Why I Joined Tech Sideline

By: Andy Bitter | Senior Staff Writer
Virginia Tech Football Tech Sideline
My “office” for the last decade-plus: the football practice field and Lane Stadium.

Editor’s Note: Andy Bitter has joined Tech Sideline as a full-time staff writer.

They say one of the bad things about your funeral is you’re not around to hear all the nice things people have to say about you.

Well, I didn’t die last month, but I sure got to hear what people thought of me after very publicly getting laid off from my former writing gig — and it was heartening.

Thoughts, condolences and well-wishes arrived in abundance. Many of you spared no detail in telling me the (sometimes profane) cancellation notices you sent to my previous stop, an action I didn’t ask for but have to admit brightened my mood. A stranger even gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder in the frozen foods section at Kroger! It’s easy to see that the Hokies community cares.

Among the first people to reach out was Will Stewart, founder of Tech Sideline. His message was simple: Let’s talk.

And that’s why I’m here.

Coaches often have a rule that you have 24 hours to get over a loss. Well, I gave myself a 48-hour window for this particularly brutal setback, a gut punch of a layoff from a place I loved working for that I didn’t see coming. Once that pity party was over, it was time to find a path back to covering Virginia Tech athletics.

“Why?” you might ask. I mean, the football team is in rebuild mode. Last year was mostly forgettable. This doesn’t feel like the same program from the ’90s or 2000s. Sure, that might temporarily be true. It’s hard to imagine that didn’t factor into my previous employer’s decision-making.

But what I gleaned from the outpouring of support during the lowest moment of my professional life and month of unemployment was this is a fan base that still cares, that still yearns for information about its teams, that still lives and dies and laughs and cries with every game’s result.

You want your writing, above all else, to mean something to your readers, to move them in a certain way and engage their thinking. Many programs aren’t like that.

This place is. This is a community that lives and breathes Virginia Tech and has a fan base that deserves the coverage it gets, which is why I’m now at a place that won’t abandon it.

I’ve been aware of what Will and Chris Coleman and David Cunningham have been doing at TSL for a while. The site’s been ever-present since I joined the Hokies beat in 2011 and long before that. In a dwindling media landscape, they’ve persevered. Grown, even. And their comprehensive coverage reflects that.

I’m here to add whatever I can, however I can, bringing 21 years as a professional journalist to the fold.

The outlet might have changed, but the mission doesn’t. I’m here to provide honest, thorough, in-depth reporting about the Hokies, as I have for the last decade. I’m here to tell stories, to probe for answers to questions you as fans have, to dig for unique and behind-the-scenes looks into the program and, of course, to continue to quote “The Simpsons” liberally, despite the show’s cultural relevance being well in the rearview mirror.

Whether its breaking news, feature stories with a personal touch, wide-ranging and jocular mailbags, post-game analysis or podcasts — all the things I’ve done throughout my career — I’m here to deliver it with my co-workers at Tech Sideline, where I hope we can earn the privilege of your subscription.

Layoffs stink, but as Hyman Roth said in “The Godfather Part II,” this is the business we’ve chosen. That reaper eventually comes for all of us in this line of work, particularly in this day and age. But no matter what happened to me, there’s still an insatiable appetite out there from loyal fans and readers for reporting and news at the local level.

Well, Tech Sideline is what local journalism looks like for Hokies fans, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.

Let’s go …

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141 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. What a HUGE pick up! So excited to know that Andy will still be covering our Hokies.

  2. Let’s go Andy!!!! Subscribed to Tech Sideline today and cancelled my “the athletic”. 😄

  3. Welcome Home again Andy. Your news of continuing to bring your professionalism and talent to all things Virginia Tech (football) made my week and was all I needed to hear to upgrade to a paid subscription on TSL.

  5. I just came across this today (don’t know when it came about). Know how a layoff can feel in that first extended moment, and am glad you have found a new (and better) place to be anyway. As your columns were the only thing that had drawn me into subscribing to that other publication, I took a look and found my annual subscription was coming up for renewal in a mere week or so. Which made my “account management” action fairly conveniently-timed. In cancelling my subscription, I filled in the optional feedback block as follows:

    “You had exactly one writer for whose content I was inclined to subscribe to The Athletic. Now that you have laid him off, you have no writers remaining for whom I’m interested in continuing to subscribe. So, good luck with that.”

    And kudos to Will & TSL for showing great on-field reflexes by instantly recognizing the fumble by the competition and jumping on the loose ball (or suddenly-available insightful writer).

  6. Been wondering for a while if I should subscribe to something else in addition to The Athletic. Then you upped and solved my problem, just with an “instead of” in place of an “in addition to”. Looking forward to TSL + Andy Bitter in one package.

  7. Andy, I followed you on the old gig and was shocked they let you go. Very glad you landed at TSL. All the best.

  11. Andy,

    I don’t comment anywhere much. I don’t do social media, and I just want to get the honest opinion from people I trust to do the digging into the details for me. I am coming out of my shell just to tell you how excited I am to have you at the only place I subscribe to for VT sports!!!

    GREAT GET WILL!!! Andy is always a good read.

  12. Count me as one of the many to cancel my subscription to your former employer and to follow you here. I looked forward to continued excellence here at TSL.

    1. +1
      Your subscription to The Athletic has been successfully cancelled. You will no longer be billed, and you will continue to have access until Sat August 12th, 2023.

      You can re-activate your subscription at any time by clicking “Reactivate Subscription” at the following link:
      https://theathletic.com/settings/

      Subscription valid until:
      Sat August 12th, 2023

  13. Andy,
    I have followed you everywhere you have been while covering Virginia Tech and I will continue to do so wherever you may be. But, it is awesome that you are with Tech Sideline. Will, Chris and the gang are just top notch. Of course I dropped my subscription to The Athletic. I do not care if they cover other teams I follow. If they don’t have you and they are not interested in the Hokies, then I am out.

    Will,
    You can triple the subscription to TSL and I would be fine with it. I know Andy is not cheap and shouldn’t be.

    From a former player – I love everything you guys are doing. Thanks for covering the school I care so much for, so well.

  14. Congrats Andy, I will be encouraging all my Hokie friends to join TSL too. Glad to have you back.

  15. Stoked. It’s been a while since I subscribed to TSL but I’ve always respected their work. I followed you to the Athletic, cancelled immediately once you were let go, and have been sitting here wondering where I’d get my VT news. Honestly I’m pretty excited about this because the work you do complements what TSL has been doing perfectly. Just signed up here and I feel like it is a good deal. Congrats!

  16. Followed you over from The Athletic. It may cost more for an annual membership here but supporting local is always worth it!

  18. I will echo those who had subscribed to The Athletic when Andy went there and canceled when he was let go. Now I am signing up for TSL to continue the great VT coverage and stories that Andy writes. This is indeed the equivalent of a 5* signing.
    Congrats Andy and TSL on a great partnership.

  19. Great strategic move by Will and so glad to have the talent of Andy at TSL. Congrats to both.

  20. From a gut punch to a super happy day. Hokie Nation is glad you’re here. We need your great coverage. Regardless of the kind of year the team is having, we need your insight. I also believe that Pry and staff are building what will be a team to make us proud. Just had to throw that in there. Write on, brother.

  21. So glad you’re here and worth every dollar more in subscription fees!! Great job Will and Andy to bring the two together.

  22. Followed you to and from the athletic and am thankful you are still on the Hokies beat. Welcome back, Andy!

  23. Andy you deserve all the kudos because you really are a great sports writer. I am pleased to follow you over from Athletic to TSL. I have always wanted to join TSL but never did. Will, you have been a visionary from the beginning and this is truly a great move on your part. Congratulations!

  24. YES!!! This made my day. Looking forward to being able to continue to read your articles Andy. Welcome back!

  25. Andy, welcome! Will, well done!
    I never could bring myself to purchase The Athletic subscription, the only reason I would was because of Andy. I have enjoyed Andy’s coverage of Hokie sports over the years and missed it when he went to The Athletic. I look forward to more from Andy.
    Go Hokies!

    CaryHokie – BSME ’76

  28. Glad to hear, Andy. Looking forward to your continuing coverage of all things Hokie Sports!

  30. Great news! Very happy Hokie Nation will be able to continue to enjoy your work. Just subscribed.

  31. Welcome Andy! Silver-lining for sure – maybe gold! The Athletics loss is yours and our gain.

  33. Longtime TSL non-subscription follower that just subscribed. Hope your coverage expands to other Hokie sports, Andy!

  36. Andy Bitter was the only reason I subscribed to the Athletic. No reason to keep that going now, so I have cancelled my subscription effective immediately.

  37. I’m so happy for Andy! And for us Hokies! And TSL. Just subscribed to TSL. My dad class of ’59 always enjoyed Andy’s work and TSL too. I think he’s smiling down at all of us now.

  38. Welcome home, Andy!! Atlantic’s loss is our gain. I like the historical aspect of your first article at TSL. I assume this will be a normal thing?

  39. My first thought after hearing about your lay off was, “Damn. Our [VT football fans] loss is gonna be some other programs’ gain (big sad-face emoji).” I just couldn’t imagine what is would be like to read your work covering another team — it’s too school-specific/fan-focused type content (which makes it great!). Incredibly psyched that you will continue to bring your creative, insightful, intelligent and fun articles about Virginia Tech Football to us fans via TechSideline!

  40. for all things that are good and right in this world – please don’t succumb to any of bourbonstreet’s linguistic stylings! /jk (sorta).

    So glad to have you here. You have swayed me to stop being a freeloader and subscribe.

  42. Hello Andy, Welcome back to a place you never left! My you and TSL have a great run together, and VT sports fans enjoy the ride. I am happy for all involved.

  43. As the football team has fallen on tough times , I have faith in Coach Pry . The Virginia Tech Athletic landscape has changed . Look how well all the teams are doing – how solid the coaching is for the future . Tech fans showing up in huge numbers for the Olympic sports – and what can you say about the Girls Basketball Team – Go Hokies
    Will/Chris- Andy- we do want more coverage
    Thanks to the whole team

  45. I just signed up!! I’d follow Andy even if he covered another program. Thanks TSL, you did good.

  47. Wait until the powers that be at the Atlantic ask in a staff meeting, “What the hell is happening to our subscription rate and fan base?” …….and poor soul has to say, “D’oh!..we let Andy Bitter get away to TSL…….”

    Welcome Andy..glad to have you here where you belong!

  48. This is such great news! Welcome aboard Andy, love your stuff!

    Great job Will, thank you, this just makes TSL even better.

  49. Wow this is awesome! I was thinking about canceling my TSL but this helps me want to stay!

  53. Welcome Andy and great introduction, I never did an Athletic Subscription, but after reading that, I know why so many people love your articles.

    GO HOKIES!!!!

  56. This is such excellent news, Andy! Thrilled to have you stay “in the family,” as we really would have missed your voice. Go Hokies!

  58. Welcome Andy. Been a fan for a long time and was not happy to hear about your departure from the Athletic. However, I’m glad it happened now as I read the Athletic periodically….I read TSL content every day of my life. Looking forward to seeing your contributions!

  59. Wow. This is a true recruiting coup for TSL! It’s like getting a 5* QB. Great job Will, on this impressive addition to the staff. Andy – I look forward to continuing to read your reporting and content!

    1. so uhm … had to scroll down way to far to find this.
      Is this not something they do here?

      Or I guess WE do now that Andy forced me to join TSL

  61. Absolutely, positively fantastic. Anxiously awaiting the addition of David Teel to complete TSL’s journalistic domination. Great move TSL crew!!

  63. So glad you are with TSL. I’ve been using this site since the ’90’s and I am very excited to see that they have are growing and continuing to add excellent writing and coverage to the lineup.

  64. Fantastic news!!!! Welcome to the TSL family, Andy.

    So very glad to have you here!!!

  65. So glad you stayed on the Hokie beat! Been following you for years and TechSideline is perfect place to keep reading your great stuff.

  66. I was hoping you were going to be named our next QB coach but I will take this as well. Tech Sideline was already big time but now it is going to the next level.

  67. Andy, so happy to see you here at TSL. You’re an excellent writer, and there is no doubt your knowledge and experience will be an asset to TSL. One thing that is certain, the TSL subscriber base, they’re here to talk about and learn about the VT teams, good season or bad.

  69. Welcome to the fold! We can’t read enough about our beloved Hokies! I have always found your writing to be honest (even brutally at times) but never the less it kept us grounded! Guess I will cancel my subscription with your previous employer as you were the reason I subscribed!

  70. I as well sent my nastygram to The Athletic. You were a big reason I subscribed. Very excited that Will snapped you up for TSL.

  71. Terrific news Andy. So glad that Will out recruited all the other sites that must have been clamoring for your services. Did you know you would likely have to share office space with Chris Coleman when you took the job?

    If you are willing to share I would be interested in the reasons that The Athletic quit covering VT sports. Was it totally a cost saving issue? In any event I am sure that rag is destined for the dust heap while TSL will be hitting 30 years soon.

  73. Great to hear you’re joining the TSL team, you, one of the best Virginia Tech reporters joining the best coverage of Virginia Tech athletics. Go Hokies! Go TSL!

  74. I wasn’t aware till today that the axe fell, but I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to continue reading your great articles on TSL, which I’ve subscribed to almost since its beginning. Bravo to Will for taking the shot, the extra couple of bucks for the subscription is well worth it. I, too, canceled my subscription to The Athletic, and am looking forward to what you’ll bring to TSL.

  78. Like many others, I subscribed to The Athletic just for Andy’s articles. Needless to say, I canceled that subscription the day the news came out and let them know the reason.

    Welcome to TSL!

  79. So glad I subscribed to TSL a couple of months ago. I’ve enjoyed the content and there is only upside with Andy joining!

  80. Big win for AB, TSL, and the VT fan base! Could not be happier for all of us !!

  81. Welcome Andy! What a great addition. I would have cancelled my Athletic membership too if they didn’t have such good Golden State Warriors coverage!

  84. Welcome to TSL Andy! Great to have you! Looking forward to reading your work here at TSL.

  86. Andy – great to have you on board; what a fantastic and refreshing addition to TSL. Most of us have been in your shoes and have relished when given a wonderful new opportunity.

    And thanks for reminding me to cancel my subscription to The Athletic.

  91. this is such great news. I was worried you’d end up covering some other team and we’d never see you again. really enjoyed your writing on the Athletic – and yes i’m one of the one’s that cancelled.

    1. Can’t say it better – right down to the cancellation! You’re home now and we could not be happier to have you!

    2. I used the freed up TheAthletic subscription funds to get a TSL subscription finally. I couldn’t quite justify it before, but I have no excuse now!

  92. To have AB on board is well worth the modest bump in subscription price. Congratulations to Mr. Bitter and TSL.

  94. I’ve been following and subscribing to TSL since the free HokieCentral days, probably as far back as 1997, and this may be my first post. I get all my Hokie sports news from TSL, I rarely go elsewhere. While I wouldn’t subscribe to other sites such as the Athletic, I fully support the TSL subscription increase to have access to Andy’s contributions! Very excited!

  97. This is the best news I’ve heard all month! Welcome, Andy, and Will – TAKE MY MONEY! 🙂

  100. Awesome news! Thanks for sticking around and remaining dedicated to covering Hokie sports.

  101. Very cool, welcome aboard ! Its a win/win/win for TSL, Andy & thouands of readers ! Now about that FB team….

  102. This is awesome news. The writing at TSL is top notch, but your arrival elevates it to another level. Welcome home.

  103. This is absolutely awesome news for Hokie sports fans. For TSL, this is the journalism equivalent of picking up the top free agent on the market. Or getting the #1 ranked player in the portal. Glad to see you on the TSL team, Andy!

  104. Glad you are staying put with the Hokies. Was the final push needed to pull out the credit card and subscribe!

  108. Looks like Will is doing a better job recruiting talent than the football team.Welcome !!!!

  109. Andy
    Always have loved your point of view. I look forward to your articles and their conversational clarity. Your writing style feels like like a friend giving me the lo down. Great to have you here!

  110. So glad you’re a part of Tech Sideline, Andy! and will continue to provide insightful writing about the Hokies!

  112. I cancelled my subscription to the now The Athleast the day you left and found this site and subscribed the same day. Super glad you are on your feet and running and glad you are here. Thank you, Techsideline, for bringing Andy on board!

  113. Welcome to TSL, really looking forward to your coverage. Followed your work over to the athletic, looks like I can cancel that subscription now.

  114. We are a Hokie Nation. The first place I remember living was Blacksburg in about 1960 (I was 4) and my Dad was a VT graduate in 1961 (at 31). Both my wife and I graduated in 1979 and daughter in 2010. Although I live in Chapel Thrill, I still make all the home football games. I joined TSL when it was still Hokie Central. I subscribed to the Athletic when they hired you and I cancelled when they fired you. I look at TSL multiple times a day. Although Will doesn’t remember my name, I got the Techsideline handle on Twitter when twitter first started because I saw the potential. GREAT to have you one board!

    1. I do remember that you saved our a$$ on the Twitter handle!

      Just wish you and I had thought to grab @HokieCentral on Twitter … somebody grabbed it in 2009, tweeted a few times (43, to be exact), never uses it, and doesn’t respond to inquiries.

  115. Andrew!

    So happy you are back. FYI – I cancelled by Athletic subscription the day I that I heard the other news and sent them an email to let them know why!

    Stay classy!

  116. Time to get the credit card out and resub to TSL. I had the Athletic, just for Bitter’s articles. Great move to bring him on here!

  118. This is the best news that I’ve heard all day! We live in New England, and Techsideline is our family’s most meaningful connection to the university community that we love. With the addition of Andy Bitter, that connection just got stronger.

  119. The Athletic’s loss is TSL’s gain – congratulations on the new opportunity. The only question is whether your NIL deal is better than Armando Bacot? Seriously, I am really happy that I will continue getting your insight on VT football.

  120. This is awesome! I casually followed TSL for years. But I made the leap and joined TSL when The Athletic dropped VT. When I cancelled my Athletic subscription, I had to give a reason. I said, “You dropped Andy Bitter, so I am dropping you.”

    As for TSL, I don’t know why I didn’t join sooner. Great coverage of ALL VT athletics. The site is easy to use with a lot of great commentary. I should have joined years ago.

  122. Been a reader of this website since 97. This is ranks at the top of savvy moves by Will and viewer benefit. My absolute favorite column is Monday Thoughts, hope to see you challenge that Andy. So glad you’re on this talented and extortionary team. Welcome home.

  123. Andy, glad to hear you have joined TSL. I have always enjoyed your writing. My wish is that you can define yourself as more than a “football writer” since there is lots more to dive into in the Hokie sports scene.

    I joined the Athletic because you were there and I immediately cancelled my subscription when you left. I look forward to your input at TSL and wish you and your family all the best.

    1. We’ve talked about me contributing on more than football. I’ll supplement coverage on other sports as well, perhaps writing columns when they warrant it.

  124. Welcome! A bold and exciting move for TSL and the fan base. Maybe you and Chris can create a PTI (Pardon the Interruption) like format for a podcast……

  126. Awesome Article. Gave me chills sitting at my desk in Rhode Island! Huge move for TSL. Congrats Andy and Team.

  127. Glad to see you’ve joined TSL. I look forward to reading your stuff here. Cheers!

    1. Proud to see you pick yourself up and dust yourself off. It not what happened to you but what you do next that defines you. I will be “re uping” after dropping subscription years ago!

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