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 at the south end of the field. 

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. 

The first cadet to travel with the team this season, to the East Carolina University game, will be Cadet 1st Sgt. Luke Hinsdale of Johns Creek, Ga., a junior majoring in apparel, housing, and resource management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship. Enrolled in the Marine Option in Naval ROTC, he is the first sergeant of India Company and was selected for this honor as the top performing cadre member during the cadre and new cadet training weeks.

Hinsdale excelled in preparing his cadre and then training the freshman cadets. There are 31 freshmen in Training Company 3-2, India Company, that he is responsible for, part of the 383 member freshman class that entered training on Aug. 13. He was highlighted for his motivational leadership that led to a great sense of pride in the training company that positively impacted retention of the new cadets. 

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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