Mike Young implements student-first question policy for media press conferences

Mike Young started the season with a 31-point win to open his seventh season at Virginia Tech. He also, following the victory, began something else as far as their media proceedings go, which was quite the nod to the student coverage they have there in Blacksburg.

After his opening statement following the 98-67 win over Charleston Southern, Young implemented the new policy ahead of the first question he took. He wanted students working in the media there to ask him the first questions in the press conference, last night and moving forward, while the more seasoned reporters, which he joked at by name, had to wait their turns.

“We’re going to do something different. Are you students? Are you guys students? Do we have any students in here tonight? Alright, you students are first. Ask what you want to ask. I’ll get to Berman and David, and these other guys next,” Young said, as he looked around the presser. “Go – new policy around here. Berman waits.”

To some, that’s just a small gesture by the head coach of the Hokies. However, it’s an impactful one nonetheless, and one he didn’t have to do as far as media goes, in a recognition of the work done by the journalism students on campus at VT.

As for the actual game they played last night, Virginia Tech pulled away in the second half to secure that opening win by 31. Being down for a time in the first half and up just four at halftime, the Hokies won the second half at 56-29, including a 27-3 run to open that half to blow this one open as they’d lead by as much as 36. Their own offense rolled a bit more, namely from three, in that second half, but that lead was built defensively as they held their opponent to just 25% shooting from the field and 15.4% from three in the second after they shot 40% overall and 53.3% from deep in the first.

“Righted the ship in the second half,” said Young. “I thought we wore them down. They weren’t nearly as comfortable in the second half.”

Tobi Lawal (20 points (50% FG), 12 rebounds, two blocks) and Amani Hansberry (19 points (50% FG), 13 rebounds, two steals, one block) each posted double-doubles in the opener for VT. The rest of the roster was then balanced, with seven other players scoring between six and thirteen points on the night.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Young said. “I think that much is obvious.”