The Hokies Pep Band Takes on March

The Hokies Pep Band shows its support on Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball as it competes in the 2025 WBIT Tournament (Joey Bachert)

While the arrival of spring is often tied to longer days and warmer weather, the college sports world also celebrates the high-octane March Madness Tournament. This year, both Virginia Tech Men’s and Women’s basketball fell short of making the tournament, with the women’s team being the first team out of the women’s NCAA tournament. 

Although, for the first time since 2017, Virginia Tech will not be competing in March Madness, the women’s team did receive an invitation to the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Since Tech was the first team out (or in other words being the best team that didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament), the Hokies received the first overall seed in the WBIT.

In its first-round matchup hosting North Carolina A&T, Virginia Tech came away with a 61-45 victory against the Aggies. Although it may be the postseason, the band was in its usual spot as it cheered for the Hokies.

(Joey Bachert)

Virginia Tech will square off against Texas Tech in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Mar. 23 at 2:00 p.m.. In the event they win that game as well as the game after, they will travel to Indianapolis for the semifinal and championship rounds. If they do so, the band could possibly travel with them.

Though Virginia Tech Basketball was unable to qualify for March Madness, the women’s team’s season is not over just yet. With that, there is no doubt that the Hokies Pep Band will cheer them on until the end.

The MVs Go To Alexandria

Courtesy of Virginia Tech (Facebook)

On Friday, February 28th, a small group of the Marching Virginians travelled to Alexandria, Virginia, for the opening of Virginia Tech’s Innovative Campus, the “Center of Next.” While a short trip, it was a trip full of excitement as members got to interact with administrators of the university who were excited to hear the Spirit of Tech for this special occasion.

The Alexandria campus houses two Masters of Engineering — one in computer engineering and one in computer science and applications. Members of the band had the opportunity to see the new building. The building houses one large auditorium space, several areas for showcases which houses exhibits from students in creation and innovation programs, including MV Student Staff Assistant Atlas Vernier, as well as several state-of-the-art classrooms across its several floors.

While the short trip lasted barely 24 hours, it was so moving to witness the impact this ensemble has on members of Hokie Nation. The gratitude we felt for playing music for even under 10 minutes really brought excitement to many of the attendees. And furthermore, getting to be a part of this university’s history is what the Spirit of Tech is all about!