I haven’t been to an “away” OSU football game in decades. My recollections are not pleasant. In years past, the opposing fans jeer, taunt, and make the whole experience distasteful. My experience at Virginia Tech was far different and I must compliment the school and the fans.
Last season as OSU celebrated a national championship season, their one and only defeat was to the Virginia Tech Hokies. For that very reason the opening game of the 2015 season on Labor Day had tremendous significance. We were delighted to have tickets.
We left Norfolk early to begin our two week road trip and our first stop….Blacksburg, Virginia, the home of VT and the Hokies.
A Hokie…the ‘Ole Buckeye and I had quite a conversation concerning this mascot “Bird”? As always, some research ensued. The Hokie mascot is a turkey-like bird which has evolved from the original Fighting Gobbler of Virginia Tech. (Team names and mascots have always fascinated me.) The term Hokie was coined by O.M. Stull in 1896 written as a spirit yell for a competition.
Upon arrival in Blacksburg, and finding a parking spot, we had just enough time to “tailgate”. Now keep in mind that we were at the beginning of a road trip with only a cooler and limited trunk space. That said, we opened the trunk, parked our seat cushions at the side of the lot and enjoyed Fan Favorite Italian Salad and Easy Gazpacho. (I will post the recipes for both in a later blog.) Drink of choice…Mountain Dew (to help stay awake for an 8 PM kickoff.)
Our one and a half mile hike to Lane Stadium, which houses a little over 66,000 spectators, took us past OSU tailgaters complete with fall decor.
Lane Stadium, although considered small in comparison to other stadiums, is considered to be one of the loudest, which was soon to be a proven fact, even to seasoned Buckeye fans.
The love for head coach Frank Beamer was incredible. He has been coaching VT since 1986, one of the winningest coaches in football. The team has the second longest bowl streak in the country.
We arrived early and watched as the stadium filled and the teams warmed up. We anxiously waited to see the OSU band, having heard that their bus had broken down in Charleston earlier in the day, on the way to the game. Somehow it is hard to imagine a game without the band…especially on opponent turf.
The stadium was soon filled with Maroon and Orange clad fans, far overwhelming the Scarlet and Gray. The OSU band appeared and the fight song rang out. Let the game begin…we were ready.
That being said, I was not prepared for the pageantry that was presented on the field. Not only was the VT marching band introduced, but they were followed by the parade of the cadets and the Virginia Tech Regimental Band. Quite impressive.
Until 1964 all able-bodied males were required to participate in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Participation is now voluntary. (Virginia Tech is one of only three public universities with both a corps of cadets and civilian lifestyle on campus.)
While we were in a large contingent of OSU fans and the OSU band was in relatively close proximity, the support of the Hokie fans was overwhelming.
The game itself was a nail biter in the first half, but the Buckeyes turned it on to win handily by the end. What a great evening for football, and what a positive way to start the season.
It was a long trek back to the car, but along the way we were congratulated by so many maroon and orange clad fans exclaiming “Great game!” and scarlet and gray clad fans shouting OH!
By the time we reached the car for the long ride to lodging, we agreed that Virginia Tech…the school, the tradition, and the fans were first class in every way. We wish them well in the season ahead.
