Hosted by the VMI Keydet Club, the third annual VMI football reunion offered a mix of activities designed to facilitate interaction and connections between both former and current players.
Nearly 100 former football cadet-athletes gathered on post during the first weekend of August 2025 to reminisce about their days as players, meet members of the current team, and help Danny Rocco, head coach, and his staff build momentum toward the rapidly approaching 2025 season.
Hosted by the VMI Keydet Club, the third annual VMI football reunion offered a mix of activities designed to facilitate interaction and connections between both former and current players. Attendees began the day Friday, Aug. 1, with golf at the Lexington Golf & Country Club before moving on later to a cornhole tournament and reception at Moody Hall.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, attendees heard a Keydet Club update on VMI football and watched a practice session before having lunch in Crozet Hall with players and coaches. Afterwards, the alumni presented incoming rats with team backpacks. All team members received copies of “The Energy Bus,” by Jon Gordon, a motivational book on approaching life and work with forward energy, and attendees later gathered for a BBQ dinner at nearby McKethan Park. On Sunday morning, Aug. 3, those attending were invited to an optional breakfast with the team hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes before departing.
“It is always wonderful to have VMI football alumni back on post for a weekend like this to see and connect with coaches and current cadet-athletes,” said Andrew Deal ’12, VMI Keydet Club chief operating officer and Alumni Agencies chief development officer.
“This weekend gave members of the VMI football family a sense of the energy in the program today. It is amazing to have some of our most engaged alumni along with former players who have not been back in years, yet everyone walked away with a sense of excitement and passion about the current program.”
VMI will begin its fall 2025 campaign with an away game against the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
The communications officer – features leads the creation of compelling, mission-driven written content that often supports fundraising and donor engagement efforts. In addition to crafting development-focused communications, this role contributes to the editorial success of key Alumni Agencies publications through strategic, long-form storytelling and by maintaining close working relationships with volunteer leaders.
