Disqus - Latest Comments for garycope

Re: Michael D Kiser

Cope — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:23:36 -0000

There are no words to adequately describe the impact Michael Kiser had on my life, both personally and professionally. I remember the day I interviewed for a position on his staff and thought, "This guy would be great to work with!" I also remember the day, several years later, he showed up to a staff meeting with a box of ice cream sandwiches and broke the news he was leaving.

Michael truly was a gift to anyone who knew him. His infectious laugh and brilliant, boyish smile immediately put even the most curmudgeonly at ease. Countless were the times I would hear him laughing down the hall and chuckle out loud in my office simply because I heard him. Infectious.

Michael hired me eight years ago this month. In that time he taught me much. He helped me to apply my journalism skills to a new career in higher education. He made me a better writer by constructively criticizing my work. I enjoyed writing for Michael. In a world of higher ed egos and bureaucracy, he knew how to balance all of the outside influences and create compelling works of art that were meant to not only inform, but also to inspire.

How fitting that he ended up working for C.A.S.E. Two years after he left Virginia Tech, my articles earned a C.A.S.E. Gold Award for the Communications office Michael built from the ground up. That award, the office's first and only Gold Award, is Michael's. Even today, I write with Michael's voice in my head, helping me find the words to tell the story the way it was meant to be told. He's not always there, mind you, because I'm sure he's better things to do.

I regret not having kept in touch with Michael over the years, but I followed him on Facebook and read his eloquently written posts about his family. He was ever so proud of his children, as a father should be.

Even in the infancy of my new career in healthcare, I have come to learn that so often it feels like the good die young and those that have seemingly squandered away life's gifts, seem to live forever. Being the devout Christian Michael was, I can almost hear him putting a positive twist on why that seems to be. Perhaps those still here have more lessons to teach, or perhaps to learn.

My heart is heavy having learned of Michael's death. I prayed for him and asked for prayers from others when I heard he was sick. I pray for his family now, and ask that you do the same.

Michael was one of the good ones. I say he is gone too soon. Michael would probably tell me that he was gone exactly when the good Lord called him home. We'll have to agree to disagree on that point, sir.

Godspeed, Michael.

Re: Seth Allen to Transfer to VT

Cope — Tue, 13 May 2014 13:56:09 -0000

I'm going to chime in here, even though I'm not Niemo. You're assuming that Wilson will continue to develop and progress into an entrenched No. 1. That scenario is by no means a given, as we've witnessed first-hand over the years. The ACC is a grind and you need two quality PGs to survive. Wilson needs to stay healthy and continue to develop. Buzz knows Wilson is his starting PG next season and will coach him up. But when Allen becomes eligible for the 2015-16 season, I think it'll be an open competition. Regardless of who wins out that battle, should it get to that point, having a veteran like Wilson will be, and a player the caliber of Allen, is a luxury the Hokies haven't seen in many moons. And I full expect Allen to push Wilson during practice this upcoming season, which, you would think, would make Wilson better.

Re: TechHoops.com issues press release regarding its future

Cope — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 08:44:36 -0000

Your avatar is indeed badass. No way I'm taking a swing at a dude in a helmet.

Re: TechHoops.com issues press release regarding its future

Cope — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:47:58 -0000

Your words cut like a knife, Will. C'mon, man, you should know us by now. We are constantly tooting our own horns. It's our move.

Re: Virginia Tech fires James Johnson after two seasons

Cope — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:28:46 -0000

Lies. LIES! You have full admin rights just like me. It's just easier to text me and say, "New poll question..." It's all good, though. Nothing a bottle good scotch can't fix.

Re: Virginia Tech fires James Johnson after two seasons

Cope — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:46:52 -0000

Fine. I changed it. Danny Manning is now an option. God, I remember watching him in 1988. I'm so old.

Re: Virginia Tech fires James Johnson after two seasons

Cope — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:26:43 -0000

Yeah Niemo, get on that. Go change the poll question.

Re: Virginia Tech fires James Johnson after two seasons

Cope — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 14:04:55 -0000

My question is, if you're going to hire a big fish, you would presumably think it's a coach from a team that's currently in the field of the NCAA tournament, right? If that's the case, is Babcock going to sit on the release until after said coach loses in the tournament?

Re: The season that was a trainwreck

Cope — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:20:42 -0000

Gentleman Jack

Re: The season that was a trainwreck

Cope — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:20:25 -0000

Thanks for stickin' with us, dude!

Re: Bruce Pearl Ain’t Coming to Blacksburg

Cope — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:15:26 -0000

Niemo, you are now the official JDubFunKiller.

Re: uva at VT Mini Preview

Cope — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:11:40 -0000

Niemo's the real X's and O'x guy, but I would imagine that JJ will employ the zone again since it's worked relatively well that last two games.

Re: boston college 76 (2-5, 6-14), HOKIES 52 (1-7, 8-12)

Cope — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:31:34 -0000

What if we lose out? If we're at rock bottom now, what would a 17-game losing streak mean?

Re: The Week Ahead: @ bc (Wednesday at 7 PM); Home vs maryland (Saturday at High Noon)

Cope — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:44:23 -0000

*drop mic, walks off stage

Re: State of the Program | Midseason Report Card

Cope — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:54:22 -0000

Approve—
Sent from Mailbox for iPhone

Re: The Week Ahead: Dec. 16 to 22 (vs vcu – Saturday, 12/21, 5:30 PM – NBC Sports Network)

Cope — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:48:36 -0000

Alex, we lowercase ALL opponent names here on TechHoops.com.

Re: Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration March 15

Cope — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:28:07 -0000

I love Celtic music! Sadly, I can't make it, but I'm sure it'll be a great show!

Re: Erick Green Named ACC Player of the Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Cope — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:18:38 -0000

Strange. Not sure what happened there, but they've been turned on. Feel free to rip on the irish.

Re: Erick Green Named ACC Player of the Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Cope — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:49:00 -0000

What are you talking about?

Re: Game Recap | wake forest (6-12, 13-17) 90, Hokies (4-14, 13-18) 79

Cope — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 17:09:21 -0000

Yeah. My bad. It's been fixed and updated. wake, gt, same thing.

Re: Game Breakdown | The Cassell has been Stormed

Cope — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:51:38 -0000

I'm with you on this. To me, if you're not a Hokie, this is just a job to you. When I covered uva athletics, it was just a job, I couldn't care less. But when I cover the Hokies, that's MY school. I think the same is true for ADs. If that's not YOUR school, it's just a job. I think we need a VT alum as the next AD.

Re: The year of Erick Green: Where does he rank?

Cope — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:15:07 -0000

I was really referring to the catastrophic injuries that plagued us in recent years with JT Thompson (2 blow ACLs) and losing Dorenzo Hudson for a season.

Re: The year of Erick Green: Where does he rank?

Cope — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:13:12 -0000

Will, I completely agree. The intangibles are what really separates Erick from other players we mentioned. Delaney put up some impressive numbers for the Hokies, but if I had to choose, I'd take Erick Green every day of the week and twice on Sunday. He's the consummate team player and a quality young man on and off the court (as far as we know). He's my favorite player since Zabe and I'll miss watching him play. Guys like him don't come along very often, especially for a program like VT.

Re: State of the Program | The Ma$$ Exodu$

Cope — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:11:56 -0000

He was out 7 games, but it seemed like much longer.

Re: State of the Program | The Ma$$ Exodu$

Cope — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:38:01 -0000

I'm pretty sure JJ has eight scholarship players, though I could be mistaken. But, I thought the following guys were on scholarship: Green, van Zegeren, Eddie, Raines, Barksdale, Rankin, Wood, and Brown.