When I wrote a column last week called "Hokie for a weekend" about how great I found the Virginia Tech football atmosphere to be during its home game against Nebraska - even confessing that I rushed the field with my friends - I expected a bit of backlash. In no way did I expect the level of reaction I've received: Hundreds have chimed in through comments on The Cavalier Daily Web site, e-mails to me, letters to the editor and even a few response articles online.
Because this is the first time I've ever received a substantial amount of feedback about my writing - and probably the last - I've decided to be slightly self-indulgent, dedicating a column to responding to some of the criticism.
"Go back to Virginia Tech, no one appreciates your point of view here." - John
I'm sorry I don't always write exactly what people want to hear. I understand some desire to banish me after I praised the Hokie football experience while Wahoos are at an all-time low, but I call it as I see it.
"Thanks for this, Dan. I would love to see you guys become a great football atmosphere and program... it would make this whole rivalry thing a lot more fun." - Amy (VT '09)
I completely agree. It's both sad and impressive how hyped Wahoos get for the Virginia Tech games when it seems inevitable that we lose, year in, year out. But I won't quit believing. Maybe this is the year.
"I would like to call for your immediate resignation from this paper. After reading this article I was disgusted at what I saw the Cavalier Daily become." - UVA 2010
I'll quit writing columns if you quit making harsh, extreme judgments against those who have differing opinions and if you stop hiding behind a vague pseudonym.
"There is way too much band-geekery plaguing this aborted fetus of an article." - PIEDMONT CC 2009
The first half of that statement has some merit: As a former marcher myself, I tend to give a lot of credit to bands for helping create a game's atmosphere, and it showed in my writing. The second half of that statement ... Well, I won't go there.
"God, I wish they would just can me already. I have to be the worst coach ever. William & Mary!?!? Are you serious?!!?" - Al Groh
On the off-chance that the real coach Al Groh wrote this, I'd like to thank you for reading my column, and I invite you to do an interview with me about just how awful you think you are.
"taaaake it easy everybody...im from cville and went to tech so i know both fanbases well...and all i have to say is cant we all just get drunk and thank god we arent wvu or maryland??" - cvillehokie
A lot of comments made me laugh, but none more than this one.
"People in the land of the blue and orange may not mind what you have to say when you're winning. But in the midst of a terrible season ... people won't want to hear it." - Hennessey Green
This is a very valid point and probably the most constructive criticism I received. As a transfer student, I think I failed to recognize how emotionally sensitive some Virginia fans are to the success of the football team. I should have picked a less delicate time or a more tempered way to recount what I observed.
"What this CavDaily columnist did was basically justify cheating on a spouse. Imagine if a father approached his family the way that this columnist approaches VaTech: Home life has been difficult the past year or so ... So you decide to go on a date with the young and attractive secretary. After dinner you end up having the wildest sexual experience of your life, with no desire to go back to your wife and kids." - Chris Sill
After reading this, I forwarded it to my girlfriend of four years and asked her if she wanted to break up with me. She said no.
"What would Jefferson think of this travesty?! I can't even articulate a full response. The University is shamed by the work of Dan Stalcup. Shamed." - Matt Hale
I consulted with TJ. Although he's not a huge fan of the press, apparently he meant it when he said he supports reason and tolerance of others' views.
"In my view, you definitely aren't a wahoo. You may get a degree from UVA but I wonder what it will mean to you? I feel a little bit sorry for you." - David H
Why do you have the authority to define what it means to be a Wahoo at heart? Who said that being a Hoo and liking the Hokies' football program are mutually exclusive?
I attended Tech for a year so I think that gives me a right to not hate the school and team. My loyalty to Virginia isn't diminished by my criticism of complacent fans and praise of Hokie gameday, and a degree will mean as much to me as it does to anyone else. Almost every transfer student I've talked to said they empathized with how I feel about the two schools.
"If you want to experience a real football game, you should make the trip to Happy Valley for a Penn State Game." - PSU4LIFE
Fans from Auburn, Florida, Alabama and Penn State all challenged me to visit their stadium for a game if I want to see a 'real' gameday. I'd be happy to take any of them up on their offer. Seriously, get me a ticket, and I'll take a road trip there and might even write about it.
"I am a UVA season ticket holder for 27 years who happens to be married to a Hokie and I also attended the VA Tech-Nebraska game Saturday. It was the first time I had attended a game in Blacksburg for ten years. I was shocked at the differences between attending a UVA game, and a Tech game. As much as I hate to admit it, Tech does everything football wise bigger and better than UVA." - Steve
See, I'm not the only Wahoo who was there and realized just how far Virginia has to go if it wants to be a true football school.
"Marry me, Dan Stalcup." - VT 2011
Say what you will about my column, my views and my skills as a writer. But how many times has a sports columnist received a marriage proposal for something he wrote? I wonder what my girlfriend will say when I forward this one to her...
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