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 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. 

Three freshman cadets were selected by their training cadre to perform this duty for the Arkansas State University game which is the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Homecoming and Virginia Tech’s Military Appreciation Day.

The cadets selected for this honor are Cadet Conor Cosgrove of Purcellville, Va., a freshman majoring in university studies who is a member of the Army ROTC program; Cadet Shane Wescott of North Andover, Mass., a freshman majoring in physics in the College of Science who is a member of the Marine option of the Naval ROTC program and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship; and Cadet Ethan Smith of Winchester, Va., a freshman majoring in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a member of the Air Force ROTC program.

Cosgrove was recommended for this honor based on the strong example he has had amongst his peers and for continually improving in all assigned activities. Wescott was highlighted for how he has motivated his fellow freshmen and for having the fastest freshman time on the Corps of Cadets obstacle course. Smith was lauded for his positive attitude and ability to motivate the rest of his class. His positive demeanor spreads to the rest of his training company and has helped them excel as a group.

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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