The school released this exclamation point-laced statement from head coach Frank Beamer about the helmet design:
“When you look at this helmet, it’s not flashy, but it means a tremendous amount to this University. The outside world may have to do a double-take, but the Hokie Nation will know exactly what it is: Hokie Stone! And it’s something we’re proud of.
“The reason I like it, is because it represents what this program and this University are built on. Each piece, in its place, serving its purpose, doing its job, and when it’s all working together, it’s rock solid and it’s something special. That Hokie Stone … represents what we’re all about, a foundation that we’re proud of, built on brotherhood, loyalty, leadership, Ut Prosim, sacrifice, service, honor, and duty. And I hope you saw all of that on display this past Saturday in our game with a very talented and determined Marshall team. Not just from the players, but from the fans as well, who withstood a driving rain and stuck in there with us through it all!
“So, on Thursday night, some may see it as stone on our helmets. We know it’s SO much more!”
[SOURCE]
The Hokie Stone helmets will feature the number “430? on the back. That’s for the 430 names on the War Memorial who were killed in battle.