Guys and gals, it hit me last night. A lot of people (not all and not only from TKP, perhaps mostly from the outside even) are positioning the case for Game Day coming to Blacksburg as "Game Day" owes it to Frank. Or that Frank is a legend and should be honored.
No matter how true or fair either of those perspectives are, there are two questions I have:
- Are those the best reasons for Game Day to come here?
- Does it behoove the effort to back someone (or an entity, ESPN in this case) into a corner to make the case? In my opinion, that's the implied strategy with this argument. Imagine saying to a girl (or guy.....2015 y'all) after a nice dinner on a first date "You owe it to me." Good luck with that, pal.
As you can guess, my answer to those two questions is "no". That's not what anyone means, right? We don't want Game Day here out of some guilt trip. So, why then should Game Day come to Blacksburg? I'll start with the most exciting point.
Because Lane Stadium is going to be THE best college football atmosphere in the WORLD on November 21st. Pound for pound NO fanbase in the country shows up like VT does at home!!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU WITH ME? ARE YOU WITH ME HOKIES?! This shit might be the craziest Enter Sandman we have EVER SEEN. Tears will be shed. What greater drama could there be?
How often is it in the sports world that ESPN has the chance to honor a Hall of Fame coach on his way out the door.....celebrating his legacy, or at least discussing it without some major black cloud in the background? In this media world of snagging headlines with death and destruction, this is an opportunity for people to celebrate something positive. Franks story is not that of Cinderella. It's a story about hard work, loyalty, dedication, family, relationships, winning, losing and everything in between. This is a world class news coverage opportunity and I hope ESPN and Game Day make the decision to cover it.
All that said, I truly believe we need to change the tone. If we're not giving good reasons why, or if we're watching others play a guilt trip tune......let's show the world why Game Day truly should be here. Do you agree? Can we start these discussions now?
Comments
It is about the fan base, passion, the love for the game that he helped instill in the fans and the Blacksburg area. A place that was nothing as far as football goes before he arrived. He changed the way we are looked at on a national scale. Losing someone like that, Gameday could capture the passion of a legends last home game in a stadium that he helped build. 67k fans and a team rallying behind their coach to send him out on top!
Yup, sent the tweet to @CollegeGameDay.
Don't really care what the reason is as long as they are there 11/21
Busting out a sandlot reference...
CFB is not a hero, he is a living college football legend and Gameday should be around on 11/21 because retirements of this magnitude don't happen in this day in age.
#Gameday4Frank
Good enough for me for one last time for Frank
Chris Fowler was not arguing for Game Day to come to Blacksburg when he made this statement. That was a sentiment of one man as he departed the show.
I want to see the man honored and I think if everyone else does, start talking about some concrete reasons.
THOSE are reasons to come to Blacksburg. The fact that Frank is viewed as so instrumental to the show's success is the kicker.
I never said Chris Fowler was arguing for Game Day to come here when he made that statement, I was just saying Game Day/Chris Fowler made it apparent that they owe Frank a debt, so I think bring them to the UNC game will be very fitting.
This is a very special day for all of us who have followed Beamer's career for years and decades. I think what you're saying is that ESPN should WANT to be a part of that if they want to cover a story about all that's good and meaningful in college football.
I expect Hokie Nation to show up in the biggest way possible and that is what I am excited about. While GameDay would be icing on the cake, getting to take my son to this one with everyone else who is excited as I am about sending Frank off right is what is going to make this so special.
You got it.
In February 2016, very few people will remember who won the "game with the most playoff implications" on November 21st 2015, but for a very long time, people will remember the time that Game Day showed up to honor a legend of the game and to take in one of the best atmospheres in the country in what might be the best atmosphere it's ever seen. That atmosphere was molded with Frank's own hands over the course of 29 years. That is special. That is something to remember. That is something to look up to. It should be acknowledged and ESPN has the power to showcase this great story.
We can make this an easy decision for ESPN if we try hard enough.
I agree. As I said in another post on another thread, it's not every year a legend retires. Big games will always be there. Heck as the season goes on there is almost a big game every week. Sometimes they live up to their hype, sometimes they don't (see LSU v Bama last night). VT is always known for traveling well and it's fans showing up with passion for the team even when we aren't the media darlings and doing well. The atmosphere would be awesome. The setting would be awesome. Paying tribute to a legend in college football, and seeing the response from the fan base would be awesome. Bama fans didn't really show up yesterday as they were playing in primetime, as the #4 ranked team against the #2 ranked team in hopes to keep their SEC Championship dreams alive. And due some rain they had a poor showing. Weak. I think Blacksburg would provide one of the best atmospheres for Gameday to be at. I don't think they neccessarily "owe" it to Frank but it seems to be a no brainer pick for me even without my orange and maroon glasses on. There will be more big games for GameDay to be at the following weeks and years. How many times will they get to help send out a legend in amazing fashion (and as stated without black clouds hanging over it) as he coaches his last home game?? Probably no time soon. Although there are great coaches coaching right now, Urban, Saban, etc....none of them have the status that Frank has. Go Hokies! #GameDay4Frank
This is what I wrote on the College GameDay Facebook page:
This is one of my many (many, many...) tweets on how I feel:
College GameDay hit the road many years ago to showcase the best venues, the best fans, and the most compelling stories. Hokie Nation exemplifies those principles. Frank's last game is the best storyline on 11/21. He gave us his best effort for 29 years and is leaving on his own, with the best wishes of his administration and almost unanimous love of his team's fan base. No recent legend can claim that. For these and many other reasons, College GameDay will hear my voice until the decision has been made. Just as I have sacrificed my physical voice at every game I have attended, so too will be the intensity of my digital one.
Nice. Here's what I wrote:
Dear Game Day,
In February 2016, very few people will remember who won the "game with the most playoff implications" on November 21st 2015, but for a very long time, people would remember the time that Game Day showed up to a small town in the Virginia hills to honor a legend of the game and to take in one of the best atmospheres in the country in one of it's most significant games ever.
You guys do a great job. The Hokie Nation appreciates you no matter what decision is made. Mr. Fowler said Frank helped make Game Day what it is. We don't forget what Game Day did for VT either!
Aside from the sentiment, will any stadium in the country be more electric or dramatic than Lane on this day? Also, how many chances do we have to honor a man on his way out? Too often lately, the exit of long-admired athletes and coaches end with ominous backdrops. While the tail-end of Frank's coaching career as far as the W-L record is concerned has not been what many had hoped for, those past few seasons are far from what he should be remembered by....if we do it the right way. That said, we could use some help.
On behalf of the Hokie Nation and anyone who admires Frank Beamer, I humbly ask, will you help us put a bow on this man's career? One last gesture? It would be so meaningful to so many people.
Cheers.
Very well stated.
Thank you sir. The more I think about it. The more I truly believe that this game IS the biggest game in the nation that day. Is Lane not going to be as crazy as ever? I am so lucky to have obtained a ticket and I plan on spending potentially hours after the game is over to take in whatever chants or celebrations that may come. Through his words, actions and accomplishments Frank Beamer changed my life and my perspective. Come hell or high water, I am going to do my best to let him know it. I hope ESPN will help. Men like him are what college football are all about and there is nothing happening on Nov 21st that will make anything close to the type of impression that Frank has over his career.
And just because, three of those four games lost some luster this past Saturday with losses by one of the teams involved
What a lot of people are overlooking is the fact that UNC is currently sitting at 8-1, with that brutal loss to USCe in week 1. So it's not like it would be some washup game with nothing on the line either.
I started my tweet barrage last night and this morning with something like "so Clemson clinched the Atlantic...now the road to the ACC once again goes through Blacksburg #TarHeels #GameDay4Frank"
I though about how UNC might make the playoffs, but then I remembered that they will leave Blacksburg with at least two losses.
UNC will not make the playoff
If UNC wins out they could go to the ACCCG as a top 10 team. Beat Clemson and it would be Stanford vs UNC vs ND for the 4th spot
One HUGE negative against Fedora as a coach is that USCe loss, not to mention his up and down seasons.
Help support #HokiesForTheHungry night at Lane Stadium by promoting #GameDay4Frank @CollegeGameDay
I want gameday for sure, but I think I would take getting an evening game over getting gameday and a nooner.
I guess we'll find out today if we get a late start. 6pm would be nice.
Heck - even a 3:30 game! I think that Whit will/or has been pushing hard for anything but a noon game. He'll want to make sure that there is plenty of daylight to allow for whatever celebrations will be had around campus/Blacksburg that day
If GameDay is in town, the game will not be a nooner. The broadcast only ends at noon, and with the type of crowd we'd expect to have on set, there's zero chance they'll have the kick just moments later.
Really like your enthusiasm, but I have to point out: The first date comparison isn't a good example. This is Coach Frank Beamer, whose selflessness, high charactor, and tenure, better compare to a fine dining establishment that He has shared with ESPN for decades.
No matter what, "you owe me" is a terrible approach though. It's callous and off-putting. Right?
Well said.
I really hope this game sells out and a sea of maroon and orange is covering the stadium. Nothing like packing lane, having a crazy Enter Sandman, and winning against UNC is a better send off for Frank (whether Gameday is there or not).
Except for luxury boxes and any tickets UNC returns the game is sold out.
Still would like to see the SEZ to full capacity
You and me both... It sucks not having anyone behind me in row P of 502...
College Gameday is as much about significance as it is magnitude. There are objectively higher quality games that day, however the significance of CFB's retirement is unmatched. ESPN has the ability to capitalize on an electrifying atmosphere that is being fueled by more than just a big matchup, and to me, that definitely justifies a Gameday. There will always be big games/rivalries, but there is very rarely the retirement of a legend with the opportunity for a send-off such as this.
Shit. Another Noon Home Game.