In one week I will be in Chapel Hill for my first away game and I'm wondering how to properly conduct myself when it comes to cheering. Do I go full blown LANE! on these baby blue UNC fans with 3rd down keys and screaming every defensive play? Hoping to have a lot of Hokies in my section so we can all go full blown LANE! on them.
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Always go full blown Lane
I would say yes. I mean don't be a dick about stuff but doing our normal things that you would do in lane stadium is perfectly fine.
And remember...../cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2500534/hokie.0.gif)
When I was a younger and much bolder fellow, I was just as you have described, a dick about it. I alienated friend and foe alike with my lively support for the Hokies while being hosted by UVA friends on their 50 yd line amongst the high rollers. I don't regret loudly cheering for my team, but I DO profoundly regret my occasional profanity and general in your face dickishness when faced with disapproval from the homers subjected to my presence. My friends later bought into the Al Groh admonition and gave up the arrangement with me to provide them tickets to the game when in Lane for like consideration there. Just as well, it was time to grow up. We went through a bit of the same sort of disapproval even in Lane, not for profanity, just for being loud, whistling, yelling while on defense, etc., and standing for long portions of the game, but we didn't bow to those folks and after a season or so, the area around our season seats became just like us, so we all really got along well and enjoyed many years of spirited support. Keep the profanity under wraps and don't engage/provoke the home teamers, but cheer for the good guys...it is, after all, a FOOTBALL GAME!!!
Yeah I was a dick after the Boise St game. I was drunk as hell and pissed. My wife always tells me how much of an a-hole I was being. Looking back pretty embarrassing.
I gathered all my Hokie stuff together after the Boise St game doused it with lighter fluid and burnt it.
It forced me to take an emotional break from Hokie football for a few weeks so I have no idea what happened the following week.
And yes, I was at the point where I gave myself an intervention. I had problems. I'm managing them now. Fuente, however, is not helping by being really good at his job.
This! This is what I hope to avoid over and over again: the Boise state and Stanford games... When we thought we were good but just got out coached, out toughed and out played. I obviously want a win this Saturday but win or lose I think this team will better afterwards. I did not feel the same after the Boise State game. I felt rather exposed for what we were: not a complete team.
whoa, I could never.
No matter how mad I am at my team for bad play. I usually go to sleep drunk, wake up, and put my Hokie gear on...ready to avoid sportscenter for the next week.
I had the exact opposite experience. I was pretty dickish going in. Started a "Let's Go! Hokies!" chant on the way in the gate because a big group of Hokies had a smaller group of BSU fans kind of surrounded as we moved toward the gates, so we were all basically shouting right at them. I guess in the grand scheme of things, starting a cheer isn't that dickish, but I was doing it to be loud and intimidating. So at least somewhat dickish.
After the game, we tore into what was left of our tailgating cooler (for those at the game, you know the lots did not open nearly early enough to provide for a full tailgate). There were some Boise State fans who walked past us, obviously trying to just get to their cars. I yelled after them and they turned back, obviously gearing up for a confrontation, and I said, "I hope you guys win the whole fucking thing now."
Offered them a beer and hung out while the ungodly traffic cleared out. I mean, they straight up outplayed us. I didn't see any reason to be salty about that to their fans.
Did the same after the Auburn Sugar Bowl...oh well, Bourbon St was still fun!
If you're not in a section with a lot of Hokies, move to one that does. Then just do what everyone else around you does.
I think etiquette there is to tip (pay) the players. Not sure though. NCAA is sort of looking into it.
Still
Trips to Chapel Hill also come with a complimentary 24 credits towards your degree.
...valid as long as your degree is in the social sciences department.
I'd say think about yourself as an ambassador of VT fans everywhere and behave accordingly.
And the answer is of course that Reverend McTarhole shouldnt have started something he wasnt prepared to finish!
If a good play for us happens, bring the ruckus. That's about all the advice I have
Yeah I sat with some LOLUVA friends in the students section one year (2004?). I wore a blue blazer and orange/blue striped tie and had my face painted orange. At kickoff I stripped down to the waste and was painted up in maroon. I treated the game like any other (keys out on 3rd, yelling my face off). It stopped being fun very quickly since all my friends were pissed off.
TD;DR if you're sitting with Hokies, cheer like you're in lane. If you're with the opponents fans, tone it down and just cheer when we do something big
Hahaha
What's this I keep reading/hearing about LOLUVA "friends"?? This confuses us.
Hard to believe, huh? While nobody hates on the 'hoos more than I do, and I mean nobody, I do have some friends that are loluva fans. Wattaya do? While it is always good to have doctors and lawyers as personal friends, the downside is that some of them are deluded when it comes to sports. I just give 'em shit during football season and avoid them the rest of the year, problem solved. I met these folks while living in the 'hooville area, and if you live there long enough, you'll eventually be afflicted with the same problem. They're not all bad people, just mixed up.
Yeah my brother-in-law and his family are massiivvveeeee UVa fans....like, insane. Admirable, honestly. While I loathe their fandom, they throw the best tailgate I've been to. Also, they're all tanks when it comes to drinking...don't challenge them to shit.
Their tailgates can be monumental. I went to one catered with a damn butler and silver service. The champagne cost more than my whiskey and the food was not only great, but never ending. We won the game, but this was long ago and I know for a fact those folks didn't care at all about the outcome of the contest. It was definitely all about the party. If they'd have had a port a potty it would have been perfect.
FTFY
Cheer for VT, but don't be a dick. I sort of like when fans from other teams comment about how cool VT fans are.
Only time ive ever been an away fan was at loluva and I just screamed and yelled a lot much like a home game. Certainly helped that there were more VT fans than uva
That's because it was a home game.
My favorite part of going to away games is breaking out the keys. It annoys the hell out of other teams' fans for some reason, they don't get it and can't stand it.
I'll admit that I never got the key thing, myself. I can whistle louder than a thousand folks jingling their keys.
You ain't heard my keys.
You ain't heard my whistle. I've run wimmin and chirruns out of the stands, been prohibited by those around me from unleashing it without warning. It's a prodigious whistle, and yeah, that's what she said.
Ok a leg for any "that's what she said" but fish that is a 2 on a scale from 1=10!
Sorry to disappoint you, Musky. I'm currently on heavy steroids fighting a virus and not even close to being my best. Thanks for the 2, though. Not kidding about the whistle, though. It was too loud for those around me and I really did have to warn folks when unleashing it so they could block their ears.
Wait... what?
Yeah, I know, but there you have it. I'd rather hear full throated screaming than the muted jingling sound of keys when we're up against it. I do get the "key play" idea, but unless you're also screaming loudly while jingling those keys, I just feel like you leave something on the table. Please understand that the key jingling came along many years after I formed my Hokie Habits, so I readily admit that it may just be a generational disconnect. For the record, though, I really did like the "stick it in" chant, and loved the addition of Enter Sandman, so I'm not completely old fashioned. And yes, I also understand the irony of loving TKP while meh-ing on the jingling deal. And yes, I have observed quite a few fans jingling the keys while taking selfies, yakking with seatmates, and whatever, as if jingling the keys makes the kind of noise the Hokies deserve on third down defense, so maybe that is what started me down that road, but I know I speak only for myself, and my whistle, on this matter. Now, if you've already lost your voice from cheering and the keys is all ya got left, I approve, but I'd rather everybody learn to whistle loudly instead. Leg for asking, though, thanks.
This.... so, so, so much this. Blows my mind that the jingling of keys became something people did instead of yelling on 3rd down as opposed to being on top of the yelling.
I always do both...
Same - well... before I get a KeySmart....
Hmmm, I should probably swing by Lowes and pick up 20 or so blank keys to put on a ring for the UNC game this weekend.
I have a buddy whose grandfather went to VT and collected keys over his lifetime to put on a huge key ring for him. It has over 130 keys on it. He let me borrow it sophomore year when we played @LOLUVA and I was sitting in their student section shaking this huge obnoxiously loud set of keys. It. Was. Awesome!
Edited, because I'm not TKP'ing hard enough. You guys are good. Thanks, Fernley.
SAY WHAT?! Hell no! During my time you yelled on all three with keys being the cherry on top for third down. Its not an either-or its an AND.
Agreed. The sound of keys jingling was basically like ringing a dinner bell in front of a rabid dog. The insanity grew until the keys were drowned out...
Even more mind blowing that it, according to VT, actually started with jingling on "offensive" third downs
https://www.unirel.vt.edu/history/students_alumni/traditions.html
Well fernley, you just got me interested. What a good idea. The jingling of the keys on an offensive play is a great way to make some sort of noise while showing enthusiasm without making enough noise to bother the offense. A symbolic noise, if you will. I like it.
It had to be at least 1984. I graduated in Dec 83, and we did not do it as far as I can remember while I was there.
If you find yourself around opposing fans that can give a friendly back and forth of cracking on each other and self-deprecating humor you will surely have a good time. Sadly, that's a crapshoot, but as long as you aren't a dick you have every right to cheer on the Hokies just like you're in Lane.
Try to blend in...
https://twitter.com/davidteelatdp/status/782254347044487168
Talk about a stinker of a game...
So, dress in an empty seat costume and remain motionless?
All of what has been said is good advice for general conference away games.
However, if you ever go to Morgantown, ALL of it goes out the window. Only advice for there is prepare for war. It is nasty.
Truer words was never spoke. I'll never go back to that cesspool again.
Will NEVER go back to Morganhole. I prefer to stay out of jail, thank you very much. Fuck that place!!! Hard!!!
Once was enough for me. I was in college at the time.
I think the best advice is not to go there.
the only good thing about Morgantown was the penny pitcher night...can't remember what bar it was
Organtown equals body armor. I hope they lost to K State today.
umm yes.
there is only one rule for attending away games:
Make sure "Let's Go Hokies" is heard on national television
Thanks for all the feedback it is really helpful. I just wanted to ask after hearing more than a handful of times how UNC fans get all pissy when we do our normal Lane antics in Chapel Hill.
I haven't had any problems with Carolina fans at their stadium, and Keenan is actually pretty nice. They do have a more traditionally wine-and-cheese crowd but they also have a huge working-class following. Duke, however, is pretty much the opposite of all that.
Good news is that at both stadiums there will be a large Hokie following. So do what was mentioned above and go find some Hokies to sit with unless you're either already in a large group or you have better tickets.
The corners of the stadium, especially on the visitors side, are going to be more likely to have away fans: 100-102, 110-112, and the 200 levels of those sections. Judging by this thread, we'll be everywhere though.
NICE! I'm in 111 Row A
via GIPHY
The Pope has a box on our side @ Kenan? The Pope is on our side? We got that going for us...
I would keep the cursing to a minimum. Being the first to drop a F-bomb is a quick way to get yourself singled out when you don't know the people you are around.
Also don't get smashed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Be loud. Be proud. You are a Hokie!
ps: Away games are a great way to meet some fun women!
Definitely seconded. Keeping control of your words and actions is never a bad thing. You don't want to end the day in a jail in UNC for public drunkenness.
So your saying yelling at the top of lungs Take it to the F!@#ing House when surrounded by OSU fans when this happened was not cool. Will keep that in mind...
I doubt you were the first in your section to drop an f-bomb by that point in the game so I think you're good. Especially because at the exact same time, a few thousand Buckeyes probably yelled, "Who the fuck is he throwing it to?"
I think one thing to remember is to direct your anger/shit talking at the field, and never at the home fans
Think to yourself "What would a Miami fan be doing on the road", then do the opposite of that
I think by showing up to the game you're already accomplishing that
Made the mistake of buying a ticket in the visitors section when Miami came to Blacksburg. PD was escorting Virginia Tech fans out of the section for their own safety. My friend and I stayed in the seats we purchased and recieved many threats from Miami fans. With all the neck tattoos it felt like a prison yard.
Don't act like a WVU fan and you'll be fine.
Sat with Tennessee fans at Bristol. They talked a lot of trash but were fun and we had a good time. they also sat the whole time except on 3rd down. So to be nice, I had to sit most of the game, except when sandman was on at the end of the first quarter and we were up by 14. Me and my buds were jumping.
And blondes, so many blondes.
You know, I read all this stuff on here about how awful Tennessee fans are but I had a great time interacting with them. Everyone I met down there, Hokie, Vol, fans of other schools, everyone was super friendly. Even after the game when I was expecting some guff from the Vol fans, all anyone said to me was complimenting Fuente and even Evans.
And yes, the scenery was gorgeous.
I had the exact same experience for the OSU game in Columbus. I went in expecting to be treated poorly and to see nasty OSU fans. All the rumors I heard about couldn't have been further from the truth. Every Buckeye I encountered was genuinely nice and they were all there to enjoy the game and root for their team. No nonsense. It was actually really refreshing. I had a similar experience in Bristol, but in honesty, I didn't really interact with many Vols fans. I was pretty much surrounded by Hokies everywhere I went. The few interactions I did have were normal.
Often times I think there is an element of how you approach situations...as in you get out of something what you put into it. If you are nice to people they generally tend to be nice in return and vice versa. I know that every single fanbase has bad apples (some bad-apple-Hokies were sitting right behind us at Bristol :( ..) but by and large I believe if you treat people with respect you'll get the best side of them in return.
Well, I got notification from Tech today that I am going to get tickets for Notre Dame. Now I need to find a motel.
I was in Chapel Hill in '14 when we won, watching the game with my now-fiancee. We were sort of on one of our first dates with her whole family and some mutual friends who are all Tarheel alums, and so I was being very mindful of what I said and how I acted. However, when Kendall Fuller picked off Mitch Trubisky and waltzed into the endzone right before halftime, I couldn't keep from saying "Yeah....don't try to throw on Kendall Fuller."
I'll be there this Saturday, too, with the same crew (plus two more Hokies) cheering hard. She and I will both be wearing maroon and orange, despite all of her family's allegiances, and although I'll still be respectful, I like to think I've got a little more leeway to talk smack now.
One should always arrive early enough to announce your arrival.
Example:
And one should always be thoughtful enough to leave a parting gift as well.
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Example:
Polytech responsibly all!
While I believe that at the game you should behave as you'd have other team's fans behave in our house, I can't deny the inherent charm of these public displays of irreverence towards our lol rivals.
So if they move it to Blacksburg how would I get tickets? I have planned on going to this since June and I'm going unless it's canceled.
That would be announced when they officially move the game. If they're going to move it to Blacksburg, they'll have to announce it soon. I expect they will have a time when season ticket holders can buy tickets and then open it up to the general public.
I googled how LSU handled it last year, so that's my best guess
For home games in Blacksburg, I always will make sure the visiting teams fans feel welcome and would want to come back the next time their team is in on the schedule. I'll shake their hands, and say something like "Welcome to Blacksburg/Virginia Tech- Glad you guys made the trip up for the game!" Hopefully that simple gesture shows the opposing fans of why Virginia Tech and Blacksburg is a special place, and why it is Home.
That being said, it is always nice when traveling with the Hokies when other school's fans do the same.
Exactly. Uphold VT fans' reputation of being great fans.
I typically just find an attractive co-ed at away games and show her the hokie pokey after we win.
If you're serious about being a good visiting fan, find a Nebraska fan and follow their lead. They are the best visitors in the country.
If you're serious about making everyone at the opposing school remember you, do all of the things mentioned above.
Good advice, Horse. The Nebraska fans who came to Lane were classy, indeed. It was very easy to extend warm greetings and express respect for their program. As I recall, afterward, several of their fans wrote to the Roanoke Times to express their gratitude for being made welcome. The LSU fans, on the other hand, were not so classy. I left my "act like a dick at the ball game" days far behind me several years back, and always try to welcome visiting fans, UVA and WVU fans excepted, whom I generally try hard to ignore.
Hehe the LSU game in Blacksburg was a good time. I lived at Center St apts at the time and many of us didn't go to the game. Somehow an LSU fan with a Louisiana license plate and a wallpaper of LSU bumper stickers managed to get a spot in the Center St apts lot, so during the game many court residents decided that their spoiled and rotten food was going to be thrown out. Decomposing food happened, that car was involved, that's about all I know about it.