German Club Alumni Foundation

As we closed out the fall semester and sprung into the spring semester, I want to take a moment to share several updates from around the Manor and across our alumni ranks.

While this past football season may not have delivered the record we hoped for, it certainly delivered something just as important — fellowship. Saturdays in Blacksburg were filled with energy, camaraderie, and the familiar sight of alumni gathering at the Manor before making their way to Lane Stadium. One addition that received overwhelmingly positive feedback was our Alumni golf cart shuttle, assisting those who needed a little extra help getting to and from the game. We were proud to offer that service and are excited to continue it for next season.

There is also renewed excitement surrounding Virginia Tech Football as we welcome our new head coach, James Franklin. Coach Franklin has truly hit Blacksburg running, and there is already a noticeable buzz around town and throughout the ACC. I hope you share in my enthusiasm for the energy and vision he is bringing to the program.

Back at the Manor, we recently installed a brand-new Annex at the rear of the property. The old Annex served us faithfully for many years, but it was time for an upgrade. The new structure provides improved storage and functionality that will better support our events and operations.

We are also in the early stages of an exciting new initiative — our Digital Archive Project. The vision is ambitious and deeply meaningful: to preserve and make accessible the history of our Club through photographs, videos, and recorded stories. Our goal is to make these materials available online and through a dedicated kiosk in the Manor museum. We have already begun conducting oral history interviews with some of our senior alumni, capturing firsthand accounts that bring our history to life. At the same time, we are digitizing scrapbooks, composites, and other memorabilia to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

This project is about stewardship — honoring those who came before us while ensuring that our story remains accessible and vibrant for those who will follow.

Thank you for your continued support, your presence at events, and your commitment to preserving and advancing the legacy of the German Club.

I look forward to seeing many of you back in Blacksburg soon.

Go Hokies!

Warm regards,
Dave Cooper