When I became a Golden Champion a few years back, I did so trying to think forward to a time when a parking spot with a short walking distance to the stadium and a seat with a good view would be ideal for a person growing older in retirement. I bought a condo and hoped to retire in Blacksburg.

However, the money I donated is no longer appreciated. NCAA rules have changed to allow payment to players. While many of you will go out of your way to defend this policy, start thinking about who will pay for this; it's not going to be the VT athletics department. The Ohio State's and the Alabama's, etc. opened the doors to this policy, thinking long term that one day they could open it up to offer more and more. Players will follow the money. When this occurs, VT will no longer be able to keep up. The truth is our alumni are not rich by comparison no matter how much we wish to think so. Therefore, our athletic department needs to drastically come up with money. The plans they developed may work but they consciously decided to disregard those of us that made big sacrifices in the past. They will freely admit that.

I wanted to share my experiences with those of you that will make large contributions now in preparation for the future. You are welcome to read my email to Bill Landsden and Whit Babcock below. I mentioned the 200-300 points that were mysteriously inserted into the rankings. That's 200-300 parking spots and up to 1800 seats that are now filled before you even pay your money. Please be careful when making your decisions based upon what's going on now and best of luck to all of you.

Bill,

You may not remember me but we met last year about my concerns over the new Hokie club plan that essentially eliminated the Century and Golden Champion levels. Spelling out clearly that "old" money meant nothing to you guys.

As we concluded the meeting, you said to think about whether I should continue to be an active member; that there was plenty of time to make my decision. Well, the time has come and I've had plenty of time to talk it over with family and friends. It seems like the more I considered it the more questions I had. For instance, I spoke with numerous people and everyone from the century level down experienced a sudden 200-300 points drop in their rankings. Now please don't tell me who these people are that made the remarkable jump in front of us, I think I already know. However, you do need to eventually explain this to the hundreds of former century and golden champions. I'm sure they will understand your perspective.

During the spring of 1992, Frank Beamer spoke to a Hokie gathering in Tysons Corner and said that we were going to get better and if you buy season tickets now, you would be able to keep your seats for life. Every thing was fine for years. Then Jim Weaver came in and shook up the seating, I met with Lu and we went round and round. His suggestion was for me to become a Golden Champion. He said that would set me up for life. I bought a condo in Blacksburg in hopes of eventually retiring there.

Well, the new guys came in and brought in new plans and promises. That brought me to meet with you.

I see that Whit was boasting about adding 500 new members. Please make that at least 499 net. I hope each and every one of those new members drop $50k on you as I did. (The funny thing is that you could have easily gotten another $50k out of me eventually and that I previously had included the VT Foundation in my will.) I don't thuink you guys really thought this one out thoroughly but the damage is now complete. I'll sell my condo and be out of your hair. Please delete my account and remove me from all future correspondence. I refuse to become another victim of vague promises and self-serving lies anymore. However, I will always be a Hokie at heart.