Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus retired Col. James Tom Roberts, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in business administration from the Pamplin College of Business in 1962 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Virginia Tech versus Boston College game.

The corps Hokie Hero program started in 2006 by ISP Sports and sponsored by the University Bookstore, honors Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni who are currently deployed. Recipients of this honor are highlighted by Bill Roth and Mike Burnop during the radio broadcast of Virginia Tech football games, on the corps website, on the corps alumni website and in the Corps Review magazine.

Roberts is currently stationed as a Department of the Army civilian at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, in Tikrit, Iraq, as the Law Enforcement advisor to the commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division, providing management advice on police operations and training. His duties take him to various locations in the northern part of Iraq above Baghdad.

Roberts is a 1962 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, was the executive officer of the third battalion in the corps his senior year, and now serves on the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni board of directors. He is a native of Texas, and currently lives in Savannah, Ga. Roberts says he sends his love to his wife Mary Anne.

Below are the previous Hokie Heroes from the 2010-11 season.

  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Cmdr. Jeff Woods, U.S. Navy Reserve, who earned a degree in marketing management from the Pamplin College of Business in 1989,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Lt. Col. Steven Carter, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1989, and
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Dave Sadlier, U.S. Marine Corps, who earned a degree in psychology from the College of Science in 1995
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