ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 1996 TAG: 9602130101
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
Though there are some who will say Virginia Tech's biggest game of the year is always against the University of Virginia, no matter who's ranked what, most people this season have little doubt: Tech's biggest basketball game is this Saturday.
That's when the Hokies will take on the University of Massachusetts in front of a sellout crowd.
And that's when Hokie fans will look back on the football season, to remember and celebrate.
The day will start with a parade, honoring Tech's victory over the University of Texas in last month's Sugar Bowl.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the Virginia Tech Mall near Newman Library, travel to North Main Street and end up at Cassell Coliseum via Washington Street.
"We had a lot of people who wanted us to do something where the community and university could participate to celebrate the win," said Peggy Morse, director of sports marketing at Tech.
The Sugar Bowl is sending a representative to honor the team at halftime during the game by presenting a trophy to Coach Frank Beamer and the team captains in front of a live (and ESPN) audience.
But not everybody will be able to get into the coliseum, Morse said. Tickets sold out to the public months ago, and students lined up with tents a week ago to make sure they would get tickets when they were distributed Monday morning.
The university and town decided to make sure those who didn't get tickets would be able to celebrate, too, Morse said. And since this week is Mardi Gras, they decided to incorporate a little New Orleans into a morning parade.
"It's a way to make it more festive," Morse said.
Members of the football team, band and student organizations will march in the parade, along with the Hokie Bird, Tech's dance team and the coaches' wives.
They'll be throwing beads and candy to those who turn out.
"We're encouraging the crowd to follow along behind" till the parade reaches the coliseum, Morse said.
LENGTH: Short : 47 linesby CNB