a week myself for the time being. Maybe it's a better idea in the future when things have settled down a bit.
I would also like to add that I have 100% enjoyed the heck out of this site and that's why it's so frustrating for me that I can't financially support this site right now. All I can do right now is say thanks for making my life and Hokie nation better by making and maintaining this site.
If we reach 150 TKP Club members by midnight tonight, I will submit myself to a Reddit-style AMA sometime during the week before the Liberty game. Prepare your most hilarious, insightful, or random questions. With this community, I think this could be fun.
Wait, I thought this was supposed to be an incentive to donate
200 TODAY OR BUST ALL ABOARD THE OPTIMISM TRAIN
#GameDay4Joe
did I do that right?
Selfishly I hope this happens because in the brief discussions I have had with VTGuitarMan I get a "Most Interesting Man in the World" vibe.
pssh, for all of us, it's a lot more like this than that:
Hey, how did you get access to my webcam?
Best South Park ever.
It is certainly one of my favorites. However, may I humbly submit Crack Baby Athletic Association (my favorite) and Sponsored Content (IMHO, one of the top single episodes out of any sitcom ever)
I don't watch the show with any regularity so I'll have to look those up
Sponsored Content comes from the most recent season...or second most recent. It is so chock full of intertwining storylines, pop culture references, flat-out creative jokes, and has an actual ongoing plot. I watched it twice in a row and sat stunned at how well executed the concept was. Just...genuinely brilliant. If you have Hulu you can watch it free at SouthParkStudios.com
how do you kill that which has no life?
WHY DID PEOPLE STOP SIGNING UP WE ARE SO CLOSE TO THE AMA
6 hours. 5 people. Momentum is waning...
I count one more person who said they will join once they get home from work. We are only 5 people away.
The phone lines are open people.
Just got home, walked the dog, joined the Key Players Club.
149.....
So I did an expensive thing recently and am a little low on cash...
...but if we get to 149 I'll push it to 150!
EDIT: I kept my word! We get a VTGuitarMan AMA guys!
Congratulations!
You will forever be low on cash.
Thanks! I was starting to get used to the nice numbers in my bank account but now every time I check it I do this. It
wasis worth it though!Dope place to propose, congrats!!
Thanks! One of our favorite places and I got lucky to have some connections to make it happen!
Oh man an engagement...
Really impressed she said yes with you wearing those socks.
Congratulations to you both! And the engagement photo is beyond baller.
She's not wearing socks, Joe. That's the *actual* color of her feet.
Edit: Really thought that said "...said yes to you wearing those socks." This is not how I wanted my Key Player membership to start.
Gotta hide my TV tan in any way I can haha. And thanks!
Well, you guys stepped up and got us to 150. When I posted this offer, we were at 134. I think a 12% increase in TKP Club membership is a good day. Tell your friends and let's keep this up to help Joe and TKP.
AMA is on. Get ready with questions. Let's have fun.
Done. Sorry I didn't get it done sooner. Great content. Keep up the good work.
I was a member of Six String Country (Tutorial Guitar site) and they too, used to have a monthly membership of $9.99. Once they stopped with the monthly charge and asked for $$$ up front to cover a yearly membership, they lost business, including mine. A monthly membership is the way to go. Not many folks will miss 9 bucks a month, but $84.00 in one pop, for someone who is struggling financially, will be missed.
No excuses. I get way more than $7 a month of enjoyment out of this site. I'm in
What he said^
Going to sign up when I get home. Quick question- anyway I can join the club and donate more than the $84/year? Or do I have to do separate donations to give more money?
You can, indeed, donate more than the $84/year, but the two transactions need to be separate (to my knowledge). Link below to set up a monthly recurring donation. Remind me to buy you a shot or three next time I see you.
Support The Key Play
I will admit that after being part of this community for awhile now and being a big part of the charity tailgates now for two years, I have just now joined this. One of those things that you always mean to do or think about, and then just never follow through. Everyone here has to have a soft spot for this place, but not everyone will be able to join and of course that's fine. That isn't what this site is supposed to be about, however look how the number has jumped already today. Everyone like me who has just never "got around to it", lets Rally people!
Home run post.
I don't post on this site often. In fact, this may be the first thing I ever posted or commented on. I do however enjoy the content quite a bit. Appreciate all the staff and the hard work they put in. Even though I'm not actively participating in the community, I appreciate you guys as well. I get a lot of laughs from all the posts and great gifs. Whatever happens, I'll continue to support this site. Keep up the awesome work!
No job right now. Just moved to Mechanicsville from Florida. Trying to pinch pennies but those suckers are pretty hard. As soon as I land a job I pledge to join the club too.
Hitmanis that you?
Indeed, it is I
We will need to beer o'clock it sometime, TKPhi!
I'm not a very frequent commenter on the site, but the content and community is amazing. That's what keeps me coming back every day - nearly every hour. My knowledge and passion for Hokie sports have intensified because of the immense sacrifices made by Joe and the rest of the staff for TKP. Seriously, thank you Joe, French, Alex, Mark, Brian, Mason, Billdozer, Mike, and anyone else I might've missed. You guys have given up so much time away from family, jobs, and other opportunities because of your passion and work ethic. I can't thank you enough. For anyone who has the money, please join to support this fantastic site!
As JeffreyTFerg commented above, members of The Key Players Club can also donate a little extra (if you have the extra funds) to TKP by going to this link. I started donating a modest $5 a month in hopes that it will help in some small way.
Finally pulled the trigger.
Did the math and its basically .0001 cents for every time I check the site. And yes that decimal is in the right spot. And yes I know I have a problem.
Joe, what we need are tote bags, yep tote bags. It's the public television model.
If you use this service then consider chipping in to support it. We can do this TKP!!!! The important question I hear in many of the above comments is; how much do you value your experience here?
Most of us can 't begin to afford the real amount that we think it's worth, so we do the next best thing, we give what we can. You can too!!!
From what I'm hearing about how difficult it has been to acquire VT branded clear stadium bags for the new policy, you may be on to something.
Whoa, this
Allowed bag - unavailable.
Other allowed bag - sold out.
We also recommend:
-bags that aren't allowed.
/s
I work in the nuclear power industry, which has been in an absolute tailspin since the Fukushima disaster happened in 2011. And as a result, my wages have flattened considerably since that time. Furthermore, my wife and I welcomed our first child to the world about a year ago and ultimately decided to go from a comfy dual income household to a single income household because daycare in north Atl costs more than a mortgage payment. So the atlHOkie household has tightened its purse straps. That being said, you'll no doubt notice that little orange key up there by atlHOkie. It has been there since Joe launched the Players Club and it will be there as long as TKP remains online. So what I'm trying to say is that if I can find a way to make this shit happen, then so can you!
TL;DR: Get off your fucking wallets and spend your money on something worthwhile for once.
How I felt after reading this:
(French should appreciate that reference. Cue tangential replies in 3...2...1...)
My god the daycare is ridiculous in north Fulton County!
Reading that Joe was less excited for this season hurt considering how happy his site makes me. We can't ruin this for him.
When I get home I'm going over my budget and will find a way to make it work.
It's pronounced, nucular
I like the cut of your jib
What's a jib?
It's a sail
^the triangly one at the front of the ship.
Promote that man!
THANK YOU! The other two of you fail this Simpsons Test.
I joined up because I can't bear the thought of my workplace distraction going away. Go Hokies!!
Looks like 32 new players in the last couple days. not a bad bump
*Refresh TKP*
*Key Players Club progress bar has gone up another couple of notches*
5 Hours and we only need three more people to sign up for a small payment to the best Hokies site there is.
Minimum three, but more are always welcome :)
That's just today's goal.
TKP club membership also makes a Great gift for all those friends who always ask about Hokie football, whether they mean it or not.
Add one more to the counter.
This site is pretty mediocre. I wanted the bottle opener.....
I think someone didn't pick up on your sarcasm.
I'm just here for the cheese fries....
That was my exact thought every time I walked through the door at Champ's.
Joe, I just joined. I love this site for many different reasons but mainly because of the feel of the active participants. You've been a patient admin of this place and as a result, you've built something that means something to people. Good job, dude.
Joe, if you need help with anything in particular, let me know. I'm a May CS grad with some forum software experience.
I would have never guessed you'd be into that sort of thing
I'm just trying to figure out what the significance of 82 is
The mathematician in me pointed out that its not explicitly binary.
The software engineer in me thinks the mathematician in me is too anal.
It's a binary "R"
All three of y'all.
There are 10 types of people who read TKP....
...nerds, and I can't remember the other one, but the nerds will get it.
Man, bump of 40 or so in a day, pretty, pretty good
Well worth the money for me. Not only for the excellent football analysis and content...but you people are just hilarious. I am fortunate enough to be able to contribute (monetarily that is...I am neither funny nor able to locate the A gap), and it is about time I gave my fair share. Many thanks for all the hard work.
It's pretty easy to find you just head south.
The B gap is between two cheeks... specifically the cheeks of the guards and tackles.
McGruber?
See? Hilarious. I rest my case. Well worth the dollars.
So, my only input on this is I think I lot of people tend to forget that you can do this until this drives happen and membership spikes. I think it might be a good idea to keep this as a permanent top story sticky or at the beginning of each article (or end) have a banner that reminds people to donate or join the club if they enjoy all the free content they are consuming
There is a banner with a progress bar at the top right, but maybe it could be bigger, more flashy / attention grabbing, and have a "Why Join The Key Players Club?" link to this post.
Top Ten reasons to join TheKeyPlay!
I come for the cheese fries but I stay for French's master classes in Xs and 0s!
A slide show that take 12 pages to click through
There is a banner ad in every official post for The Key Players Club. It is very unobtrusive, but it's there.
Instructions for when I land a real job:
1) Join the Hokie Club
2) Join the Key Players Club
3) ????
4) Profit
This
= WIN!
You all inspired me to finally create a profile and join the club.
From lurker to benefactor. Total boss move. Welcome, and thanks!
Definitely a power move here.
wait... your name... 2007... :(
Don't remind me... I moved to a new house in December 2007, turns out it was right next to the KU DB coach. Super nice guy, but I've had to hear about that stupid Orange Bowl so many times...
Welcome, I used to frequent Lawrence when my Sister in Law was in law school there. While not anywhere close to being Blacksburg, it's still my second favorite college town. Enjoy the burger stand for me!
New short term Goal: 200 members.
Can I join twice?
(On a serious note, is there a scholarship opportunity?)
200 by the end of the weekend, or else I start mining the non-TKP Club email database and subscribing random people to Zima Enthusiasts Monthly.
I feel so ashamed I do not have the key next to my name, but for... uh.... reasons... I have financially disassociated myself from American banking and credit systems. So I will ask my mommy to pay for it on her credit card for my birthday. I shall have the key soon!
wut
because you're behind the Great FireWall?
Pretty much. I don't have checks, i almost exclusively have cards from China which do not allow for paypal. So sometimes i run into things that are hard to pay for, like this. I do have cards from Hk banks but i don't like to use them for anything USA based. I prefer to use my China cards for trips to USA because ironically the privacy protection on them is very high.
Anyway, i have been meaning to have it done for a long time.
just shoot Joe $84 worth of bitcoin and I'm sure he can sign you up on his credit card :-P
TIL Frank Abagnale is a Hokies fan
Awww snap. Anybody know where the seats are?
I don't but I'm strongly considering going to Joe's house and taking them.
I don't think he has the seats at his house. Come on guys. Terrible sight lines.
Holy crap, that is so much better than a tote bag......
I'm gonna win...I'm gonna win...I'm gonna win.....
I spoke too soon about this. I read through Virginia's giveaway laws this evening, and unfortunately I need to provide "a method of free entry to all participants". With that said, the solution is to giveaway a set of season tickets to anyone with active TKP account on behalf of The Key Players Club.
It can't be for just participants of "The Key Players Club" ?
Free is the operative word
Right all "members" of the Key Players club are entered for free into the drawing.
I'm guessing the "all participants" part means it has to come from the entire active community. However, I know if I won them I would just look to give them away to someone on the board who needs them since I will be buying student tickets on tuesday this week. Is there a method for entering that would make it possible for those who need the tickets to enter and would still be open to all active members?
edit: Maybe an open thread where you can comment to enter the drawing. That would assure that the user is an active community member as well as in need of the tickets.
You should at least make it a "retweet to enter" so that the site gets some exposure.
Becoming a donor when I get my first paycheck!
YES!
Finally joined! I can't imagine not having this site. I might actually have to get work done during the day. I don't often comment, but I'm always on here throughout the day. Thanks for everyone's hard work!
Sometimes things work out unexpectedly well. Before me and my girlfriend broke up fairly recently (it's OK she went to JMU anyway) we were planning a trip to Asheville with some of her friends, and the equal split for everyone was $84. Long story short, I was able to get a refund of my portion just in time to join the Club. Hooray football!
I tried to convince a friend and alum to sign up for the site and become a keyplayer. His response? "All I ever do is pay attention to the tweets," to which I responded, "WHERE DO YOU THINK THE FUNDING FOR THE TWEETS COMES FROM". No dice
Only NINETEEN more members to get to 200 before the weekend is out. Come on people.
Did you say over? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? ..............
I rarely post here, and am more of a constant lurker, but it felt good after I got that first big kid paycheck and was able to help out the site.
The entire staff here does a fantastic job and I hope we get to see it continue to grow and flourish.
Join The Key Player's Club!
JUST DO IT
I have been a member of this site for 5 years and after a brief hiatus living overseas for a few years I'm back consuming the content on a daily basis and more than owe $80 bucks in return. Proud to finally join. Go Hokies
We only need 15 more people who enjoy this site to contribute a small amount to get that first milestone of 200 members. Come on guys with less than two weeks till football season in Lane starts lets get the ball rolling to get 1,000 by seasons end.
Only 13 more to go, we have SIX hours lets do it.
Just noticed the Key now displays on the tracker next to TKPC member names who start topics.
Also listed on the TL big board, which is the closest thing to a user directory we have. Commence targeted shaming!!! Jkjk
That had been on my todo list for a while, not for shaming purposes, but to provide more exposure for TKPC throughout the native TKP interfaces.
Only 12 more people need to signup, if we get to 200 by 7 am Monday I will offer some kind of online fire safety/ emergency management/ homeland security AMA. ( not that this will interest anyone but me but it's all I've got to offer)
Lol
I truly love your dedication
I don't think people understand how much TKP means to me.
Online fire safety! Let's go!
Anyone know if we made 200 by 7 am on the 22nd? Also let's try and get to 250 by kickoff of the Liberty game. We all love French's breakdowns and everything Joe and Co put together for the season lets support them and this site.
Judging by the comments it was around 5pm on the 22nd if my math is correct. But I think we would all benefit from a Hokie Fireman online safety class/AMA primarily focused on situations where bourbon is involved.
I'm game to do one. It won't be worthy of guitars but I'll try. I'll start it Monday and let it run through Thursday.
Officially a Club member!!
after only being on her for a couple months, the biggest thing I learned is that TKP condensed the 2600 acre VT community onto a fantastic online forum with hilarious people, true Hokies, and some badass football content. Let's be real, you don't find this anywhere else online and I bet the majority of you are consistently refreshing the page to see the next hilarious/informative post! Let's keep this going for as long as we can!
Join, not tomorrow, today. For those that have, congrats on helping keep this awesome place the best site out there.
Second, I drink a good amount of beer, all right I drink a lot of beer, but that's between us. This bottle opener was forged with the lightning bolts of Zeus himself. Forget bottles, I can tap a keg with this thing and it still doesn't have a scratch on it.
Do it.
We only need
more members to reach our first milestone on the way to 1,000.
I think it is important for a 22 y/o to factor TKP into their budget, so I just did.
Only a Tyrod away.
Almost there.
It was always my plan to become a member prior to the season. I just became member #196!
Joe, I have a Job, a 8 month old son, and a dog; I can barely find the time to read all the content y'all are pumping out, and that is during the off season!! I cannot imagine where you find the time. Thank you, and I hope The Key Player's Club gets to 1000+ members by seasons end.
LET'S GO!!!
THREE MORE TO GO. THE TKPC HYPE TRAIN HAS NO BREAKS.
Fuck Jordan Zumwalt
Was going to wait until I could be 200, but have a meeting and know I would likely miss the mark. 198 it is!
1
I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty sure the ball hit the ground...but IIRC they reviewed it and ruled it a catch and I'm fine with that. But I'd just brush it under the rug....
TWO MORE (EDIT: I was late, but cannot leave out Mr. Williams!)
One more for 200; we can do this.
Just did. 200 it is. Thanks Joe!
Good job guys. First major milestone. Now can we get 250 by the first game? Then it's on to 1,000 by the bowl game. Let's do this and keep TKP up and running and growing.
NOW ONTO 1000!!!
sheesh, it's never enough with you people. /s
Haha this is my Hokie community, outside of here I just have my dad, I know that's probably the case for some other users as well and I don't have any intention of losing it. :D
Hold on to that and enjoy it. My family Hokie was my mom who passed four years back. Those are the memories that stick with you!
Sorry for your loss my friend, that's tough. I wasn't trying to say it isn't awesome that I share that with my dad, it certainly looks that way in context. My dad and I have gone to at least one VT home game together every year since I was in 7th grade (2005). I Look forward to that trip every year and hope that tradition continues for a long, long time!
Only one true goal.
Wow, if we had over 9000 TKPC members, Joe could quit his career (if he wanted) and hire a small full-time staff probably.
yes, I would think an operating budget of $750,000/year would ease some of Joe's financial concerns.
If TKP had that type of budget, y'all would know what Whit had for breakfast every morning.
Psssh!!! I can tell ya that one for free.
A bowl full of awesome!!!
This.
Joe,
So I am number 201... Not a frequent commenter, but a frequent reader. So I wanted to express my gratitude in a different way.
Over the past 1.5 years my now 5-year old son has been battling cancer (leukemia). During this time I can't tell you the number of articles, posts and videos that I have watched in a hospital or at a clinic visit while my son is getting treatment. Your sight has been a nice distraction when other areas of my life can be very intense.
The great analysis by French, the articles by Alex and Brian, the stats by Joel, humor of the Fifth Fuller and your work behind the scenes to keep this site running. Thank you to the community that comments and provides entertaining insight and for keeping this sight classy and not just a site that bashes others. The positivity of this site is something that makes it different from most.
As fans we get very wrapped up in the ups and downs of being Hokie football supporters, but there are other things in life that are so much bigger.
I look forward to one day taking my son to a VT football game and having him experience what all of us love so much. Thanks for the effort to run the site and for providing a place where I can let my mind focus on something else positive... Hokie football.
I hope your son is doing better now. My daughter turns 5 soon so this hits a little close to home.
I'm sorry to hear that. My 5 yr old son had Wilms Tumor when he just turned one, had his kidney removed, and went through chemo for about a little over a year. Not quite the same but I know how difficult it can be. I was just happy that it was when he was young enough to be able to forget it. I always said if he can get through it then so could I. Keep your head up and share your passion with your son on game days so when he gets the all clear from the doc he will be pumped about going to his first game in person.
Thanks to you and hokieEnginerd for the comments. He will be in treatment until March 2018. These blood cancers take a lot of time and chemo to get in front of. He is doing well though and fighting hard. I am glad your son is doing well. The "Cancer Parent Club" is definitely not a group you want to be a part of... it is much more fun to be a part of the Key Players Club.
All the best to your family and Superman Those Hoos.
From your name/occupation I have a feeling you know quite a lot on this topic and have a very personal commitment to helping kids. Thanks for what you do. It is nice we can talk football instead of other things!
You would be correct. Thanks for what you and your family do. Let's have a beer and celebrate the end of Maintenance in March 2018...I'm buying.
Cheers to that day and the offer! Even though my wife will be stressed when we no longer have that parachute of chemo to fight off anything.
I never thought of it that way.
The fact that TKP can even momentarily distract you from real life issues is extremely humbling. All the gratitude is on this end. You, your son, and family are in my thoughts.
Cheers to you Joe. Family is the most important thing and I appreciate the thoughts
The day this will happen, your pair of tickets is on me.
You are too kind... thanks for the offer.
This is the kind of thing that makes me love this community so much.
As a survivor of a childhood cancer (Burkitt's Lymphoma - diagnosed @ 8 yrs old, 44 now, 34 years of remission and still counting) it means a lot to your son that you are there with him to explain what can be explained and de-mystify what can't. It may seem insurmountable now in the middle of the battle but there are moments that you will find that build into memories.
Let us know when you are bringing him to a game. You are invited to our tailgate, we'll do the Hokie Pokie and let him lead a "Let's Go" that will be heard across the campus.
Very prompt on the key play member swag, Joe! This should make my keys louder for those.....plays that are important and I should yell and jingle something
I just cracked a beer with my keychain -wearing my HOAT shirt....boom. Beat that bitches
Good news!!! I found $84 in my couch cushions.
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and log into this site and just love yall. Ok, being honest that's every day. But days like this really let you know that the people here are amazing. Rails on me.
Gave money to the thekeyplay and like 2 months later got blocked by them on twitter. I'll pass this time.
Thanks for sharing....?
"Them"? You mean Joe? Must have been a reason. I don't think that should have anything to do with this fine website and the community.
"We" (the community) are happy to have you here and your support, as long as everyone is friendly and plays by the guidelines; and sorry if you had a bad time on the Twitter.
I mean, I guess I understand why you might not want to give money by joining TKPC due to past history.
I just don't get why you want to air that out on the boards...seems kinda petty
You should have just passed on commenting.
That Joe is such a fucking ass
Just got my first paycheck and am officially a member of the Key Players Club! #211
Anyone else keep multiplying the number of TKPC members by 84 to see how close we are to being able to pay a beat writer?
Better question: how much does a beat writer cost?
More than you would think. All the money TKP (Orange and Maroon Media, LLC) brings is taxed by federal and state. After you lose a bunch of cash off the top, it costs about 120% of the reporter's actual salary (salary + employment taxes) to employ someone. There's a ways to go, but the support over the last week has been unreal.
Taxed three times...
As a small business owner, I hear you. (Statement edited out to avoid politics) However, a lot of the employee cost should be tax deductible, and help get that closer to you paying 120% net of taxes.
So all you need to do is take all the key player clue dues accumulated in the past week and bet on us winning at Bristol.
#badwithmoney
Can it be operated as a nonprofit
or possibly TKP could setup it's own foundation. That could work out well for everyone on the TKP team and the rules are a bit looser than nonprofit.
Plus you have to get him/her health insurance.
via GIPHY
Yeah, essentially a daily math check for the past week.
So I joined when this started (lucky #2). Will there be a reminder email to renew my donation?
It's a recurring billing plan. It will auto-bill you again on your yearly anniversary date. It's noted on the payment form, and if you go to http://www.thekeyplay.com/the-key-players-club it will tell you that date.
What you will get are multiple emails before your anniversary date providing instructions on how to cancel your automatic payment. The goal is to be as upfront with folks as possible and provide multiple opportunities to cancel.
Another excuse to spam us with emails! /s
The outpouring of support over the last week has been incredible but we still have a long ways to go to reach the goal, so let's not let this momentum fade! I implore anyone who has enjoyed this site, and plans to continue to enjoy this site AND can financially justify the decision, to join The Key Player's Club!
Plus the sticker and the bottle opener are pretty sweet.
How long does it take typically to receive the awesome goodies?
I don't remember exactly, but my goodies came pretty quickly if I recall correctly.
to be fair, Joe has gotten like 100 new members in the last week so that's a lot of swag to send out.
A very fair point. Honestly, I hope so many people join that he runs out of the dang goodies and has to get more.
I'm sure he had them mass produced...in a large batch...like, around 1000 or so
I'm team 9000
I mail them on Saturdays. However, while putting together this weekend's shipment I realized I ran out of keychain bottle openers. I do apologize. More are in production, and the final product is well worth the wait.
Awesome! Hopefully I'll get mine before the first or second game so I can get my "keys" ready for third downs!
Anyone know how much it costs to get an add up on the jumbotron? Just saw the picture up top again and it crossed my mind.
Let's make this happen!
also, they need to find a way to get the trailer up on the jumbotron before the liberty game...
To the twitters...
Finally got up off my wallet and joined the club.
I don't know what my number is, but I just joined the club.
I graduated in 1969 and was always very proud to proclaim I was in the same graduating class as Frank Beamer. Except for getting a wave from him in a parade when I called out to him, we have never met. Nevertheless, to me, as for many, he is/was Virginia Tech.
I remain a Frank Beamer fan and it will be VERY strange for me not to see him on the sideline. However, It is a new day and a new time. GO HOKIES!
Welcome aboard number 217
Just joined myself. Started at Tech the same year Beamer started. I'm with you on how strange it will be not seeing him on the sideline.
But definitely all in.
Also, thanks TKP for your incredible work and commitment!
Birthday doesn't check out.
/s
(I know, started college when he started coaching)
I hope you get meet him someday. He's effectively a child hood hero of mine, and I was 22 when I met him about a year and a half ago.
Long story short he made a point to have a conversation as we crossed paths on the sidewalk when he was crazy busy . I tried to thank him for everything he's done for VT and he immediately changed the conversation to thanking me for being an MV and doing pep band (I had pep band gear on going to a game.)
The Frank Beamer persona is not an act, but who he really is.
username checks out
Not quite as exciting as Logan, but I also did an expensive thing and bought a house this month...
Once I get my financials in order I'll join, I spend too much time on here to not support it.
Your expensive thing will never second guess you spending $84/year on a website...mine on the other hand might.
Man, I kind of want to join in on this TKPC AMA theme, but it'd probably be frowned upon by my employer. And I probably couldn't answer all the questions.
Guys we are only 16 new members away from 250, let's get this up to 250 bu kickoff Saturday and start the season off right.
Yes! Let's keep the momentum going!
Free beer for everyone in Lot 18 on Saturday if we make it to 250 by then.
(I honestly will give you free beer anyway but the motivation should be real)
Personally, I think we should keep this thread stickied at the top of the site all season. Don't want anyone to miss out on joining because this thread happens to not be bumped when they visit.
#234 in the house
Guys we are only 13 new Key Players Club Members to our first major milestone. Let's do this. Look at all the content on here in the last 24 hours. Then imagine the 2017 Hokies Football season opener without this. Well unless you want that to happen step up and join us in Club and keep this site going.
Joe, you should post the impending doom of this site more often...for those that have bought in, thanks for doing your bit in keeping this awesome site afloat.
Come on lurkers, join! You know you get your money's worth of reading material, year round.
I'm thinking of joining. Does this site have memes? How about .jifs? Don't you think Sam Rogers is awesome? I hear you guys think it was a catch. Do you got grammar police?
I want to see this as a Gameday sign.
Finally got my new credit card in the mail joined just in time for all the awesome in season coverage!!!
Financial Responsiblity PSA time...?
(j/k)
I wish it was :) had fraud on my card and it took over a month for my replacement card to come in. Don't have enough legs yet so I one up this in spirit
In before kickoff. Thank you Joe for all you've done over the years. TKP is the best.
You know what goes great with gameday? The Key Players Club.
Welcome to the newest TKPC members who have joined in the last few days. We're currently at 243. I think we can make it to 250 by Bristol on Saturday. Anyone else agree? I thought so. If you love the VT coverage, random side topics, and general awesomeness that is the TKP community, click the link at the top-right of this page and enjoy your new status as digital key-bearing benefactor of TKP.
I'm joining. Too much fun maybe I will see some of you this weekend.
50 more please
Great job on 250 before Bristol. Let's go for 300, biggest crowd EVER for college football let's show Hokie Nation that TKP is the best damn Hokie site there is out there.
I keep checking back here to make sure anyone crediting this post for joining gets a leg from me, but the new post thing on the iPad does not seem to work, and the thread seems to jump to the top occasionally for no obvious reason. Anyone else have that? I'll keep checking in and showing approval either way.
Have you tried turning it off and back on again?
Seriously though, I have turn my iPad vertical so the N buttons will pop up.
Thought it was time to bump this post to the top, and get another rally of members to join the TKPC.
I am officially the 265th member to join this fine establishment. This website is truly THE BEST website for Virginia Tech sports, and for online interaction with those that bleed O&M. The amount of energy and effort put in by Joe, French, Ryan, and all you other magnificent TKP staff is truly amazing and something that I am very proud to support! THIS IS HOME. Like so many others before me have said, I love this website. I couldn't imagine not being able to come and read and learn from (and attempt to understand) French's great analysis, laugh at TheFifthFuller's "Foe"Rensics, and all of the other fantastic articles and DB posts that are contributed every day. Couple that with a community like no other...man, does it really get any better?!
Enough with the sentimental stuff...what does all of this mean? It means it's time to start another wave of supporters, that's what! I am calling on you, the magnificent members of the TKP, those who haven't joined and are watching our antics in the shadows, and those who love to laugh at LOLUVA's attempts to football like real men, to come and join The Key Players Club (if financially able of course)!!! Let's get that ticker in the upper right hand corner to 300 ASAP! TO THE BEST HOKIES WEBSITE...DRINK!
Let's do it!
Just took a look through the last page of TKPC members and I think it is really cool to see a bunch of user names that don't frequently show up in the comments section. It's a great reminder that TKP reaches a lot of people. Some of us make a lot of noise in discussions, others quietly enjoy the content put out by the hardworking staff. I think that's really cool that both vocal and lurking members are pitching in. Thanks to everyone who has joined.
I've been reading this site for a while, but I just created an account today so that I could join the Club. I suspect there are a lot of other lurkers out there.
Seriously. Thank you.
This thread deserves all the bumps because this site and the TKP staff deserve all the contributing members.
Congratulate me, mine Hokie/TKP brethren and sistren, for I have become the 269th to join the club. I wanted to make sure to join on a memorable number. In it for life! Let's take TKP beyond the top!
Lol mcgruber, you are one of a kind