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TechSideline.com Welcomes New Sponsor Hilldrup Moving and Storage

TechSideline.com is pleased to welcome new site sponsor Hilldrup Moving and Storage. Hilldrup Moving and Storage are experts in all varieties of relocation, including domestic, international or commercial. Hilldrup also specializes in warehousing and storage.

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TSL Reader Wins Advance Auto Parts Tickets

In other sponsor-related news, a TSL reader was one of two winners in Advance Auto Parts' first-ever online ticket giveaway:

Recent Sweepstakes winners -- Advance Auto Parts

The two winners in the ticket giveaway won qualifying tickets, race tickets, garage tours, shirts, and accommodations at Martinsville and Talladega. The ticket giveaway was promoted on the TSL web site (and other places online), and we're very pleased that a TSL reader was one of the winners.

Congratulations, and thanks to Advance Auto Parts for their sponsorship of TechSideline.com!

The Hokie football team conducted spring practices 5, 6, and 7 (out of 15) since the last TSLMail, and will conduct practice 8 today (Friday).

Last Saturday, the team held a 40-play scrimmage that featured Bryan Randall getting about half the snaps at quarterback, and Chris Clifton getting the other half. The highlight of the scrimmage was approximately 100 yards rushing by tailback Cedric Humes (statistics were not kept).

On Monday, after evaluating the scrimmage and previous spring practices, the coaches moved Clifton to wide receiver and named Randall the #2 quarterback, behind Grant Noel. It was anticipated that Will Hunt might change positions as well, but he will remain at quarterback for now.

Along with Clifton, tailback Justin Hamilton will also get reps at receiver, although he'll continue to serve as a tailback, as well.

Wednesday, the Hokies held another scrimmage, on a cold, windy day, and tailback Kevin Jones rushed for 95 yards on six carries, including a 75-yard TD run that saw him break two tackles at the line of scrimmage and break away for the end zone. The run was reported as 75 yards on BeamerBall.com and 69 yards on hokiesportsinfo.com.

The QB's struggled in the windy conditions Wednesday, with Noel completing 7-of-12 for 56 yards and Randall completing 3-of-8 for 23 yards. Ernest Wilford caught two passes for 25 yards, while Shawn Witten caught two for 15 yards.

In depth chart moves (as of the 4/1/02 depth chart on BeamerBall.com), Clifton has been named the co-number two split end with Wilford, with no number one being named.

Keith Willis is now the co-number one tight end, along with Jared Mazetta, with Jeff King #2. In the battle for the #2 Backer spot behind Vegas Robinson, Blake Warren has been moved ahead of #3 James Anderson.

Tech will have another scrimmage this Saturday. The Spring Game is two weeks from Saturday, on April 20th, at 2 p.m. in Lane Stadium.

South End Zone Construction Update

Our contacts on South end zone construction report that the project is still proceeding on schedule, and the contractor still fully expects to have things ready in time for the football season.

Currently, all of the vertical raker beams are in place, and nearly all of the horizontal tie beams are done, as well. There is one section of tie beams that will not be put in for a week or so, in order to allow all of the other tie beams to fully dry, and for all concrete shrinkage to occur.

Once all of the concrete sections (raker beams and tie beams) that are currently in place are fully dried, the final tie beams will be installed, and placement of seating support structures can be completed.

"By the Spring Game," our contact says, "most of the precast concrete should be set and the contractor may begin with the exterior site concrete (sidewalks, plazas, etc.) by then. On the interior, the club level is flying along with interior walls, ductwork, electrical, etc. coming along nicely. All seats are supposed to be installed by July 1."

Our contact also addressed the pictures that were posted on the architect's web site a few weeks ago, showing what looked to be serious voids in the concrete of one of the raker beams.

The voids occurred because of complications with the quick-drying concrete that is used, and upon discovery, "The structural engineer was notified and an appropriate fix was devised. Basically, all loose concrete had to be removed and a flowable grout mixture was poured to fill the voids.

"The raker has now been repaired, and with the exception of cosmetic and surface patching, the structural concrete across the project is in good shape. People with professional engineering licenses have to sign the dotted line before the State will issue an occupancy permit. You can rest assured that the structure will be safe."

We'll keep you up to date with status and photos as the project goes on.

TSL Spring Game Tailgate Info

Will Stewart
General Manager and Managing Editor
TechSideline.com

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Randall Comes on Strong - by Will Stewart, 4/3/02
He's not likely to supplant Grant Noel as the #1 quarterback this spring, but TSL sources say backup QB Bryan Randall is playing better all the time and could give Noel a run for his money before Tech's August 25th opener. Also: Wide Receivers Struggle Early.