Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Matthew Van Arsdale named Virginia game Hokie Hero

2nd Lt. Matthew Van Arsdale, U.S. Army, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2009

BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 29, 2010 – Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 2nd Lt. Matthew Van Arsdale, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2009 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Virginia Tech versus University of Virginia 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.

Van Arsdale is currently stationed at Forward Operating Base Boris, in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan, as a member of the 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He is from Harmony, Pa., and this is his first combat deployment. Van Arsdale is a Class of 2009 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and he says he would like to send his love to his wife, Allison, as well as his family and friends.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has produced military, public, and corporate leaders since the university was founded in 1872. It is one of just two military corps within a large public university. The corps holds its members to the highest standards of loyalty, honor, integrity, and self-discipline. In return, cadets achieve high academic success and a long-lasting camaraderie with fellow members. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

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,
• 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,
• 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,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Timothy Owens, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in political science and a minor in international studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences as well as a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2004,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Daniel Richardson, U.S. Air Force, who earned a degree in industrial and systems engineering from the College of Engineering and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2004,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumna Special Agent Christina Royal, U.S. Air Force, who earned a degree in sociology from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2006,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Col. Tom Lantzy, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in forestry and wildlife from the College of Natural Resources and Environment in 1986,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st. Lt Nicholas Williams, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2008,
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Cmdr. Shane Morton, U.S. Navy, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1995, and
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Greg Baker, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2004

• MAJ Carrie Cox
• Executive Officer, Corps of Cadets
• 540-231-6413
• cacox@vt.edu