We became relevant in the late 90s/early 2000s. I don't think anyone outside of the state of VA cared during that time. Not ESPN. Not the ACC. Not the SEC (I can still feel the look down and hear the comments from Auburn fans at the 2006 Sugar Bowl).

The only possible instance of brand recognition I can think of... the 2012 Sugar Bowl. The organisers backed VT in to game not because we had the best record... But because we had fans that cared and that would travel. Maybe that's the VT brand.

I don't need a winning football team to value the VT brand. The coach and the players don't make the VT brand. It's the fans. When you see an empty Lane stadium before the clock reaches 0:00.... That's not the fault of any coach or player.... That's the fault of the "fans."