Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 23, 1995 TAG: 9509240002
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ADRIANNE BEE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
This was not a Nirvana video or a dream that comes from eating pizza too close to bedtime.
This was a Virginia Tech pep rally for the third football game of the season.
An estimated 350 people showed up at the pep rally and were cheering on their team Thursday night. Sure, the other 25,150 students at Tech were unaccounted for, but ... ah ... they were probably studying or something. The Hokies may have lost their first two football games but Tech students do not appear to be fair-weather fans.
Well, at least the people who stopped to check out the scene.
Tara Jensen and Beth Brittle, both sophomores, were standing on a bench cheering. "We're still pumped," Jensen said.
"We have to be," Brittle said. "We're in the band, we're always here for them."
Kun Xing, a graduate student, admitted he has a hard time getting to the games with all the research he has to do, but said the losses "are too bad; we hope the Hokies can win to honor Virginia Tech."
Elliot Stuart, a student at Radford, spoke between bites of a free sub. "The loss to Cincinnati kinda blew me away, but I'm still a big fan."
Edward Downs, who prefers to call himself a member of the Class of '99, rather than a freshman, feels "sad" about the losses to both Boston College and Cincinnati. "I hope we win this weekend. Coming off such a good season, I've had my hopes up."
His friends quickly turned his head: ("Hey look, it's the Hi-Techs!").
Laurie McLendon, a sophomore, enjoys watching the Hi-Techs, too, but probably more for the dance moves than the costumes.
Another female nearby, a senior and feminist who asked not to be identified, had a dissenting view on the dance group, but we'll just leave her comments out and keep this a happy little story.
Back to the football team.
"We've still got to show support," said Kevin St. Pierre, a sophomore.
"We're die-hard fans" added Andrew Capozzi, another sophomore.
Tech junior Drew Walls interrupted and said "Hey, I made you guys come." The three friends admitted they felt "let-down" so far this season.
A group of guys up front were cheering loudly. "I'm still pumped," one said. A distinct scent of cheap beer accompanied the group.
Devin Lamma, a senior, didn't even glance at the activities as he strode by the cheering crowd. "I'm here to get an education, not to pep up the football team."
A group of in-line skaters glided in and stopped briefly to take a look. "I'm boycotting the team," said one unidentified male.
A companion mentioned he wanted to see an article about "that stupid hat the Hokie Bird has been wearing."
Connie Mastbrook, a senior, admitted the games so far have been "a little disappointing." She smiled and said dramatically, hand held to her heart, "They let me down, man!"
(Perhaps the only conclusion that can be drawn from the evening is that many Tech students are smart alecks.)
Fans or not, some Tech students are here first and foremost to get good grades. They aren't even lured outside Squires Student Center for the free food.
"Why didn't you go outside to the pep rally?" a girl with a serious expression in Burger King was asked.
"I'm studying," she replied and quickly went back to her books (a silent "What does it look like I'm doing, ice-fishing?" expression directed at the reporter).
Two guys nearby sat in front of a TV deeply engrossed in the season premiere of "ER."
"I'm a football fan" one said. "But I have a test tomorrow."
"Me, too, but I have to work in the library," explained his neighbor.
Flimsy excuses, guys. No books were open and we weren't in the library. Didn't explain why they were watching "ER" instead of cheering on their team.
The rally ended with The Hokie Rap, a song which didn't require a gutter mind to pick up on the innuendo, and there was a friendly guy passing out free bubble gum.
Defensive player George DelRicco promised the losing streak would end.
"We're gonna change it," he said.
Assistant coach Billy Hite said of the Hokies' battle against Miami today, "I promise it will be a very exciting game."
We'll see.
by CNB