Justin Cates
My Dad graduated from Tech in 1981 and I’ve been attending Virginia Tech sporting events since I first moved to Blacksburg in 1988. I myself graduated in 2008 with a Communication degree. During my time as a student I was the Sports Director for WUVT and helped establish and run Planet Blacksburg, an independent student-run news website. I’ve since written for numerous publications including SBNation, Inside The ACC, and Sports Illustrated's AllHokies. Currently, I host The Justin Cates Show in addition to other contributions here at Sons of Saturday and various other sites as the need arises. I now live in a fortified compound in upstate New York with my wife and numerous animals. The smell of popcorn makes me think of Cassell.
Fearsome Fives: Some Good and Weird All-Time Hokie Hoops Lineups
A Look at some obvious stars from Hokie hoops history with some lesser-known names mixed in.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Tulane
Surf's up! The Hokies rode the Green Wave and the ground game to a 41-20 victory in the 2023 Military Bowl.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
The Hokies applied a Commonwealth Crush to Virginia in a dominant 55-17 win at Lane Stadium North on Saturday.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. NC State
Virginia Tech managed the rare feat of simultaneously getting roundly thumped while also somehow losing a nail-biter in a 35-28 loss to NC State.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
Last week it was all negative. This time around the Hokies inverted the script and put on a complete performance in a huge 48-22 win against Boston College.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Just as Tech dominated a week and a half ago, No. 13 Louisville thoroughly rolled the Hokies from the start in a 34-3 thumping Saturday afternoon.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse
It was a full-on throwback with the Hokies taking Syracuse behind the woodshed under the lights in Lane in a 38-10 win.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest
There was plenty to be happy about for Tech fans with a big 30-13 homecoming victory over Wake Forest.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Florida State
A brutal start gave way to an interesting rally but ultimately another disappointing loss 39-17 to Florida State.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
The waning hours of September gave Tech fans welcome relief as Virginia Tech soundly defeated Pittsburgh 38-21 Saturday night to start 1-0 in ACC play and improve to 2-3 overall.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Marshall
Virginia Tech stumbled in another late comeback attempt and lost 24-17 Saturday at Marshall.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Rutgers
As has often been the case in recent years, it was an outstanding day right up until kickoff. Virginia Tech lost 35-16 Saturday at Rutgers.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Purdue
Orange Effect was delayed this year, and ultimately a bummer as the Hokies lost 24-17 to Purdue after a massive weather delay.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion
The Hokies flipped the script from a year ago and knocked off Old Dominion at home to start the 2023-24 season 1-0. Justin Cates has the highs and lows of an entertaining night.
The Justin Cates Show Christmas Spectacular
Friends, it's the year end gift you didn't ask for and can't return. Happy Holidays to one and all!
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Liberty
The Hokies pulled off the first signature win of the Brent Pry era Saturday with a 23-22 road upset over Liberty.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Duke
The Hokies struggled again in a 24-7 loss Saturday at Duke.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. NC State
The Hokies blew an 18-point lead and have now gone winless in October for the first time since Harry Truman was in the White House. Glimmers of hope exist, but questions abound.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
The result wasn't pretty in a 45-29 loss to Pittsburgh, but there was plenty to be encouraged by about the Hokies if you were looking.
Hokies @ Pitt, Sandwiches, and Fall Fun
There isn't a ton to say about the North Carolina game. It feels bad but time to move on to...oh no...a road game a Pitt. We make a pick and look forward to Hokies men's and women's…
JC Show: We've got answers for the ground game woes.
This week we pose some solutions to Tech's brutal running game, talk about the trip to North Carolina, and unintentionally rename the hurricane.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
It was a deflating night for Hokie nation as Tech fell 33-10 to West Virginia.
Throwback Vibes: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
We broke out the Starter jacket and 96' Orange Bowl hat for this one. Come for the gear, stay for the classic highlights.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Wofford
It was a standard Tech performance in this kind of sleepy early game. We take a look at some of the good and bad from a 27-7 win over Wofford.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
Brent Pry has his first win as a head coach and the Hokies have their first win of 2022. Let's take a closer look at the 27-10 win over Boston College.
ODU = All Aboard the Pain Train
Hokie Nation is down after a brutal season opener for football, but hope remains! We turn the page to Boston College and honor a great Hokie gone too soon in Cyrus Lawrence.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion
The Hokies opener was a major disappointment. Justin Cates takes a look at the damage.
A Look Back and A Look Ahead
The Justin Cates Show is back with an interesting new space and a look back at a recent road opener with results worth repeating.
2022 Position Previews: Special Teams
Virginia Tech's special teams unit will look to be a reliable contributor in Brent Pry's first season.
Beware the "Dead Season"
Football season is shockingly close, but there's still plenty of time to lose your way in the off-season desert.
What's the Greatest Win In Hokies History?
After the ACC Tournament title, Tech fans started asking if it was the greatest win in school history. We took a walk down memory lane to put the latest W in context and answer the question, was this the…
Sons of Blooper Reels
Justin gives a behind the scenes look at the show from 2021 and looks forward to a prosperous 2022.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Maryland
The final Cheers and Jeers of 2021 takes us through the last game in another lost season for Virginia Tech football.
Sons of Coaching Carousels
The Hokies have a new football coach while the Cavaliers are suddenly on the wildest coaching carousel ever. Plus we've got an ACC Championship pick!
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
This game was big, dumb, and a whole lot of fun. It will go down as a classic chapter in the Commonwealth Cup rivalry and will not soon be forgotten by either fan base, albeit for very different…
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Miami
When it rains it pours. That was certainly true on this night for the Hokies despite a valiant effort in an incredibly tough situation. It wasn't all bad, but there was a lot to dissect with a critical…
Sons of Coaching Changes
J.C. Price will lead the Hokies down the stretch. Justin Cates discusses that news, picks the Tech-Miami game, and briefly recaps an outing in the wild west.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Duke
The Hokies did senior day right and sent their upperclassmen out with a resounding 48-17 win over Duke.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
Just when you thought things might be getting better, the Hokies go and do something like this. Another rough night in Chestnut Hill leaves Hokie Nation crying foul.
Go West Young Man
Justin is headed west this weekend but before he went he had some thoughts about Virginia Tech basketball plus the Hokies and Boston College.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech
It wasn't always pretty but the Hokies got a massively needed win Saturday at Georgia Tech.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse
Another tough loss leaves Tech fans up in arms. It's all over but the shouting this season.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
It was a brutal slog and a 28-7 Tech loss that was easily the most forgettable homecoming in quite a while.
Sons of Alliteration (and Pitt Previews)
We've got game picks, a public shaming of Schefter, and a new feature to remember happier times in #Hokies football history.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame
After another tough, late loss cheers and jeers is back with one long jeer to rule them all.
Sons of Special Correspondents
Justin checks in on the Urban Meyer situation with some outside help, plus we've got game picks and reminders of some of the great events happening this weekend in Blacksburg.
Sons of the BYE Week
With Virginia Tech on a break, Justin picks a bunch of games from around the country ahead of a huge weekend of college football and checks in on #Hokies Twitter.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Richmond
Another flat outing leaves the Hokies with big issues to address heading into the bye week.
Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
There are those days when the sun is shining, the tailgating is bountiful, everything is glorious...right up until kickoff.
Rivalry Week Comes Early for the Hokies
This week Justin wears an ancient shirt, worries about sports riots, and picks a few games of note including Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia.
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Middle Tennessee
It wasn't always pretty, but at the end of the day Tech got a solid win over Middle Tennessee. Justin Cates has some initial thoughts after the game.
Don't Let Your Parents Tweet
On this week's Justin Cates Show we talk briefly about the Hokies and Middle Tennessee, the other intriguing games in the ACC this week, plus Carolina Karen who made waves with an ill-advised tweet which found…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech-North Carolina
The scene of a full Lane Stadium jumping to Enter Sandman was as close to normal as we come anymore and just as good as expected. For a few hours on a crisp early-September night, the Hokies played intense and…
Now they always say it's graduation! (class of 2021)
After a lengthy hiatus the Justin Cates Show is back with a tip for Hokies' Twitter complaints, updates on Virginia Tech softball and Women's golf, plus a thought for the class of…
Cassell Coliseum due for much needed upgrades
One of the key projects in Virginia Tech's newly announced "Reach For Excellence" campaign is a $75 million renovation of Cassell Coliseum. The overall funding campaign looks to infuse $400 million into Tech…
Ranked Hokie Teams are Everywhere (also bad weather)
While we eagerly await the return of men's basketball, check out this week's show filled with winter driving tips, advice for handling 'the olds', and a run down of some of Tech's ranked…
Big Wins and a Big Game Pick
This week we talk basketball, JC Price, and I make a big game pick. Plus I encourage people to listen to the latest Weezer album because I'm hip and with it.
MLS Draft Talk and the Hokies Head to Syracuse
This week we talk about the MLS SuperDraft, Virginia Tech basketball, Jim Boeheim, and of course more Buffalo Bills football chatter because the people demand it.
Hokie Hoops and Circling the Wagons
We highlight a big week of news including Hokies' win over the Duke Blue Devils, the top ten wrestling program, Jack Tyler's promotion, plus alumnus Nickeil Alexander-Walker going off in the…
Three Cheers and Minimal Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
379 days. That's how long the Commonwealth Cup was in Charlottesville. It was entirely unnatural and apparently disrupted the universe so much that 2020 happened. Now all is back as it should be. Well,…
Rivalry Week: Virginia Tech-Virginia Story Time
Justin tells a story from his 2005 trip to Charlottesville that really encapsulates the Tech-UVA rivalry. Plus the pick for the game as well as a big time ranked match up between North Carolina and Miami.…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Clemson
There were a few fleeting moments early when if you squinted a bit it looked like real Virginia Tech football. Then everything else happened.
Basketball Season (and Clemson) is Upon Us
On this week's show we briefly talk about the Hokies' great starts in men's and women's basketball, give our VT-Clemson pick, and try not to act overly thirsty for a guest appearance on a Mike McDaniel…
It's Jeers All The Way Down for Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
The game against Pittsburgh ended. That's the only positive thing one can say about it. There's lots of other stuff to talk about though.
How Will the Hokies Fare in Pittsburgh?
On this week's show we discuss the Hokies-Panthers match up as well as NC State-Liberty which should be interesting. Plus we plug the scribes' work and that new podcast you may have heard…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Miami
The Hokies once again fell short in a close game in Lane Stadium falling to No. 9 Miami 25-24. Justin again has the good and the bad in a game that saw plenty of both.
The Twilight Zone or Just Hokie Football?
Check out this week's show where Justin rambles on about Tech's chances against the No. 9 Miami Hurricanes, the North Carolina-Wake Forest game, and quickly brushes past last week's clunker against the…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Liberty
The Hokies flamed out against Liberty and while this week's column is a little heavy on the jeers, there are still a few positives to take away from a gut-wrenching 38-35 loss.
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
The Hokies got a nice road win against Louisville 42-35 in a game that threatened several times to become a Tech blowout. We discuss Hendon Hooker's bounce back, the return of "big play" Tre, and yeah the…
Halloween Hokies Take On Louisville
Time to rest up for the weekend as I give you my Halloween costume complete with mediocre acting. Apologies to the great Bob Uecker. We make picks for Virginia Tech-Louisville as well as the suddenly very…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest
Virginia Tech let uncharacteristic turnovers and penalties doom them in a 23-16 loss to Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
Golf Blacksburg, Plus Hokies, Demon Deacons, and a Carolina Grudge Match
This week's episode of The Justin Cates Show features golf talk, plus a preview of Virginia Tech-Wake Forest, North Carolina-NC State, and Notre Dame-Pittsburgh mainly as an excuse to insult both…
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
The Hokies ran to a resounding victory over Boston College. As always, there were good things and bad after a fun night in Blacksburg.
Sons of bias? An ode to the peanut gallery
Can the Hokies right the ship at home against Boston College? Will Miami lay an egg? Are the Sons just a bunch of homers? Watch the show to find out.
Three Cheers and Three Jeers for Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina
Virginia Tech's defense was embarrassed in a 56-45 loss to North Carolina.
Hokies and Heels and Sam Howell fashion tips
Give this week's episode a watch as we look at Sam Howell, Hokies-Heels, Miami-Clemson, and review some weird Hokie memorabilia.
Three Cheers and Three Jeers For The Hokies Win Over Duke
This week we debut a new postgame feature where we highlight three positives and three negatives from the Hokies' performance. There are plenty of things to be happy about after a 38-31 road win, but that…
Can the Hokies go 2-0 against Carolina teams?
This week we again pick a couple of games, Introduce a new stats segment, reflect on last week's effort by the Fighting Gobblers, and I defend blue cheese against slanderous…
New Season (2020), Same Hokie Toasties
If you've been in dire need for irreverent sports content about the Hokies along with the rest of the ACC, you're in luck! The Justin Cates Show is your portal to strange observations, rambling anecdotes, and…