ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996 TAG: 9601220025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ STAFF WRITER
THE PASSING of John Roller, the Hokies' 'Yellow Sweater Man' and one of their biggest fans, was marked with a yellow ribbon and a rousing recitation of his favorite cheer.
Most people knew him as "the man with the yellow sweater;" a symbol at Virginia Tech basketball games.
But John Roller was more than just a fan. He was "a VPI man," a Golden Hokie who, until this season, attended every Virginia Tech basketball and football game, his wife, Faye Roller, said.
Before the men's basketball game against Dayton on Thursday night, the team, Athletic Department, students and fans honored Roller, who died of brain cancer Dec. 20.
Now, a yellow ribbon hangs on the railing near what had been Roller's seat for every basketball game since Cassell Coliseum opened in 1962: Row D, Section 1 - just behind the goal post. During games, Roller used his vantage point to wave his yellow sweater wildly in an effort to distract the opposing team during foul shots.
The yellow ribbon will remain on the railing during home games throughout this season.
Instead of a moment of silence during a short, pregame ceremony, Cassell Coliseum roared with cheering fans. The cheerleaders led a near-capacity crowd in chanting the "Old Hokie":
Hoki, Hoki, Hoki, Hy!
Tech! Tech! V.P.I.!
Sola-Rex Sola-Rah!
Polytech-Vir-gin-i-a!
Rae, Ri, V.P.I."
"That was his favorite Tech cheer," Faye Roller said. It had been popular when her husband went to Tech years ago. Now, the cheer is heard occasionally at football games, but not during basketball games.
"It was a very sweet ceremony and I did appreciate it," Faye Roller said. She plans to continue to attend every basketball and football game at the university.
She said she didn't know about the ceremony and what was going to take place until she was at the game. All she knew was that two of her sons had called to make sure she would be there. There was little doubt she would.
"It was a really nice tribute and I'm really glad we had an opportunity to do that," said Peggy Morse, director of sports promotions at Tech. "A lot of good things have happened because of him."
Roller started waving his yellow sweater several years ago. He had received the wool, Izod sweater from his children for his trip to Atlanta when the Hokies were at the Peach Bowl.
His technique caught on. And when students learned that Roller had cancer, a group of fraternities and sororities at Tech started selling orange towels for students to wave at basketball games. The proceeds went, in part, to the American Cancer Society. More than 750 towels were sold last year.
This year's towels carry a message on the front: "In memory of a true fan, John Roller, the yellow sweater man and spiritual advisor. Recognized for his support and contributions over the years."
Pi Sigma Epsilon, a marketing fraternity, is in charge of sales. Seventy percent of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, 15 percent go to the Athletic Fund and 15 percent go to the fraternity's scholarship fund.
The 1942 Tech graduate came by his allegiance to the Hokies naturally. His father graduated from Tech. His grandfather was one of the first Tech graduates.
Roller also was active outside the university community. He served on the Pearisburg Town Council for more than 40 years and donated more than 18 gallons of blood.
He was possibly the most decorated World War II veteran from the New River Valley, having received two Purple Hearts and three Silver Stars for gallantry in combat as a member of the Second Armored Division.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: A yellow ribbon hangs on a handrail at Cassell Coliseumby CNBat Virginia Tech in honor of basketball fan and alumnus John
Rolleor, who died recenty of brain cancer. color ALAN KIM/STAFF