Weather permitting, Gene Wojciechowski, a well-known writer for ESPN The Magazine, will arrive in Blacksburg this afternoon to interview coaches, players, and athletic department administrators for a story he's writing on how a star athlete's early departure affects that school's program. Most of his story centers around former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick and the impact of his decision to forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility has on the school. Wojciechowski already has talked to several people at Tech, including those who work in the licensing office across campus; those who work at the local bookstores which sell Tech merchandise; Lu Merritt, who runs the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund and equipment manager Lester Karlin.

His arrival, however, may be delayed as Blacksburg continues to dig out from a snowstorm that has blanketed the area. Local forecasts call for 3-5 inches of snow in the area this morning, but the snow is supposed to taper off by this afternoon.