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.

One cadet was selected by the cadet chain of command, based on his outstanding performance, for this honor at the University of Miami game.

Cadet Shawn Gateau of California, Md., a junior majoring in university studies who is a member of the Naval ROTC program and a recipient of the R. B. Pamplin Family Emerging Leader Scholarship was selected for his dedication to mentoring the freshmen cadets under his supervision as a member of the cadre staff and his tireless efforts to boost the morale of all cadets in the company. 

His efforts have had a direct impact on Golf Company having perfect retention of their freshmen cadets and currently standing in first place in the Beverly S. Parrish, Jr. Memorial award competition which honors the top company in the corps each year.

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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