I am writing for the second time this season regarding concerns about the loss of tradition and stifling atmosphere being created at Lane Stadium.
Recently, the banning of the "Stick It In" cheer and the actions of stadium security have been cause for concern, and going back through the last few years, tailgating restrictions, the banning of "na na, Goodbye," the well conceived but ill-executed "Hokie Respect" campaign and the "Jerk Alert" all come to mind as other prime examples.
I would like to take a moment before I take on these subjects to say that I think the athletic department has done a good job in a number of respects. Recent out of conference match ups with the University of Southern California in the Black Coaches Association game, the recently completed series against LSU and of course the upcoming series against Nebraska are all great match ups, provide balance with games against other quality programs from mid major conferences, though I'd like to stop seeing I-AA (FCS) teams on the schedule. Gaining entrance into the ACC has also provided a boost in recognition to the Hokies, especially in Basketball, where I hope Seth Greenberg will continue to have the support of the Athletic Department. I am also quite impressed with the expansions to Lane Stadium, although I would be pleased to see "Home of the Fighting Gobblers" returned to the building.
Game days at Virginia Tech are a special time, when fans, alums and friends can come together, tailgate, watch and support our favorite team, and generally have a great time. Part of this is enjoying the traditions created by fans and students from before our time, and carrying on what the started. Skipper, Key Plays, Enter Sandman, Stick It In, shouting "block that kick" and students spelling out "VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY" across their chests in November are all part of the great game experience at Lane.
However, I have seen some troubling things recently. I have witnessed, as I wrote last time, stadium security threatening students with arrest if they continued to do crowd push-ups. This was selectively enforced, and numerous other instances were happening in plain view of everybody, including said security staff. I have also noted that the Corps of Cadets regularly participates in the activity, as do many students not just at Virginia Tech, but across the country.
This leads me to the Hokie Respect campaign, which I assume will also cover the ban of "Stick It In" and the "na na Goodbye" song. "Hokie Respect" is a good idea with poor implementation. It has been run as though we have a stadium full of jerks and hooligans. At the same time, it seems to be driven by the few puritanical and sheltered people who have not yet realized that this is football, and not figure skating. Please stop treating the Hokie Nation like children and stop the embarrassing commercials. The Jerk Alert commercials are the biggest offender, as they only encourage fans to become less enthused with the Hokie Respect campaign, and quite frankly, feel insulted by you.
And yes, we should be respectful of our opponents and visiting fans. Being respectful is inviting them for BBQ and beer before the game, playing some catch with them (also now banned) and being genuinely friendly. For the ECU game, having them enter at the same time as us, I thought, was a fitting tribute to the support they have show the Hokie Nation. However, this practice generally makes the entrance of the Hokies less intimidating, and should be discontinued for further games.
As for banning college students from doing the "Stick It In" cheer, it's college. These are young adults, and I think that innuendo and humor combined with rooting for the team is just fine. Yes there are children at the game, and no, they don't know what it means. There are jokes far more racy than a little pelvic thrusting in most children's movies, because they make the adults laugh and the children are ignorant of the implications. I suspect that with innuendo banned, flat out obscenity will be the replacement.
I guess what I am trying to say is this: Hokie football is supposed to be fun, and my order of season tickets and donation to the Hokie Club will wait until there is a new course of action from the Athletic Department. In the mean time, I will continue being the best Hokie I can be, and will avoid bringing guests with me to the unfortunate atmosphere you are creating in Lane Stadium.
Michael Sperry
B.S. physics, Virginia Tech class of 2005