We need to talk about all those fans leaving at halftime.
I was a student during the Michael Vick era and I do recall students leaving at half when we were blowing out opponents 35-0 by half time but that was during noon games vs. Rutgers and Akron. Thursday night game vs conference opponent and VT not being some perennial top 10 team, why leave? Seeing that ESPN segment of students trying to get into the bars to watch the rest of the game after they just left the stadium was maddening. Do you just want to get to the bars early and drink? Cmon man!!! That was not a good look. Lane Stadium seemed so silent in the 2nd half...it was disappointing. Maybe I'm just becoming older and yelling at clouds in the sky but we need better support than that!
I get it, the product on the field has been mediocre at best for the last decade but if we want to turn this around we need to continue building an atmosphere that created VT football in the first place.
27 Replies
1y
this has now just become "the thing to do."
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
9
97Hokie
1y
we were blowing out BC so I don't necessarily blame them. We let BC back in the game. We don't turn the ball over and that end score is larger than 21. This wasn't Miami, Clemson, FSU or UVA. I'd give them a pass.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
She said a lot of her friends can’t get tickets to many games through the lottery. Or they don’t have student tickets.
So they go to bars and parties. That’s also a lot less expensive than buying tix on the secondary market.
But I remember in the 1990s students leaving many of the games to go to the Marriott.
It was 28-0 at the half against an opponent who plays in front of half empty stadium at home. I probably would have left too as the game was on tv so whatever bar I headed to would be showing the end of the destruction.
Unfortunately the third quarter changed all that.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
I knew many players on teams and good friends with several. I wanted to support teams, winning or losing for entire games.
I can honestly remember leaving one game early. Famous VMI ice game. It was either losing fingers / toes to frostbite (exaggeration I know) or going back to dorm to drink some fine, after game, moonshine. Moonshine won. I ended up losing later on that night.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
N
N2VT2
1y
It's a matter of priorities, and being an integral part of Hokie Nation is low on their list. They need a safe space and a puppy. I guess an overcrowded bar disguises as a safe space. Now they can complain that one is providing puppies.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
S
Stech
1y
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
This program used to be great. It’s been mediocre at best since these students were in elementary school. Give them a great product and maybe they’ll stay.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
Especially if they are good because the games are typically blowouts by halftime
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
1y
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
1y
You earn customer loyalty. We haven’t earned it yet.
(In response to this post by BleedinOandM)
1y
One good half doesn’t change the culture around the program.
(In response to this post by bigbadbird)
1y
Thursday night. Cold. Get me out of there and to the bar!
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
E
EDGEMAN
1y
We were also up 28-0 at halftime on a chilly night, so that didn't help.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
M
mwills98
1y
The others need to stay until it’s in the bag in the 4th.
(In response to this post by VTStylez9)
1y
Great opening crowd but it was a bit sad to see a large portion of the student sections emptied out after halftime. Could have had something to do with the lack of warm clothes. It did get a bit cold in the 2nd half.
(In response to this post by mwills98)
1y
Fashion was more important than comfort. As I’ve matured I realized this is a bad strategy.
But social media posts in parkas probably don’t get alot of likes.
(In response to this post by KiloZulu)
It's hilarious seeing them in January skittering down Main St. in...
... little packs, wearing their little clicky high heels and skimpy dresses with no coats on. Blows my mind.
(In response to this post by KiloZulu)
E
EDGEMAN
1y
Thought the crowd was great in the first half, then the student section really cleared out at halftime. I initially thought they were stuck in lines at the bathroom and/or concessions...lol
(In response to this post by mwills98)
1y
(In response to this post by Tanman)