Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Jordan Martinelli named Hokie Hero

BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 16, 2009 – Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Jordan Martinelli, United States Army, who received a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 2007 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Virginia Tech versus Maryland football 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.

Martinelli is currently stationed at Contingency Operating Station GarryOwen, Al Amarah Iraq, as a member of the 1st Armored Division, United States Army, and is currently serving as a platoon leader conducting a joint partnership with Iraqi Security Forces in an advise and assist capacity. He is from Irwin, Pa., and this is his first combat deployment. Martinelli is a class of 2007 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and a transfer student who in just two years rose to hold the position of regimental executive officer during his senior year. He says he would like to send his love to his girlfriend Jacqueline, also a 2007 Virginia Tech graduate; and his family back home.

As a tribute to the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the new Nike uniform being worn by the football team during the Maryland game includes the University motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) on the back of the pant, on the cuff of the Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves, and printed on the sock liner of the Nike Zoom Vapor Fly cleat.

Read about previous Hokie Heroes from the 2009-10 season.