Editor's Note: This. --Joe
I did my best to ensure that I wasn't only observing locally. I was seated in the east-side of North endzone. Immediately around me the following held true, and to the best of my ability, looking around further I saw more and more of the same.
Which of the following behaviors best describe fans in the North Endzone:
1. Cheering for the team on most defensive plays
2. Muttering about poor decision-making and playing
3. Staring blankly at the field
4. Complaining that they were too sober
5. Worrying about running out of airplane bottles
If you answered everything except #1, you would be correct.
I understand that our defense played okay and that most of the reason why we lost is that our offense and special teams played VERY poorly. I also would agree that at the START of the game, during Enter Sandman, the crowd was incredibly loud and was the loudest I had heard in a while. EVERYONE in North was jumping up and down and was incredibly pumped. Through the first quarter there was so much energy and it was awesome.
Then it just died.
With each play that went by a sense of negativity grew more and more. Accomplishments were downplayed (granted, there weren't very many) and fans were ready to harshly criticize decision-making from coaches and players, the players' ability, and even the players' desire to give 100%. Every time that something went wrong, when the team needed the fans to yell more and more, they yelled less and less.
I would now like to present the opinion that Hokie Fans aren't doing as good of a job at being fans as they think they are. Many fans feel as though we should perpetually top of "Scariest places to play" lists and look back to that 2004 or 2006 or earlier list where we were #2 and say "look at how scary it is to play in Lane Stadium!" If you tell fans that we don't top such lists these days (maybe they haven't released them yet) the fans will tell you "Well that's because we're Virginia Tech and the media hates Virginia Tech and they're always trying to undermine how great we are!" I have heard this over and over again in the last five years.
Lane Stadium has the capacity for rabid fandom. It has the capacity to scare the living shit out of opponents. Enter Sandman is SCARY. What fans do not realize is that it is isn't the stadium or the crowd that makes it scary inherently, it's the intensity that the fans bring to the game and sustain through out the game. In my observation the fans have not been doing an excellent job of doing this throughout the course of the entire game and it is kind of upsetting to me.
I will acknowledge that a lack of fandom certainly is not the sole reason we lost the Clemson game. I would agree it probably isn't even most of the reason. Yet I insist that the issue at hand is that fans do not realize that their pathetic punditry and whining during the game has no impact on the game but a hell of a lot of loud screaming when your team needs it goes a long way.
I understand how easy it is to be disheartened when your team fails to score a touchdown with the goal line one yard away. I understand how bad punts are heartbreaking. But I think if you are willing to let negative events detract from your ability to cheer for the team then you should really just leave the stadium.
I think that Hokie Fans need to get it together a little bit more and be less concerned about the actions of the team and more concerned about the actions of the crowd and work harder to ensure that everyone gets pumped and stays pumped throughout the course of the game until it is literally impossible for us to win. We have the potential to be a terrifying place to play and to be a rabid group of fans but there is too much complacency.
So if you disagree with this and it pisses you off all I can say is that I hope you are screaming your ass off for the entire game and encouraging those around you to do likewise, otherwise you are just part of the problem. I hope most of the people who post here were just like me and cheered relentlessly until a comeback was impossible, but now it's time for us to work hard to encourage others to do the same.
With utmost sincerity,
~Mike Sty
Comments
PREACH.
If you were in/near section 25 and witnessed a girl hollering and lecturing that Hokies don't boo their own, congratulations because you found the rare and elusive HokiESQ.
Hokies are better than booing. Hokies are better than leaving the game early. Hokies are better than personal attacks on individual players. Hokies are better than ignorant, destructive criticism.
Our boys don't need us to criticize or boo or tear them down when they screw up; they need us to scream louder as if nothing ever happened. One or two mistakes can be overcome but once the crowd loses confidence and stops supporting the team, one or two mistakes turn into acid eroding the entire atmosphere.
Agreed.
I am so glad I am not the only person (other than my parents who are long-time Hokies... circa the time when you couldn't give Tech football tickets away) who feels this way.
Why don't people understand that a team needs encouragement and a crowd that is clearly cheering for them despite their mistakes?! And that they definitely don't need a bunch of ridiculous criticisms about the the players' ability and the coaches' strategy?!
We have a stellar reputation for being a tough place to play, but Hokie fans also have a great reputation for being generous hosts. I have to say that Tech fans absolutely did not live up to either reputation last night. It was very, very disappointing.
My section (west side, section 16 with the older folks) is generally a great section with one bad apple every game or so. But last night, people we had never seen before surrounded us and they were all terrible section mates.
My parents and I were the only people genuinely cheering on the Hokies. Everyone else was simply complaining about how much we sucked on offense, even when the defense was on the field.
We even had people behind us MOCKING OTHER HOKIE FANS as they encouragingly cheered Logan Thomas and the offense on. This is not okay in my book.
I understand that it was cold and rainy and we were losing and "the fans could have called a better game offensively" but if you are going to be obnoxious to other Hokie fans and to the players, I (and many others) would prefer that you leave your butt at home, watch the game on the big screen and be unpleasant in the confines of your own home.
I've been to almost every home game since 1996 and I have never witnessed such a lame crowd in Lane Stadium, not even when we lost to JMU last year or to NC State by 1 point in 2004.
I hope we can get our act together as fans before this Saturday.
Agree with every word written.
You can't see it, but the time on the clock says 3:49. If you left early, shame on you. Pathetic.
word to that.
Leaving early, whether we're up big or losing, is inexcusable. Leaving early causes you to miss things like TT's amazingness vs Nebraska (Thank God I don't know that from experience). People who leave early make me so angry... you don't deserve your ticket if you're going to pull that shit.
We have a rule...
No leaving until the clock shows 0:00.
Defense
Our defense wasn't just okay, our defense was excellent. They just got too worn out at the end. To hold that offense to under 325 yards is simply great. Our offense didn't give them any breaks unfortunately, and our special teams put them in some bad spots. But more importantly, you are right. The energy leaves from the stadium if we don't score right away and take a lead. Our fans have to understand that the team needs us most when it is struggling. We have to support them more than ever when they are down or facing a tough situation. I hope, for those of you that did stay, that you saw Clemson's fans singing at the end of the game and cheering on their players. We should have 60,000 Hokie fans cheering for our team at the end of games.
I Completely Agree
I was still yelling even when after Bellamy had scored. In fact, I can see myself in the picture above. Its just awful when I hear people yelling and screaming complaints about Logan Thomas or even Scott Demler. Yes I understand they aren't up to par quite yet, but making them feel unwelcomed by Hokie nation is just rediculous.
It seemed like I was the only person yelling on fourth down, one of the most important times to be loud. Around me, there were "fans" that could barely even stand they were so intoxicated. Why come if you can't even remember the game?
I did my best to yell at people to get loud, yet all I got was mostly blank stares. Looks of "who are you?" Hell, I even tried to defend Demler from one of my good friends and let him know that us booing him wouldn't solve the problem. It would just make it worse the next time he came out to punt.
I understand that not everyone has the same as much enthusiasm as I do when seeing the Hokies play. I understand that. But if you're going to call yourself a fan and claim to be one of the best fanbases in college football, you better damn act like it.
THIS
Speaking as someone who still doesn't have a voice I have to say that I have never been more disappointed in Lane. The D played its heart out every snap and the crowd didn't do them justice. The steady stream toward the exits during the second half was one of the most depressing things i have ever seen. Listening to the kid downtown this morning say he didnt have anything to cheer for after the first quarter didnt make me feel any better either. But hell Beamer will make sure were ready for Miami, Lane sure as hell better make some adjustments as well. Lets go Hokies!
breaks my heart
If this really was the case as I was not there...but kudos for feeling the love enough to call everyone out. We need feedback as a fan base like this from time to time.
I hope we meet these 'effers again in Charlotte, I'll be there screaming my ass off of course. Clemson might have gotten a pass this time, but we'll show them Lane South in December baby!
Paper Airplanes
Are another major problem. Seriously, are you in 5th grade? Watch the game or give your ticket to someone who will.
UGHHHHHHHH
The G-D paper airplanes have been going on for a few years - I think it started during the 2009 UNC night game loss. Few things make me so angry. I didn't see many Saturday (thankfully) but its just about the laziest, most disrespectful thing I can imagine. Grow the fuck up.
Could not have worded any better. Preach on...
I was in the Upper Part of north end zone, and I surpassed all previous loundess by set by me, period. I was running around the section trying to pump up the crowd, trying to make it a loud and hostile environment, but it was difficult. I sacrifice my voice for every game, and it is always worth it, because even for that one good play, you get to cheer like you won the lottery. I give north end zone an F, but the people in my section were forced to be loud by me.
and no one should ever leave a gamer early. Period. (medical excuses permitted, except I had a moderate-severe concussion and stayed through the whole game once. However, do not attempt that yourself).
as always, GO HOKIES! Can't wait until next week. (on the bright side, the concussion may have affected my short term memory, so I don't remember what happened at the game).
Also, I am in that picture of North, by the tree on the right side. No way my friends or I would ever leave a game early. EVER.
it isn't just students.
this shouldn't be put on just the students, there were a lot of "long time" people who left early. so often the students get blamed for this, but if you took pictures of the west, south, and lower east, they were just as empty. the blame for this goes out to everyone.
Truth
You can even see it in that picture with the end of the West stands on the right side. basically empty.
I know the feeling, guys
As a Wahoo, well- you have to endure a few horrible seasons to see who's really the fair weather fans, and who are the hardcore cadre. We've got about 35,000-40,000 folks who'll show up no matter what, stay the whole game... but in a 60,000 capacity stadium.
I hope the Hokies don't have to go through what we've gone through to find out exactly who the fans are that'll be there for you, no matter what. I really thought you guys had the oomph to make it all the way this year; LT and the offense were the key to that, though. I got home from the UVA game (you think YOUR offense is anemic? Pah!) and turned on the Tech game and was very sad. Seriously, f*** Clemson. They'll be even bigger douchebags now, and that's a pretty tall order.
Well. You'll still make it to a bowl game, and you'll still beat UVA, which is more than I can hope for. Take to Georgia Tech and the UNCheaters, though, seriously f those guys hope. I'll be rooting for you as hard as I can.
Thanks
You are one of the most realistic UVA fans I have heard in recent memory. The Hokies lost one game to a quality opponent in our conference. Things could be much worse, as they are in Hoo-ville or College Park!
Spoiled
I have been a fan since the Cornell Brown (player,not coach) years, so to see the students act the way they do and say the things they say has pissed me and my wife off for years. First half of these kids are still immature with no right or enough extensive knowledge about hokie history or hokie nation to criticize the grass on the field much less the players or coaching staff. I agree if you are not there to cheer your ass off give your ticket to someone who will. I criticized Demler and O'Cain and everyone who played left tackle but I was there steaming and staring aimlessly at the field until every player was off the field after the game. I think after all the disappointing losses over the last 20 years I have earned that right but dont for 1 second think I won't be there next week screaming my ass off again. The real problem I think we as fans have gotten spoiled by all the wins the Frankinator has blessed us with and most of the fans criticizing our boys are to young to remember when beating Miami was a big deal. So if you ever boo 1 of our players and someone turns around and smacks you thats my wife and then someone turns around and gives you a hokie nation history lesson, that is me WoolwineHokie.
Recruits
With all the big recruits finally paying attention to what is going on in Blacksburg and all the big recruits in attendance saturday night, how bad do you think we may have hurt ourselves. I think we may have lost Diggs and Calebs (who was there) attention. We need to pick it up next week and show everyone why you should be afraid to walk into Lane stadium to play our boys. Hopefully these recruits will realize that was one of the worst offensive showings we have put up in 20+ years and keep us in mind. (HOPEFULLY)...
Recruits
Everyone that sat near me in the East was complaining about all the same topics from above. I agree that the biggest concern is not the loss or lack of offense, but the impact this will have for our future. I knew that it was unrealistic to be a legit National Title contender this year. Our schedule isn't strong enough and we just aren't that lucky. I really hope that our most recent prime time embarrassment doesn't turn off some of our much needed big time players.
Just think.. what if we had last years offense, with this years defense!! When we can put the two together, then we have a shot at being a legit contender. But losing ACC games at home at night isn't a good way to make that happen.
Amen
True fans don't leave early and don't boo the players. I lived through many years of dismal football at VT. Get a grip folks. It doesn't always go our way but if we expect our team to never give up, we never give up.
The west stands were just as bad
I'm pretty sure they started leaving before North really started emptying out.
Spoiled
It all boils down to the fact that VT fans are spoiled. It all started in 1999 and Michael Vick. The 99 season was amazing and with an amazing season & national championship run, you get bandwagon fans with high expectations. I've never been so mad at VT fans as I was when Grant Noel played. People treated him so unfairly. Yes, he wasn't the best QB but he followed the best QB we've seen at Tech and fans crucified him. It was embarassing and I thought we'd moved past that.
In the past, players would see the negative comments from sportswriters and be able to shrug it off but now with social media, "fans" can harass the players and tell them what a poor job they did. It's disgusting. I understand that everyone has their opinions but to directly tweet a 19-20 year old kid and tell them that they did a terrible job? It makes me sick.
I have been heartbroken many times by the Hokies (2004 & 2005 teams) but keep coming back to support them because I'm a true Hokie and that what we do. There is no excuse for booing your home team and I really hope those people stay the hell home this week.
Still a lot to cheer for
10 win streak will rely on fans giving support. We can still win the ACC.
10 win streak *should* be easy enough to continue. If we win the 4 games that we should be expected to (Wake, BC, UVA, Duke), then all we have to do is win 2 of: Miami, GT, UNC, ACCCG (assuming we make it), or bowl game.
I apologize
My piece about fearing a night game can easily used as toilet paper. Im embarassed that I even wrote it now. I was beyond mesmerized when I WAS THE ONLY ONE saying "block that shit". A student even looked at me and had the audacity to say "nice cheering bro". Then two kids fought one another behind me of the FUCKING PHILLIES BULLPEN. Then puked all over the stands. I stand behind my team and a great many of the true fans but it'll be a little while before I want to embarass myself in my own stadium again.
It was a great article, I think the current students have lost perspective with the Hokies winning 10 games for 7 consecutive years. I find it interesting that how many people love the 2003 Miami game...but it was the highlight of a horrible November where we went 2-3 including our last loss to UVA and beating TEMPLE in OT by blocking a PAT. I was drenched after the A&M game, elated after Miami, then froze my ass off in Pittsburgh the following week. Even after this "worst" season in the past decade, we still finished 8-5 (losing to Aaron Rodger's Cal team in the bowl).
I can't believe all of the fans that left early as well. You gotta stay until the end of the game, no matter how ugly the result may be. We could be much worse this year. Only have to look up the road to Who-ville, College Park, Boston to see programs that are truly in trouble.
I think some people expect entirely too much from fans as well
You can't convince me that the crowd had anything to do with this loss. Yes, I agree that the fanbase has become spoiled, expects too much from the team, and isn't nearly as intimidating as we like to think, but what fanbase would have been screaming just as loudly in the 4th quarter down 3 scores with no signs of life being shown on the offensive side of the ball? I can't think of any.
They didnt
have anything to do with it but as an alum spending money to go, get tickets, and be a part of the atmosphere you get more than disgruntled when down by 7 and fans are already complaining and think we've lost. Two kids behind me got in a fight over the Phillies bullpen. Then puked everywhere. We were only down by 14 going into the fourth. I just expected more of a fun experience I used to see by everyone. I can tell you though that we did a damn good job of packing the bars afterwards. So yes, spoiled and stagnant. My freshman year we were 8-5 and I saw more heart and fun by those around me than this famed night game.
I just felt like an asshole cheering by myself even early in the third. I dont want to feel awkward in my own stadium.
I dont usually chime in...
But there is no way the fanbase is to blame for this loss. Make all of the excuses you want, call a spade a diamond, call it anything you want but this loss comes from the coaching staff starting at the top.
In an age where college football has blown up before our eyes and dollars are the driving source of expansion, we have not managed to move forward. Are the fans spoiled? How could you ask that? Oh yeah we have had 10 win seasons, but when did it matter? The ACC is not the conference it was. As a fan, I would rather lose 8 games and beat the pants off of some contender twice a year than pretend we belong to something we dont. This week was the first game of the season, and we had four warm ups, the fans were ready, the players werent. And I am not blaming the players, not one. Come on, how do you get to 10 wins every year and not recruit a viable punter and in the same breathe be respected as a special teams nightmare. I havent seen that nightmare in a few years, adjustments have been made and there hasnt been one change made to counter that. Maybe the roots in my guttter are the likely nightmare.
Fans spoiled, the fans cried out- We have wanted change, this year we got some. Or at least it looked like that on paper. I liked the focus and motivation in game one, I got excited. For three weeks we puttered around, I thought we were waiting in the lurch, not giving too much for other teams to counter. Damnit Beamer, you did me again. Spoiled...If you look around the parking lots there is a lot of money flowing and the fans are motivated to turn the corner. If we would have lost by 2 points and gave a good fight, I am pretty sure you would have seen the monster within Lane. Your ears would have hurt, and you too would have felt like you were a part of the game come sunday morning. It sickens me when I feel like we left it on the field, whats worse is when it never made it to the field. This game was left in the locker room, maybe even in the posh facilities where it was all prepared.
I am tired of the CEO I want our Coach to step back on the field, maybe put another dent in that damn lunch pail as he kicks it through the uprights pissing fire.
Now that's
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
you should hear
him when he is on moonshine like saturday night.
Expectations
Elite teams expect to win every game. That's what it takes to be successful. Confidence. I think the fans, including myself, get really pissed off when games go the way the Clemson game went. Most of us travel for hours, pay hundreds of dollars and give it a 100 % effort to be as fired up (drunk) as possible for the game. I personally think it sucks when I look down on the field and realize I am more focused / fired up / happy to be here than SOME of the players.
I stayed till the very end... and I will continue to do so. But, Damn. its hard to cheer your ass off when it feels like the coaches are calling plays just to save face and get the game over with.
Hoping for a big bounce back next week.
Go Hokies!
Called out
Oh by the way, I was only watching on my couch for this game. I still wish i was there to support my Hokies. I can't tell you how upset and disappointed I was when they pointed out the fans leaving during the 4th qtr on ESPN2. I at first thought that they were showing a couple bad fans and making it seem worse than it was, but nope. I can't understand that, especially since we were only down by 2 TDs at that time. The game was very much not over yet. I can see why some people (including myself) were not impressed with our O-line and Punting but booing and leaving early are NEVER OK...
Please send to all Hokies
I agree with everything stated. I stormed out of Lane as soon as LT hugged a defensive lineman (probably the guy who had laid him out consistently) angry somewhat at the failures of the team but mostly at the massive failure of a fanbase that had been so much better in the past.
Please send out "An Unpopular Opinion" to every Hokie you know through facebook, twitter, e-mail, etc. to let them know Hokie Nation needs to step its game up, because Saturday was just sad.
I suggest that the author submits this to the CT and the Black Sheep.
opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
brendan@theblacksheeponline.com
Counter Point
I had to wait a day to respond to this post because of the sting of defeat. There are a few things that I agree with, but mostly I think this post is off base. I have taken many a loss personally on my shoulders. I didn't wear the right socks, sit in the right seat, drink enough beer, or didn't execute my pre-game routine to perfection. In the end, I found this only did one thing, make me become a little bit insane and not enjoy game day as much as I should.
The realization I came to is that unfortunately there are a few levels of fans. Most people you will find on this site (and those that are similar), I would place in the "obsessive" category. They eat, breathe, and sleep VT Football, basketball, and even revel in Olympic sport successes. Then there are the "elder statesmen" class of fans. I primarily put loyal alumni into this category. They go to every game, support the team, and believe VT can do no wrong. They for the most part are just happy to be a part of a a great university, but will never equal the vocal presence of the obsessive fan. Finally there is a group of fans whom I will call "spoiled". I feel even the most diehard of "obsessive" or "elder statesmen" fan can fall into the spoiled category. However this group is primarily made up of new VT fans. I was a freshman at VT in 2000, the year after the National Championship game, when the fans were probably in an all time high frenzy. However, I did not go to VT for football, and it took me a a whole year to realize just how amazing it truly is. For other students it may take 4 years, or they may never become completely engrossed in VT athletics. Their time at VT will be spent in a drunken haze screaming obscenities and trying to rush the field after beating a mediocre team.
This is just something we have to accept. Everyone is not going to be as big of a fan as we are and that is probably a good thing... we are a fairly irrational group. For example we try to blame a 23-3 loss on fan participation. The fans are primarily there to aid the defense and be quiet during offense. I feel as a fan base and a defense we held our own against Clemson. It was only the ineptitude of our offense and special teams that let us down.
My final point: I don't believe in booing amateur athletes. However, I do feel it is ok to complain to your adjoining fans that our play calling and coaches are not putting our players in the best position to succeed. I think we can all agree that our team has more talent than 3pts. Lets hope we get to see it this week against Miami. Tailgate starts at 8am and victory party starts immediately following the game down town. I'll see you there,
@TheTurkeyTavern
While there are levels of fans, I've seen the overall rabid quality dip recently. Maybe it's because I've moved further into the obsessive every year since my freshman year in 07 and therefore the spoiled fans are more obvious to me now. I just can't understand how we can continue to consider ourselves as the greatest and have the best homefield advantage while the stadium is nearly empty at the end of the game in a blowout win vs App St. or a loss on the national stage vs Clemson. You are right that the loss was more on the shoulders of the offense than the fans, but I don't believe fans can complain about a player/coach not doing his job if the fans aren't doing their job. I also assume everybody here is doing their job and we must encourage others to join us.
Thank you...
...for being the voice of reason. I don't think most of Key Play's followers understand that not everyone in the stands is exactly like them. I will root for VT with all my heart until the end, but honestly, when you get right down to it, college football is little more than entertainment. And you'll be a lot happier if you stop taking said entertainment (or rather, other people's reactions to it) so seriously. I learned that the hard way.
I basically agree with these points.
This isn't specifically in response to the above post, but I don't think it's a big deal to leave with 3 minutes left in the game after we had just punted back to Clemson. Once they got possession back at that point, the game was over. What's it matter if you leave so you can get away from and start to get over that abomination of a game, meet up with friends, and enjoy the rest of the night? Yes, it's one thing if the game is within one or two scores (i.e. Auburn vs. Utah State. which BTW, Auburn is generally regarded as having pretty good fans and they were heading for the gates at that game), but three scores with 3 minutes left and the other team has the ball? Sorry, that's over. Insult my fandom and claim to be a superior Hokie if that makes you feel any better, but I spent my time and money to support the team, and they flat out didn't show up. I'm still hoarse today from yelling so hard throughout the game, but I'm not going to apologize or feel like any less of a fan for leaving at that point in the game.
This
Should be sent to both the Collegiate Times and the Washington Post
I grew up...
As a huge Hokie fan. Going through middle and high school I couldn't wait to be a part of the great crowds (that were ranked among the toughest places to play) here at Virginia Tech. Now, I'm almost embarrassed to be part of our student body. The past couple years the students don't seem to care about the game as much as they do trying to start the wave or throw paper airplanes on the field. And the early leaving is horrible. I don't care if we are winning or losing, I'm sticking it out until the end. I wish our student's would get things together, because I want us to be ranked among the toughest places to play but when the student section is half empty with 10 minutes left to play you don't deserve to be anywhere near that list.