Sometimes to move forward, you have to go back…
I am proud to announce that I will be returning to
@ESPNBlacksburg
as the new host of “The Drive”!
The Drive with Nels Williams returns Monday, August 26th, and will air every weekday from 4-6 p.m., just like it used to.
Virginia Tech will now have gone 8 years since defeating a non-conference Power 5 opponent. The last win came against West Virginia in 2017. The last
#Hokies
win at home was vs. Nebraska in 2009.
Here’s the shot from right behind the Hail Mary tonight between Virginia Tech and Miami.
You be the judge
#Hokies
… did Da’Quon Felton catch this ball?
Back in my sophomore year, I did a photo/audio story for my multimedia reporting class on SubStation II. I wanted to highlight the amazing owner Hamid LaPuasa, the incredible subs, and the treasure trove of Hokies history in it.
Can't believe it's closing. Here is that story:
The Virginia Tech disrespect is real, and I don’t know how you put next year’s team outside of the Top 10.
Just more bulletin board material and fuel to the fire for next season…
I said this before, but the creative opportunities are near limitless if Virginia Tech did this:
- Lane is the TERRORDOME
- Exit light, enter NIGHT
- BLACKsburg
Imagine: Night game. Let's go,
#Hokies
! wraps. The lights dim/cut. The opening riff of Enter Sandman plays... chills!
We're bringing this back because it's relevant again:
BLACKOUT LANE STADIUM in replace of the white effect for
@hokiesfb
-- this would still be the military appreciation game. How do you feel about that?
Sheetz has arrived in Blacksburg.
The newest location, just 10 minutes away from the one already established Christiansburg,
@sheetz
is sure to be a hit for nearby
#Hokies
due to its 24/7 services. It’s nestled right near Alumni Hall on South Main Street.
#Hokies
, help me ID this gentleman! I connected with him on the field after the game and invited him over for an “interview.” He came all the way from Minnesota, and I hope he had a great time this weekend in Blacksburg for homecoming.
Coach Brooks on tonight's attendance:
“It’s awesome. It really is. … We hope they keep coming back because they can make a really good team a great team. Because this atmosphere - I’ve said it about Cassell - You don’t just hear people in Cassell.. You feel people in Cassell."
What a night.
Thank you to every single student who showed up and showed out tonight. We broke the all-time attendance record and witnessed history.
We cannot wait to rock with you the rest of the season.
#Hokies
DL and Iowa CC Transfer Kemari Copeland has announced via his Instagram that he will be redshirting this year due to a torn tricep “in several places” that will require surgery.
I’m excited to share that this fall, I’ll be joining
@ACCNetworkExtra
as a sideline reporter for select Virginia Tech volleyball and men/women’s basketball games. I debut Friday for
@HokiesVB
vs. Notre Dame at 6 pm, and you can watch on the ESPN app. I can’t wait to get to work!
Growing up, I had always wanted to play-by-play broadcast a hockey game after listening to the
@Capitals
’
@JoeBpXp
,
@Laughlin18
, and
@JohnWaltonPxP
, and last night I called my first ever hockey game for
@PWSportz
. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to call another 🏒 game!
The amount of
#Hokies
who showed up was incredible. I heard the jingling of keys behind me while filming on third downs too many times to count, and there were a few times when they took over the stadium with chanting.
Top-tier CFB fanbase.
From our guy
@NelsWilliams
:
#Hokies
showed up in droves to support at SHI yesterday. Sons of Saturday Road Crew's final tally was 400+ in sections 109, 110, and 111.
There was a ton of Orange in the endzone opposite of the student section as well. This fanbase is unreal.
Some personal news:
I'm happy to share that I've joined
@TechSideline
primarily to assist with their social media and in-studio production.
Thank you
@WillStewartTSL
for providing me with this opportunity!
CMY on John Camden tonight (1/2): He went a couple of games [where] he didn't play. He didn’t stick his lip out and pout like a chump. He continued to work. He’s in there every day getting his individual workout in with a coach. He’s gonna practice hard. Good teammate.
I’m excited to announce that I have joined
@ESPNBlacksburg
as the next co-host of “The Drive” weekdays from 4-6 p.m.! My first time on-air is today, and if you’d like to listen either go to their website or locally tune in to 93.1 or 97.1 FM or 810 AM. Beyond thankful to do this!
All good things must come to an end at some point, right?
I’ve officially graduated from Virginia Tech, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. A special thank you to my professors, friends, and colleagues for making these last 4 years so great.
As always: Go Hokies!
The last Enter Sandman in Cassell for
@hokiesmbb
’s Justyn Mutts and (potentially) last for Hunter Cattoor. Mutts is feeling good pregame and taking it all in.
#Hokies
@SonsofSatVT
I am proud and excited to announce that I will be covering Virginia Tech’s 2022-2023 men’s basketball season as the primary writer for
@SonsofSatVT
! Thanks to Pat, BRM and Grayson for making this happen. Can’t wait to call Cassel Coliseum my second home this winter!
The first C-17 flyover from level 7 of Lane Stadium! It was in a holding pattern over the mountains west-southwest of Lane Stadium before it finally began its first of the few laps around Blacksburg.
#Hokies
My last Tech football game covering as a student. Thank you to my 3304 peers,
@commvt
, and
@BillRoth2020
for this opportunity and wonderful memories.
The road doesn’t end on the gridiron, however. Onto the hardwood of basketball and turf of baseball in 2024!
WATCH: On Wednesday,
@HokiesFB
won its first Bowl Game since 2016 over Tulane 41-20 and first under head coach Brent Pry in Annapolis, Maryland, in what was a wet and wild contest.
@NelsWilliams
was on the sidelines for the Military Bowl and has the report⬇️
Justyn Mutts on MJ Collins postgame: “I think MJ is gonna be the best freshman guard in the ACC, and I think he’ll have a great opportunity to show what he has to do this year for sure.”
Extremely excited to start working with Braylon and the NHL Zone, especially as this season nears the All-Star Break and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are just over the horizon!
NEWS: For the first time in the NHL Zone’s history, we are expanding the team!
Please welcome aboard,
@NelsWilliams
! Nels is currently a senior at Virginia Tech who is majoring in sports media and analytics, along with being an avid fan of the Washington Capitals.
As a part of
Brent Pry's made many adjustments to the travel plans to California for the
#Hokies
.
A larger plane, scheduled sleep times, extra hydration, and routine stretches while in the air have been taken into account for the trip to Stanford.
My sideline reporting debut for the ACCNX was a thriller!
@hokiesvb
won over Notre Dame in five sets to nab their first victory against the Irish in 10 matchups and first in Blacksburg since 2014. Thank you to everyone who tuned in, and here’s to many more!
Today was my last day at
@ESPNBlacksburg
, and I can’t express how thankful I am for
@PaulVWags
and to everyone who’s made The Drive the show that it was for me. I’m going to miss it dearly.
Clipped is my final message to Paul from the end of the show today. Thank you again❤️
I’m excited to announce that I will be joining
@theriverturtles
to become their in-ballpark emcee and team reporter this summer! I can’t wait to get to work in one of the most beautiful ballparks in America and to say that I’m turtley enough for the turtle club!.
#TurtlePower
First show back for The Drive on
@ESPNBlacksburg
is in the books ✅
Thank you to everyone who tuned in and contributed today. And shoutout
@TaylorBretl
for KILLING IT in his first time on the radio!
And the best part of it all? We get to do it again tomorrow! Talk to you then✌️
Imagine:
Night game vs. a top ACC opponent. Everyone’s in black and the new black jerseys look beautiful. Enter Sandman comes on. Fireworks after the game.
It’d be way better than the white effect, imo.
@Nelswilliams
and
@PaulVWags
think that Virginia Tech should scrap the "White Effect" themed football game and replace it with a "Blackout Lane" that would have the
#Hokies
bust out their old black jerseys.
Thoughts?
- Lane is literally coined as "The Terror Dome"
- It's in the town name of BLACKsburg
- Exit light, ENTER NIGHT!
I mean come on - this is a marketing treasure trove full of fun stuff you could do for the
#Hokies
if they did a blackout of Lane!
We had a lot of discussion about "blacking out Lane Stadium" a few days ago for Virginia Tech football, so let's try this again.
If you could only have one, which would you rather have done for an "Effect" game for the
#Hokies
? It would still be the military appreciation game.
#Hokies
out for their first practice in
@theACC
Tournament. Very relaxed vibe from the team.
Stick around, as I’ll be here covering the Tournament for
@SonsofSatVT
!
#Hokies
' coach Mike Young on the atmosphere today in Cassell (1/2): “It’s part of what makes college basketball great. It’s hard. It’s unnerving. The Hokie fans and the Cassell Guard down there, I think maybe they let in a few more students in than they were supposed (cont.)
Tyler Nickel has transferred to Virginia Tech. A name that
#Hokies
fans who follow the men's basketball team are sure to know, he would've been wearing a Tech uniform this year had North Carolina not extended a late offer, but he's finally in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech and Tulane are here in Annapolis for the 14th edition of the Military Bowl!
#Hokies
are 10.5 pt favorites. This is Tulane’s first Military Bowl and Tech’s 3rd.
I’ll be reporting from the sidelines for
@3304Sports
. It’s gonna be a wet one - 1-1/2” of rain expected!
I am extremely excited to announce that I will be joining
@TWSN___
primarily as an NHL and Formula 1 writing contributor! Special thanks to
@locklin_will
,
@Levine1445
, and
@Wrightreportt
for providing me with this opportunity.
Looking forward to getting to work!
Thanks for having me, Louisville!
My last college football game as a student working in media was bittersweet. Beyond thankful to even have this opportunity, and I’m glad I was able to do it with such a tremendous squad at
@3304Sports
.
Basketball season… here we come!
8th-straight win.
3rd-straight double-double by Liz Kitley.
4-0 in ACC play for the first time in program history.
@HokiesWBB
is rolling right now. My report from their win over Miami last night⬇️
For
@3304Sports
: Same story, different setting. Virginia Tech showed flashes of brilliance Saturday, but ultimately fell short for the second straight week against a Big Ten opponent. This time, it was on the road at Rutgers.
My report:
The last gameday in Blacksburg as a student was bittersweet to say the least.
Thanks for having me as an undergrad over these last three years, Lane Stadium. Hopefully I’ll be back sooner rather than later, and where did the time go…
I certainly didn’t have “making it onto
@techsideline
in a turkey suit” on my senior year bingo card, but thank you Jon Fleming for capturing a great pic of my friends and I in North last night! I can confirm we did have plenty of fun like
@AndyBitterVT
put it.
For one last time for me in 2023, goodnight Cassell Coliseum.
Had so many great memories in this building, and I’m really going to cherish every game I have the privilege of working in 2024 before I graduate in May.
Let’s have some fun next semester!
It sure does feel good to be back😌
The Drive on
@ESPNBlacksburg
returns TOMORROW at 4pm.
Think Tech football will go 12-0? Win the ACC? Beat Miami AND Clemson? I want to hear what you got. Text your
#Hokies
football takes at 866-961-1430 for tomorrow’s show.
Let’s rock⚡️
What an incredible week.
It flew by in the blink of an eye, but covering the ACC Tournament for
@commvt
and
@SonsofSatVT
was an experience I’ll never forget. Although it was a grind, all of the hard work by me and everyone in
@3304Sports
paid off, and I couldn’t be more proud!
2/2: And your time’s gonna come. And when your time comes, it’s too late to get ready. You better have it dialed up and ready to roll, and he did that. He had as much to do with that win as anybody on our team. ... I’m really proud of John. Keep going man. Keep going.
#Hokies
Had a wonderful time this past weekend with the
@LVAces
’ PR and sports information department. Thanks for providing me with an unforgettable experience!
My last football game donning a credential for
@3304Sports
this season may not have been what I or many expected/hoped it would go, but I’m thankful for my final game being surrounded by this group of amazing people🧡
The Drive: A 🧵
246 days ago, The Drive on
@ESPNBlacksburg
ended. After nearly 8 years of broadcasting to the New River Valley, it seemed like that book had been closed.
A lot’s happened in these last 8 months.
Today, August 26th, 2024, The Drive is been reborn again. Except,
The Mike Young & Co. train keeps on chugging along on the recruiting trail. Rechsteiner is a 4-star prospect and is the No. 15 point guard in the class of 2023. Eager to see him in Blacksburg.
@SonsofSatVT
The 2024 ACC Tournament is in the books✅
Covering this event for
@3304Sports
brought me one of the greatest (and busiest) weeks of my life.
Thank you
@commvt
for providing me with this opportunity!
✅First bowl win since 2016
✅First winning season since 2019 and under HC Brent Pry
✅Got absolutely soaked, but still had a great time
Watch my report on
@hokiesfb
’s monsoon matchup vs. Tulane from Annapolis for
@3304Sports
:
Officially 21 today! To everyone that’s been with me up until this point, thank you. It’s been an incredible ride, and I couldn’t have become the person I am today and gotten to where I am now alone.
Cheers to the years ahead!
My biggest goal for 3304 my senior year was to elevate our kickoff shows to truly going live by utilizing the AP ENPS system.
I’m proud to say that I was the lead producer and director for today’s show, and alongside this fantastic crew, that goal was accomplished!
History.
The first-ever live 3304 Studio Show is in the books! Massive shoutout to this entire crew for making it happen.
It may be the first. But it certainly won’t be the last‼️
#VTSMA
Decided to gamble and try something new by being the in-host emcee for
@theriverturtles
this summer and it paid off greatly. A special thank you to Pulaski and all of the fans and families I got to meet for an unforgettable two months full of fun and games!
#TurtlePower
FINAL: Virginia Tech 94, William & Mary 77.
#Hokies
didn't disappoint on banner raising night. Cattoor and Pedulla finish with 22 each. Maddox (14) and Basile (13) also had double digits tonight.
Virginia Tech starts 3-0. Old Dominion awaits for the Charleston Classic Thursday.
FINAL: Virginia Tech 95, Delaware State 57.
It was the Grant Basile show tonight, as the Wright State transfer put up 30 in his debut for the
#Hokies
.
Virginia Tech wins their 7th straight season opener.
@SonsofSatVT
Honestly the lead-up to this game was awesome.
The flyover happening right when fans were allowed back in, the student section singing the national anthem, and Enter Sandman at kickoff was a cool mixup!
#Hokies
nation showed up and showed out, even with the unfortunate weather.
Bowl games present a wonderful opportunity for our
@commvt
SMA students.
So pleased these guys will have the opportunity to cover today’s Military Bowl in Annapolis.
Coach cont.
… It warms my heart because it makes the kids really happy, but I do think that we have a product that people can get behind and really really enjoy it.”
Shoutout to
@Ploger
for inviting me to shadow the amazing Natspack crew at yesterday’s
@Nationals
game vs. the Red Sox. Thank you for showing me the ropes and giving me a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of a top-notch, big league production team!
For
@AnthonyAmey
's SportsCenter class:
Virginia Tech Club Rugby has the opportunity to make history this season, and senior Evan Goez is a key part of how they've gotten to this point. Watch⬇️
Before you settle into the couch for the Super Bowl, tune into No. 11 Virginia Tech vs No. 19 FSU! Big Top 25 matchup for the
#Hokies
.
I’ve got the call alongside
@Haden09299742
for
@3304Sports
!
(The media food this afternoon is a cheesesteak… is that a sign for tonight?🤔)
Just two days ago, the weather was sunny in the mid-70s. A beautiful Blacksburg day.
Today, it's chilly in the mid-40s, snow is falling on and off, and 16 mph winds are whipping with gusts of up to 35.
Welcome to spring at Virginia Tech.
From ACCNX sideline reporting for
@HokiesVB
at 12 to being on the sidelines for
@HokiesMBB
at 5, I’ve been in a suit and in/around Cassell Coliseum since 10:30 today.
A grind? Sure. Does my back hurt? You bet.
But do I love it? Absolutely. Report for
@3304Sports
coming soon.
I’m proud to share my reel for the
@STAAtalent
2023 Jim Nantz Award!
A special thanks to
@3304Sports
,
@SonsofSatVT
,
@commvt
, and the many other individuals that have helped forge me into becoming the broadcaster I am today.
Check it out here!
HUGE shoutout to
@jackrcampbell
for snagging these 🔥 pics of
@colbytalley21
and I broadcasting Wednesday’s men’s basketball game against Boston College for
@3304Sports
.
@HokiesMBB
is extremely lucky to have such a great photographer in Jack shooting for them!
What a difference 12 hours makes in Chapel Hill!
Franklin Street ➡️ Carmichael Arena
#24
North Carolina hosts
#17
Virginia Tech in a top-25 ACC women’s basketball showdown.
Tip-off is slated for noon. I’ll have the call alongside
@gioheater
for
@3304Sports
!