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 training cadre to perform this duty for the James Madison University game. These cadets showed the most motivation during New Cadet Week and helped their training company earn the Honor Training Company award.

The cadets selected for this honor are Cadet Megan Burton of Alexandria, Va., a freshman majoring in interior design in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies who is a member of the civilian track program and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship; Cadet Matthew Hitchcock of Durham, N.C., a freshman majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who is a member of Naval ROTC and is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship; and Cadet Scott Phelps of Vienna, Va., a freshman majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who is a member of Army ROTC.

The executive officer for Bravo Company, Cadet Capt. Daniel Pappas of Nolensville, Tenn., a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a member of Naval ROTC, explains why these cadets were chosen. “These three exceptional new cadets showed unparalleled leadership and spirit throughout New Cadet Week, thus enabling them to motivate their fellow buds to successfully win Honor Training Company. Each of these new cadets has demonstrated an ability to consistently strive for excellence as well to efficiently work as members of a team in order to cope with the levels of stress placed on each new cadet during freshmen training. Burton, Phelps, and Hitchcock are tremendous additions to the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and will make great future leaders of America.”

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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