NEWS
VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL: HOKIE EFFECT GAMES, THEMES AND GROUP OFFERS FOR HOME GAMES THIS SEASON
Jonathan Mususa | news staff writer
The first Effect-themed game is on Sept. 21, where fans are asked to wear white.
Virginia Tech Athletics has announced themes and promotions for this season’s home games. The promotions range from Hokie Effect color schemes and commemorations to special group offers for Hokies fans.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the Hokies played against the Marshall Thundering Herd of the Sun Belt Conference, with a Hokies win at 14 to 31.
Pregame featured a flyover from the U.S. Air Force in partnership with the Corps of Cadets. During the halftime show, around 400 Marching Virginians alumni performed alongside current band members to celebrate the Marching Virginians’ 50th anniversary.
The primary theme for the Hokies-Herd matchup was the 25th anniversary of the 1999 football season, in which head coach Frank Beamer, defensive coordinator Bud Foster and quarterback Michael Vick led Tech to a Big East conference title and a national championship game. Team members from the 1999 team were honored at halftime.
Fans who took part in the Ticket Tuesday promotion over the summer were able to pick up a special poster marking the occasion behind section 507.
Lane Stadium’s seating sections were renumbered ahead of this season. Fans should consult the new Lane Stadium seating map online and plan to arrive early.
At the Marshall game, promotions included Throwback Day, with a look back at Hokies football history, and Hokie Kids’ Club Day, with exclusive
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family-friendly activities for Hokie Kids’ Club members.
The game kicked off at 4:30 p.m. and was televised on the CW network.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Hokies will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference in their final non-conference regular season game. Tickets for this game are officially sold out as of May 31.
This will be the first Hokie Effect game on the schedule, as part of the Undergraduate Student Senate’s Hokie Effect school spirit program. Fans attending the White Effect game are encouraged to wear white.
The primary theme for VT-Rutgers is Military Appreciation Day, with Army ROTC Cadets scheduled to take their contracting oath on Worsham Field during pregame. The game also coincides with Fall Family Weekend.
The Marching Virginians will hold their annual Marching Virginians for a Day promotion, offering high school students a discounted ticket and a Marching Virginians experience that culminates in a halftime performance as part of the band.
Past and present Hokie athletes will be honored at halftime with the recognition of All-American Caleb Henson’s national 149-pound wrestling title and the 2024 Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Among the inductees are three-time ACC champion quarterback and 2010 ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor and current track and field head coach and 20-time ACC Coach of the Year Dave Cianelli.
As of Sept. 8, kickoff time and television platform are yet to be announced.
The Hokies will begin conference play and mark the 30th anniversary of Thursday night Hokies football on Oct. 17 against the Boston College Eagles.
Pregame will feature a parachuting performance from Team FasTrax, weather permitting. There will also be fireworks throughout the game.
This will be an Orange Effect game. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear orange.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.
To mark Virginia Tech’s Homecoming festivities, the Hokies will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Pregame will feature a flyover from the U.S. Air Force in partnership with the Corps of Cadets, weather permitting. Halftime will feature the crowning of this year’s Homecoming royalty.
This will be a Maroon Effect game. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear maroon.
An additional theme for this matchup is breast cancer awareness, with the football program aiming to “increase awareness of breast cancer and its effects on our community,” according to Virginia Tech Athletics.
As of Sept. 8, future kickoff time and television platform are yet to be announced.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Hokies will host the
No. 14 Clemson Tigers. Tickets for the matchup are officially sold out as of July 31. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since Clemson’s 45–10 victory in Blacksburg in 2020 according to ESPN.
The pregame will feature a parachuting performance from the U.S. Army Golden Knights, if the weather permits. During the game, the Virginia Tech women’s indoor track and field will be honored for their ACC championship win.
This will be a Stripe Effect game. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear either maroon or orange, depending on where they will be seated. Tickets will tell fans which color they should wear.
To end the regular season campaign, the Hokies will host the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, Nov. 30 as part of the latest installment of the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. Seniors on the football team will be honored as part of pregame Senior Day celebrations. As of Monday, Sept. 2, kickoff time and television platform are yet to be announced.
All Virginia Tech football games will be broadcast on ESPN Blacksburg (810 and 1430 AM; 93.1, 97.1 and 105.9 FM) in the New River Valley and on the Virginia Tech Sports Network elsewhere in the Commonwealth and online.
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ELECTION 2024: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Jonathan Mususa | news staff writer
The presidential race has transformed after an assassination attempt on Trump and Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Since July, the state of the 2024 United States presidential election has changed greatly. On July 13, there was an assassination attempt on presumptive Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Soon after on July 21, President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris.
With less than 80 days before Nov. 3, both parties have held their conventions and the race for the White House has begun in earnest.
The Republican ticket: former President Donald Trump and United States Senator JD Vance
On Saturday, July 13, two days before the opening of the Republican National Convention (RNC), Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. The event prompted calls for less polarizing rhetoric and condemnations of political violence from across the political spectrum.
From Monday, July 15 to Thursday, July 18, the RNC was held in Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, as Trump unveiled his running mate: United States Senator JD Vance of Ohio, known for his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and strong support of former President Trump after having previously been opposed to him. Among the notable speakers at the convention were former Republican presidential candidates Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, as well as Republican nominees in competitive down-ballot races.
“America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, brighter, happier, stronger, freer, greater and more united than ever before,” Trump remarked in his acceptance speech to convention attendees. “And quite simply put, we will very quickly make America great again.”
The Trump-Vance platform — known as Agenda 47, a reference to Trump’s intention to become the 47th President of the United States — offers voters a populist conservative agenda, with protectionist and nationalist elements.
- On immigration, Trump proposes enhancing border security and carrying out “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
- On the economy, he promises to “end inflation,” cut income taxes, not tax tips
and “stop outsourcing, and turn the United States into a manufacturing superpower.” Furthermore, he has pledged to end electric vehicle mandates and pare back regulations on businesses.
- On crime, he offers a hardline approach to drug trafficking, gang violence and violent offenses to create “safe, clean, and beautiful” cities. Additionally, he has pledged to “end the weaponization of government against the American people.” This echoed conservative criticisms of investigations into those who stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. This promise also referred to Trump himself on charges related to attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election, withholding classified documents after leaving office and falsifying business documents.
- On democracy, Trump proposes several election security measures, including restricting early voting and the use of electronic ballot machines and requiring voter ID cards and proof of citizenship.
- On education, Trump has vowed to fight “critical race theory” and “radical gender ideology.” This refers to gender neutral bathrooms in schools and transgender individuals’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports. Trump has also advocated for “safe and patriotic” universities and the deportation of “pro-Hamas radicals.”
- Trump’s other policies include federalizing the administration of the District of Columbia and constructing a missile defense system for the United States like Israel’s Iron Dome.
The Trump-Vance ticket has faced much controversy over the course of the campaign. Much of it is centered on Project 2025: a policy package developed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, with input from former Trump administration officials. Among its key proposals are expanding presidential power, replacing career civil servants with political appointees and abolishing the Department of Education. Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, remarking on Truth Social that “some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.”
Trump has also come under fire for comments made at a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists’ 2024 convention in Chicago. He had responded to a question about Republicans referring to Harris
as a “DEI hire” by falsely claiming that she had previously been “only promoting [her] Indian heritage” and “happened to turn Black” during her political career.
The Democratic ticket: Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz
After a disappointing performance in a June 27 debate against Trump, President Biden faced mounting pressure from the Democratic Party to drop out of the presidential race. This ultimately culminated in his July 21 decision to suspend his re-election campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Her campaign has been well received by Democrats and appears to have made a race that was previously tilted in Trump’s favor more competitive.
At a Philadelphia rally on Aug. 6, Harris announced that she would be running alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a pick favored by progressive Democrats. Previously unknown outside of Minnesota, Walz’s profile rose after calling Republicans “weird” in an interview with MSNBC, a strategy that won over younger Democrats and that Harris herself leaned into before officially naming Walz as her running mate.
Monday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 22, the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) was held in Chicago’s United Center, as Harris and Walz sought to maintain their momentum and unify their party. Notable speakers included President Joe Biden, former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, as well as progressives like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done, guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American,” Harris said in her acceptance speech. “So let’s get out there, let’s fight for it. Let’s get out there, let’s vote for it, and together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.”
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the
Harris campaign, Republicans have accused her of lacking substance. Trump’s campaign created a website purporting to list Harris’ policies and asserting that Harris “own[s] the weakness, failure, and chaos of the HarrisBiden Administration.”
In response, Harris has fleshed out parts of her platform while on the campaign trail. Harris revealed a “populist policy agenda” centered on building an “opportunity economy” and strengthening the middle class at a Raleigh, North Carolina rally on Aug. 22.
In her address, Harris called for several changes, including:
- Eliminating medical deb
- Banning price gouging on groceries
- implementing prescription drug price caps
- offering first-time home buyers a $25,000 subsidy over a four-year period
- offering new parents a $6,000 child tax credit for the first year of their child’s life.
On other policy matters, she has made statements about the importance of abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights and the right to vote, claiming that Trump “wants to take the country backward” in these regards.
The Harris-Walz campaign has its critics from both the right and left. Conservatives have labeled Harris the “border czar,” seeking to tie her to what they view as “the worst border crisis in U.S. history.” Some have scrutinized Walz’s military record with the Minnesota Army National Guard with claims that he misrepresented the exact nature of his service, especially with regard to whether he served in combat.
Pro-Palestine activists in support of an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war have decried President Biden’s support for Israel. A campaign during the Feb. 27 Michigan Democratic primary ended with 13% voting “uncommitted.”
During the Harris campaign, activists have disrupted rallies and planned to protest in Chicago during the DNC. However, many of their demands — including calls for a Palestinian convention speaker — have gone unaddressed, with many progressives
continued on page 4
appearing content with Harris’ support for an end to the conflict.
Polling and predictions
At the time of Biden’s withdrawal from the race, the Cook Political Report’s polling average showed a nearly three-point lead in Trump’s favor (47.4% vs. 44.7%). However, as of Aug. 30, its polling average now shows
Harris leading Trump, albeit with a narrower 1.2-point lead (47.6% vs. 46.4%).
In an Aug. 18 ABC News/Ipsos poll, 89% of respondents said that the economy would be an important factor in their vote, with 86% saying the same of inflation, 77% saying as much about both health care and democracy, 76% considering crime and safety and 70% considering immigration.
More respondents trusted Trump over
Harris with the economy, inflation, crime and safety and immigration. The Republican party was favored by nine, nine, three and 10 points, respectively.
Harris was trusted more than Trump on health care and protecting democracy, with the Democrat favored by six and three points, respectively.
As of Aug. 19, the Cook Political Report has named six tossup states that altogether
account for 77 Electoral College votes: Arizona (11), Georgia (16), Michigan (15), Nevada (6), Pennsylvania (19) and Wisconsin (10). Voters of each of these states, except for Georgia, will also be voting in competitive Senate races considered crucial to determining control of the chamber in the 119th United States Congress.
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OPINIONS KNOWING YOUR CANDIDATE IS CRITICAL FOR VOTING
Jenna Mason | Opinions Columnist
Being an educated voter shapes the future of the world we live in.
As 2024’s presidential election rolls around this September, so does an entirely new generation of young adult voters. Those who are 18, 19, 20 and 21 will have their first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. With this kind of power comes a very important civic duty that needs to be fulfilled. However, when it comes to choosing whether your vote will go toward Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, be sure to learn about their campaigns and what they support.
According to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), “it is important to understand what candidates stand for and what initiatives or issues might be on a ballot. A person might also want to align themselves with a political party that they feel shares the same mission and values that they do.” There are several resources citizens can use to learn about their candidates and their beliefs: Vote411.org, govtrack.us, Pew Research Center and usa. gov.
Knowing your candidates as not only the person that they are, but also what they believe in and their goals for the country is important for numerous reasons. Voting is one of the most effective ways that people can make a difference in the world we live in; therefore, knowing who you want to vote for and why can potentially change the economy, environment and much more.
A study by the Pew Research Center shows that as the 2020 presidential election got closer, 30% of Americans
said they followed political candidates very closely and 35% said fairly closely. However, back when surveyed in June of 2020, 21% of Americans said they followed candidates very closely and 32% said fairly closely.
According to Pew Research Center, as of early September, members of both major political parties show very similar levels of interest in news about the candidates. Among Republicans and independents who lean Republican, 30% say they are following that news very closely, with 38% following it closely. Among Democrats and independents who lean Democratic, 33% are following candidate news very closely, with 34% following it fairly closely.
If you’re wondering how to go about researching for political candidates, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) have put together a checklist of what to learn about campaign runners before voting. Their checklist includes some of the following: look at federal election results from previous years, find any FEC enforcement actions and litigations relating to candidates’ campaigns and review any party of campaign contributions.
With the excitement from new voters, Hafsa Ayubi, a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in political science and multimedia journalism, has some interesting perspectives on why voting and researching political candidates is important.
“I do plan on voting because in my age demographic we have the lowest number
of voters,” Ayubi said. “Additionally, I want to take advantage of being involved in any law making. Every voter should do research, it’s the bare minimum you can do as a voter — whether it’s a few sentences or political research papers. Voting is important, vote for someone who wants to fight for you.”
Ayubi also took the opportunity to comment on why voting is especially important to her and what she plans to do this upcoming fall.
“Voting is a privilege not everyone has,” Ayubi said. “My family is from Afghanistan so the fact that I can even leave my house is amazing. I want to take advantage of every freedom I have. As a poli-sci major my entire life is politics, whether I like it or not. But I enjoy it (and) I want to look into more future possible or promised policies, but I am pretty set this fall.”
Lastly, Ayubi also has a message to anyone and everyone who’s able to vote in this year’s election.
“To anyone reading this please vote — either local, general or recall,” Ayubi said. “Your vote matters more than you realize. Politics may be scary but get out of your comfort zone. I feel like since we have the opportunity people are less likely to vote, so please do! Fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.”
As you can see, not only is voting an important part of making a change, but so is learning about who’re voting for and why. Finding out the facts of candidates running in political elections not only gives voters
a sense of who they’re voting for, but also an understanding of what they’re voting to change our world too. It’s important to find out who you want to vote for based on how you want the rest of your life and future generations’ lives to be free in the United States. Voting is a chance to make a difference, and research is the first step. So, be sure to know which presidential candidate you’re picking this November and be even more sure why you’re picking them.
LIFESTYLES VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL — TRADITIONS AND CHANTS
Kelly Barker | lifestyles staff writer
This guide is for all Hokies, whether you’re new or just need a refresher on spirit!
You’re at your first Virginia Tech football game. The atmosphere is electric, the crowd is a sea of maroon and orange, and…a cannon just went off?
Lane Stadium is the home field of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team, but it’s also the home of a unique mix of chants and traditions. These traditions are an essential part of a Virginia Tech football game and shape the experience for everyone in the stands.
Every football game involves cheering, but at Virginia Tech, we take that up to the next level. We support our team with a variety of unique chants that never fail to make the crowd go wild every time. Here are a few notable chants that you will hear during a Hokie football game:
Let’s Go Hokies
The Let’s Go Hokies chant is as simple as it is fun. Cheerleaders will hold a sign that reads either “Let’s Go” or “Hokies” in front of your section. Half the crowd will scream “Let’s Go,” and the other half will reply with “Hokies.” All you have to do is read the sign pointing your way and scream the words as loud as you can!
H-O-K-I-E-S Hokies!
After every Virginia Tech first down, we celebrate with a cheer led by the Marching Virginians. Pulled from the VPI Victory March, this chant involves trumpets, spelling, and punching the air. The words of this chant are “Go Tech! Go Tech! H-O-KI-E-S Hokies!” with a short trumpet tune in between each phrase. If you’re feeling super spirited, you’ll punctuate each letter in H-O-K-I-E-S with a punch in the air.
Key Play
This is less of a chant and more of a tradition. On “key plays” we support our defense by shaking our keys in the air. The jingling of one set of keys might not sound intimidating, but Lane Stadium seats over 65,000 people. That many Hokies and
Hokie fans supporting their team at once makes for a tradition that has lasted over 40 years.
You can’t do that!
This chant is a classic that you’ll hear in many different places, not just Hokie football games. Performed when a foul is called on the opposing team, this chant is simple and effective. It lets our players know that we stand behind them and teases the opposing team in a playful manner.
Hey, we just sacked you!
This chant is a little longer, and a little snappier. After the opposing team’s quarterback is sacked, we make sure to let them know it. The chant starts with the crowd hollering, “Hey, we just sacked you! Hey, we’ll do it again!” and ends with “Hey, I think he likes it! Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” This supports our team and celebrates our defense’s skill.
Chants aren’t the only thing that defines the Virginia Tech football experience. Hokies also uphold many traditions, including some, such as “Enter Sandman,” that garner nationwide attention.
“ Enter Sandman”
Jumping to this stadium-shaking Metallica song before the players take the field is Virginia Tech’s most iconic football tradition. This is a tradition that cannot truly be captured by words or video, it’s something that needs to be experienced in person. If you’re going to your first Hokie football game, familiarize yourself with the lyrics of Enter Sandman beforehand. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re singing and jumping with so many fans that it quite literally shakes the earth.
Skipper
Touchdown, Hokies! Brace yourself, because Skipper is about to be fired. Skipper, an 800-pound cannon, has been
The HokieBird helps direct the crowd in a traditional pregame chant of “Let’s go! / Hokies!” before players take the field, Lane Stadium, Sept. 14, 2019.
part of Virginia Tech’s history since 1963. Proudly manned by the Skipper Crew, this cannon is brought to every home football game and is fired every time the Hokies score.
Touching the Hokie Stone
Before each Virginia Tech player takes the field, they reach up and touch a piece of Hokie Stone. Mounted at the entrance to the field, this piece of Hokie Stone has two plaques that read “For those who have passed, for those to come… reach for excellence.” Players have been participating in this tradition since 1965, and as the plaque says, they reach for excellence every time they are on the field.
Put on your Hokie gear and get ready to take to the stands. This football season is your chance to participate in the chants and traditions that set Virginia Tech football
apart and unite the Hokie community. Jump high, scream loud and have a blast. Let’s go Hokies!
TROY CLARK
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT “ENTER SANDMAN”
Avery Billups | lifestyles contributor
Jump right into one of Virginia Tech’s most memorable student traditions.
Just over 24 years ago, a tradition surrounding Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” was born in Blacksburg that is now widely considered the best entrance in all of collegiate football. Though it originated as a coveted walk-out song, it presently serves as a prideful Hokie anthem that you’ll be sure to hear around town and other sporting events year-round. Of course, this tradition would likely not have lasted so long if not for the insurmountable amount of enthusiasm and loyalty from Virginia Tech football fans, students and alumni. For any readers who have never attended a Virginia Tech football game at Lane Stadium or who simply may not know the significance of “Enter Sandman,”just know that you’re in for an electrifying experience. With the first note of the song, the crowd erupts and the stadium begins to tremble. Every fan is immediately on
their feet and singing at the top of their lungs, with an energy that can be felt for miles. Both the shaking and noise levels of the stadium have shown up on earthquake seismographs.
A walkout song became a necessity upon Virginia Tech installing Lane Stadium’s first video board in August of 2000. After beating other iconic contending songs like “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses, the school decided on “Enter Sandman.” The tradition itself, however, started a few years after the song was first played when a Marching Virginian band member jumped up and down to warm himself up on a chilly game night. Other band members joined in until the entire stadium eventually caught on. Coincidentally or not, the “Enter Sandman” jump became the happiest accident in Hokie history, making the story behind the tradition arguably better.
Regardless of football season being in session, enthusiasm from students does not falter throughout the school year. The “Enter Sandman” tradition is carried on through both men’s and women’s basketball games as well as some graduation ceremonies, giving students one last opportunity to partake in the legendary jump.
Metallica themselves are well-aware of how impactful their song is, and even how much Virginia Tech fans have amplified their legacy. On top of the preceding hype music and video, video messages from the band have played on the video board before games. These videos have resulted in some of the loudest crowds ever recorded. They have also collaborated with the school to sell shirts with the lyrics “Exit Light, Enter Night” printed on the front and back.
It’s safe to say that Virginia Tech football wouldn’t be the same without “Enter Sandman.” Widely regarded as one of the best traditions in college sports, it’s arguably the most dynamic (and loudest) moment of any game. The surrounding pride and excitement are magnetic. Whether you are a freshman attending your first college football game or a senior jumping up and down one last time at graduation, “Enter Sandman” will be there, uniting every last Hokie.
A GUIDE TO CAMPUS LANDMARKS
Aidan Mason | lifestyles staff writer
Must-see spots to tour with visitors before heading to Lane Stadium on home game weekends.
As the excitement of the football season rears up, there will be crowds of people who aren’t students arriving to watch the latest match between the hometown Hokies and their opponent. While some may be alumni, others might be parents visiting their Hokies and have never toured the campus properly before.
There’s much more to Virginia Tech than just classes and these landmarks prove it tenfold.
Torgersen Bridge
For many students, a proper study environment is a must and Torgersen Bridge hosts one of Tech’s most luxurious study spaces. Aside from being a place to help students with their homework, the arch of the bridge is a landmark of its own, hanging over the roads leading to and away from campus.
The Pylons & War Memorial Chapel
Right in front of the bridge is the Pylons and War Memorial Chapel, a tribute to those
Virginia Tech soldiers who died in combat, starting with World War I and onward. Eight carved statues line the memorial, four on each side, to represent all eight of Virginia Tech’s core values. Below lies the War Memorial Chapel, a formal venue where religious services and weddings are performed.
Duck
Pond
Located just off the Drillfield, the Duck Pond is a wonderful place to walk and relax. The main attraction is of course the ducks, but the pond is also a lovely place to just sit down or go on a short walk as a quiet contrast to the noise of the football game. Virginia Tech calls it “the perfect destination for the whole family” and it’s easy to access with just a short walk to the trail.
Alwood
Oak
Overlooked by many as simply a tree on their way to class, the Alwood Oak is one of the oldest trees in the state according to WAVY News and the Virginia Big Tree Program. Planted back in 1895, the tree
has watched over the Drillfield ever since and serves as a reminder of Virginia Tech’s longevity as an institution.
Solitude
Longevity is also key to Solitude, the oldest building still standing on campus, located right next to the Duck Pond. Built all the way back in 1840 and renovated multiple times throughout its life, the building has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Draper’s Meadow Massacre Memorial
For those more interested in historical events, the campus offers the Draper’s Meadow Massacre Memorial. During the French and Indian War, the native Shawnee people encountered a colonial settlement, Draper’s Meadow, and the result was a massacre. Notably, one of the homesteaders, Mary Draper Ingles, was captured along with two of her sons. Ingles would later escape and reunite with her surviving family.
Smithfield
Another historical building is Smithfield, the former plantation home of William Preston turned into a historical learning site about the impact of slavery, colonialism and Preston himself on the nation. Acknowledging the injustices committed on that land, Smithfield hopes to “inform our present and future” using these stories.
Lane Stadium
To end on the theme of football, Lane Stadium is one of the gems of the Virginia Tech campus and where every home game is played. As a bonus, the west side of the stadium contains the Hall of Fame, showing off Hokie sports throughout the decades. With a massive stadium able to house both fans and students alike, it stands proud on campus as thousands of fans root for Virginia Tech this season.
2024-25 FOOTBALL SEASON STYLE GUIDE
First and Last Name | Position
Lifestyles contributor Olivia Ramey shares her tips for style success this football season.
Game day is a time for school spirit and being a proud Hokie. School spirit can take form in lots of different ways, including what you wear to the big game. Fashion is a form of expression, and what better way to express Virginia Tech pride than a good outfit? Of course, all Hokies need to bring enthusiasm, but a few accessories would not hurt either.
What do I wear?
College is a time to show pride in where you are and who you are with. Color coordination is an excellent way to show pride. Burnt orange and Chicago maroon are arguably the two essentials to represent Virginia Tech. So, if you want to look and feel like a Hokie, wear orange and maroon to show your true colors.
But, for the fashion-forward Hokies who want to step it up a level, there are a few ins and outs to make game day your runway. There are a few ways to elevate your game day clothes and have everyone in Lane Stadium asking you where your outfit is from. The best part about game day style is variation. Whether you decide to sport a skirt, cropped t-shirt, shorts, pants or a dress, any outfit can be made fashionable or trendy.
What’s in style?
Recently, game day outfits have been evolving. Just wearing an orange shirt may not cut it in every part of the student section. Hokies have been ditching plain t-shirts and opting for more layered elements in their outfits. Patterns, ruffles, prints, denim and the right pair of shoes can make or break the game day attire. Patterns are a great addition to any outfit. Stripes, polka dots and tie-dye all bring a special element that your top would’ve lacked before.
Another great option is to style the iconic Game Bibs that you will see many of your fellow Hokies wearing. They incorporate Virginia Tech colors while also adding a striped pattern. These bibs are a great way to show pride and are for anyone, and the Emporium located in downtown Blacksburg has many to offer all year round.
How do I wear these trends?
Ruffles are all the rage right now, especially when it comes to a pair of shorts. Ruffle shorts create dimension and bring something special to the bottom of the outfit which may often be the lesser of the focal points.
Patterns are very trendy. Mini or midi length dresses with patterns that represent the school colors are a perfect example
of being a stylish Hokie. Prints are also in, coming in many different forms such as animal or graphics. However, some prints are hard to navigate and match with the rest of your clothes. A safe bet is to wear anything with the iconic VT logo or famous Hokie Bird print.
Denim is a girl’s best friend when it comes to an outfit. Pants and skirts made of denim are staples in all aspects of fashion, not just for college game day. Denim pairs well with all the pieces listed so far. Some Hokies even opt for a denim top, which can put a fun spin on a more simplistic style and the conventional look of jeans.
Lastly, the shoes are the cherry on top for a good outfit. Recently, boots, cowboy or moto, have become increasingly popular. However, a cute pair of sneakers does the job and may save your feet after jumping up and down during “Enter Sandman.”
Tips and tricks
When it comes to style most people have differing opinions. Yet, there are some things almost everyone can agree on. Typically, try to include only a few statement pieces. If you have too much going on all over your outfit, it takes away from the overall effect. Statements can be singular or spread out
throughout the outfit, such as a brighter top and brighter shoes with plain bottoms, or just one of the two.
The bottom line is to avoid clashing. Some clothes won’t pair well together and not every print matches every pattern. It’s okay to have some parts of the outfit remain simple. Lastly, a trick is to layer the clothing to what feels and looks best on you. Everyone is different and looks unique. Some Hokies may want to crop their shirt, some may want to layer or even use a folding technique to accentuate features of the top or bottom of the outfit. The cut of the top can vary as well, halter and one shoulder top are on trend right now. The most important thing is to play around with the clothes and figure out what clicks for you.
Fashion is ever-changing Fashion is incredibly subjective but if you feel comfortable and cute in what you have on, you have done the job right. So, show up and show out in the Hokie attire and colors. If you’re having fun on game day in your own style, you have made the bleachers of Lane Stadium your own New York Fashion Week.
@COLLEGIATETIMES
SPORTS HOKIES USE SECOND-HALF SURGE TO SMOTHER MARSHALL
Thomas Bray | sports editor
Virginia Tech found its stride in the second half after a sputtering first.
BLACKSBURG, VA — In a game where Marshall had to integrate 40 new players and a revamped offense, the Hokies (1–1) initially struggled to find their rhythm.
However, after a sluggish first half, Virginia Tech found its footing and notched a decisive 31–14 victory over the Thundering Herd (1–1). The matchup was a tale of two halves, with the Hokies overcoming early offensive struggles to dominate the second half with an assertive running game.
Virginia Tech’s first possession showed promise, but the drive sputtered around midfield. Head coach Brent Pry decided to go for it on 4th down at the Marshall 38-yard line, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving the game knotted at zero.
The deadlock persisted until the Hokies’ special teams provided a much-needed spark at the end of the first quarter. Pinned deep in their own territory, Marshall punted to Jaylin Lane, who returned it 41 yards for the first
points of the day, marking the beginning of a strong special teams showing from both sides.
“We needed that,” Coach Pry said after Lane ended the opening quarter with his first touchdown of the season.
Points were hard to come by in the first half. Marshall’s best scoring opportunity ended in disappointment when kicker Rece Verhoff missed a 48-yard field goal. The Hokies had their own struggles, stalling at the Marshall 38-yard line after a facemask penalty had set
them up with good field position.
Kyron Drones faced pressure throughout the first half, as his offensive line struggled to protect him. The redshirt junior was sacked three times and often had to leave the pocket before much could develop.
After a sack on third down midway through the second quarter, Virginia Tech was forced to settle for three points and extend their lead
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to 10 with a 42-yard field goal from John Love.
A blocked punt gave Marshall possession at the Hokies’ five-yard line, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Ethan Payne after a holding penalty on Virginia Tech’s Mansoor Delane. This cut the Hokies’ lead to 10–7 just before halftime.
The first half was characterized by great defense, a blocked punt and a punt return touchdown.
The Hokies emerged from the locker room in the second half with a running emphasis.
The Virginia Tech defense forced a three-and-out on Marshall’s first possession of the second half, setting the stage for the Hokies’ best drive of the day.
Drones and the offense executed a
12-play, 11-rush drive that consumed nearly half of the third quarter.
It was a drive that many, including Brent Pry, saw to be a deciding factor.
“The defense snuffs them, and then we have that type of drive and finish it with a touchdown,” Pry said. “That sets the tone for the half.”
Marshall responded quickly with a 46-second touchdown drive, highlighted by a 69-yard run from A.J. Turner and a touchdown pass from Stone Earle to Christian Fitzpatrick.
However, the Hokies’ offense continued to excel in the third quarter. Drones connected with an outstretched Stephen Gosnell for a 49-yard completion. Drones capped off the drive with a rushing touchdown, extending Virginia Tech’s lead to 24–14.
The Hokies dominated the third quarter, racking up 151 total yards and controlling the clock for 11 minutes and 33 seconds. They converted three of four third downs after struggling in the first half.
Marshall’s offense was largely stifled by the Hokies’ defense, which recorded 12 pass breakups and a crucial interception by Delane. After Virginia Tech’s second touchdown drive in the third quarter, Delane picked off Earle, effectively sealing the game.
Virginia Tech added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Da’Quan Felton caught a pass in the end zone just 46 seconds into the quarter, pushing the lead to 31–14.
Needing touchdowns to mount a comeback, Marshall found no success against the Hokies’ defense, which held
firm on several fourth-down attempts. Virginia Tech’s strong third quarter proved decisive, as the Hokies closed out the game with a solid defensive performance and an overwhelming running attacking the second half.
Bhayshul Tuten finished the day with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown. The duo of Tuten and Malachi Thomas combined for 172 rushing yards on 5.5 yards a carry. With this victory, Virginia Tech turns its focus to a road matchup against Old Dominion next week.
SEVEN HOKIES EARN STARTING SPOTS TO KICK OFF THE 2024 NFL SEASON
Dylan Tefft | Sports editor
Seven Hokies will appear as starters in week one of the NFL season.
With a little over 700 starting spots on NFL offenses and defenses to go around, and countless talents competing for them, it’s far from an easy feat to take the field on the opening drives of week one. Seven of those 700 are Virginia Tech Hokies that have defied the odds, excelling from Lane Stadium to the big stage.
Entering his fourth season in the NFL, superstar Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw is likely the best Hokie that currently plays for a professional team. His three-year career at Virginia Tech included a first-team All-ACC nod in 2020 that led to him being selected 23rd overall by the Vikings.
Darrisaw impressed his rookie year, despite missing the first four games of the season with a groin injury. It’s only been uphill since, and Minnesota agrees, as Darrisaw recently signed a four-year, $104 million dollar deal with his first and only team.
Another pride and joy of the Hokies is two-time All-Pro Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller. Teller, 29, played at Virginia Tech from 2014–2017, earning All-ACC first team honors as a senior. The Buffalo Bills had impressive foresight to draft the Manassas, Virginia native in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, but regrettably traded him to the Browns for late-round picks following his rookie year.
Teller struggled to handle NFL-level
defenders early in his career, but eventually came into his own. The six-foot-five, 315-pound blocker has dominated opposing d-lines since 2020, earning three Pro-Bowl selections in addition to his all-pro nods.
NFL cornerback Kendall Fuller played with Teller on those late Frank Beamer-era Hokies. The Baltimore-native recently underwent a change of scenery, leaving the Washington Commanders to sign a two-year, $15 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. Fuller took the field for Tech from 2013–2015 and was drafted by the Washington Commanders (then Redskins) with the 84th overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Fuller has been more than effective in his eight-year professional career, notably providing big contributions to a Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs squad in 2019. Fuller returned to Washington after the championship for another solid four-year stint, and will now take his talents to Miami, where he’ll play opposite superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Safety Chuck Clark is a fellow NFL mainstay and 2013 Virginia Tech freshman. Clark played all four years as a Hokie before being selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Clark missed out on the 2023 NFL season due to a torn ACL suffered during a practice in that year’s preseason. Clark is now returning as the starting strong safety
for the New York Jets, who traded for him three months prior to the injury.
Superstar Hokies’ linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was a first-round NFL pick, selected by the Buffalo Bills 16th overall in 2018. The Danville, Virginia native was a top collegiate backer, earning Third Team All-American and First-Team All-ACC nods in 2017. If there was a tackle that needed to be made, Edmunds was there.
Edmunds was the Bills’ premier “mike” linebacker for five seasons and earned pro-bowl selections in 2019 and 2020. He inked a four-year, $72 million contract with the Chicago Bears in 2023, but struggled in year one with his new team. The Bears are expected to improve on the back of firstoverall pick quarterback Caleb Williams, so time will tell if Edmunds can help with a return to form.
Second-year pro Chamarri Conner is a second-year standout safety for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was selected in the fourth round of last year’s NFL draft after an ever-solid five seasons with Virginia Tech (COVID-19 exemptions allowed Conner to play as a junior in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons).
Conner began his season earlier than most as the Chiefs played the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL season’s opener on Thursday, Sept. 5. Conner amassed 6 solo tackles in the game after totaling 31 in 17 games last season.
Linebacker Divine Deablo played five years at Tech from 2016–2020 before being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of 2021’s draft. The 2020 First Team All-ACC selection is a tackling machine for the black-and-silver but hasn’t quite earned the multi-year deal with a big check that he’ll hope for entering a contract year.