Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Tom Strassberger, United States Air Force, who received a degree in political science from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1995 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Virginia Tech versus University of North Carolina 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.

Strassberger is stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as a member of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, United States Air Force. He is currently the director of operations for the squadron, providing aircraft maintenance and aerial port support for our nation’s heavy lift aircraft as they move passengers and equipment throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, and the entire Middle East.

Strassberger is from Williamsburg, Va., and this is his first combat deployment. Strassberger is a Class of 1995 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and was the executive officer of Alpha Company during his senior year. He says he would like to send his love to his parents John and Kay; his brother Lt. Cmdr. Joey Strassberger, a Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets graduate from the Class of 1998; Joey’s wife Kim, and their children Andrew, Julia, and their expected baby.

Listen to the clip from the radio broadcast.

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

  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Lt. Cmdr. Todd Mills, who received a degree in political science from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1996;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Christopher Horsfall, who received a degree in mathematics from the College of Science in 2006;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Adam Keene, who received a degree in geography from the College of Natural Resources in 2006;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Mark Sherkey, who received a degree in finance from the Pamplin College of Business in 1995;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni Capt. Tim Fong, who received a degree in economics from the College of Science in 2005 and Capt. Mike Martinez, who received a degree in chemistry from the College of Science in 2004;
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Timothy Dillera, who received a degree in chemistry from the College of Science in 2003; and
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Patrick Hogeboom, who received a degree in civil engineering from the College of Engineering in 1994.
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