Bruce Smith (born June 18, 1963 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a former NFL football player who currently holds the NFL record for most career quarterback sacks with 200. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He was named in honor of his fathers' idol, Bruce Brewington.

Frank Beamer (b. October 18, 1946 in Mount Airy, North Carolina) is the current head coach of the Virginia Tech college football program. Beamer grew up in Hillsville, Virginia where he earned 11 varsity letters in high school as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He then attended Virginia Tech and was a starting cornerback for three years on the football team, playing in the 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowls.

Johnny Lane Oates (January 21 1946 - December 24 2004) was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. Born in Sylva, North Carolina, Oates graduated from Prince George High School in Prince George, Virginia, before going on to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Oates played baseball as a catcher with the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981, …

Vernell Eufaye ("Bimbo") Coles (born April 22 1968 in Covington, Virginia) is a retired American basketball player. Was a standout at Greenbrier East High School in Lewisburg, West Virginia. He played his college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies and is the all-time lead scorer for the now-defunct Metro Conference. He was a member of the United States 1988 Olympic basketball team.

Frank Loria (born 1947, Clarksburg, West Virginia)(1947 - November 14, 1970) was an American football defensive back. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team from 1965-1967, helping the Hokies to a berth in the 1966 Liberty Bowl. Loria was named consensus All American in 1967. Loria joined the Marshall University coaching staff as the defensive backs coach. He died in the Southern Airlines Flight 932 airplane crash, …

Wardell Stephen Curry (born June 25, 1964 in Harrisonburg, Virginia) is a retired American professional basketball player at the shooting guard position who received his education from Fort Defiance High School in Virginia and Virginia Tech. He then played in the National Basketball Association from 1986 until 2002. On June 18, 2007 he was named assistant coach of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team.

Allan Mercer Bristow Jr. (born August 23 1951 in Richmond, Virginia) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive. Bristow played college basketball at Virginia Tech, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round of the 1973 NBA Draft. A 6'7", 210-lb forward, he had a 10-year career in the both the NBA and the ABA, playing for the Sixers, the San Antonio Spurs (in both leagues), the Utah Jazz, …

Don Strock (born November 27, 1950 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania) is a college football head coach and former player who until recently was the head coach of the Florida International University football team.

Carroll Wayne Dale (born 1938 in Wise, Virginia) was an American football wide receiver. He played college football for Virginia Tech from 1956-1959. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959. After college, Dale was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams where he played for 5 years. In 1965, Dale was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Dale played as part of the champion Packers in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. Dale retired from the National Football League in 1973, …

Jerry Claiborne (August 2, 1928 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky - September 24, 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee) was a college football coach, most notable as the head coach at Virginia Tech, Maryland, and his alma mater of Kentucky. Claiborne was famous for being a winner, taking over historically under achieving teams and turning them into winners, as well as teaching his players to become excellent students. He retired with an overall record of 179-122-8.

Glen Courtney Combs (born October 30, 1946 in Hazard, Kentucky) is a retired American basketball player. A 6'2" guard from Virginia Tech, Combs was nicknamed "The Kentucky Rifle" for his long-range shooting. He was drafted by the National Basketball Association's San Diego Rockets in 1968, although he never played for them, opting to spend his entire career in the rival American Basketball Association. Combs was a member of the Dallas/Texas Chaparrals, the Utah Stars, …

Abraham Billy Hardee, Jr, better known as Billy Hardee, (born August 12, 1954 in Lakeland, Florida) is an American football defensive back. He played college football for Virginia Tech from 1972-1975. Hardee started his collegiate career as a wide receiver, transitioning to defensive back in 1974. Hardee finished in the Top 10 nationally in 1975, with seven interceptions. This, along with his work as a kick returner, …

Franklin Lee Stubbs (born October 21, 1960, in Richlands, North Carolina) was a Major League Baseball player from 1984-1995. Over his 10 year career he played with four different teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers (1984-1989), Houston Astros (1990), Milwaukee Brewers (1991-1992), and Detroit Tigers (1995). Stubbs was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers team that won the 1988 World Series.

John Francis Wetzel (born October 22 1944, in Waynesboro, Virginia) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. A 6'5" guard, he played collegiately at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 8th round of the 1966 NBA Draft. Over a seven-year career, Wetzel played for three teams--the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Atlanta Hawks. He would later coach the Suns during the 1987-88 NBA season.

Mike Williams (born July 29, 1969 in Radford, Virginia) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who had a 12 year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1992 to 2003. Williams was a two time All-Star - in 2002 in which he finished third in the National League with 46 saves, and in 2003. For his career he posted a record of 32-54 with 144 saves and a 4.45 ERA.

Playing at the Orange Bowl was sentimental for head coach Don Strock who played many games as a Miami Dolphin there. Strock's most memorable moment at the Orange Bowl came on Jan. 2, 1982 against the San Diego Chargers. He entered the game with the Dolphins trailing 24-0 and then rallied the team before falling short, 41-38 in overtime.