When the nation tuned in to watch the Black College Association Bowl this past Sunday, many people did so to catch Michael Vick kick off his electrifying Heisman campaign. They got the electricity, but other than more hype from the pre-game show, missed out on Vick. However, without even realizing it, they missed out on an even more incredible treat. When Virginia Tech took the field, they did it in a fashion that is a rarity in major college programs today - with a double-digit amount of walk-ons.

Virginia Tech opened this year's season with 10 walk-ons listed on the two-deep roster. No, that is not a misprint. Ten walk-ons playing for a team expected to contend for the Big East Championship, and perhaps even the National Championship.

As armchair quarterbacks, we theorize and strategize, and we are never wrong. But, at the same time, there is that realization in the back of our brains that tells us, "Hey, you don't have one ounce of athletic ability in your bones and there's no way you could possibly do what those kids are doing." However, some of those kids were told the same thing. They weren't told that they had absolutely no talent, but that they weren't good enough to make the cut. Sure, they were good high school players, but they were missing an important ingredient to make it at the next level - height, weight, strength, or some other physical aspect missing from their bodies to make them prototypical players. However, each of the walk-ons out there on Worsham field had something that transcends physical attributes - heart and desire.

Walk-ons inspire us like no others can. We live vicariously through their hard work and dedication. They make us realize our own dreams are possible too, whether our dream lies on the football field or not, because they inspire hope. While today's headlines are chock full of athletes who run afoul of the law, these players stand as proof that hard work and dedication still stand for something.

Recruiting is a crap shoot, at best. Many highly touted high school players don't pan out. By the same accord, many of the overlooked players become superstars. The walk-on program allows all of them to come to Virginia Tech with the same fair chance at playing time. Most other colleges treat walk-ons as second class citizens, fresh meat for the starters to chew on as pre-game appetizers. Virginia Tech treats them as full partners in the team, with all the respect accorded the scholarship players. Everyone knows that the best player will play, whether they walked-on to the program or earned a scholarship out of high school. Recruits not offered to play on the 1-A level know which colleges will offer fair opportunites, and those with faith in themselves come in droves to play for the Hokies, knowing they'll get an honest chance.

Tech is one of the top few schools in the country in the number of scholarships awarded to walk-on players. In fact, this year's roster contains four scholarship players who were former walk-ons.

Additionally, players can look at the success stories from the VT walk-on program to see that they can make it to the next level. The most notable example in recent times was Defensive End, John Engleberger. Engleberger joined the Hokies as a recruited walk-on Tight End. He reshaped his body in the weight room and switched to defense, where he became a monster. San Francisco picked him in last year's NFL draft in the second round. He's not the only Hokie walk-on in the pros though. Former Tight End, John Burke, was drafted in 1994 by the New England Patriots, and he now plays for the Oakland Raiders. Grateful of the chance he was given at Tech, Engelberger pledged $100,000 to the university, with the caveat that he wants Tech to install a urinal in the Jamerson Athletic Center with a plaque that reads, "Big John, gives this john in name of John (Ballein)."

When I see what each of these players were able to do when they were told, "No, you can't" out of high school, it gives me faith and appreciation for the solid system that Virginia Tech runs. More than that, the feeling supplants itself in me and I feel good about life in general. Who knows... I might even decide to get up and run a few laps myself.

HC Home

HokieCentral.com is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. All material is Copyright ©1996-2000 by HokieCentral.com, all rights reserved.