Since we graduated in 2006, Angela and I have tried to make it to at least one Hokie football game a year. This year we discovered that plane tickets home were significantly cheaper the week before Thanksgiving, so we made it to the Duke-VT home game in mid-November.
During our time in college we attended many cold games, perhaps none colder than either the 2002 or 2003 Pitt games. But after living in San Diego for a few months, we have become acclimated to very little weather variation from sunny, mid-70s week in and week out. While believing we were prepared for the cold, we weren’t. We arrived in Blacksburg the day before the game,
as the current students began a mass exodus home for a week off at Thanksgiving. Walking through campus to visit Angela’s old office produced tears and chapped lips… the temperature was not above 30 and the sun was still out. That evening was one of the coldest I can remember, with briefs stops outside between bars downtown freezing us to the core. We realized that with a night game upon us, we were going to be miserably cold. Sure, we had multiple layers, hats, extra socks, and new long johns… we thought we had mother nature beat.
Despite the layers, Angela claimed to have lost feeling in her limbs by game time! This was officially the second coldest temperature recorded at kickoff in the Frank Beamer era. But the point was seeing friends and family! We had a great tailgate with the Gougers, enjoying peppermint schnapps and hot cocoa, along with great barbeque. Entertainment was provided by the local bird of prey, and although not a turkey, it caught a squirrel and proceeded to consume the rodent on a low branch for all the Hokie faithful to see. We decided that the
Tech grounds crew keeps the hawk around to help deal with the rat issue (I have personally seen many scurrying rodents emerge from nearby Vawter Hall). We made it to the stadium in time to catch the Marching Virginians run by, reminding us of good times, but also how wonderful it was to actually tailgate for a game! Our seats were way up the East Stands, near the top! We saw the end of another beautiful Blacksburg sunset, and found seats next to my Uncle. From here we witnessed the energy of Enter Sandman and Fireworks! This warmed us up… but then we proceeded to watch the offense turn the ball over on 5 of their 7 first half possessions.
So we went numb watching the defense play lights out, but we did witness the first touchdown by a wide receiver all season! This team is young, but at least give great effort. After an UGLY 14-3 win, we saw a few friends in the band and headed to Macado’s to thaw out. It has been awhile since we have been so cold or up so late at night, but seeing friends was great! Another legendary game in Lane Stadium, though the fireworks and temperature were more memorable than the actual gridiron action.
Since we graduated in 2006, Angela and I have tried to make it to at least one Hokie football game a year. This year we discovered that plane tickets home were significantly cheaper the week before Thanksgiving, so we made it to the Duke-VT home game in mid-November. 
During our time in college we attended many cold games, perhaps none colder than either the 2002 or 2003 Pitt games. But after living in San Diego for a few months, we have become acclimated to very little weather variation from sunny, mid-70s week in and week out. While believing we were prepared for the cold, we weren’t. We arrived in Blacksburg the day before the game, 
as the current students began a mass exodus home for a week off at Thanksgiving. Walking through campus to visit Angela’s old office produced tears and chapped lips… the temperature was not above 30 and the sun was still out. That evening was one of the coldest I can remember, with briefs stops outside between bars downtown freezing us to the core. We realized that with a night game upon us, we were going to be miserably cold. Sure, we had multiple layers, hats, extra socks, and new long johns… we thought we had mother nature beat. 
Despite the layers, Angela claimed to have lost feeling in her limbs by game time! This was officially the second coldest temperature recorded at kickoff in the Frank Beamer era. But the point was seeing friends and family! We had a great tailgate with the Gougers, enjoying peppermint schnapps and hot cocoa, along with great barbeque. Entertainment was provided by the local bird of prey, and although not a turkey, it caught a squirrel and proceeded to consume the rodent on a low branch for all the Hokie faithful to see. We decided that the 
Tech grounds crew keeps the hawk around to help deal with the rat issue (I have personally seen many scurrying rodents emerge from nearby Vawter Hall). We made it to the stadium in time to catch the Marching Virginians run by, reminding us of good times, but also how wonderful it was to actually tailgate for a game! Our seats were way up the East Stands, near the top! We saw the end of another beautiful Blacksburg sunset, and found seats next to my Uncle. From here we witnessed the energy of Enter Sandman and Fireworks! This warmed us up… but then we proceeded to watch the offense turn the ball over on 5 of their 7 first half possessions. 
So we went numb watching the defense play lights out, but we did witness the first touchdown by a wide receiver all season! This team is young, but at least give great effort. After an UGLY 14-3 win, we saw a few friends in the band and headed to Macado’s to thaw out. It has been awhile since we have been so cold or up so late at night, but seeing friends was great! Another legendary game in Lane Stadium, though the fireworks and temperature were more memorable than the actual gridiron action. 
Look at all the red cheeks and noses!
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Rats in Vawter? I thought they all disappeared after the Vawter Sausage Fest this year! DadG
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