ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 27, 1996 TAG: 9612270022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
So, you're stuck in Blacksburg for the holidays. No, stuck isn't a good word. Let's see ... left. You were left in Blacksburg for the holidays. No, that's not much better either. OK, so you've chosen to reside in Blacksburg to celebrate the holidays. Now, that's better.
You've waved goodbye to all your friends traveling south via plane, train and automobile to be among the Hokie faithful at the Orange Bowl. You may not have gone, but you're a Hokie faithful, too, thank-you-very-much, and you're determined to show your spirit for the big game.
Where to start ...
GEAR: Head out to any of the three Virginia Tech bookstores in the area, or try Wal-Mart, Kmart, or Valley View Mall to load up on after-Christmas sales. Fill your cart with Chicago-maroon and burnt-orange sweat shirts, hats, pompons, flags and anything else you can think of to decorate yourself, and your loved ones, appropriately.
BONFIRE: That's right, bonfire. Once you've gathered up all the Hokie paraphernalia you can possibly put on one body it's time to burn all things red. It would be near tragic for you to grab your Nebraska-red sweat shirt instead of your maroon one from the closet if you get in a rush. Take everything red - even the brand-new stuff - and kiss it goodbye before tossing it into the flames. Special note: Don't try this indoors!
READ: Now that you've gotten rid of all that's Nebraska, it's time to settle in with your favorite Christmas present. The "I Hate Virginia: 303 Reasons You Should Too" book Grandma sent. It's a short book, won't take more than an hour to read. But this book goes beyond reading, it's imagining. If you're so inspired, grab a sheet of paper and a pen and add your own reasons to hate Virginia. You can probably come up with at least 50 more without thinking too hard.
GLOATING: OK, so perhaps it's a bit childish. But it's also too good an opportunity to pass up. Take time today to relax in your favorite chair and laugh hysterically when the Virginia Cavaliers and Miami Hurricanes take the field for the Carquest Bowl. That's the small-payout, third-place, we're-playing-in-the-same-stadium-because-we-wish-we-were-the-Orange-Bowl, Carquest Bowl. Who do you root for? Who cares?
COMMUNICATION: Surely you've got some Cavalier supporters somewhere in your circle of friends and family. Take this special opportunity to give them a call, win or lose. Wish them happy holidays, of course, then them let your mind reminisce over that beautiful Nov. 29 night you spent at Lane Stadium. You remember, the one where the Hokies demolished, embarrassed and out-and-out whipped the Wahoos 26-9. Turn the clock back to see the Tech fans, you yourself perhaps, tossing oranges onto the field signifying the bowl Tech will be attending in a few days. The one that's a part of the Alliance. The one only the top teams in the country are invited to attend. Not those warm-up bowls, like the Carquest.
SEATING: By the 29th you'll have to take some time out from your schedule and head to downtown Blacksburg and the surrounding areas to scope out the ideal spot to watch the Orange Bowl. You have to weigh your options carefully, after all, this could possibly be the biggest day of your Hokie-watching life. Which restaurant/bar offers the biggest TV? Which has the largest seating capacity? The view of the screen, is it blocked by anything? How many hours in advance of kickoff will you need to secure a good seat? And how about the best food? The drinks?
PREGAME PREPARATION: Time is winding down. Make as many phone calls as possible to everyone you know who is still in the vicinity and confirm your plans. Once that's all settled, click on the tube and watch every piece of pregame hype you can find to set the mood. ESPN, CBS, CNN - they'll keep you plenty entertained with player and coaches interviews, statistics, and, if you want to believe what anyone who lives in Las Vegas thinks, the latest odds.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Time to play ball ... and cheer wildly.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: George Wills. color.by CNB