Today I’m asking forgiveness from Holly and Tricia as I link my non-weekly-wrap post to their linkup. Later this evening I will be posting my normal weekly wrap, but today’s anniversary weighs heavily and I need to share the good to balance out the negative…
*************************************************
I’m often asked what it is that gives me such love for my university and why Hokie Nation is such a close-knit group. In fact, I was even asked by Eli over at Coach Daddy to write a guest post to elaborate on what it’s like to be a Hokie. In honor and in memory of our thirty-two Hokies lost ten years ago today, I am rerunning the post hoping to focus on the goodness of Virginia Tech rather than on that one terrible day. You see, Virginia Tech is so much more that what was spotlighted on April 16, 2007; and yet, it was because of the strength of Hokie Nation that pulled us through…
*************************************************
Before I jump into what it’s like to be a Hokie, Let me explain what a Hokie is. The word hoki was made up in 1896 in a contest when a student came up with a cheer for our newly renamed school, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The cheer has had a few minor changes over the years, including the spelling of the word hoki, but it has remained a staple at our school.
So if Hokie is a made up word, why does our mascot resemble a turkey? In the early 1900’s the football team became known as the fighting gobblers, but at this point it’s hard to tell what is legend and what is truth. The only thing that is known for sure is that a fan brought his gobbler to games in the early 1900’s and paraded him up and down the field. Over the years our mascot has changed from a gobbler to the cuddly, huggable Hokie Bird we all love.
Now that you know a little of the “history” of how the Hokies came to be, let me answer Eli’s question posed to me, “What’s it really like to be a Hokie?” That’s easy, “It’s the most amazing thing in the world!” Oops, sorry Eli. So you want more than that? Let me elaborate.
Being a Hokie is…
Having your heart dance when you get to Exit 118 on Interstate 81,
and knowing you’re almost home.
Knowing you look like a million bucks wearing maroon and orange,
and daring anyone to suggest otherwise.
Having pride knowing that young Hokies
are working hard to Invent the Future.
Meeting fellow Hokie runners at 5 AM on the Huckleberry Trail for a run
before setting up your tailgate,
so you can hang out for at least three hours before kickoff.
Owning an 8-foot tall inflatable Hokie Bird,
and searching for a second one for your friend to buy,
because you can never have too many 8-foot tall Hokie Birds at your tailgate!
Connecting with old college friends that know way too much about you,
and being nervous introducing them to your children.
Spending Saturday afternoons jumping in Lane Stadium to Enter Sandman
with 66,000 of your closest friends!
Visiting the Duck Pond,
and remembering making out with your boyfriend (now husband) there.
Knowing Bud Foster would make an amazing head coach at another university,
but being thankful he’s happy staying as our assistant football coach.
Feeling proud knowing
that your fellow Hokies are serving our country.
Proudly knowing that job recruiters rank Virginia Tech graduates
among the most desirable employees.
Having a Hokie Stone bar in your basement,
because it makes your parties more fun and your drinks taste better.
Knowing that Hokie alum all around our country
are active in their local alumni chapters.
Running in the 3.2 Mile Run In Remembrance,
and remembering 32 fallen Hokies.
“Putting your right hand in, and your right hand out, your right hand in,
and shaking it all about” while dancing to the Hokey Pokey
at the beginning of the fourth quarter at home football games.
Finding time to hike to the Cascades, Dragon’s Tooth, or Angel’s Rest
when you’re in Blacksburg.
Getting your picture taken in front of the Virginia Tech flag at TOTS.
Knowing that the only correct answer to, “LET’S GO!!!” is “HOKIES!!!”
Getting tossed in the air after a touchdown.
Volunteering in your local community,
and being a part of VT Engage.
But most importantly, being a Hokie is something that can’t be seen,
it’s the spirit within us…
It’s showing Hokie Respect.
It’s having an instant connection to all other Virginia Tech alumni
and being a part of Hokie Nation.
It’s living the Virginia Tech motto: Ut Prosim – “That I may serve”
It’s a sense of community.
We Are Virginia Tech!
- Questions:
- What are your favorite traditions from your alma mater?
- What are some of your best memories from your college days?
*********************************************************************
I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
A very sweet tribute. As a Virginian and mom of a college student, you brought a tear to my eye. I love how passionate you are about your Hokies
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Weekly Wrap Spring Break Edition
Thank you, Deborah!
I remember this just like it was yesterday. My cousin attended the school at the time and we were so scared for her. Luckily she was okay.
I went to Penn State (undergrad) and Michigan State (grad school). The best memories I have from PSU are fro my times volunteering for THON. IT’s an amazing dance a thon that raises money for cancer.
Kimberly G recently posted…Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Recap – Week 7
Our oldest son was a freshman at VT at the time…
How nice that you were able to volunteer for Thon. I remember volunteering at the Virginia Special Olympics Track and Field Games which were held at Virginia Tech my senior year. Relay for Life has become a huge event at VT in recent years.
Awwwww, this is so sweet and eloquent. I had not realized it’s already been 10 years since that tragedy. Well, I’m a U of Iowa alum (and so is the hubby). We have a lot of fun memories, but football games are probably at the top of the list. Now that our kids are (mostly) grown, we can actually go to the football games and not have to worry about leaving the kids all day with a sitter & needing to rush back home (but we have not gone to very many games in recent years LOL). Our oldest daughter graduated last year from Iowa State, our HUGE inner-state rival, but the son is transferring to Iowa in the fall (graduating in 3 weeks from a community college).Not sure where the last child will go….
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Back on Track (literally)
Thank you, Kim!
As a Hoo, I can’t quite relate to being a Hokie, but I know what you mean. 🙂
Of course, the shooting impacted us all, and my hearts are with all for whom the day hits especially close to home.
Coco recently posted…A Few Days In Seoul
I remember reading that the UVA student association donated the candles for our vigil. That week all college students united behind the Hokies and it was incredibly heartwarming to watch. I went to the events on the one year anniversary and was touched when I saw the letters, posters, gifts, etc. sent to Virginia Tech from universities all across the country.
What a beautiful post Deb! I admire your love for you university!
Thank you, Meranda!
A very nice tribute, Debbie. I can’t believe it has been 10 years already. I’ve been reading some of the remembrance articles in the Washington Post and they’ve been nicely written. Hmmm traveling abroad and senior events were probably my favorite memories from undergrad.
Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run recently posted…Weekly Workout/Training in Review 4/10-4/16
Thank you, Jenny! I didn’t get the opportunity to travel abroad during school. What wonderful memories you have!
This is a great post! What special memories. I graduated from a local university and didn’t really have the typical “college” experience. My hubs bleeds Crimson Tide — yet our middle son attends the rival school (Auburn). So the hubs has softened a bit. LOL. Thanks for linking, Deb. (You can truly link any type of post, you know!)
Thanks, Holly, I appreciate the flexibility. 🙂
[…] Food, And They Will Come – Cruisers’ Easter Bunny Hop, and earlier today I posted Ten Years Later And Hokie Nation Is Stronger Than Ever, a tribute to my beloved alma […]
I so get this Deb! You could not have said it better it’s not something that can be seen but the spirit within us! I am glad you shared this post with us this week in the Weekly Wrap and you surely do not need permission!
I did not know it had been 10 years since the tragic events nor did I know the history behind the hokie nation!
It’s just something we do, support our team, our friends and college football in the fall, well it’s just nothing better in my opinion!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Weekly Wrap 89 Camping Again
Thanks, Tricia, I appreciate you not minding that I bent the rules a little bit this week. I did post my usual Weekly Wrap on Monday and linked it back to both you and Holly.
I loved this post then, and I love it now, Deb. Now that my middle daughter has begun thinking about college, I wonder if Virginia Tech would interest her – or if women’s soccer there is ready for its next star. Thanks for taking this positive approach on what I can only imagine is such a painful anniversary.
Thank you Eli. VT is always ready for its next star and I’d love to cheer for your daughter!