Lane Stadium
Encyclopedia
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field is a stadium
located in Blacksburg
, Virginia
. It is the home field of the Virginia Tech Hokies
. It was rated the number one home field advantage in all of college football
in 2005 by Rivals.com. It is also ranked #2 on ESPN.com's "Top 10 Scariest Places To Play."
Lane Stadium is located at the highest elevation of any Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school stadium in the eastern United States
, at 2057 feet above sea level.
and a former school administrator, proposed building a larger stadium to replace Miles Stadium
, a 17,000-seat stadium. Construction of Lane Stadium began in April 1964. It took a total of four years to complete construction. However, the first game in the new stadium was played in 1965, when VT beat William & Mary
9–7. At the game, only the west stands and center section of the east bleachers were completed. It wasn't until the summer of 1968 that construction was completed on Lane Stadium, with an official cost of $3.5 million. This brand new stadium seated 35,050 which featured a press box for guests, writers, stats crew-members, scouts and coaches.
The stadium is named after Edward Hudson Lane, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, the university's former name, and a 1960's member of the Board of Visitors. Lane founded the Lane Company Inc., of Altavista Virginia, known for their dominance of the cedar chest business, which was started in 1912 with the technical help of Lane's old shop class professor from Tech. In the 1960s Lane headed an educational foundation project which raised over $3 million for the original construction, with his challenge gift of Lane Company stock comprising the lead gift. Like many stadiums built at the time, it consisted of two bowed sideline grandstands with free-standing bleachers behind the endzones; the stadium's original form was substantially similar to that of Groves Stadium at Wake Forest
and Memorial Stadium
at Indiana University
.
Lane Stadium remained mainly unchanged for 20 years, but in the 1980s the stadium started to expand and update technology. The year 1980 saw the expansion of the east stands to increase the capacity to 52,500. Two years later, the Stadium installed a brand-new lighting system that would help the team get its first nationally broadcast game on WTBS, a 21-14 win over state rival University of Virginia
.
Before the 1989 season began, the stadium added 16 flags and got a new paint job, which included the maroon and orange stripes inside the stadium.
On September 5, 1992, Worsham Field was dedicated in honor of Wes and Janet Worsham, longtime Hokie supporters from Kilmarnock, Virginia
. The Worshams pledged $1 million to the university's Second Century Campaign. The Campaign raised over $18.6 million- $1.7 million more than the original goal.
In the spring of 1994, renovations were completed on seven lower sections of the east stands. Renovations also included replacing concrete risers and the addition of wheelchair seating decreasing capacity to 50,000. Also, before the 1994 season, plaques bearing retired numbers of Tech heroes Bruce Smith, Carroll Dale
, Jim Pyne
, and Frank Loria
were added to the wall in the north end zone. However, with the later addition of the north end zone seats, the four retired numbers now fly on flag poles above those stands.
Before the start of the 1998 season, the oldest bleachers were replaced with new locust wood and the stands were waterproofed. On the east side, the roof on the old visitors' locker room was replaced along with the bleachers above the dressing room.
Before the 1999 season, the university started work on the north end zone. The summer of 1999 saw the addition of roughly 2,100 seats to the north end zone increasing capacity to 52,100. In the summer of 2000, 3,000 more permanent bleacher seats were added to the north end zone increasing capacity to 56,272. That summer also saw the addition of a new scoreboard, known as Hokievision, installed behind the north end zone. The summer of 2001 saw the latest round of additions to north end zone bleachers — 600 seats for The Marching Virginians. This move brought the capacity down to 53,662.
Prior to the 2002 season, the stadium saw 11,120 seats added in the south end zone to effectively enclose that end of the stadium increasing capacity to 65,115. The double-deck structure is similar to that of the Cleveland Browns
' "Dawg Pound
" section. It has bleacher, bench-back and club seats. The structure is enclosed, but has gaps between the older structures and itself. This is the result of building codes and a desire to get fans even closer to the field.
Perhaps the biggest addition to Lane Stadium was completed prior to the 2006 season. After the 2004 season, the old press box was removed and construction began on this west-side expansion, filling in to match what was built up during the 2004 season. The new boxes include a new press area, on the side toward the south end zone, with a dining area and improved facilities. Also, the fencing that surrounds the stadium was removed, and the area on the west side exterior of the stadium landscaped with walkways and a weekday parking lot for ticket patrons and Hall of Fame and Hokie Club visitors. New luxury suites, President's area, four private club seating areas, concession stands, ticket office, athletic fund offices, an Athletics Hall of Fame and student academic services area were also included in this latest project. A two tier grandstand featuring 11,000 seats, 15 luxury suites, and a new visitor’s locker room was completed. The $52.5 million expansion includes 23 luxury suites, a new pressbox, and club seating. The addition increased Lane Stadium's seating capacity
to 66,233.
The 2005 season also saw new addition to the playing field. Hokie Stone
now adorns the walls of each end zone. New kicking nets have also been installed in both end zones. A new video screen — ⅓ larger — has replaced the old one. New lights that will double the amount of light and reduce shadows on the field were added as part of the renovation as well. The traditional "Home of the Fighting Gobblers" sign was also removed from the West Stands during this renovation (the sign is currently located above the HokieShop in the West Stands concourse). In an article in "The Roanoke Times" newspaper, it stated that Tech was not going to even think about renovating Lane Stadium again until about 2013, and it also stated that when Tech renovates Lane Stadium, the university will most likely tear down the student's section and replace it with new concrete bleachers and increase that area's capacity, and also add suites on top of it, and possibly connect the south side with the east and west sides.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
located in Blacksburg
Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg is an incorporated town located in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 42,620 at the 2010 census. Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford are the three principal jurisdictions of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area which...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is the home field of the Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. It was rated the number one home field advantage in all of college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in 2005 by Rivals.com. It is also ranked #2 on ESPN.com's "Top 10 Scariest Places To Play."
Lane Stadium is located at the highest elevation of any Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school stadium in the eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
, at 2057 feet above sea level.
Beginning
In 1963, Stuart K. Cassell, namesake of Cassell ColiseumCassell Coliseum
Cassell Coliseum is a 9,847-seat multi-purpose arena in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States that opened in 1962. It is home to the Virginia Tech Hokies basketball teams .-History:...
and a former school administrator, proposed building a larger stadium to replace Miles Stadium
Miles Stadium
Miles Stadium was a stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. It was primarily used for American football, and was the home field of Virginia Tech's football team from 1926 to 1964. The team moved to Lane Stadium in 1965. Miles Stadium...
, a 17,000-seat stadium. Construction of Lane Stadium began in April 1964. It took a total of four years to complete construction. However, the first game in the new stadium was played in 1965, when VT beat William & Mary
William & Mary Tribe football
The William & Mary Tribe are a college football team representing the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. William & Mary currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision. As of 2010, Jimmye Laycock is in his 31st...
9–7. At the game, only the west stands and center section of the east bleachers were completed. It wasn't until the summer of 1968 that construction was completed on Lane Stadium, with an official cost of $3.5 million. This brand new stadium seated 35,050 which featured a press box for guests, writers, stats crew-members, scouts and coaches.
The stadium is named after Edward Hudson Lane, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, the university's former name, and a 1960's member of the Board of Visitors. Lane founded the Lane Company Inc., of Altavista Virginia, known for their dominance of the cedar chest business, which was started in 1912 with the technical help of Lane's old shop class professor from Tech. In the 1960s Lane headed an educational foundation project which raised over $3 million for the original construction, with his challenge gift of Lane Company stock comprising the lead gift. Like many stadiums built at the time, it consisted of two bowed sideline grandstands with free-standing bleachers behind the endzones; the stadium's original form was substantially similar to that of Groves Stadium at Wake Forest
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
and Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington
Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Indiana Hoosiers. The stadium opened in 1960 as part of a new athletics area at the university and currently has a capacity of 52,929...
at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
.
Expansion
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
Before the 1989 season began, the stadium added 16 flags and got a new paint job, which included the maroon and orange stripes inside the stadium.
On September 5, 1992, Worsham Field was dedicated in honor of Wes and Janet Worsham, longtime Hokie supporters from Kilmarnock, Virginia
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Kilmarnock is a town in Lancaster and Northumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 1,244 at the 2000 census. It is located near the mouth of the Rappahannock River and is located within the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area winemaking...
. The Worshams pledged $1 million to the university's Second Century Campaign. The Campaign raised over $18.6 million- $1.7 million more than the original goal.
In the spring of 1994, renovations were completed on seven lower sections of the east stands. Renovations also included replacing concrete risers and the addition of wheelchair seating decreasing capacity to 50,000. Also, before the 1994 season, plaques bearing retired numbers of Tech heroes Bruce Smith, Carroll Dale
Carroll Dale
Carroll Wayne Dale is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Virginia Tech from 1956–59. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959....
, Jim Pyne
Jim Pyne
James M. Pyne is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League...
, and Frank Loria
Frank Loria
Frank Loria was an American football defensive back. He was born in the town of Clarksburg, West Virginia in Harrison County and was a three sport athlete at Notre Dame Catholic High School....
were added to the wall in the north end zone. However, with the later addition of the north end zone seats, the four retired numbers now fly on flag poles above those stands.
Before the start of the 1998 season, the oldest bleachers were replaced with new locust wood and the stands were waterproofed. On the east side, the roof on the old visitors' locker room was replaced along with the bleachers above the dressing room.
Before the 1999 season, the university started work on the north end zone. The summer of 1999 saw the addition of roughly 2,100 seats to the north end zone increasing capacity to 52,100. In the summer of 2000, 3,000 more permanent bleacher seats were added to the north end zone increasing capacity to 56,272. That summer also saw the addition of a new scoreboard, known as Hokievision, installed behind the north end zone. The summer of 2001 saw the latest round of additions to north end zone bleachers — 600 seats for The Marching Virginians. This move brought the capacity down to 53,662.
Prior to the 2002 season, the stadium saw 11,120 seats added in the south end zone to effectively enclose that end of the stadium increasing capacity to 65,115. The double-deck structure is similar to that of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' "Dawg Pound
Dawg Pound
The Dawg Pound is the name of the bleacher section behind the east end zone in Cleveland Browns Stadium, the home field of the Cleveland Browns. It is known for its extremely zealous fan base.-Formation:...
" section. It has bleacher, bench-back and club seats. The structure is enclosed, but has gaps between the older structures and itself. This is the result of building codes and a desire to get fans even closer to the field.
Perhaps the biggest addition to Lane Stadium was completed prior to the 2006 season. After the 2004 season, the old press box was removed and construction began on this west-side expansion, filling in to match what was built up during the 2004 season. The new boxes include a new press area, on the side toward the south end zone, with a dining area and improved facilities. Also, the fencing that surrounds the stadium was removed, and the area on the west side exterior of the stadium landscaped with walkways and a weekday parking lot for ticket patrons and Hall of Fame and Hokie Club visitors. New luxury suites, President's area, four private club seating areas, concession stands, ticket office, athletic fund offices, an Athletics Hall of Fame and student academic services area were also included in this latest project. A two tier grandstand featuring 11,000 seats, 15 luxury suites, and a new visitor’s locker room was completed. The $52.5 million expansion includes 23 luxury suites, a new pressbox, and club seating. The addition increased Lane Stadium's seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
to 66,233.
The 2005 season also saw new addition to the playing field. Hokie Stone
Hokie Stone
Hokie Stone is a grey dolomite limestone named for the Hokie mascot of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where the stone is the primary finishing material on campus buildings. Hokie Stone is limestone infused with magnesium and calcium under intense pressure and temperature....
now adorns the walls of each end zone. New kicking nets have also been installed in both end zones. A new video screen — ⅓ larger — has replaced the old one. New lights that will double the amount of light and reduce shadows on the field were added as part of the renovation as well. The traditional "Home of the Fighting Gobblers" sign was also removed from the West Stands during this renovation (the sign is currently located above the HokieShop in the West Stands concourse). In an article in "The Roanoke Times" newspaper, it stated that Tech was not going to even think about renovating Lane Stadium again until about 2013, and it also stated that when Tech renovates Lane Stadium, the university will most likely tear down the student's section and replace it with new concrete bleachers and increase that area's capacity, and also add suites on top of it, and possibly connect the south side with the east and west sides.
Lane Stadium milestones
| Milestone | Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Game/First Win | Oct. 2, 1965 | William & Mary College of William and Mary The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States... |
W 9-7 |
| First Television Game (ABC American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948... ) |
Oct. 29, 1966 | Florida State Florida State University The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation... |
W 23-21 |
| 25th Win | Oct. 11, 1975 | Florida State Florida State University The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation... |
W 13-10 |
| 50th Win | Oct. 3, 1981 | Memphis State University of Memphis The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system.... |
W 17-13 |
| First CBS CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of... Game |
Sept. 18, 1982 | Miami (Fla.) University of Miami The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12... |
L 8-14 |
| First Night Game | Nov. 25, 1982 | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
W 21-14 |
| First TBS Turner Broadcasting System Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc... Game |
Nov. 25, 1982 | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
W 21-14 |
| First Game Under Coach Beamer Frank Beamer Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University... |
Sept. 12, 1987 | Clemson Clemson University Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.... |
L 10-22 |
| First Win Under Coach Beamer Frank Beamer Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University... |
Oct. 3, 1987 | Navy United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States... |
W 31-11 |
| 75th Win | Oct. 3, 1987 | Navy United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States... |
W 31-11 |
| First ESPN Game | Nov. 24, 1990 | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
W 38-13 |
| First BIG EAST Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... Game |
Sept. 26, 1992 | West Virginia West Virginia University West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;... |
L 7-16 |
| First BIG EAST Win | Oct. 16, 1993 | Temple Temple University Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional... |
W 55-7 |
| 100th Win | Sept. 22, 1994 | West Virginia West Virginia University West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;... |
W 34-6 |
| First Thursday Night Game | Sept. 22, 1994 | West Virginia West Virginia University West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;... |
W 34-6 |
| Program's 1,000th Game | Sept. 4, 1999 | James Madison James Madison University James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University... |
W 47-0 |
| 125th Win | Sept. 23, 1999 | Clemson Clemson University Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.... |
W 31-11 |
| First ESPN College GameDay Appearance | Oct. 16, 1999 | Syracuse Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College... |
W 62-0 |
| Second ESPN College GameDay Appearance | Nov. 13, 1999 | Miami (Fla.) University of Miami The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12... |
W 43-10 |
| Third ESPN College GameDay / Lee Corso Lee Corso Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11... 's rental car lightning strike |
Aug. 30, 2000 | Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
Canceled |
| Frank Beamer's Frank Beamer Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University... 100th Win at Tech |
Sept. 1, 2001 | UConn University of Connecticut The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually... |
W 52-10 |
| Virginia Tech's 600th win overall | Sept. 6, 2003 | James Madison James Madison University James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University... |
W 43-0 |
| 150th Win | Nov. 1, 2003 | Miami (Fla.) University of Miami The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12... |
W 31-7 |
| First ACC Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... Game and Win |
Sept. 18, 2004 | Duke Duke University Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B... |
W 41-17 |
| Fourth ESPN College GameDay Appearance | Sept. 24, 2005 | Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
W 51-7 |
| Fifth ESPN College GameDay Appearance | Nov. 5, 2005 | Miami (Fla.) University of Miami The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12... |
L 7-27 |
| Sixth ESPN College GameDay Appearance | Sep. 1, 2007 | East Carolina University | W 17-7 |
| Frank Beamer's 200th overall win | Sep. 15, 2007 | Ohio University Ohio University Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus... |
W 28-7 |
| Frank Beamer's First win vs. Bobby Bowden Bobby Bowden Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons... and the Florida State Seminoles |
Nov. 10, 2007 | Florida State University Florida State University The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation... |
W 40-21 |
Traditions
- The Highty TightiesHighty-TightiesThe Virginia Tech Regimental Band, also known as the Highty Tighties, VPI Cadet Band, or Band Company, is a military marching band and unit in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University...
, Virginia Tech’s Regimental Band, leads the football team to the stadium during the pre-game walk. - Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets march into Lane Stadium and stand in formation on the field during the National Anthem and Rendering of Colors.
- Cadets fire Skipper, the world’s largest game cannon after the anthem and after every score. VT was left without any game cannons after donating them for scrap during WWII. Skipper was built in secret in the early 1960s to silence VMIVirginia Military InstituteThe Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
’s “Where’s your cannon” chant. During the pre-game ceremonies, Skipper is fired by cadets on the football field itself. During the game the cannon is fired from the practice field behind Lane Stadium. Planning and construction was conducted by a group of cadets led by Homer HickamHomer HickamHomer Hadley Hickam, Jr. is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His autobiographical novel Rocket Boys: A Memoir, was a #1 New York Times Best Seller, is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the popular film October Sky...
, author of Rocket BoysRocket BoysRocket Boys is the first memoir in a series of three, by Homer Hickam, Jr. It is a story of growing up in a mining town, and a boy's pursuit of amateur rocketry in a coal mining town. It won the in 1998, the year of its release. Today, it is one of the most often picked community/library reads in...
and October SkyOctober SkyOctober Sky is a 1999 American biographical film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. It is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and who...
. Skipper was named to honor John F. Kennedy who skippered a PT boat in WWII. - The cheerleaders start a back and forth call of "Let's Go" and "Hokies" with the east and west stands before the game.
- MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's "Enter SandmanEnter Sandman"Enter Sandman" is a 1991 song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the first single from their eponymous fifth album, Metallica. The music was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich...
" is played before the football team enters the stadium, and VT’s civilian marching band, the Marching VirginiansMarching VirginiansThe Marching Virginians are one of two collegiate marching bands at Virginia Tech . Established in 1974, their shows feature standard DCI techniques...
leads the crowd in the "Blacksburg Bounce." On October 29, 2009 Virginia Tech senior punter Brett Bowden performed his own version of "Enter Sandman" for Virginia Tech's Thursday Night Primetime match-up between the Hokies and the North Carolina Tar Heels. - The Hokies run out of a tunnel, reaching up to slap a slab of Hokie StoneHokie StoneHokie Stone is a grey dolomite limestone named for the Hokie mascot of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where the stone is the primary finishing material on campus buildings. Hokie Stone is limestone infused with magnesium and calcium under intense pressure and temperature....
on the way out and then run between two phalanxes consisting of the Highty Tighties and freshman cadets. On "Senior Day," the last home game of the season, senior cadets take the place of freshmen. - A turkey gobble is periodically played over the PA system to rile up the crowd. This gobble is done in memory of Floyde “Hard Times” Meade, a local boy who was adopted by the corps and became the school’s first mascot in the late 19th century. He later brought trained turkeys to games to walk the sidelines during games and gobble on command.
- Freshman VTCC cadets do push-ups on the shoulders of their classmates equal to the point total after each score. In similar fashion, the Hokie BirdHokie BirdThe HokieBird is the official mascot of Virginia Tech. It has been named as one of the top college football mascots in the United States, and spawned a series of children's books featuring college and pro sports mascots, including Hello, HokieBird, published by Mascot Books.-Gobblers:Fans of...
does a bench press for every point the team scores. - Between the 3rd and 4th quarters, the tuba section of The Marching Virginians lines up to play and dance the Hokie PokieHokey PokeyThe hokey cokey or hokey pokey , also known as the okey cokey, hokey tokey, or cokey cokey, is a participation dance with a distinctive accompanying tune and lyric structure. It is well known in English-speaking countries...
. Band members will invite tuba players from the the Highty Tighties and the visiting band to join them. - Since 2002, the students have designated one "Orange Effect" game where all fans are asked to wear orange. The Orange Effect game is always played against a team that does not use orange as a team color (for example, opponents such as SyracuseSyracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, MiamiUniversity of MiamiThe University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
, UVAUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, or ClemsonClemson UniversityClemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
would never be designated as Orange Effect games). - In 2005, a "Maroon Effect" game was added. The Maroon Effect game is always played against a team that does not use maroonMaroon (color)Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
/crimsonCrimsonCrimson is a strong, bright, deep red color. It is originally the color of the dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now also used as a generic term for those slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose; besides crimson itself, these colors include...
as a team color (The maroon effect would not be used against Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
or Florida State). Though not permanently added to the schedule until 2005, the first Maroon Effect game was actually in 2002 against the University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. - The Highty-TightiesHighty-TightiesThe Virginia Tech Regimental Band, also known as the Highty Tighties, VPI Cadet Band, or Band Company, is a military marching band and unit in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University...
perform the pre-game field show while the Marching VirginiansMarching VirginiansThe Marching Virginians are one of two collegiate marching bands at Virginia Tech . Established in 1974, their shows feature standard DCI techniques...
perform the half-time field show at every game, once a season (twice, in 2005 and 2006, when Virginia Tech is featured by ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Thursday Night College GameDay), the two bands switch. - Once a year, the Marching VirginiansMarching VirginiansThe Marching Virginians are one of two collegiate marching bands at Virginia Tech . Established in 1974, their shows feature standard DCI techniques...
perform their Pre-Game Show, which begins with the band forming the shape of the Commonwealth of Virginia and features the MV's forming several recognizable shapes such as spelling out "VT," "HOKIES," and "TECH." - When the opponent team has the ball on a third-down play, Tech fans take out and shake their keys to signify a "key play", as well as to distract the opponent's offense. This started in the late Eighties.
- Now banned, the band at one time played a song to rally the team when in the red zone. The first part consists of a tune that fans dance to and say "wooaaaa" periodically 6 times. Next, everyone yells "STICK IT IN! STICK IT IN! STICK IT IN!" This tradition lives on in T-shirts and sweatshirts.
See also
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
- Virginia Tech campusVirginia Tech campusThe Virginia Tech campus is located in Blacksburg, Virginia; the central campus is roughly bordered by Prices Fork Road to the northwest, Plantation Drive to the west, Main Street to the east, and U.S. Route 460 bypass to the south, although it also has several thousand acres beyond the central...
- Virginia Tech HokiesVirginia Tech HokiesThe Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...