Frank Salzano, Virginia Tech civil and environmental engineering alumnus of 1983, started Hogs4Hokies following the April 16, 2007 tragedy. He had his 2007 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic painted in a VT theme and then organized a motorcycle ride to Blacksburg to help raise awareness and funds for the Virginia Tech Foundation 32 Named Memorial Endowments Fund. The endowment provides funds in the names of each of the 32 victims and contributes to future students attending Virginia Tech. The first ride over 10 years ago raised $10,000 for the endowment fund and have over 100 riders participate. By the next year, over 200 riders from as far away as New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania joined in participation.
This ride has become an annual event and grows each year. The event takes place on the last Saturday in April. The procession leaves from Manassas, Richmond, and Hampton, Virginia in the morning and makes several stops along the way, including Charlottesville, Shenandoah Harley Davidson in Staunton and then arrives in Blacksburg around 3:30pm. A short ceremony is held on the Virginia Tech Drillfield with a dinner and raffle following the ride.
This year’s ride will take place on April 28, 2018. Click here for the schedule and registration form.