All Hokie, All the Time. Period. Presented by First Bank & Trust Company

VTVOICE VTVOICE OP
May 22, 2026 at 04:46 PM ET
Trivia Questions (VT Style): In 1896, VPI officially abandoned its original
school colors of black and gray. What was the hilarious, highly practical reason the committee decided to replace them with Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange? ** Edited by VTVOICE at 5/22/2026, 4:50:25 PM

5 Replies

VTVOICE VTVOICE OP
2mo
Answer: The old black and gray athletic uniforms made the players look like
they were wearing prison garb.
PhotoHokieNC PhotoHokieNC
2mo
I recall they were not used elsewhere, but I always tell people
they're the autumn leaf colors.
coshokie coshokie
2mo
Because of the Chicago fire?? Chicago Burnt?
** Edited by coshokie at 5/22/2026, 5:52:30 PM
H
HwoodHokie
2mo
Great guess. Interestingly VT opened on the 1 year anniversary of the fire
Well off by a few days.
PhotoHokieNC PhotoHokieNC
2mo
On the day after the school was founded, Bloomingdale's opened in NY.
(10/1/1872)