The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets continues to partner with the Virginia Tech Football Team to highlight the colors during the pre-game ceremony at every football game.

Three football players are selected, because of their performance in the last game or during practice, to carry the American flag, the state flag, and the team’s spirit flag as they lead the team onto the field. They carry the flags the length of the field and deliver them to cadets that are waiting for them on the south goal line.

The cadets performing this honor are also selected based on their performance during their training. The cadets render honor to the flags and then securely carry them off the field. At home games three freshman cadets are selected and one or two upper-class cadets receive the flags at away games.

Three freshman cadets were selected by their commanders, based on their outstanding performance, for this honor at the Wake Forest game.

Cadet Joshua Schnaitman of Stroudsburg, Pa., a freshman majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who is a member of the Air Force ROTC program and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship was nominated by the Delta Company Commander Cadet Maj. Kathryn Daniels of Virginia Beach, Va., a senior majoring in international studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a member of Naval ROTC program and is a recipient of the A.O. Smith, Jr. ’54 Emerging Leader Scholarship. 

Daniels states, “Cadet Schnaitman is consistently one of the most motivated cadets in his training company and Air Force ROTC. He holds himself to a higher standard and motivates his bud class along the way. He never settles for just sliding by which makes him stand out among his peers.”

Cadet Richard Smullen of Mendham, N.J., a freshman majoring in psychology in the College of Science who is a member of Army ROTC and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship was nominated by the Charlie Company Commander Cadet Maj. Nathaniel Bier of Macon, Ga., a senior majoring in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a member of Army ROTC and a recipient of the Leon Dalmain Simmons ’34 Memorial Emerging Leader Scholarship and the Maj. John Beard Byers Commandant’s Scholarship. 

“Cadet Smullen has set the standard high for the rest of his buds. His performance in Army ROTC and high score on the Army fitness test has allowed him to stand out amongst his class. His willingness to push himself by trying out for the Ranger Challenge team demonstrates a will to better himself and not settle for the status quo. Smullen already demonstrates traits of a high caliber leader, even after being in the program for only seven weeks,” stated Bier.

Cadet William Frosell of Palian, China, a freshman majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who is a member of Air Force ROTC and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship was nominated by the Alpha Company Commander Cadet Maj. Daniel Reed of Riner, Va., a senior majoring in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a member of the Civilian Track program and is a recipient of the William T. Compton Commandant’s Scholarship. 

Reed explains his nomination of Frosell, “Cadet Frosell has been an outstanding freshmen cadet, fulfilling all his duties the way they should be done and more importantly, motivating his buds to do the same. He is a true peer leader and it shows in his performance.”

Future cadets will continue to be selected for this honor based on their performance in the cadet regiment.  The program is part of the proud partnership the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has with the Virginia Tech Athletic Department and the Virginia Tech football team. 

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