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.

  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Lt. Cmdr. Todd Mills, United States Navy, 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, United States Air Force, who received a degree in mathematics from the College of Science in 2006,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Adam Keene, United States Air Force, who received a degree in geography from the College of Natural Resources in 2006,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Mark Sherkey, United States Army, who received a degree in finance from the Pamplin College of Business in 1995,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni Capt. Tim Fong, United States Army, who received a degree in economics from the College of Science in 2005 and Capt. Mike Martinez, United States Army, who received a degree in chemistry from the College of Science in 2004,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Timothy Dillera, United States Air Force, who received a degree in chemistry from the College of Science in 2003,
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Patrick Hogeboom, United States Army, who received a degree in civil engineering from the College of Engineering in 1994,
  • 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, and
  • Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 2nd Lt. Brian Alberts, United States Army, who received a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 2008.
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