Virginia Tech Football Home Opener

Virginia Tech Football Home Opener 2009
Virginia Tech vs. Marshall University. The game that had been anticipated for ten months and twelve days had finally come for the Hokie Nation. The first game of the two thousand and nine season in Lane Stadium had finally arrived and Hokie Nation came out to support in full force. Every parking lot was over flowing with tailgaters, grills, and corn hole. Each and every person in the parking lots was overfilled with the joy of stepping into Lane Stadium and cheering on the Hokies.
Coming into this game the Hokies had zero wins and one loss after losing in a close game against Alabama University last Saturday in Atlanta Georgia. The devastating loss set the Hokies back from being the number seven best team in the nation to fourteenth best in the nation. This minor setback could not keep the team from aiming to slaughter “The Herd” that was stampeding directly at them. The Fighting Gobblers, as Virginia Tech was formerly known as, had a game plan to jump on the herd quick and keep fighting until the final whistle blew.
It had been said that “Blacksburg is a drinking town with a football problem”, nevertheless, football is a huge part of what makes Virginia Tech what is it. The roots of traditions at Virginia Tech are very deep and its football fans continue many traditions.
Lets ! ! Go ! ! . . . . . . . Hok ! ! ies ! ! The pre game chant of all Hokies. As the cheerleaders hold up the signs, the west and north stands scream in one synchronized sound Lets ! Go ! When their turn is done the east and south end zones chime in with a tremendous Hok ! ies ! and only is the chant stopped when the sounds of Metallica’s “ Enter Sandman “ fills the speakers and ears of the greatest stadium in the nation and its fans.
As the first sounds of Enter Sandman’s intro begins, all of Lane Stadium starts to shake as well not just because of the music or roar of the crowd, but of the sixty six thousand students , alumni , children , and fans jumping up and down to create a proper welcome for the football team. For the finally of the team coming out, Skipper, Virginia techs cannon is released and creates a boom that can be heard for miles. As the football team enters, each and every player touches the Hokie Stone that is secured above the end of the claustrophobic tunnel. This entrance has been rated among the best in college football.
During the game there are also many rituals. To begin, every third down while the Hokies are on defense all of the fans shake their keys to denote that it is a key play. While on offense, every time there is a touchdown the “ Hokie Bird “ bench presses the score in the end zone. While the Hokie Bird bench presses, guys in the stands hoist girls up and throw them in the air for the number of points that has been scored.
Maybe the most notable tradition is after the third quarter when the Marching Virginians play and dance to the Hokie Pokie. Many times the other team’s band joins Virginia Tech’s as well as the fans. This is a dance that many kids learn at a very young age and represents the Hokie Nation as fun and respectable.
Virginia Tech also pushes respect very hard. To help this cause they have started a campaign called “Hokies Respect”. This organization is to teach all Hokies to respect the moment, the opponent, themselves, and the competition. Above all, respect themselves.
When a freshman was asked to describe her first Virginia Tech game day experience she said, “My first experience at a Virginia Tech game was incredible. I had never been to a college football game before and having Tech as my first experience was beyond anything I'd ever imagined. Walking around on campus and passing by Lane Stadium has become a part of my everyday routine. I never really thought about how big it was until I walked into the stadium. People were coming from every direction, hundreds and thousands of people. The place was packed full and louder than anything I've ever experienced. Watching the Cadets of new and old march onto the field was breathtaking. I thought it was amazing how they honor the Corp of Cadets like that. Plus seeing the bomber fly by was an extra bonus. The banter between the sides of the stadium really amazed me. Everyone knew what to do and what to scream; their synchronism was perfection. The opening notes of Enter Sandman pulsed through the crowd and I was hooked. The stadium was so alive and excited that I couldn't help but instantly fall in love with Virginia Tech football. It's always an added bonus when they actually win too. All in all, my first experience at a Virginia Tech football game was amazing. I can't wait to go to so
many more.”
The experience of being at a Virginia Tech football game is like no other. Even though I have been to many, each experience is like no other and the Hokie Fever will forever run through my veins as will it run through many.