Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510300002
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: MORGANTOWN, W. VA. LENGTH: Medium
This game will have big implications.
If West Virginia University wins, the Mountaineers still have a shot at a good bowl game. And if the Hokies emerge victorious, they continue in the hunt for the Big East title.
But for me, all that doesn't matter. Ever since I announced my move last July to West Virginia's extension office, friends and strangers in both places have asked, "Who are you going to root for in the big game?"
My first response was, "What big game?" (That was especially appropriate in July.)
But this is a rivalry almost equal to that of Tech and UVa.
It's big.
And now that it's fall, I have a tougher time avoiding the question.
If the truth be known, I will be rooting for the Hokies this weekend. I may be one of the few people who live in Morgantown (and get a paycheck twice a month from West Virginia University) who is brave enough - or foolish enough - to admit that. But there's reason to my madness.
The Hokies, except for a couple of inexplicable early season losses (including the season-opener to a Boston College team that was blown out last weekend by Army) are a better football team and can go to a major bowl game (like the Sugar Bowl) for the first time that I can remember. West Virginia, meanwhile, played for the national championship a couple of times during the eight years I studied and worked in Blacksburg.
And the Hokies lost a heartbreaker in Morgantown two years ago - they're due for some good fortune here.
I'll have no problem keeping up with the game, even though it was sold out weeks ago. Every other radio station in the region seems to be on the Mountaineer Sports Network. Plus, all West Virginia games are on TV either live or tape-delay on Saturday night and Sunday morning on the local PBS and commercial stations.
It may be safest to view it from afar. Still, it won't be easy being a Virginia Tech supporter in these parts.
Tech's presence here is virtually nonexistent. As on any college campus, the students wear the sweatshirts and caps of neighboring schools. But while I have seen clothing of Pitt (which is less than an hour-and-a-half away and another Big East team) and UVa, I have not seen anyone sporting the Chicago maroon and burnt orange of the Hokies.
So to survive this week, I plan to lay low, wear my West Virginia tie (I bought one in a thrift store for $3 in an attempt to fit in) and keep my Virginia Tech sweatshirt in the closet. I'll bring it out on Sunday, when I'll wear it proudly as I go hunting flea markets, flashing the victory sign.
by CNB