While this has pretty much nothing to do with Virginia Tech, I stumbled across this series on Campus Rush from last fall. I thought it was an intriguing look at a program that has many different challenges, but a unique culture that surrounds it.
Here's a couple of passages from Part 1 that I found to be a similar message to those around the Hokie program, about keeping players in-state:
Tulimasealii strongly considered going to almost every Pac-12 school, most notably Washington, at which he felt a connection because the Huskies were the first college football program to seriously pursue the undersized prospect. But the islands, which include Hawai'i, Tonga and American Samoa, where Tulimasealii was born, have a special pull on everyone, Tulimasealii says, especially the locals. He wanted to stay to see if he could help bring pride back to the only game in town. He wanted to lift his people.
Tulimasealii stayed, he says, because he wanted to help his people rise. Sapolu, Chang and Mariota lifted Hawai'i up; now it's time for the next generation to carry some of that honor, too. It will only take one local staying and shining, Tulimasealii says, for everyone else to follow. They're setting the table for a Hawai'i football renaissance. But in the wake of Mariota's success, do high schoolers have the same passion for UH—or are they already fixated on the mainland?
PART 2 - A HEISMAN AND A LEGACY: HOW MARCUS MARIOTA'S SUCCESS HAS CHANGED HAWAI'I'S FOOTBALL CULTURE
Comments
It's a long haul from Hawai'i to Blacksburg and not much of a natural fit, but there are some big and fast boys in the islands. Since Hawai'i has been talking about forever of developing itself into a Pacific technology and medical center, there might be some form of connection. We also need a game with the UH Warriors every year. I'd rather play in the rain there than at ECU. (cough, cough)
I appreciate the dream of games in the islands, but then there's the nightmare of after a Saturday away game vs Hawaii, the ACC would schedule us to play GT the following Thursday.
Mainland!!!!!
Dang the guy committed to Alabama. Great article on him
Schools like Utah have been successful at bringing the Polynesian culture to the mainland, that has attracted star recruits over several recruiting classes. For some, that alone is a decision maker between leaving and staying on the islands.
The reason being is because there are a lot of Mormons in the Polynesian culture.
Maybe UVA is playing the long con.
1. Bring Bronco to LOLUVA
2. Broco brings the Mormons from the islands
3. ???
4. Profit
That'd be pretty sweet if they got a good local thing going there.
Would be cool to see Hawaii become a powerhouse.
I'm curious how the fans and alumni tailgate.
I'm going to guess luaus. Lots of luaus.
In that case, everyone gets leye'd.