I got an email Sunday from a reader who asked the following question:

I noticed on Syracuse On-line in an article dated 6-12-98 that it was mentioned that Tech has scheduled future series with Auburn and Nebraska. I have not seen this mentioned anywhere on your board or other Tech boards. Could this be true?

I thought, "What in the world?  Where is Syracuse On-Line getting that from?"

First of all, before you get excited, NO, TECH DOES NOT HAVE FUTURE SERIES SCHEDULED WITH AUBURN AND NEBRASKA.  The Hokies spoke with Auburn a couple of years ago, but the deal was nixed by Frank Beamer due to its positioning in the Big East schedule in the years in question (or so the story goes).

As for Nebraska, it was widely rumored a few months back that Tech was close to closing a deal with the Huskers, but in actuality, the two schools spoke only briefly, and Nebraska wound up going with California, instead.

So I hustled over to Syracuse On-Line and found an article about the Big East's football meetings, which were held last week in Newport, Rhode Island.  And sure enough, buried deep in the article is the following paragraph:

(Big East Conference Commissioner Mike) Tranghese said some in the Big East have complained about Tech('s football schedule). He points out the Hokies have built a solid program, partly because of their Big East membership. He said new athletic director Jim Weaver has answered the call and is upgrading the schedule with future series against Auburn and Nebraska.

Sigh.  I can hear Ronald Reagan in the background, saying, "There you go again, Mr. Commissioner."

Once again, Mike Tranghese has displayed that he knows nothing about Virginia Tech or Virginia Tech football, and once again, he has displayed that he doesn't care.   I have no idea where in the world he got the idea that Tech was playing Auburn and Nebraska, but he sure as heck didn't get it from Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver, whom I'm sure is reading that, rubbing his eyes wearily, and saying, "I said Clemson and Texas A&M, Mike.  Clemson and Texas A&M!  I sure wish I could dump your conference like I dumped the Roanoke Civic Center."

(Again, just for the record, Clemson is scheduled for 1998 and 1999, and Texas A&M is slated for 2002 and 2003, but don't quote me on the TA&M years.  I may be wrong on those).

Where's Jack Bogaczyk when you need him?  I would love to see the headline "Tranghese Needs Remedial Help on the Subject of Virginia Tech" in tomorrow's Roanoke Times.  'Scuse me while I go look out the window for flying pigs.

Oh, by the way, here's a link to the article, which for some reason, is cleverly titled, "News Item":

Syracuse On-Line Article About Big East Meetings

If you're a fan of MTV's documentary series "The Real World," then you know by now that the cast for the sixth season, which kicks off on Tuesday night, includes two VMI students (cool guys) and a UVa student (dizzy, naive chick).  This year's show takes place in Seattle, and I personally am amazed that out of seven cast members, three have ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I think it's great, as long as they don't play up the UVa angle too much.

MTV ran a special called "The Real World VI Casting" several times this weekend, and eagle-eyed Hokies who can sit through some brief, scenic shots of UVa and Charlottesville are treated about fifteen minutes later to a shot of VMI student and prospective Real-Worlder Nathan Blackburn sporting a Virginia Tech sweatshirt (go Nathan!).

The shot occurs about 35 minutes into the casting special.  It happens when Nathan is visiting his mother in Pleasanton, Kansas, and Nathan and his girlfriend are sitting at the breakfast table.  Although Nathan is committing the unpardonable sin of wearing a baseball cap at the table, he attempts to right that wrong by sporting a brown sweatshirt with a small VT logo.  You only get to see the sweatshirt for about two seconds, because, ... well, you know MTV.  On that network, the camera never stays on anything for longer than two seconds.

After getting over my excitement at seeing the VT logo, I turned to Mrs. HokieCentral and said, "Great.  Know what happens next?  Now I'm going to sit through an entire year of The Real World just to see if that guy will wear some VT stuff again."

MTV will rerun the hour-long casting special on Tuesday night prior to running the hour-long season premiere of this year's Real World.  I think the casting special is at 9:00, with the season premiere at 10:00, but if you plan on watching, check your TV listings to be sure.  You might even want to verify that the night is correct, although I think it is indeed Tuesday.

And remember, once Nathan gets to Pleasanton, watch closely!

On Sunday, I watched the beginning of The World League of American Football's "World Bowl" on Fox.  I was, of course, trolling for Hokies in the lineup of the two teams playing for the championship, the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Rheine Fire (so shoot me if I spelled that wrong).

The starting lineups were announced, and alas, no Hokies were present, but I did see one player that I got a giggle out of.  Frankfurt's starting quarterback was none other than Chris Dittoe, who was John Paci's backup for Indiana when the Hokies whipped the Hoosiers 45-20 in the 1993 Independence Bowl.

I remember Dittoe because, once the Indy Bowl was no longer in doubt, and it was apparent the Hokies were going to win, the Hoosiers pulled Paci and stuck Dittoe in the game.   The Hokies promptly sacked him, and everyone in my section started yelling, "Ditto!  Ditto!"

Ditto!  Get it?  Ditto?  You know, like, "we just did the same thing to your backup that we did to your starter" Ditto?

Oh, never mind.  I thought it was funny at the time.

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