Collegiate Times

This year Virginia Tech Student Government Association shattered all previous record sales for Hokie Effect shirts with 95,000 shirts sold. Last year, the SGA sold 76,000 shirts.

Support from alumni, students, university bookstores, Frank Beamer and Bill Roth, the "Voice of the Hokies," all helped in creating an extremely successful Hokie Effect year. The Hokie Effect Shirts were also on the cover of the 2007 to 2008 Hokie Collection Catalog produced by the bookstore.

"We can't thank (Beamer) enough," said Margo Eggeling, Hokie Effect director. The SGA presented Beamer with both Effect shirts in frames.

Effect shirts were sold individually for $6 for the Maroon Effect shirt and $10 for the Orange Effect shirt, but if purchased together, the shirts cost a total of $12. Shirts could be purchased online or at the bookstores.

This year, the Maroon Effect shirt is short-sleeved and the Orange Effect shirt is long-sleeved, a deviation from previous years.

According to a recent press release from the SGA, the change in sleeve lengths is partially due to the fact that Virginia Tech alumni tend to wear maroon more than orange. By changing the Maroon Effect shirts to short sleeves and having Maroon Effect day on Homecoming, it ensured the success of the shirts across the entire stadium.

"Having alumni for maroon effect helped," said Eggeling.

The Maroon Effect shirt was worn at Virginia Tech's homecoming game on Sept. 29 against North Carolina. The back of the Maroon Effect shirts are adorned with a clipboard with the "VT Game Plan" and "Beamerball" across the bottom and "Homecoming 2007" across the front.  Long-sleeved Orange Effect shirts have the phrase "Welcome to Blacksburg: Small Town, Big Sound" written on the back, with "Orange Effect" written diagonally across the front.

"The design changes fit the excitement of the year," said Steve Glosh, executive division assistant director and university treasurer.

Advertising for the Effect shirts was widespread. Sophomore finance major Chelsea Wright said she had no problem purchasing Effect shirts.

"There were signs everywhere, flyers and they were in the bookstore," she said.

Despite the cold on Nov. 10 in the game against FSU, many Hokie fans came out wearing their Orange Effect shirts and helped to create a very successful Effect game.

Next year, the SGA hopes to break the record again, selling more than 95,000 shirts. They also hope to gather support from the football team to wear the colors on the Effect days as well.

"The SGA is really happy and pleased with the outcome of Orange and Maroon Effect, and we couldn't have done it without the support of students and alumni and we are happy to be part of one of the traditions at Virginia Tech," Eggeling said.