WHEREAS, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University football team completed an outstanding season by defeating the University of Arkansas 35–24 at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 29, 2016; and

WHEREAS, during the Belk Bowl, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Hokies came back from a 24-point halftime deficit, completing their largest comeback since at least the start of the 1987 season; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Tech Hokies finished the season with an impressive 10–4 record and were named the 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coastal Division champions for the first time since 2011; and

WHEREAS, the 2016 Belk Bowl marked the Virginia Tech Hokies' 24th consecutive bowl game appearance; and

WHEREAS, Justin Fuente, the first-year head coach of the Virginia Tech football team, was named the ACC Coach of the Year for his exceptional leadership; and

WHEREAS, the student-athletes of the Virginia Tech football team were able to succeed on the field and maintain an overall National Collegiate Athletic Association Graduation Success Rate of 89 percent, 15 points higher than the national rate and the fourth best in the ACC; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock and Justin Fuente orchestrated a respectful and successful coaching and staff transition while maintaining the integrity and winning tradition of the Hokie Nation both on and off the field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University football team on winning the Belk Bowl in 2016; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Justin Fuente, head coach of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University football team, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the team's achievements and contributions to Hokie Nation.