James Franklin'sVirginia Tech football tenure is off to an inauspicious start.The Hokies' spring game on Saturday, April 18, from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, was delayed after a skydiver was suspended from the video board. The parachuter hit the scoreboard, requiring emergency personnel to step in.REQUIRED READING: Arch Manning was miserable — until he decided: Screw itThe spring game was originally scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET.

A video on social media shows two skydivers with American flags tied to gliding over Lane Stadium. The skydiver with the smaller flag successfully glides over the video board; however, the one with the larger flag appears to get caught in the wind and collides with the board.Guy parachuting into Virginia Tech Spring game is stuck on the scoreboard after rough collision. #oopspic.twitter.com/2smQ30FAxN— JIMMY (@yakubbsmonster) April 18, 2026While the spring game got off to a delayed start, the good news was that Virginia Tech announced on social media that the "skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable.""We are grateful to report that the skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable.

Our primary focus remains on their well-being," Virginia Tech Athletics tweeted out."We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response."We are grateful to report that the skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable. Our primary focus remains on their well-being.We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional…— HokieSports (@hokiesports) April 18, 2026Virginia Tech is set to play its first season under Franklin, who was hired by the school after he was fired by Penn State mid-season in 2025. The Hokies had moved on from Brent Pry after an 0-3 start to last year, before Franklin brought him back in the fold after being hired.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia Tech spring game delayed following parachuter crash into video board