Football is Community

Written by: Christian Wiskur

I’m jumping up and down alongside 60,000 other people in Landover, Maryland at FedEx Field. While watching the Hokies take on the Mountaineers (and defeating them), it dawned on me that this football program has given me so many treasured memories. No other program in the state of Virginia comes even remotely close in caliber of coaches, players, and fan base. The Virginia Tech Football program has been a pivotal part of my Virginia Tech experience. To the students of Virginia Tech it is so much more than just a game. Our football program helps foster the culture of togetherness in every student and plays a major role in what we call Hokie Pride. In the past four years we have represented our state and conference in four pivotal out-of-conference match-ups with the premier football programs from nearby states, including the Ohio State Buckeyes, Tennessee Volunteers, and West Virginia Mountaineers. What happens on the field is something magical, but I think the real memories are made in the interactions I have with other Hokies while tailgating, jumping during our iconic entrance, experiencing the rush of emotion following a big play, and celebrating after a huge win.

The morning of the game is just as important as the game itself, and that reason is because of tailgates. There is just something about the sound of the first bag hitting the corn-hole board in the morning that reminds me that it is game day. No matter if it is a noon or prime-time game, the tailgate starts bright and early. All of my obligations and assignments begin to take a back burner so that I can enjoy this great time with my family and friends. It doesn’t matter if I am in Bristol, Landover, or Blacksburg, I will never miss a tailgate. This is the time of game day where you actually get to talk to people and have meaningful conversations because the rest of the day is spent screaming at referees, belting out “Let’s Go Hokies,” and then not being able to talk because you lost your voice yelling during the game.

The walk to the game builds up to kickoff. Thousands of people wearing maroon and orange all flock into Lane Stadium. The excitement builds with every step; bold score predictions are made by the people around you about the outcome of the game. I like to bet on how many times our offense will do the good old jet sweep that our offense refuses to stop running. We all know what the real pregame excitement comes from, though, and that is when Metallica floods through the stadium. There is absolutely no feeling that compares to hearing that song start and the sound of thousands jumping in anticipation, waiting for the perfect moment to all scream as the players take the field. In that moment, in that time, all your worries fade away; all that matters is that you’re a Hokie.

Then, there is the game. This is where our community is on full display. It is the band playing every first time as we blurt out, “H-O-K-I-E-S.” It is the sound of all of the keys shaking when the opposing team is on a third down. It is putting my left foot in and putting my left foot out doing the Hokey Pokey. It is throwing a girl I’ve never met up in the air as many times as points the Hokies have scored following a touchdown with a bunch of guys I may or may not know. It is embracing another man I have never met following a touchdown or defensive stop or blocked field goal. It is jumping to the horse on a treadmill, and breaking out all the new dance moves you tried out in the mirror when they play “Up in Here” by DMX.

Lastly, I don’t want to marginalize the product that our university delivers year in and year out on the football field. If they didn’t find success on the field, none of these other memories would be possible. That national recognition and success is the cornerstone of it all. So, next time you see a football player walking around campus or have class with one, tell him thank you. Without the dedicated, talented players, these precious memories aren’t possible; without them I don’t get to go camping all weekend in Bristol, Tennessee. Or maybe don’t tell them thank you, because that would probably be super weird.