Collegiate Times

Sure, Weaver can say he pays the bills, but the athletic department’s money comes from donations, not from him. The athletic department represents the university, who seems to be caring less and less about the students, so I feel Weaver’s actions are inline with the university attitude. Before you go ripping my head off for saying the university doesn’t care about students, here are some things to think about. A lot of the university’s money comes from research. Have you ever wondered why they are putting a huge ICTAS building in the middle of the academic section of campus even though it holds no classrooms? Who does that benefit, the students or the research faculty who don’t want to walk long distances to their labs? Further, it’s rare to find a research professor who cares more about students than his own research. There isn’t enough parking for students, has a realistic solution been proposed? Just think about that for a moment and to whom the university is catering. I’m not sure why the university has become so money hungry, but it is becoming more and more apparent that money is driving the university, not the education of the student body. Back to the subject at hand, this cheer in no way reflects poorly on the class of the students. Tech students show just as much class as those individuals coming from other universities, if not more. For anyone who has ever gone to a WVU game, you know this rings true. After attending Ivy League, Big-10, SEC, MAC, and Big East games, I can say that the Hokies are maintaining a high level of class, despite this spirited cheer. Granted there are some people who are disrespectful, but that is a small portion of the Hokie crowd. The students should be what matters to a university, not the dollars, but Virginia Tech has yet to recognize that. Thus, we have this ridiculous ban by Jim Weaver. The only other thought I have is this: Weaver has set horrible schedules to win, but only if the fans are silent in their assigned seats. Jim Weaver seems to need to realize that this is not a night at the opera, it's a football game. The chant doesn't matter, but trying to hamper the sprit of the students in favor of money does.

Finally, Weaver got something right. This is Blacksburg... not Morgantown. Good call Jim!

For anyone who was at the game, supporter of the cheer or not, I think it was pretty obvious that people want the band to be able to continue to play 'Stick It In'. I believe it was in the 3rd quarter when the entire north endzone chanted in unison and the whole stadium cheered and applauded their efforts. Sure some people may not have applauded, but everyone around me (mostly alumni) supported the cheer. A guy behind me who looked about 50 years old was even wearing a Stick It In T-shirt. My point is that actions speak louder than words, and Tech openly and clearly voiced its opinion last Saturday. By the way, the students are going to become organized and find a way to make the beat themselves, as they started showing at the game. If the Marching Virginians can't play it, the students will. New tradition? I think so.

As one of Mr. Tiller's classmates, I definitely do not find the Stick-it-In cheer to be offensive. I do feel that the high-handed attitude of Mr. Weaver is offensive. Perhaps he should spend more time scheduling non-creampuff teams, encouraging some real competition for the team, and leave the cheers, football throwing in the parking lot, pregame radio commentary and other gameday related activities to others... the fans who know and understand Virginia Tech.

"Weaver admitted he was unaware of the controversy among the student body that his recent decision had created. However, he also said that he never intended to start any controversy." So, he's going with an ignorance defense. I guarantee he knows what is going on. Either that or he's refusing to answer his phone or read his emails. So glad that the administration of this school cares what the majority of it's alumni and students want. Hopefully we can get a new AD, one that actually understands what it means to be a Hokie.

Weaver knows there is a controversy. For him to claim otherwise is absurd and a blatant lie. The facebook group "STICK IT IN JIM WEAVER'S INBOX!" currently has over 950 members.

I'm for changing it (even though I joined in with the other students attempting to do the cheer). Its the tradition people don't want to destroy, so I say that they come up with a comparable new chant that isn't as provocative. I understand the complaints but don't want to throw out one of the few traditions we have (NO the HOKIE POKIE does NOT count... I would laugh at our school if I was from another college).

For Weaver to claim that he doesn't know of the controversy just shows how out of touch he is. He must live in a bubblem sort of like our current president. Unfortunately, Mr. Weaver is not term limited. I am cancelling my Hokie Club donation, and switching my donations over to the university. Maybe he'll know people are upset when donations drop this year...

I am of the same generation as Mr. Tiller and I am very much opposed to the ban imposed by our grand leader. I agree that fans from other schools laugh at this cheer but they are laughing with us not at us. They only wish they had thought of it first. First we are criticized for standing during the game and now it's for a silly cheer. Jim has made this issue so much more then it was before he spoke out. Let the fans have their fun - it's not like they haven't paid for the right.

This cheer is awful and the people who do it are immature and need to grow up.

I will not drive my 7 hours anymore to watch a home game. Jim Weaver has ruined the gameday atmoshere. I will and have been having more fun attending the away games. This is college football not a funeral parlor.

Dear Virginia Tech fans....not everything in your immature lives needs to revolve around sex. You people need to realize that there are way more grown up and a lot more fun ways to root for the team than to fondle each other and chant stick it in. The sad thing about this whole thing, the people who are defending this so called cheer are mostly barely over adolesent teens who have no idea what it's like in the real world. Do you realize most of the country sees this "cheer" and laughs as what it sees as immature babies? I mean honestly this is the best you can come up with? Yeah I see the Vols, the Terps and the Wolfpack all grinding their crotches at each other when a team is going to score a touchdown. Grow up Tech.

Not a big deal to me. Actually pretty creative. Stick it in means stick it in to the end zone.

Ms. Davis, I am a grown woman who contributes my hard-earned money to attend Hokie football games. And I think it is ridiculous that Weaver is on an ego-trip trying to take away all of our fun (albeit silly) cheers and traditions. Please do not comment on something you do not understand. Personally, I could care less what other people think. I pay my money to have fun at a football game. If I wanted to go to a tennis match and clap politely and quietly, I would do that. But please do not make a ridiculous generalization when you are not fully informed on the situation.

I am amazed at the arguments against the student cheer. Is not football for the students? Are not students playing the game? These "maturity" arguments are very weak as are those that would imply that some how we are a lessor institution for allowing it. Since when did our fine universities reputation suddenly hinge on a 60 second cheer? Its for the students by the students...the rest of who were students need to remember that we too had our time and our standards and we need to let those who follow us have theirs.

Virginia Tech fans are some of the classiest, most respectful fans there are. Period. I'm guessing if you ask students from other schools how they felt about Virginia Tech fans after attending a football game they'd tell you that the fans are incredibly nice. Just last week after the Ohio game I ran into two fans who made the trip to Blacksburg for the game. After chatting with them for the better half of an hour the one thing that really sticks out is what they said about VT fans: they couldn't believe how nice they are. The Ohio fans even said VT fans were buying them drinks at the bars. Face it Weaver and other "Stick It In" haters, Virginia Tech fans ARE classy, no cheer will change that. Don't ruin our fun. -VT BS '05, MS '07, Fan for life

To the person that commented that those defending the cheer are "barely over adolescent teens," you are obviously as out of touch as Weaver. Like "Kate" I am a grown, professional woman (graduated from VT many years ago). I think Weaver's decision was definitely not justified. If people don't like it don't watch it or take part, but don't try to stop the fun of the rest of us---get a life!

PLEASE let us keep this cheer... it was one of the only unique cheers Tech had going & one of the things I looked forward to at the games. We could definitely compromise & make sure the cheerleaders & band members don't perform vulgar movements. Football games are primarily for the STUDENT body, and we-as students, LOVE the "Stick It In" cheer. What's next? No key-waving because of safety hazards? No cheering because of the presence of esteemed alumni who are above it? No Hokie Pokie because it requires dancing? COME ONNN!!! We've done it for all these years, why is there a problem now? After everything that happened to Tech this past year, the students need to be uplifted, not chastised. How can one person try to bring down 60,000+ fans?

Weaver caters to the alums and has no mind or heart for the student body. "Out of touch" is an understatement. He's some out-of-towner coming in here thinking he can run the place, when in fact we need to run him out. One could argue Weaver has done more to damage the atmosphere/reputation of Virginia Tech than anyone named Vick ever did.

Does everything have to be about sex? I am so glad to see that there are people out there that were angry enough to demand appropriate behavior at games. We see enough sex, debauchery, and deviant behavior on televsions... should be a place where that can be avoided. Those who support this infantile behavior obviously do not have children (or if they do, they are horrible parents). You people are supposed adults (we know better than to think you are). Why not try to grow up a little? If you're going to act like children, do it at home...but you won't because you all like to see how far you can go, at the expense of everyone else. Great job VPI. You've shown the entire country that Michael Vick and the like aren't any different from the rest of the "students" there.

Actually Ryan, the cheer was not originally intended as being sexually suggestive. The "stick" is in reference to the drumsticks of the band. But, now that the band cannot do the cheer, that part has been lost. Things are only sexually suggestive is people recognize them as such, which is what you and all the people opposed to the cheer have done. And are parents really horrible if they want to protect their children's right to have fun at college, especially at football games. And regarding Vick, if you knew anything about VT, you would know that the university is nothing like that. I'm assuming you didn't go to VT, since you refer to us as "students". First of all, don't comment on something that you have no idea about and that doesn't affect you. Also, we are have an engineering program ranked 14th in the country. That's not among public schools, that's among everyone, including MIT, Columbia, Cal Tech, and Princeton, and it's higher than UVA. This university is amazing, and we should have the right to express the support for our football team with a cheer unique to us. This is one step closer to becoming a pompous, wine drinking, cheese eating eating university like those slightly further north. We refuse to become like that. I honestly think Jim Weaver's fridge may be stocked with Zima.

I am appalled that people have to turn college exuberance into something that its not RYAN. This is lunacy, comparing a convicted animal murderer to a campus with a history and tradition that rivals many other institutions. VA Tech is a top 100 National University. I do not attend Tech but I love the passion that the students show every day, every game for their university and the student/alumni/faculty in general. Maybe the horrible parents are people like you who shield their children from words like "stick it in"; people who have to alter college tradition into debauchery. Having heard testimonials from people who actually sat in the alumni section i can assure you that thankfully not everyone in the world is as sheltered as you are.

I write in response to Taylor's idiocy: "This is one step closer to becoming a pompous, wine drinking, cheese eating eating university like those slightly further north. We refuse to become like that. I honestly think Jim Weaver's fridge may be stocked with Zima." I'm always amused when students at Tech attempt to belittle the University of Virginia (as any backwood, red-headed cousin is prone to do). I must point out, however, that "pompous" doesn't even begin to capture the essence of what's Cavalier. The word to use is "superior." But keep on trying, bro; you'll get somewhere someday. And by the by, you might want to read up on the correct use of hyphens with compound adjectives (now that's pompous ;).

When I was in the band in the mid-80's we had the same problem with the na-na-na-na cheer (hey, hey, hey, goodbye). The administration felt the cheer was unsportsmanlike and so censored the band then too (and now I think the cheer is back to being OK). The problem as I see it is not Weaver voicing his opinion on the matter, but doing so after many years of silence. The apparent arbitrary exercise of power is, I think, the larger issue here. College is about pushing the boundaries and growth, and while I was surprised the first time I heard the cheer, I see nothing wrong with students and fans creatively expressing themselves (this is certainly more subtle spirit than the BS cheers one can hear across the country). Let the students and spirit organizations have their fun, be creative, and positively support student expression.

By the by?! Nuff sed!