In 2002, the Virginia Tech athletics department developed a new policy on retiring jerseys. This special honor is bestowed to acknowledge an individual who has won an established national award in their sport, while allowing the number to continue to be worn by others. Tech will no longer retire numbers.

In 2002, three football jerseys were retired in ceremonies at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. The fourth was retired in 2006. The jersey of Michael Vick was retired Sept. 1 prior to the LSU game, Frank Beamer's jersey was retired Sept. 12, prior to the Marshall game, and Cornell Brown's was retired on Nov. 20, during the West Virginia game. Jake Grove had his jersey retired on Sept. 23, prior to a game against Cincinnati.

Frank Beamer
Winner of eight national coach of the year awards following the 1999 season

Michael Vick
Winner of the 2000 ESPY as College Football's Performer of the Year

Cornell Brown
Named the Football News 1995 National Defensive Player of the Year

Jake Grove
Awarded the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top collegiate center, following the 2003 season.