This season’s Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida is not only important for the two teams squaring off—Virginia Tech and Kansas University—but also for two of its notable alumni who are both employees at International Speedway Corporation.  Virginia Tech alum and Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz, and Kansas University alum and Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger have agreed on a “friendly wager” on the Orange Bowl, which will kickoff January 3, 2008.

In a show of state pride by both track presidents, Fritz has agreed to send the entire Kansas Speedway staff Virginia hams and Virginia peanuts if his Hokies fall to the Jayhawks.  If Virginia Tech reigns victorious over Kansas, Boerger has agreed to bestow Kansas City strip steaks and sunflower seeds (Kansas is “The Sunflower State”) upon the Richmond International Raceway staff.

“Although I would like to introduce two very tasty Virginia products to the employees at Kansas Speedway, I would much rather taste victory over the Jayhawks when my beloved Hokies reign supreme at the Orange Bowl,” said Fritz.  “I will be watching my good friend Coach Frank Beamer and his team closely from the stands and I look forward to returning to Richmond to hand out the strip steaks and sunflower seeds to all of the employees at Richmond International Raceway.  Go Hokies!”

“The Virginia hams will taste extremely good after I watch my Jayhawks beat the Hokies of Virginia Tech,” said Boerger.  “Coach Mark Mangino and his staff have done a great job this year and it’s been exciting to watch KU get recognized for all of their hard work.  Several staff members at Kansas Speedway are KU graduates and we’ll all be pulling for the Jayhawks to beat the Hokies.  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”

Fritz is a 1981 graduate of Virginia Tech where he majored in marketing management.  A longtime Hokie supporter, Fritz is a season ticket holder and will be making the trip with his family to Miami for the game.  His daughter, Laura, and son, Scott, both attend Virginia Tech.  Boerger is a 1988 graduate of Kansas University where he majored in Fine Arts.

The Orange Bowl is one piece of the Bowl Championship Series puzzle.  A spot in the BCS is one of the most coveted achievements in college football.  Virginia Tech (11-2) earned their way in by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Kansas University (11-1) received an at-large bid, despite finishing second in the Big XII Conference’s North Division.  Virginia Tech is ranked #3 and Kansas #8 in the current BCS standings.