Chipotle has officially graduated me from the designation of Honorary Burrito Ambassador to that of Master Burrito Ambassador. It took many years of hard work, dedication, and corn salsa to achieve this prestigious honor and I am proud to hang up my new MBA certificate next to my doctorate and bachelors degrees.

I will admit that I have put more effort in to achieving this MBA than I probably did in to some classes back in school and if I had to quantify Chipotle I would say it is a 12 credit class that I have paid a few thousand in tuition to. I am appreciative they decided to include some scholarship money with my Masters and graduation gown.

Commencement will be at 1pm at the Camp Washington Chipotle. Food will be served.

After a long weekend and plenty of Hokie-related news let’s check and see what’s under the foil…

MAIN COURSE: COASTAL CHAMPS
Obviously the big news is that the Hokies beat UVA and earned a spot in the ACC Championship as the Coastal Division Champs. We retain both the Commonwealth Cup and Coastal Trophy and get to play this Saturday against Boston College.

BC, if you recall, beat the Hokies earlier this year thanks in part to Eagles return man Rich Gunnell’s 65-yard punt return TD, which allowed BC to squeak a win with a 4-point margin. BC gave up five turnovers and didn’t score once in the second half but Virginia Tech failed to capitalize on the mistakes (well somewhat - there were two INT for TD and a blocked field goal, so I guess in reality it was the offense who failed to pour on more points). Hopefully getting out of Chestnut Hill and down to Tampa will help heat up the Hokies on both sides of the ball and give us a repeat of last year’s ACC Championship when VT won the second match-up against Boston College after losing a national-title-trip-ending-heart-breaker in Blacksburg halfway through the season. I also shotgunned 9 beers in my living room, alone, in that redemption win. Bottom line: Even though the Hokies took one of the most unlikely of paths to this year’s championship all is forgotten… the beer pong redemption cups have been made… and I just hope we take a deep breath and sink every shot we take be it on offense or defense.

DESSERT: BUD FOSTER’S PIE
Bud Foster is safe. For now. Clemson has promoted interim coach Dabo Swinney to the head coach position, leaving Bud Foster with Virginia Tech for the time being. About a year ago, Foster’s agent claimed that his client was expected to be in a head coaching position “within the next two years. This year or next year.” So, who may be next to try for Bud? A lot of schools probably . But which of those schools can make him as excited as he was when he ran down the sideline pumping his fist at the end of the VT/UVA game? None of ‘em.

SIDE: ACC/BIG TEN BASKETBALL
The theme of Monday’s VT/Wisconsin game was “3-point madness”. The teams were a combined 23-32 from behind the 3-point line sending me in to a see-saw of emotion as each team exchanged long balls. The Hokie Basketball curse that has become Seth Greenberg’s “nightmare” found its way in to Cassell once again as Wisconsin sank a game winner in the last second of the game. The Hokies looked impressive and physical throughout the game and really shouldn’t feel bad about such an exciting lead off to the ACC/BIG 10 Challenge. I had some problems with bad foul calls away from the ball on Allen- but in the end it was not fouls that decided the game but simply great shooting by both teams. I was pleased with what I saw and I am looking forward to my first game this season down at Tech. The commentators did offer one consolation prize toward the end of the game which I think bears repeating: “This has become one of the greatest atmospheres to experience a college basketball game in the country.” Keep it up fans, eventually the clock will do its job and learn how to expire just a few tenths of second sooner.