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Okay, this is a bit embarassing to admit now, but as youngster growing up in Roanoke I was...wait for it...a UVA "fan". I didn't start paying attention to college football until 1990, the year UVA was #1 in the nation going into the GaTech game. So naturally, as any youngster typically is, I went with the front-runner mentality when it came to instate schools. Funny thing is, my first football game was that year as well - the UVa-Tech game in Lane Stadium. Probably should have been a little foreshadowing for me at the time, but I still stuck with the Wahoos for a while after.
After I graduated high school – paralleling the start of the Al Groh era – I started caring less for UVA. A few things kind of led to this. First was the flack BooVA alumni raised about Clinch Valley College (where I attended undergrad) wanting to change their name to UVA-Wise. Eventually they relented and the name was changed (with the caveat that it be “The University of Virginia’s College at Wise”) but that just rubbed me the wrong way. Second, a high school teammate of mine who went to UVA on a football scholarship after being recruited by Welsh landed in Groh’s doghouse and never left until he transferred. Finally, I found myself kinda rooting for VT a smidge. It didn’t hurt that from 2000 to 2003 they featured three guys I had played against in high school (David Pugh – kicked my 215 pound ass all night until I got pulled, Jake Grove – Jefferson Forest had several big guys my senior year, but by the end of the game we were running straight dive plays and blowing them off the ball, and Lee Suggs – greatest game of my life my senior year – “Just Say No to 10-0” and recovered a fumble of his).
So after graduating from Wise I took a year off and then when to grad school in Blacksburg in 2003. At the start, I intended to maintain my blah fandom with BooVa but still take advantage of being able to go to games in Lane Stadium. The first few were fun experiences but nothing overwhelming. But the start of the conversion would’ve been the trouncing of Syracuse (just an overall fun game to attend on a beautiful afternoon). The second part was actually feeling mad about the trouncing we took from the Mt. Mamas the next game. But the full conversion was the Miami game – the hype for Miami coming in as the #2 team in the country, and then getting fully sucked into the experience that night. By the time I left the stadium I had made my mind up – I was all-in as a Hokie.
I feel bad saying this but I will be "that guy"- before I took my first visit to Tech in the spring of 2003 (my junior year of high school at a military school) I couldn't stand VT- was a Miami fan and actually committed to going there after being accepted; however, due to the cost ($40,000 a year in 2004) I decided to "de-commit," if you will, and began my search anew in November of '03. My girlfriend convinced me to check VT out and I begrudgingly acquiesced (I applied there and was accepted so I decided "what the hell, can't hurt"). I fell in love with the campus as soon as I caught the first glimpse of it from 460 and truly became a Hokie when a tenured professor took the time out of his class and afterwards to talk to me and inform me as to what VT and Hokie Nation was about. In all the schools to which I was accepted and visited, never at any point did a Prof talk to me directly and individually about what made their particular university great (minus Fordham University- where I go now for Graduate school). The football staff preaches family; however, that feeling extended beyond the program and into the heart and soul of the university. Even my father, who shared my prior view of Tech, was truly shocked and taken aback in the best way possible when that conversation took place and gained a great deal of respect for the institution. From that moment I knew Tech was the best fit for me. After graduating in 2008, minus my relationships with those closest and dearest, I take more pride in graduating from Tech than any other accomplishment in my life. My mentors at VT in the History Department, friends, girlfriend, and others truly helped shape me into the the student and man that I am today. For that, I am forever grateful and glad that things worked out the way they did.
I was born in Yonkers, NY but grew up in Midlothian, VA and attended Benedictine High School where I played varisty football and lacrosse. As French can testify to, I am a diehard New York Rangers fan (grew up playing ice hockey for over 20 years)- possibly more so than a Tech football fan. I also am a big Jets and Mets fan- hate Tim Tebow as a QB but love that Jet D and my boy Rex. I am currently attending Fordham University going for a doctorate in Early American Military History with a focus on the Virginia Campaign of 1781 in the American Revolution and live in Manhattan. You can find me at my girlfriend's place in Roanoke, Lane, MSG, Citi Field, or DJ Reynold's Pub hanging with friends. Mostly check the library- I am the kid crying in the corner. Best VT game I went to- WVU in 2004/Chick-fil-A Bowl in 2009; worst- Orange Bowl in 2008 (loss to Kansas).
I'll be the first to admit that I had never really heard about Virginia Tech until I met my husband. My husband graduated from VT in 1997, and I grew up in Utah, and never really got into football or any of that good stuff. When I met my husband and decided to move to Virginia, I had no idea what a loving family I would be welcomed into when I moved.
I remember the first game that we went to together, and boy it was a memorable one. We went to the Sugar Bowl in 2004, and even though we lost, it was such a great experience. After that we became season ticket holders', and have not missed another home game since. We also try to go to at least one away game a year, and we always go to the bowl games. I can't image going a season without joining our extended Hokie family for tailgating!
I am proud to say "I'm a Hokie", even though some would not consider me one. I can honestly say, even though I did not attend Tech, I have been welcomed into the family. I feel so at home there, and couldn't imagine a better family to be a part of.
I remember meeting HokieMama last year, and we have become such great friends. I know that this will remain long have "the kid" graduates this year. I have built friendships that will last a lifetime, and I know as long as we have each other we are stronger!
And as for the "football thing", I am now 100% all about VT football! Go Hokies!!! 24 days!
I grew up all over the country, my dad wasn't in the military but he may as well have been. We moved about every 4 years. He got a job in Christiansburg, and we decided to live in Blacksburg. Went to Blacksburg High and it was hard to not root for VT. Oh, did I mention that I went to high school from 1999-2003? Yeah. It also didn't hurt that I could hear the cannon and the stadium noise from my house.
My senior year of high school I went to almost every home game. My dad lived within walking distance of Lane and we just walked up, bought some tickets off a scalper and went to the games. Needless to say, I fell in love after one game. The atmosphere is just incredible. Nothing can beat the energy and the feeling of 66,000 plus jumping to Enter Sandman. Nothing.
When it came time for my college choice I didn't really want to go. I wanted to enlist first. But my Senior year English class was basically College Application Class, so I put in applications for VT, VMI, and the Citadel. Blacksburg High has a pretty cool deal set up with the VT admissions office. They come to the school and you give them your early application and they tell you that day if you got in or not. I got in and ended up getting in to VMI and the Citadel as well.
I chose not to go to VT for a couple of reasons. While I love Blacksburg, and the campus is beautiful, and VT is a great school; I knew too many people from my High School going there and I wanted to get away from my parents. I also knew I needed a challenge, I needed the discipline, and I am 100% positive I would not have graduated if I went to Tech. Oh, and I have a giant ring now too.
But I still love Hokie football and everything it stands for. Hard work, discipline, respect, tradition. All things near and dear to a VMI Alumni's heart. And, practically speaking, VMI's football team is terrible and I just can't bring myself to follow them.
But if they ever play each other, I gotta root for my Alma Mater, even if they lose by 100.
We moved up to 6 - Go Hokies!
His is the one and only EnglishHokie
i agree but this season, if the coaches manage playing time well enough, i disagree ... this is of course assuming that, aside from the top 3, that stanford and caleb end up as #4 and #5 .. a few things will determine if either or both of them RS.
first, depends on how the other underclassmen (namely knowles, smiling, and asante) progress. i haven't read or heard much about them from spring or fall (so far) other than that .. maybe i shouldn't read into it too much but i don't see that as a good thing and assume that they've not stood out really...hopefully i'm wrong
second, health of dj coles ... he may miss a few games while he continues to rehab
third, if we employ some kind of up-tempo offense some (they're working on some of that), i could see more of some 3-WR looks, spread'ish, with short, easy slant routes. that takes some of the learning curve out and would help to keep fresh legs on the field.
i could see NEITHER of them redshirting ...but if one of them does, i think that caleb redshirts and stanford doesn't.
the Hoos have an in with us and from what i hear, uva and unc both have an upper hand to us ... i've heard also that kamara is very likely to be headed to the sec but i haven't heard anything about specific teams.
I'm fine with burning one redshirt, just not both. There is no way they will both get enough playing time to even consider them as having experience going into next year. Coles, Davis, and Dyrell have the top 3 spots locked up. When is the last time the number 5 receiver got a whole lot of reps in our offense? Never.
He likely won't be a Hokie, but he's a possible 5 star and further demonstrates the greatness of the class of 2014 in VA. I keep hearing Hand, Brown, and Blanding will ALL be 5 stars. If we can start to truly dominate in-state recruiting, there is no stopping us.
for assaulting that stupid kangaroo! Lame mascot!
never really got into american football until the Giants won the SB in 07...after that they became my team but I needed more...so college football it was! Was a fan of Vick and from there decided to get heavily involved in VT spending hours reading up on the history on wiki, rushing home from work on saturdays (5 hour time difference GMT and ET) so I could watch VT online whilst I was at uni.
HOWEVER about 2 years ago I saw the Miami U doc by ESPN and was really torn between the two (really admired UM history + the swagger they had etc) but came to my senses once I realised how sweet VT really are.
Since then its been all good! was heartbreaking staying up to 5am watching us lose to Boise and then to Clemson both times last year however very much looking forward to this season and seeing the growth of Logan Thomas
Never even see a game live (when the Giants/Dolphins played in the UK I was still trying to understand the game) so hopefully can go to Miami this Nov to see us kick ass
I'm from London, UK btw
good sir in all seriousness why did you not marry this woman??!
also do you have twitter? I need to find more VT fans in London
I grew up in Connecticut and when I was doing my college search I wanted to go to a school within a day's drive, that has big time Div I athletics and a good CS program. Our school had a computer program that would give you a list of schools based on certain criteria and VT was one of those. I applied to a number of the big D1 schools from CT to NC and it came down to VT and Maryland for me. I knew someone that was going to Tech so I hung out with him one day and he showed me around Blacksburg. After that I knew it was the place for me. It didn't hurt that this was the Fall of 1999 so VT was getting good pub on ESPN.
Love these articles. Keep 'em coming.
Question for you... how does this year's rule change regarding blocks below the waist impact us, especially in the GT game. I'm struggling to see how the rules committee thinks this is going to improve safety. Shouldn't we expect more DL injuries, especially against teams like GT and with Ds that do a lot of stunting like ours?
I'm talking about this: "The rules panel also approved new wording in the football rules book regarding blocking below the waist. Offensive players in the tackle box at the snap who are not in motion are allowed to block below the waist legally without restriction. All other players are restricted from blocking below the waist with a few exceptions (for example, straight-ahead blocks)." http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Resources/Latest+News/20...
all won and lost NOLA. #SWAMPWATER
...on the deferred status basically ruining your life at first. i got admitted only through general studies which i thought was the end of the world. I was a zombie at home for a solid month after i found out until i realized i could still get into the architecture program. all i had to do was get through summer lab after freshmen year. it was insane since they basically crammed the same amount of work from the entire first year into the summer, and they only accepted a small percentage out of the 100 to go directly into second year without re-doing first year. to say there was some pressure is an understatement but i ended up doing quite well and relishing the hard work it took to get through it all.
coincidentally, some of the best and hard working students came through summer lab. ;)
Well I went to a huge high school so people were applying all over the place. The UVA kids didn't bother me. The worst was the few people who applied to Tech early, and were accepted, but weren't even sure they wanted to go there! I remember in April 2003 when my mom called me to come home because she was holding what she assumed to be the acceptance letter (I think it was a big packet as opposed to the little rejection envelope).
I'M THE DUDE, MAN
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13 years 11 months
# | Tell everyone about yourself; when/how did you become a Hokie? I would not have been able to handle deferred status on early decision. By the time December rolled around and all the UVA kids were getting their early decision letters that first weekend, I was going out of my mind. Then, on a Thursday afternoon, my mother showed up at school holding my unopened acceptance letter in her hand. Pure, unmitigated joy ensued.
I can't pinpoint the exact moment that decided I wanted to go to VT, but I think it was in late middle school. I do not know why, but I remember thinking: I want to go to Virginia Tech. No, I'm not an engineer and did not have family ties to VT...yet. My sister was a senior in high school when I was a freshman. She ended up going to VT in 2000. I remember moving her in with my family and being so jealous. Then I would visit her, along with my dad, for football games, which was awesome. When I was of age to imbibe in alcohol (17 naturally) I started going down to party with her. I didn't want to go anywhere else, so part of me dies a little inside when I read how some of you actually looked at other schools! Haha, it's okay because you ended up in the right place. So senior year I applied early decision...DEFERRED. To say my life was over is an understatement. I remember throwing a legit temper tantrum, flailing about on my parents living room floor crying about how I wasn't going to get to go to VT. My mom spoke to me rationally about how I would be accepted regular decision, but this did not compute for an emotional high school senior.
Time passed slowly and I applied to other schools (JMU, GMU, WVU, AND KANSAS--Yes, Kansas. My father went there and it's really a great school FYI!). Anyhow, the letters started rolling in and I was accepted to all the schools I applied to, including Virginia Tech. I applied as a Communication major and was accepted into that program, which is what my degree was in. I still have the letter pinned on a board in my room. Side note: A big suck it to the haters who would snidely ask, "What are you going to do with a Communication degree!?" My degree has served me very well.
My first year at Virginia Tech was awesome because my sister was a senior and living in Maple Ride townhomes so every Thursday my future roomie, and dorm roomie would go over there and enjoy some thirsty Thursdays. I still remember not being quite satisfied freshman year. I was kind of homesick and to be honest, some of my classes were tough. (Read: Math emporium and I freakin' suck at math). I can remember driving around the drillfield with my father once when he was visiting and he asked: "So how do you like it?" I wanted to say I LOVE IT, but I just said that it was okay. However, I made it through that first year and returned sophomore year to live in the Village Phase 2 (HOLLA!) and every moment from there out was a blast. From the fun and awesome guys across the hall, to so many of my friends living within walking distance, football games, amazing campus food, beautiful campus, drillfield winds, autumn scenery, turning 21, downtown, and everything else I wouldn't trade being a Hokie for anything else in the world. Those on the outside don't understand. They think we're obsessed, but they don't know what it feels like to be on the inside. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Blacksburg is and always will be home to me!
Also love music, running, complaining, tailgating (duh!), berating metro on Twitter (also HokieTay), my family and anything outdoors. SEE YOU THIS FALL!
From what I'm hearing he likes VPI but he is really just waiting on LSU. Not holding my breathe on Kamara..
I began life in the 757 and like many high school seniors made a road trip to prospective schools with my pops to check out the options. I wound up being accepted to both VT and JMU and was actually a bit torn on what to do.
A high school buddy who was a VT freshman invited me up for a weekend to check it out. Who could have imagined having such a good time and life altering weekend all while staying in Pritchard for the weekend! Anyway, I got to meet some coeds, tour the campus, and listen to a home game from OUTSIDE Lane Stadium (couldn't find a ticket). The sheer size, noise, and experience of an actual college football game was too much, I was hooked.
From that point, no contest - Hokie for life. Graduated in Dec '99.
Still have season tickets, even living in Charleston SC. Hope to see some of y'all up for a game this year!
Hi, I'm new here and I tend to ramble. Lurking around message boards is my specialty, but for some reason I had to register and post my Hokie testimony. I stumbled upon this site while trying to find a replacement for tailgate fever. While not as hilarious, TKP is much more informative than tailgate fever.
I grew up an hour away from Blacksburg, but at that time it seemed everyone I knew was a volunteer, tar heel, or wahoo. I'm not from Tennessee or North Carolina, and I don't think I'm a D-bag, so none of those popular teams were going to work!
To me, the Hokies were an excellent representative of the blue-collar area that I'm proud to be from. My first hazy memories of Tech football were the teams of Drunkenmiller. Thinking back to my childhood, it seems like the Hokes lost in 5 consecutive Gator bowls, but I MUST be imaging that.
I distinctly remember the Michael Vick flip. Sometime between Drunkenmiller and Vick, the Hokes became my team. When it was time to choose a college, VPI was the leading candidate out of a field of 12 or so. What can I say, except that I'm indecisive? )I did abort a last minute application to UVA because of the 5 required essays-- I never would have went, but wanted to say I got accepted and went elsewhere.) It turns out that MV7 might have kept me from enrolling. Due to the increase in the number and quality of applications, as well as a sweet financial aid package elsewhere, I decided to attend Emory & Henry College. Small college life had its limitations and advantages. I considered transferring to a larger school, but EHC changed my life. While I'm proud to be a Wasp, my love for Virginia Tech didn't change. I'm equally proud of my alma mater and my "adopted" school.
After undergrad, I moved to Memphis for optometry school. Memphis was a blast, but living in a city without "tech support" wasn't much fun during football seasons. Many of my classmates were from the midwest, including Nebraska..(you can see where this is going) I painfully sat through the Nebraska game without an ally, getting verbally reamed by about 10 Huskers… until that fateful Danny Coale catch--It was awesome! I had about a solid minute of trash talking like you wouldn't believe (I had to compose myself once it looked like I might be thrown off the balcony.)
My uncle took me to my first game in Lane Stadium was in 2010. (I know, I've lived a sheltered life) He's been tailgating and following the Hokies to Florida and Charlotte and Morgantown for years, but apparently wanted to keep all the Hokie love for himself. I've been to about half of the home games the last two years, and even made the trek up to Marshall last year. My first night game was the GT game when Wilson ran that late kickoff back. I remember how crazy the atmosphere was after that turnaround. I told someone later that if VT had been winning the whole game, I probably would have lost my voice trying to keep up the volume for the entire game. The night games in Lane are unbelievable. I rode through the snow, sleet,and hail down to Charlotte for the ACCCG against FSU, passing wrecked cars left and right and praying we'd make in there in one piece.
I simply love Blacksburg. My sister and her husband were married at Hahn horticulture garden this spring. My fiancé lived in Blacksburg while running track at Radford. Season tickets are coming some time after this marriage thing happens. I didn't attend classes at VT, but If I need a diploma to call myself a Hokie, I'll just steal my brother-in-law's.
See? I told you I ramble.
The other team I like as much as VT are the Atlanta Braves. I also like long walks on the beach, puppies, bacon, Macados, the game of corn hole, and watching the Mountaineers lose.
I was born in VA and my dad's family is from the Richmond area but moved around a lot as a child. I was a junior in HS in California and knew I didn't want to go to college on the west coast. I moved in with my best friend and his family (met him and his fam while living in Japan) in Centreville, VA for my senior year of HS because I wanted in state tuition to a VA college. I didn't know what college in VA I was going to, just knew it'd be one of them. I applied to GMU and VT. The only reason I applied to VT was because I remembered they seemed to have a half decent football team. The bowl streak was at 2 back than. I never even knew what the campus looked like when I applied and accepted. The first time I even saw the VT campus was the summer orientation for freshmen year. During orientation I signed up for the VTCC. Best decision I ever made. If marching on to worsham field for 4 years and sitting on the 50 yd line (yes, the VTCC use to have awesome seats) behind the visiting team doesn't make you a loyal Hokie I don't know what will. I remember heckling WVU players, having no idea who this McNabb kid was, and having to sign a letter of apology to Akron because we assaulted Zippy the Kangaroo when he wanted to crowd surf the cadets. 1995 was a magical season. I took a fifth year at Tech and witnesseed the other magical season of '99 first hand. I even took Afro-Sports history that year with Dr. Farrah. Our entire starting D and Shyrone Stith was in that class. Anthony Midget even gave me ride back to my apartment once after a group project. I have so many great memories from my time at VT. How can I not be loyal Hokie ?
Now I'm living in Pensacola, FL surrounded by Bama, FSU, and LSU fans. My best day at work will be the day after we bring home that title.
I grew up most of my life in the midwest. Born in Cincinnati (dad is also a bearcat alum, looking forward to the trash talk this year) and pretty much grew up in St. Louis from the time I was four until I graduated high school.
My brother was the first person in my family to head to VT about 6 years before I would even consider it. He was my half brother though so i wouldn't really hear much about it. In fact, I didn't really even ask him about it until I started applying for schools in early 09. I hadn't heard much about VT other than that it had a good engineering school (my career of choice) and of course April 16th.(Because now everyone knows about it) Not the best publicity, I know. I also was a big Mike Vick fan while he was still on the Falcons and would absolutely run train over my hometown team the Rams... In any case, my brother only applied to one school and it was VT because he loved it THAT much. Unfortunately, he seemed to love it a little too much, as he partied way too hard the first two years and my parents gave up paying for his tuition when he came home with a D- in Music Appreciation (possibly one of the easiest classes on campus right now..). He was forced to transfer, but that never changed his perception of VT.
In any case, I also applied to UVA (BOOOOOO) because I was a big time soccer player and was actually planning on playing at the college level until I tore my ACL my Junior year of highschool (which killed pretty much all chances of getting recruited). After I gave up on the soccer dream , I focused on engineering, and I also came to realize that I could care less about whether or not I got accepted to UVA or not. My final schools came down to VT, PSU, and Michigan (I applied all over the country because the midwest can get a bit boring at times). My dad currently works in Ann Arbor so I was able to take a few visits up there, and it was enjoyable, just not what I was looking for.
I made my visit to the VT the weekend of the 2010 spring game and instantly fell in love with Tyrod and VT. My brother was able to tell me all the stories about his two years on campus (his Freshman year was also Kevin Jones' freshman year) and I totally enjoyed myself. I pretty much knew then and there where I wanted to go to school, as was confirmed when I bought my first VT T-Shirt about a week before final decisions were due. I was the only one that had even applied from my graduating class so I came to VT knowing literally no one, but thats what i wanted, and there isn't a better family than the folks at VT.
Boise State was my first VT game and JMU was the first home game (I was so clueless that i did not understand how bad that loss was at the time). Ever since the Boise game though I've been a die hard. I also have had the oppurtunity to eat lunch with Kevin Jones a few times due to having a friend that is in a couple of the same classes as he is in architecture so I can also rub that in the older Bros face. Couldn't be happier as a Hokie.
Other than college football, my two sports are still soccer and Hockey and I'm a diehard Blues fan...