0900: Roll out
of bed. Scratch. Load up car and head to the tailgate. Don't shower.
No, we need the funk of 60,000 well-marinated Hokie fans wafting
over to the Hurricane bench. Every inch counts, folks. And we must
be willing to fight and claw and yes, STINK for that inch. Every
last one of them.1000: Kegs and eggs. If you need that
last trip to ABC or to Kroger, you'd best be there by now. No excuses,
it's less than 10 hours before kickoff!!! Those really on the ball
should be in their parking spots and well set up for a day of debauchery.
Let the beer pong begin!
1100: ESPN College Gameday. If you don't have a TV at
your tailgate, find a neighbor who does. Wait until the heads start
talking about how Miami will win tonight. Remember it. Savor it.
Use it.
1200: Nebraska - Texas or the battle of Michigan. Whichever
you choose, they are both worthy appetizers. Out of towners? Yes,
I expect you to have arrived by now. I demand that all tailgates
be near 90% capacity. I'll be checking attendance.
1530: It's The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
I personally care little for either team, but I admire the spirit
of the celebration. If there are any Miami fans near you, toast
in their honor. It is still early, and for now at least, they are
our brothers.
1545: If there are any Miami fans still near you. Tell
them to go to H***! It's four hours until kickoff, and time
to crack open the Jell-O shots.
1600: The
Dangertones,
featuring TSL's own Baltimore Hokie, will rock the Steamthingie.
1630: Mosey on over to F4EHokie's tailgate (Lot 3 # 171)
to catch the Ladies of TSL Halloween Costume Extravaganza.
I'm not sure what to expect, but it promises to be entertaining!
1645: Three hours to kickoff - Jell-O shot!
1730: Time for The Walk. Line up along Spring Road
and show your support. It's easy, just a hop and a skip from
F4E's tailgate :)
1745: Two hours to kickoff - Jell-O shot!
1800: Throw that last burger on the grill, and top off
your beverage. The time for celebration is nearing an end. Now it's
time to get serious. The music had best be loud, and had best have
a dark edge. No country, no hip-hop. No sir. It's time to get pumped.
1845: One hour to kickoff - Jell-O shot!
1900: Begin the walk to the stadium. Do not ridicule or
harass Miami fans. For at this time they are beneath us. Ignore
them like you would the common squirrel. You have a mission.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted along your way.
1930: IN YOUR SEATS! ALL OF YOU!
1945: Noise ladies and gentlemen, and lots of it.
As much as it pains me to invoke the specter of last week's game
in Morgantown, let me point to that as an example of what a hostile
environment can do to a good football team. That being said, the
game is history. Let no more be said of it.
Now it's our turn to show everyone what The Hokie Nation is capable
of. Those of you at Lane two years ago know what I'm talking about.
When Eric Green blocked that punt late in the fourth quarter, I
couldn't hear myself screaming. It was, without a doubt,
the loudest moment I have ever experienced at any sporting event
I have ever attended.
And that's what I want again this year. But not just at
the end. No sir. I want a sustained, cataclysmic torrent
of sheer volume from the moment the teams run out on to the field.
I don't want to hear it, as much as I want to feel the vibrations
in every fiber of my being.
You've got your orders men. Now go out and make our nation
proud!