In the embarrassing loss to the Hokies this weekend, the students and fans not only had to endure Al Groh’s final game of mediocrity, but a stadium packed with Virginia Tech faithful. When the athletic department released extra tickets for the game earlier this year, Hokies bought the majority of them. The University obviously had to sell these tickets because of the lack of attendance by our own fans; however, the department not only filled the upper deck with Tech fans, but they infiltrated the student section. Although my roommates and I arrived more than an hour before kickoff, we were unable to get very good seats despite many students still being on Thanksgiving break. Not only did our own students bring their Tech friends to sit with them, but many adults sat in Sections 101-105, which are reserved for the students. By splitting up the students, the Hokies had a more enthusiastic crowd that helped propel their team to a convincing win. Craig Littlepage should know better than to allow the student section to house numerous Tech fans; without student support, the attendance will be even lower in the future. Coming to a game to watch a team that plays like there is no second half and at the same time being surrounded by obnoxious Virginia Tech fans is rubbing salt in an open wound. In two years, when the Hokies return to Charlottesville, we will have a new coach, a new team, and hopefully Littlepage will realize that selling the students’ tickets to our most hated rival is never a good idea.
Courtney Jones
CLAS II
well put, for sure. it was sickening. im ok with the idea of allowing anyone to sit in the student section for most any game, except for that one. that is just asking for trouble. in no other game is it an issue. but in that game, and with our team sucking and everyone knew Hokies were going to buy the tickets, it was a horrible idea. students should have only been allowed in there first, and then MAYBE other people in the second half if there was room.
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I must say, that as a Tech fan (and student) sitting in section 103, I found nobody around me being obnoxious to anyone, except perhaps a few of the older alumni. As we settled into a lead in the second half, things quieted down all around, I actually ended up discussing sports with two of your sports writers the entire second half and had a great time with the first real hospitable fans I’d met. Obviously with the team down in football, it becomes an issue of money, which is really what football is all about. The schools don’t continue to put teams on the field for prestige, they do it for the $$$. Unfortunately the end result probably led to a miserable experience for many of you, but I gotta say, I had a great time. And a ‘hello’ to Dan and Jack, thanks again for a great time guys.
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