Yes, it's February 4th, National Signing Day for NCAA football recruits.   As the day goes on, I encourage you to keep an eye on the message board and on Screaming Lizard's Hokie Hotline recruiting site for all the news on which kids are signing ... and if any of them aren't.   At last word, all recruits appeared to be solid, but if one or more of them back out, it wouldn't be the first time.

Jim Weaver spoke at Oakwood Country Club in Lynchburg on Tuesday, hosted by the Lynchburg Hokie Club.  I culled the following notes from a post by "HokieClub" on the message board.  Many thanks to "HokieClub" for contributing:

Weaver discussed the future conference alignment for the Hokies and reiterated his often made point that he feels the Big East is the best home for the Hokies.  Mr. Weaver feels that the ACC will never offer membership to Virginia Tech (he's right), and that Tech currently can't compete with the big budgets in the SEC (right again).

Weaver expressed his vision for VT athletic facilities. He said that Virginia Tech must keep moving forward immediately and always in order to keep up with the goals that he envisions for our athletic programs.  Luxury boxes in Lane Stadium, new practice fields, lights for all outdoor fields, new visitors' football locker rooms, and many more improvements are on his list.

(side note from Will:  Mr. Weaver has never mentioned a new scoreboard for Cassell or a new Jumbotron for Lane, so you scoreboard nuts will either have to hold your horses or start making noise and get on Mr. Weaver's list)

The football schedule was also discussed (and here's where the news gets juicy, and this is the main reason that I posted this information). Weaver is currently talking with Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Penn State, NC State, and a couple of others. It looks like USC has late 2000 open & Penn State mid 2000 open.  There's also a possible opening for Illinois in early 2000.

Weaver (who knocked on wood) said that as of 3:10 pm Tuesday, VT had a firm lock on all of the verbal commitments they have received thus far.

Weaver also said that they are looking into a discount for season ticket holders.   He said that season ticket holders will be compensated somehow, either this year or next. Mr. Weaver also stated that we (Virginia Tech) must put 50,000 people in the stands each and every home game, reguardless of who the Hokies are playing.  Tech fans must come to watch the Hokies, and not who they're playing.  Mr. Weaver stated that this is very important if we want to go to the next level.

(another side note from Will:  Mr. Weaver, line up at least some of the teams you're talking with, and we'll take care of the season tickets and attendance figures, okay?)

As far as the bowl situation, most current contracts with bowls have expired, and the Big East is having trouble finding bowl tie-ins, but Mr. Weaver said that the Big East Commissioner is certain that they will have 4 bowls signed.

(gee, an assurance from Mike Tranghese - doesn't that just fill you with confidence, Hokie fans?)

Weaver said that the bowls are going to start declining rapidly, and within five or six years, there will be a play-off in college football. Weaver would like to see teams play a 12-game schedule and for the NCAA to have a 16 team playoff.

There are many more details, but these were the highlights as mentioned by HokieClub.   Thanks for the post, HokieClub!

• Nick Sorensen's move to safety has been confirmed by a few good sources, so at this point, take it as the gospel truth.  The Nickster, the Gator Bowl MVP, will now be a hitter, not a hittee.  Look for him on special teams next year, and if he's good enough, look for him on defense, too.

• Ace Custis's jersey will be retired during halftime of Wednesday's 7:00 p.m. home basketball game against LaSalle, so if you're in the area (and you're not snowed in), I encourage you to stop by and see what will no doubt be an emotional moment.   Yes, Ace will be there!

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