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VT Football: Kicker Joey Slye to Wear Frank Beamer’s #25 on Saturday Against Syracuse

By Mike McDaniel

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Justin Fuente has chosen placekicker Joey Slye to wear Frank Beamer’s number 25 jersey on Saturday against Syracuse

Upon arrival in Blacksburg, new Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente knew that he had big shoes to fill as the man taking over for the legendary Frank Beamer, who was retiring after 29 years as head coach of the Hokies.

As soon as he stepped on campus, Coach Fuente realized what Beamer’s tenure meant to the Virginia Tech faithful. As such, Fuente wanted to honor him in a way that would make all Hokies proud. In August, Fuente announced that each week, a member of the team’s special teams unit would wear Beamer’s number 25, as chosen by the football staff.

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Thus far in 2016, FB Steven Peoples, DB Greg Stroman, DT Tim Settle, WR Cam Phillips, and LB Sean Huelskamp have previously worn Beamer’s number 25. This week for the Hokies, placekicker Joey Slye will have the honor of wearing the jersey, after playing a pivotal role in the Hokies’ 34-3 victory over North Carolina last Saturday.

In unbelievably poor conditions in Chapel Hill due to Hurricane Matthew, Slye converted both field goal attempts from 35 yards and 28 yards respectively, and nailed all four of his extra point attempts in the team’s romp over the Tar Heels.

Despite the jersey being given to a member of the Hokies’ special teams unit each week, Slye becomes the first true specialist to wear the jersey this season.

Here’s to a great tradition being built by Coach Fuente and his staff in the new era, and here’s to another week with an exemplary performer donning the famed #25.