Collegiate Times

Head football coach Frank Beamer finds his team at a unique point during the week of April 16.

Falling on Saturday, April 19, the Maroon-White spring football game caps off a emotionally turbulent week for the Virginia Tech populace, with memories only 368 days old perhaps fresher than normal.

While acknowledging that its still just a sporting event, Beamer feels the Tech fans may appreciate yet another outlet where they to assemble.

"The one thing that's been apparent to me throughout this whole thing is that after April 16, Tech people wanted to be with other Tech people," Beamer said. "I think we give a lot of people a chance to be together here on Saturday and care about each other, and continue going in the direction we're going. I think that's what we provide right here."

Rewind one year and fans will remember that the annual Spring Game, scheduled for the Saturday after the April shootings, was canceled.

Redshirt senior quarterback Sean Glennon said the cancellation came as no surprise to the Tech players.

"It would've just felt weird so soon after one of the biggest tragedies in American history to come out here and play a game," Glennon said. "This is a time where everybody's out there tailgating, drinking, and having fun - and it would've felt wrong ... It was the right move in not having it last year."

Now that trauma has been softened by time, Glennon said that a return to the massive sanctuary that is Lane Stadium may possibly serve as a catalyst to further the cohesion of Tech students, faculty, and alumni.

"I think it's a good thing that a year later, after remembrance, that it's going be an emotional day. Everybody's going to be smiling and we're not going to let it beat us," Glennon said.

For many - as evidenced by the passionate pregame ceremonies of the Sept. 1 home opener - emotional impact can take on surreal and unconventional forms.

Tech senior cornerback Macho Harris hopes that the team and the fans can both derive benefit from the conclusion of a poignant, reflective week.

"Saturday when we come in here we're just going to fly around and have fun," Harris said. "And hopefully the people are going to be into us just like we're into the game."

Harris said that, while football is merely sport, there are perhaps few more effective places for the purpose of gathering than Lane Stadium.

"If football is the hill of the community, so be it. Saturday's a big day for us ... Hopefully we can help heal some hearts."