First-year Cadets Abigail Gelfand, Thomas Costello, and Ahmad McDaniels will receive the flags at Thursday’s football game against Syracuse. 

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Virginia Tech football team continue their proud partnership to highlight the colors during the pre-game ceremony at every football game. 

Three football players, chosen because of their performance in the last game or at practice, carry the American flag, the state flag, and the team’s spirit flag and lead the team onto the field. They deliver the flags to cadets at the south end of the field.  

The cadets, also selected based on their performance in the corps, render honor to the flags and carry them off the field. At home games, three first-year cadets are selected, and one or two upper-class cadets travel with the team and receive the flags at away games.  

Gelfand is majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and is known for her positive, upbeat attitude. A member Alpha Company and the corps’ Citizen-Leader Track, she is a determined cadet who motivates those around her. 

Costello is in Foxtrot Company and majoring in medicinal chemistry in the College of Science. A member of the Citizen-Leader Track, he is an eager participant in cadet activities who is focused on honing his leadership skills. He always gives his best effort and never fails to encourage his classmates. 

McDaniels, a member of the Citizen-Leader Track and Lima Company, is majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering. A responsible and hardworking cadet, he is always prompt and is dedicated to achieving his personal goals.  

The corps’ Citizen-Leader Track is designed to develop leadership skills in cadets for employment upon graduation in the public and private sectors, industry, nonprofit organizations, and other civilian or government positions.