This is exactly my reaction from my friend's seats in the West stands last year when we saw rampant early evacuation of the stadium during a winning effort from the good guys (not too sure the game, but it wasn't a blowout, I can assure you). At least a third of the North and East stands had left and the fourth quarter was just beginning. (would post pics of empty Lane, but I'm stuck in some alternate interwebs dimension at work)
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I told my wife I was impressed at the lack of paper airplanes and the fact the nez looked full until abt 10 min left in the game and even towards 2 minutes left it was pretty full. I was in the east stands so from my view it looked like ppl weren't leaving. that's a great sign.
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I was so proud of my Hokies today. For an FCS game, there were pretty much no paper airplanes, good crowd retention, and they even saved the wave until the end of the third quarter when we were up by a comfortable margin. Of course, there are a few morons who spew a bunch of crap out of their mouths all game, but hey, at least they're there and trying to contribute.
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I was surprisingly ok with the bands being piped through the sound system. I think it made the whole kickoff-chop-thing more coordinated and, for the first time ever, I could actually hear the Highty-Tighties. Overall, me likey :)
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Don't even get me started on the sitting bullshit. I got into it big time with the people behind me about myself and the people beside me standing and cheering during the game. (Don't let my TKP handle fool you. We were not drunk or belligerent AT ALL.) You know, there was a time when you could stand all game and cheer the Hokies on in Lane Stadium and not be ostracized for supporting your team by the damn home crowd. Seriously, if you're just gonna sit there all game, not cheer or be loud, stay your ass at home. You can watch it there, in the comfort of your home and not bother people actually supporting the team and making Lane Stadium a tough place to play. You won't be bothered either. I WILL NOT STAND FOR BEING MADE TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FOR CHEERING ON MY HOKIES!!! Sorry for the rant, but I've been steaming over this since the 1st quarter.
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Your post makes me very happy. I was starting to question if I was too passionate of a fan or perhaps being inconsiderate of others. Check out my comment in the post from Joe "Read this first, then come on in"
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Lol. One leg will do fine. Just let it be known HokieFish and I are done with the fairweather fans. WE WILL STAND!!! WE WILL YELL!!! WE WILL SUPPORT OUR HOKIES AND MAKE LANE STADIUM FEARSOME AGAIN!!!
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Do you sit in the South Endzone if not, stay away. Its even worse. I'm usually the only one standing. In the entire south Endzone. The rows behind me are sold so its always someone different. I want NEZ tickets so bad
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I do sit in the south endzone. You're right. Everyone sits. It's worse than the west stands. At least the west stands somewhat has an excuse with older alumni. My mission in life this season is to make the south endzone better.
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I agree 100% with you. I was at the game (standing in section 15 on the east side with my 12 yr old son and a diehard UT fan that I brought along to experience his first game in Blacksburg). I had pumped him up the entire trip to Blacksburg. He was really looking to forward to experiencing the insane atmosphere that Lane can offer. He knew the rep that our fans have at creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting team. I was certainly hoping the fans would deliver. I thought we started out strong. It was loud all around us, but it seemed that the intensity faded somewhere late in the first half.
I think my group yelled every single play.....to the point that I am still hoarse today!!! But I noticed that as I started yelling later into the play clock, that actually the area around us was pretty darn quiet, but after we started yelling there appeared to be more people jumping in.
I know there were some old timers around me, but it looked as if they just enjoyed talking to each other. They really didn't bring anything at all.....other than putting an ass in a seat. They never stood up, jumped or cheered. It just go old after a while, I guess.
I guess I was expecting just a little more rowdy crowd........given the fact that it wasn't a noon kickoff.
I was pleased with the student section thought. They really brought it!!!!!!
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This wasn't really a game many people who aren't complete diehards can get too into. I could've, and I always did when I was a student, but for the casual fan (what most people are) this was just a way to enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon. Wait until the GT game, it'll be just like you expect it to be.
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I know I was hoarsed by about halftime or so. Just got to give people some time to get their game yelling voices back and a game a little more intriguing than W&M. I was giddy as hell to get the first game of the season underway, but I know not every fan is like that.
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I completely agree, I got into it with folks behind me in section 9. They were so unhappy with being called out for sitting in silence that they had an officer come talk to me. I was told if I didn't keep my mouth shut that I would be removed from Lane stadium. It didn't end there..someone in our group was removed from the game for cheering and having a good time. To his own fault, he returned to the game to give his child the car keys and was arrested. I picked him up this morning at the jail. Great game, great win, and great offensive effort but the way a few fans (that want to sit the entire game without making a sound) can ruin the game day experience is beyond me. We ask the players to get up for the opponent no matter who it is but "some" fans cannot do the same. Just venting my frustrations but this one bad experience will not keep me from watching the Hokies! Beat Ohio St!
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Not cheering?
Nah, that's dumb. If you go to the game and expect quiet, that's poor expectations.
I was hoarse today enough that it got mention at 9pm tonight.
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My friends and I actually saw this guy as we were leaving the stadium area. We were thinking "WTF with that shirt?" There's no sitting even when you graduate.
To see that he was actually sitting and on his phone during the game wearing that shirt makes me want to slap him.
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I sit in the east stands with my family because:
1) I have a disability which prevents me being able to stand for long periods, especially on concrete and other hard surfaces. I cannot even sleep lying down. Even with the ability to sit often with bleacher backs, I am in very considerable pain throughout the night and until I can get it stretched out in the morning.
2) My preteen daughters would never be able to see over top of people standing unless I put them both on my shoulders the entire game, making an impossible situation for those behind me.
I don't go to the endzone seats because I need to sit. I will shout, yell, evangelize for Rogers but, I absolutely positively cannot spend much time standing.
If you sit in the seats outside the end zones, you must expect there may be some people with physical disabilities that preclude standing.
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This. The piling on and theme of judgement of this thread slightly bothers me.
I would much rather Hokie fans not be the guy that judges another Hokie fan without knowing the circumstances of that fan. Egbert cannot stand the whole game. I know that my middle-aged feet and back will not allow me to stand on concrete for the entire game. Are Egbert and I worthy of your disdain? Judging by his t-shirt, the guy in the picture probably stood for every game as a student and maybe feels like he paid his dues and can sit. Maybe he has a disability? You do not know. What you do know is that he, or someone else, supported the team by purchasing a ticket to a game against an FCS opponent, something that has been a problem in recent years.
So what if he was on his phone the entire time. Do we know why? Could the OP actually see this persons phone to judge the worthiness of its use? Maybe he has a loved one in the hospital and is checking for updates. Maybe he is actually using the Virginia Tech Gameday App that was described in the Tailgating Tech-Inaugural Blacksburg Edition thread. If he was using this app the entire time, then he was actually just trying to enhance his fan experience. Why should we look down on this? Maybe the app is that awesome.
This could be a popular TKPer who is being judged as a lesser fan without knowledge of this person. Be the best Hokie fan that you can be and encourage other Hokies to match your intensity. Do not prey on other Hokies and look down on them for not being "proper" fans. That is bullshit behavior and we should strive to be better.
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You raise good points, but let's pump the brakes for just a moment. This t-shirt is sold with a certain level of implied snark or condescension - i.e. "if you're sitting, you're a bad fan," so it goes both ways - the shirt looks down on people sitting, and people here are looking down on the guy sitting while judging people who sit. I need a moment, that's a bit too meta for me.
OK, continuing. Some people have gone off a bit here and on other threads about people's behavior in the stands, some of it is a bit much. But I think there is a certain amount of irony to be appreciated here, and that should be the only real intent, as everything from the shirt itself to the response is probably meant to just be light-hearted. That's why I posted the .gif above that I did - there's just no real response here, everything is so laden in irony.
I have absolute respect for anyone who finds a way to make it through a game in uncomfortable bleachers/stands despite physical limitations. Mad respect to you guys, you are true fans.
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Wanted to make sure everybody knew I did not take offense but, I'd say about every other game I need to ask somebody in front of us to not stand the entire game.
I almost always get a dirty look and periodically get lip.
Just wanted to remind, it is sometimes not laziness, lack of effort or passion.
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I think there should be a subtitle to the thread - "Don't be the fan who is an ass to someone who is polite to you." Anyone who politely asks someone else to move aside a bit or sit should be treated politely as well. If they're wearing Miami colors or something, perhaps less so...but if you're a Hokie, you should be given no grief.
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I agree with pretty much all of what you say and realize that my post kind of comes off as a serious rant in a mostly silly thread. I laughed at the irony of the picture initially, but some of the ensuing comments and the title sat less than well with me as I kept coming back. Egbert's post really drove home that uneasiness.
I do not think that the shirt implies exactly "if you're sitting, you're a bad fan." If it did, then this would be pretty obliviously hypocritical by the sitting fan. I think the shirt is more of an indictment of students who sit, most of which are less likely to have good reasons to sit the entire time than older fans, barring disabilities. Even then, I would not buy or wear that shirt because there would be students who couldn't stand throughout the game and it would be insulting to them.
The more important aspect to me was the additional chastizing of the fan for being on his phone during the entire game when Whit just announced the Virginia Tech Gameday app, which would lead a Hokie fan to be on his phone the entire game. The juxtaposition of the shirt slogan and the sitting fan in the photo was amusing, but adding the part about being on the phone and questioning his fandom was unnecessary.
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Indeed, the phone arguments are getting a bit old. Modern technology is a part of our lives. I'm as hard-core of a fan as you come by, priding myself in having no voice the following day and shin splints from jumping, but yes, I will pull out my phone during down times to check scores and news. The gameday app is a great point - our AD is marketing technology to our fans, and they're using it.
And let's be honest, if this guy is just hanging out during the 4th quarter of a relatively easy win over an FCS team on a hot day, I really can't say much. At least he's there, he's wearing our colors, and he stayed reasonably late. That's better than a lot of fans in recent years (not to ignite that debate again, apathy is everywhere).
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I respect anyone who has a physical disability that even makes it to the game. It's the other thousands of fans who couldn't even yell while we were on defense. You stated that even though you can't stand you shout and yell. It's not just about the standing it's about the atmosphere that we did not create yesterday as a whole fanbase.
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I can stand some and walk from lot 18 but standing the whole game or even a large portion, like some want to do, that's for the end zones, not for triple letter seats between the 30's. Us gimps will park there to stay out of the way.
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Thank you for sharing this, Egbert. Yesterday's game was my first in a long time. Long story, but a few years ago I acquired a physical disorder that affects my balance, sometimes profoundly (think falling-down drunk when you've had nothing to drink). It varies in intensity and is mostly unpredictable, but the two main triggers are -- wait for it -- crowds and noise. So you see my predicament. Up until yesterday, the biggest challenge I had tackled was a needtobreathe concert with ten thousand people.
Anyhow, that's how we ended up in Lower West Section 14 yesterday -- it was a compromise with the hubster, aka the man who would have to haul me out on his back if I ended up with a bad case of the spins. Happily, all went well, even if I did wear earplugs and bounced instead of jumped to Sandman. I still rocked that LT3 jersey, screamed my silly head off, and stood as much as I could.
All that to say, I hear where you're coming from. Wish we could attend more games, but sadly the four-hour drive plus cost of Lower West tickets means us in Lane once per year at best. Think I've about got hubby talked into the Wake Forest game, though :)
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I totally respect where you are coming from, and absolutely don't have a problem with what you're doing. Just curious though, what is preventing you from moving to the west stands where seated viewing is more commonplace and less likely to conflict with other fans' goals of standing?
I am sure you have a totally legit reason like having primo seats on the east side and/or not being able to find a big enough block of seats on the west by the time your turn to re-seat comes up each spring.
I just think it would be cool if we (the fans, the ticket office, everyone) could figure out a way to get people in sections with other like-minded fans so this kind of conflict doesn't affect anyone's game-day experience. Something like even seat #'s = be prepared to stand most of the time, and odd # seats = be prepared to sit except for epic moments where anyone would leap to their feet.
This would ensure everyone gets a good view of Kendall's swats and Jarrett's de-cleating hits. #dbu
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Tough to answer this without it sounding snarky so, recognize that's not the intent, please.
Actually, it was simply not possible to sound snarky so I deleted it.
I'll leave it at this.
I tried to not be a problem and I guess I was just told I need to self-segregate even more than I have.
There are a whole lot of bleacher seats rented near me, I reject your premise that I'm in the minority where I'm sitting and usually get thanks from those behind me when I ask for my daughters to be able to see.
I also reject your premise that these are primo seats, I got them sufficiently high in the second tier it's not like I got seats down towards the field where there are lots of people standing.
I suspect though, any attempt by me to accommodate everyone will be in vain.
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Actually, I'm cool with you viewing and sitting to view wherever you please actually. More power to you. That being said the last games I have been at I've sat in the West Stands and had a great time. I would happily have been in NEZ yelling, jumping and screaming my head off but I was with my parents and wife who are bit more toned down. Do you not like the West Stands or you just prefer the East Stand experience? Just wondering.
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More noise in the east stands, and no way I can afford the high digit donations required to get 4 seats in the west stands. I do pretty good but, not that good.
I have sat in west stands when a guys business gave me 6.
I have not been a donor that long to get early enough in the choice process.
And I was unaware that was where I was designated for my kind to sit, the west side.
First I've heard of it.
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West = high rollers / long time ticket holders, both groups tend to be older = large majority tend not to not want to stand all that much
East = mix of students, recent grads, and high rollers / long timers = a very mixed group that, while varying by section, overall does have a much larger proportion that wants to stand compared to the west.
And I like I said, I don't have any problem with what you're doing, so don't get all "my kind" on me. I was just curious about your seating situation, and whether you had considered the more sitting-friendly west side to avoid the repeated problems you've had with people standing in front of you.
And I was just brainstorming a way for people on both sides of the sit/stand debate to avoid hassle. Call me crazy but I dream of a Lane Stadium where in one section, fans can sit in peace, while the next section over fans can stand all game long.
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Why do I have to stand the whole game? I'll jump up and get excited during the game, but by no means do I feel the need to have to stand the entire game (especially when nothing is happening). If standing was the only acceptable way to be in the game, then why the he'll build seats in the stadium?
Sorry, there are a lot of things that make a bad fan, wanting to sit down during a 3+ hour game is not one if them.
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Up up and upvote. I like sitting, too. I don't have any physical limitations like some others have mentioned on this thread, but I like getting a seat every now and again. Can't deal with a standing game only.
EDIT: And, according to the guy's shirt, I am allowed to sit.
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Wow. A thread that got started as a "hey, look, something that's ironic and kinda funny" took a really serious turn for the worst. Chill out, guys, we won, the sky isn't falling, we had a semblance of an offense, Go Hokies.
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Let me be clear, I'm not saying I expect everyone to stand the entire game. That would be a ridiculous expectation. I have a bum ankle, and I must admit that every season I enjoy sitting more and more. However, I will stand when I want to stand. I will be loud as I can be when we're on defense and cheer like crazy when we make a play. That's part of going to the game. To be fair, I tried to compromise with the jackass behind me and sit on offense and stand on defense to no avail. Had he been a little more respectful about things, I would have been more apt to return the favor.
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This whole thread mirrors the airplane seat reclining argument to me, which recently caused a plane to be emergency landed so you know it can be a divisive issue. At the end of the day, everyone isnt going to agree and there's no easy or right answer. It is true that some people physically need to sit, but nobody absolutely has to stand. The best thing is to try to be courteous and have some empathy for your fellow fans. I don't think either side deserves to be shamed for enjoying the game as they see fit.
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Wow. So it took less than 3 hours after the game for people to begin calling out other Hokie fans for not being 'TrueHokie' enough? How TSL of those 'dedicated souls' who immediately turn on others for not mirroring their own beliefs and actions. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stand or sit when I desire. I'll cheer or remain quiet when I desire. I'll attend when I desire. I'll even select the seats & section that I desire. After 32 consecutive seasons of buying season tickets, I have no insecurities about proving my Hokie status to others. Those who disapprove, have at it.
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Wow. So it took less than 3 hours after the game for people to begin calling out other Hokie fans for not being 'TrueHokie' enough?
That isn't what happened.
I'll stand or sit when I desire. I'll cheer or remain quiet when I desire.
This is exact sentiment AssPocket and others are expressing.
No one is saying you have to stand, but if you choose to sit, try to remember there are other fans who consider standing to be an important part of their game day experience, so try to be respectful and accommodate them.
No one is saying you have to sit, but if you choose to stand, try to remember there are other fans who may not want to or be able to due to physical limitations, so try to be respectful and accommodate them.
That's all anyone is saying.
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I don't comment much but I read all the time. I very rarely agree with your posts swvadon, but in this case I think you are spot on. A leg for you. I am an alumnus and hard core Hokie fan, but I am not, and never will be a lemming no matter what the pressure is around me.
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Lets look at this a different way. On Saturday (or Thursday) there are many Hokie fans cheering on the Hokies whether that be from sitting or standing in the stadium, to those that sit or stand in the bar, or even at home. Just because somebody isn't standing it doesn't mean they aren't cheering just like the people that are standing (like some of NEZ) aren't cheering extremely hard. The way I see it is people will cheer different ways. I cheer standing up at home or in Lane but not everyone has that ability, hell at some point each one of us will get old and grey and wont be able to stand for a very long time but that doesn't mean that we stop cheering for our beloved Hokies! So next time you see someone sitting at a game don't automatically think they aren't cheering because I bet you can find a standing student that isn't paying attention to the game either!
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Ok this blew up a little from what it was intended to be. It was supposed to be a funny post since he is wearing a shirt saying that if you are a student, you should be standing, as he sits during the game. I feel like if you buy that shirt, it's probably because you are a passionate fan who generally abides by it. When I saw him sit I thought, "that's pretty funny" and thought others here would think so too. I wasn't trying to stir up such a debate. I understand that some people physically can't stand, that some sections are different than others, and some people have circumstances beyond their control that mean they can't give 100% of their attention to the game. I was honestly (happily) surprised at how the NEZ saturday was loud, engaged, and how long people stayed especially compared to last year. I just saw this and laughed and thought it would be appreciated here, that's all.
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Comments
Then tell his ass to stand up!
I just want to say how amazing it is Lane Stadium has taken on anthropomorphic characteristics! Truly VT Invents the Future!
Not only that, but apparently TKP is Lane's Hokie site of choice. Lane knows what's up.
This is exactly my reaction from my friend's seats in the West stands last year when we saw rampant early evacuation of the stadium during a winning effort from the good guys (not too sure the game, but it wasn't a blowout, I can assure you). At least a third of the North and East stands had left and the fourth quarter was just beginning. (would post pics of empty Lane, but I'm stuck in some alternate interwebs dimension at work)
..Maybe he's an alumnus?
Hey now.....
I'm an alumnus and I didn't sit the entire game.....and I was watching from my living room!
(And yes, I do own furniture.)
I'm pretty sure that the OP was referring to the actual wording on the T-shirt.
Shoog, setting the standard.
I told my wife I was impressed at the lack of paper airplanes and the fact the nez looked full until abt 10 min left in the game and even towards 2 minutes left it was pretty full. I was in the east stands so from my view it looked like ppl weren't leaving. that's a great sign.
Compared to the past few seasons, I was highly impressed with what I saw from the student section. My section, on the other hand...see rant below.
yeah unfortunately I saw too much sitting for my liking too
I agree. The student section had it down. Now they just have to keep it up throughout the season, winning or losing
I was so proud of my Hokies today. For an FCS game, there were pretty much no paper airplanes, good crowd retention, and they even saved the wave until the end of the third quarter when we were up by a comfortable margin. Of course, there are a few morons who spew a bunch of crap out of their mouths all game, but hey, at least they're there and trying to contribute.
How was the revamped pregame and in-game atmosphere? Or was it any different at all? I could hear some music being piped in at times
I was surprisingly ok with the bands being piped through the sound system. I think it made the whole kickoff-chop-thing more coordinated and, for the first time ever, I could actually hear the Highty-Tighties. Overall, me likey :)
Don't even get me started on the sitting bullshit. I got into it big time with the people behind me about myself and the people beside me standing and cheering during the game. (Don't let my TKP handle fool you. We were not drunk or belligerent AT ALL.) You know, there was a time when you could stand all game and cheer the Hokies on in Lane Stadium and not be ostracized for supporting your team by the damn home crowd. Seriously, if you're just gonna sit there all game, not cheer or be loud, stay your ass at home. You can watch it there, in the comfort of your home and not bother people actually supporting the team and making Lane Stadium a tough place to play. You won't be bothered either. I WILL NOT STAND FOR BEING MADE TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FOR CHEERING ON MY HOKIES!!! Sorry for the rant, but I've been steaming over this since the 1st quarter.
Your post makes me very happy. I was starting to question if I was too passionate of a fan or perhaps being inconsiderate of others. Check out my comment in the post from Joe "Read this first, then come on in"
THANK YOU!!!
Can I give you all the turkey legs? Please, Joe, just this once...
Lol. One leg will do fine. Just let it be known HokieFish and I are done with the fairweather fans. WE WILL STAND!!! WE WILL YELL!!! WE WILL SUPPORT OUR HOKIES AND MAKE LANE STADIUM FEARSOME AGAIN!!!
You're not alone.
That's what I'm talking about!
Do you sit in the South Endzone if not, stay away. Its even worse. I'm usually the only one standing. In the entire south Endzone. The rows behind me are sold so its always someone different. I want NEZ tickets so bad
I do sit in the south endzone. You're right. Everyone sits. It's worse than the west stands. At least the west stands somewhat has an excuse with older alumni. My mission in life this season is to make the south endzone better.
oooooo please do. its so sad with as close to the game as we are that its so quiet. I tried and the eyes of alumni kill me every game
I stand at all times. It's my freedom to do so. Go Hokies!
Where were your seats?
I agree 100% with you. I was at the game (standing in section 15 on the east side with my 12 yr old son and a diehard UT fan that I brought along to experience his first game in Blacksburg). I had pumped him up the entire trip to Blacksburg. He was really looking to forward to experiencing the insane atmosphere that Lane can offer. He knew the rep that our fans have at creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting team. I was certainly hoping the fans would deliver. I thought we started out strong. It was loud all around us, but it seemed that the intensity faded somewhere late in the first half.
I think my group yelled every single play.....to the point that I am still hoarse today!!! But I noticed that as I started yelling later into the play clock, that actually the area around us was pretty darn quiet, but after we started yelling there appeared to be more people jumping in.
I know there were some old timers around me, but it looked as if they just enjoyed talking to each other. They really didn't bring anything at all.....other than putting an ass in a seat. They never stood up, jumped or cheered. It just go old after a while, I guess.
I guess I was expecting just a little more rowdy crowd........given the fact that it wasn't a noon kickoff.
I was pleased with the student section thought. They really brought it!!!!!!
This wasn't really a game many people who aren't complete diehards can get too into. I could've, and I always did when I was a student, but for the casual fan (what most people are) this was just a way to enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon. Wait until the GT game, it'll be just like you expect it to be.
I know I was hoarsed by about halftime or so. Just got to give people some time to get their game yelling voices back and a game a little more intriguing than W&M. I was giddy as hell to get the first game of the season underway, but I know not every fan is like that.
I completely agree, I got into it with folks behind me in section 9. They were so unhappy with being called out for sitting in silence that they had an officer come talk to me. I was told if I didn't keep my mouth shut that I would be removed from Lane stadium. It didn't end there..someone in our group was removed from the game for cheering and having a good time. To his own fault, he returned to the game to give his child the car keys and was arrested. I picked him up this morning at the jail. Great game, great win, and great offensive effort but the way a few fans (that want to sit the entire game without making a sound) can ruin the game day experience is beyond me. We ask the players to get up for the opponent no matter who it is but "some" fans cannot do the same. Just venting my frustrations but this one bad experience will not keep me from watching the Hokies! Beat Ohio St!
Not cheering?
Nah, that's dumb. If you go to the game and expect quiet, that's poor expectations.
I was hoarse today enough that it got mention at 9pm tonight.
I agree. I talked with a friend in the west stands who said he was cheering loudly and a guy turned around and said "don't yell so loud."
Wow!!! I hate that for your friend. That definitely sux. Thank God I've never had to experience anything like that. Buzzkill for sure!!
I agree 100% but I thought your choice of words was funny.
I WILL NOT STAND FOR BEING MADE TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FOR CHEERING ON MY HOKIES!!!
after your entire post was about your rights to stand :)
That's not a way to Hokie very good. :(
How many of the posters from the hours of 3 tip 7 attended the game?
Thread of the week.
Entire off season of anticipation, and this is our chief concern coming out of week 1. We should be okay.
My friends and I actually saw this guy as we were leaving the stadium area. We were thinking "WTF with that shirt?" There's no sitting even when you graduate.
To see that he was actually sitting and on his phone during the game wearing that shirt makes me want to slap him.
It makes me wanna go up and punch him right in the neck.
I would give a leg for the Liam Neeson neck-punching reference but I'm a mere day-old TKPer.
I sit in the east stands with my family because:
1) I have a disability which prevents me being able to stand for long periods, especially on concrete and other hard surfaces. I cannot even sleep lying down. Even with the ability to sit often with bleacher backs, I am in very considerable pain throughout the night and until I can get it stretched out in the morning.
2) My preteen daughters would never be able to see over top of people standing unless I put them both on my shoulders the entire game, making an impossible situation for those behind me.
I don't go to the endzone seats because I need to sit. I will shout, yell, evangelize for Rogers but, I absolutely positively cannot spend much time standing.
If you sit in the seats outside the end zones, you must expect there may be some people with physical disabilities that preclude standing.
This. The piling on and theme of judgement of this thread slightly bothers me.
I would much rather Hokie fans not be the guy that judges another Hokie fan without knowing the circumstances of that fan. Egbert cannot stand the whole game. I know that my middle-aged feet and back will not allow me to stand on concrete for the entire game. Are Egbert and I worthy of your disdain? Judging by his t-shirt, the guy in the picture probably stood for every game as a student and maybe feels like he paid his dues and can sit. Maybe he has a disability? You do not know. What you do know is that he, or someone else, supported the team by purchasing a ticket to a game against an FCS opponent, something that has been a problem in recent years.
So what if he was on his phone the entire time. Do we know why? Could the OP actually see this persons phone to judge the worthiness of its use? Maybe he has a loved one in the hospital and is checking for updates. Maybe he is actually using the Virginia Tech Gameday App that was described in the Tailgating Tech-Inaugural Blacksburg Edition thread. If he was using this app the entire time, then he was actually just trying to enhance his fan experience. Why should we look down on this? Maybe the app is that awesome.
This could be a popular TKPer who is being judged as a lesser fan without knowledge of this person. Be the best Hokie fan that you can be and encourage other Hokies to match your intensity. Do not prey on other Hokies and look down on them for not being "proper" fans. That is bullshit behavior and we should strive to be better.
You raise good points, but let's pump the brakes for just a moment. This t-shirt is sold with a certain level of implied snark or condescension - i.e. "if you're sitting, you're a bad fan," so it goes both ways - the shirt looks down on people sitting, and people here are looking down on the guy sitting while judging people who sit. I need a moment, that's a bit too meta for me.
OK, continuing. Some people have gone off a bit here and on other threads about people's behavior in the stands, some of it is a bit much. But I think there is a certain amount of irony to be appreciated here, and that should be the only real intent, as everything from the shirt itself to the response is probably meant to just be light-hearted. That's why I posted the .gif above that I did - there's just no real response here, everything is so laden in irony.
I have absolute respect for anyone who finds a way to make it through a game in uncomfortable bleachers/stands despite physical limitations. Mad respect to you guys, you are true fans.
Wanted to make sure everybody knew I did not take offense but, I'd say about every other game I need to ask somebody in front of us to not stand the entire game.
I almost always get a dirty look and periodically get lip.
Just wanted to remind, it is sometimes not laziness, lack of effort or passion.
I think there should be a subtitle to the thread - "Don't be the fan who is an ass to someone who is polite to you." Anyone who politely asks someone else to move aside a bit or sit should be treated politely as well. If they're wearing Miami colors or something, perhaps less so...but if you're a Hokie, you should be given no grief.
I agree with pretty much all of what you say and realize that my post kind of comes off as a serious rant in a mostly silly thread. I laughed at the irony of the picture initially, but some of the ensuing comments and the title sat less than well with me as I kept coming back. Egbert's post really drove home that uneasiness.
I do not think that the shirt implies exactly "if you're sitting, you're a bad fan." If it did, then this would be pretty obliviously hypocritical by the sitting fan. I think the shirt is more of an indictment of students who sit, most of which are less likely to have good reasons to sit the entire time than older fans, barring disabilities. Even then, I would not buy or wear that shirt because there would be students who couldn't stand throughout the game and it would be insulting to them.
The more important aspect to me was the additional chastizing of the fan for being on his phone during the entire game when Whit just announced the Virginia Tech Gameday app, which would lead a Hokie fan to be on his phone the entire game. The juxtaposition of the shirt slogan and the sitting fan in the photo was amusing, but adding the part about being on the phone and questioning his fandom was unnecessary.
Indeed, the phone arguments are getting a bit old. Modern technology is a part of our lives. I'm as hard-core of a fan as you come by, priding myself in having no voice the following day and shin splints from jumping, but yes, I will pull out my phone during down times to check scores and news. The gameday app is a great point - our AD is marketing technology to our fans, and they're using it.
And let's be honest, if this guy is just hanging out during the 4th quarter of a relatively easy win over an FCS team on a hot day, I really can't say much. At least he's there, he's wearing our colors, and he stayed reasonably late. That's better than a lot of fans in recent years (not to ignite that debate again, apathy is everywhere).
As usual, thanks for the well-reasoned discussion of my more serious than intended tangent on a silly thread.
I respect anyone who has a physical disability that even makes it to the game. It's the other thousands of fans who couldn't even yell while we were on defense. You stated that even though you can't stand you shout and yell. It's not just about the standing it's about the atmosphere that we did not create yesterday as a whole fanbase.
I can stand some and walk from lot 18 but standing the whole game or even a large portion, like some want to do, that's for the end zones, not for triple letter seats between the 30's. Us gimps will park there to stay out of the way.
Thank you for sharing this, Egbert. Yesterday's game was my first in a long time. Long story, but a few years ago I acquired a physical disorder that affects my balance, sometimes profoundly (think falling-down drunk when you've had nothing to drink). It varies in intensity and is mostly unpredictable, but the two main triggers are -- wait for it -- crowds and noise. So you see my predicament. Up until yesterday, the biggest challenge I had tackled was a needtobreathe concert with ten thousand people.
Anyhow, that's how we ended up in Lower West Section 14 yesterday -- it was a compromise with the hubster, aka the man who would have to haul me out on his back if I ended up with a bad case of the spins. Happily, all went well, even if I did wear earplugs and bounced instead of jumped to Sandman. I still rocked that LT3 jersey, screamed my silly head off, and stood as much as I could.
All that to say, I hear where you're coming from. Wish we could attend more games, but sadly the four-hour drive plus cost of Lower West tickets means us in Lane once per year at best. Think I've about got hubby talked into the Wake Forest game, though :)
I totally respect where you are coming from, and absolutely don't have a problem with what you're doing. Just curious though, what is preventing you from moving to the west stands where seated viewing is more commonplace and less likely to conflict with other fans' goals of standing?
I am sure you have a totally legit reason like having primo seats on the east side and/or not being able to find a big enough block of seats on the west by the time your turn to re-seat comes up each spring.
I just think it would be cool if we (the fans, the ticket office, everyone) could figure out a way to get people in sections with other like-minded fans so this kind of conflict doesn't affect anyone's game-day experience. Something like even seat #'s = be prepared to stand most of the time, and odd # seats = be prepared to sit except for epic moments where anyone would leap to their feet.
This would ensure everyone gets a good view of Kendall's swats and Jarrett's de-cleating hits. #dbu
Tough to answer this without it sounding snarky so, recognize that's not the intent, please.
Actually, it was simply not possible to sound snarky so I deleted it.
I'll leave it at this.
I tried to not be a problem and I guess I was just told I need to self-segregate even more than I have.
There are a whole lot of bleacher seats rented near me, I reject your premise that I'm in the minority where I'm sitting and usually get thanks from those behind me when I ask for my daughters to be able to see.
I also reject your premise that these are primo seats, I got them sufficiently high in the second tier it's not like I got seats down towards the field where there are lots of people standing.
I suspect though, any attempt by me to accommodate everyone will be in vain.
Actually, I'm cool with you viewing and sitting to view wherever you please actually. More power to you. That being said the last games I have been at I've sat in the West Stands and had a great time. I would happily have been in NEZ yelling, jumping and screaming my head off but I was with my parents and wife who are bit more toned down. Do you not like the West Stands or you just prefer the East Stand experience? Just wondering.
More noise in the east stands, and no way I can afford the high digit donations required to get 4 seats in the west stands. I do pretty good but, not that good.
I have sat in west stands when a guys business gave me 6.
I have not been a donor that long to get early enough in the choice process.
And I was unaware that was where I was designated for my kind to sit, the west side.
First I've heard of it.
It's not a designation, it's just how it is.
West = high rollers / long time ticket holders, both groups tend to be older = large majority tend not to not want to stand all that much
East = mix of students, recent grads, and high rollers / long timers = a very mixed group that, while varying by section, overall does have a much larger proportion that wants to stand compared to the west.
And I like I said, I don't have any problem with what you're doing, so don't get all "my kind" on me. I was just curious about your seating situation, and whether you had considered the more sitting-friendly west side to avoid the repeated problems you've had with people standing in front of you.
And I was just brainstorming a way for people on both sides of the sit/stand debate to avoid hassle. Call me crazy but I dream of a Lane Stadium where in one section, fans can sit in peace, while the next section over fans can stand all game long.
Why do I have to stand the whole game? I'll jump up and get excited during the game, but by no means do I feel the need to have to stand the entire game (especially when nothing is happening). If standing was the only acceptable way to be in the game, then why the he'll build seats in the stadium?
Sorry, there are a lot of things that make a bad fan, wanting to sit down during a 3+ hour game is not one if them.
Up up and upvote. I like sitting, too. I don't have any physical limitations like some others have mentioned on this thread, but I like getting a seat every now and again. Can't deal with a standing game only.
EDIT: And, according to the guy's shirt, I am allowed to sit.
Wow. A thread that got started as a "hey, look, something that's ironic and kinda funny" took a really serious turn for the worst. Chill out, guys, we won, the sky isn't falling, we had a semblance of an offense, Go Hokies.
Let me be clear, I'm not saying I expect everyone to stand the entire game. That would be a ridiculous expectation. I have a bum ankle, and I must admit that every season I enjoy sitting more and more. However, I will stand when I want to stand. I will be loud as I can be when we're on defense and cheer like crazy when we make a play. That's part of going to the game. To be fair, I tried to compromise with the jackass behind me and sit on offense and stand on defense to no avail. Had he been a little more respectful about things, I would have been more apt to return the favor.
This whole thread mirrors the airplane seat reclining argument to me, which recently caused a plane to be emergency landed so you know it can be a divisive issue. At the end of the day, everyone isnt going to agree and there's no easy or right answer. It is true that some people physically need to sit, but nobody absolutely has to stand. The best thing is to try to be courteous and have some empathy for your fellow fans. I don't think either side deserves to be shamed for enjoying the game as they see fit.
Absolutely. Follow the golden rule, and we'll all have a great time watching the Hokies kick ass.
Wow. So it took less than 3 hours after the game for people to begin calling out other Hokie fans for not being 'TrueHokie' enough? How TSL of those 'dedicated souls' who immediately turn on others for not mirroring their own beliefs and actions. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stand or sit when I desire. I'll cheer or remain quiet when I desire. I'll attend when I desire. I'll even select the seats & section that I desire. After 32 consecutive seasons of buying season tickets, I have no insecurities about proving my Hokie status to others. Those who disapprove, have at it.
That isn't what happened.
This is exact sentiment AssPocket and others are expressing.
No one is saying you have to stand, but if you choose to sit, try to remember there are other fans who consider standing to be an important part of their game day experience, so try to be respectful and accommodate them.
No one is saying you have to sit, but if you choose to stand, try to remember there are other fans who may not want to or be able to due to physical limitations, so try to be respectful and accommodate them.
That's all anyone is saying.
^^^^Exactly!!!
I don't comment much but I read all the time. I very rarely agree with your posts swvadon, but in this case I think you are spot on. A leg for you. I am an alumnus and hard core Hokie fan, but I am not, and never will be a lemming no matter what the pressure is around me.
Lets look at this a different way. On Saturday (or Thursday) there are many Hokie fans cheering on the Hokies whether that be from sitting or standing in the stadium, to those that sit or stand in the bar, or even at home. Just because somebody isn't standing it doesn't mean they aren't cheering just like the people that are standing (like some of NEZ) aren't cheering extremely hard. The way I see it is people will cheer different ways. I cheer standing up at home or in Lane but not everyone has that ability, hell at some point each one of us will get old and grey and wont be able to stand for a very long time but that doesn't mean that we stop cheering for our beloved Hokies! So next time you see someone sitting at a game don't automatically think they aren't cheering because I bet you can find a standing student that isn't paying attention to the game either!
Ok this blew up a little from what it was intended to be. It was supposed to be a funny post since he is wearing a shirt saying that if you are a student, you should be standing, as he sits during the game. I feel like if you buy that shirt, it's probably because you are a passionate fan who generally abides by it. When I saw him sit I thought, "that's pretty funny" and thought others here would think so too. I wasn't trying to stir up such a debate. I understand that some people physically can't stand, that some sections are different than others, and some people have circumstances beyond their control that mean they can't give 100% of their attention to the game. I was honestly (happily) surprised at how the NEZ saturday was loud, engaged, and how long people stayed especially compared to last year. I just saw this and laughed and thought it would be appreciated here, that's all.