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Blacksburg Technicalities

Official Review by Jack Harver, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Approaching the rural Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech on Route 460 West, the fully-modern research facilities that litter an agrarian roadside scene hint at the school's reputation as an academic powerhouse in the sciences.

As with the college itself, of course, that's only half the picture. Across a field, up two-lane Southgate Drive, and over the head of an esteemed school of veterinary medicine stands Lane Stadium, a monolithic 66,000-seat shrine to college football that dominates the view for miles around.

Whether the gargantuan east grandstand is shining in the glare of the afternoon Southern sun or illumed against the night sky by the glow from its towering spotlights, it makes a powerful impression. For the students who pack the north end-zone's bleachers and the admirers who gravitate from all points on the compass to watch their adopted Hokies, football is king.

And that's before you've even set foot in the place.

Despite such nit-picks as are renumerated below, it's impossible to pass by Lane Stadium as a football fan"" let alone on the right fall Saturday"" without feeling, rightly, that they've got their priorities in order in Blacksburg.

Food & Beverage    4

Getting right down to the brass tacks of watching football once you're inside the stadium, let's suppose you're hungry. Whether you weren't lucky enough to get in on some grub from one of the tailgates you passed every few feet on the way in, or you're just out for more, we'll leave to your imagination.

Everything's here, in terms of typical stadium fare"" hamburgers, hot dogs, pop, nachos, and the like"" and none of it's inordinately expensive. At this point, those among you with uninspiring appetites can check that item off the list and skip ahead.

For the rest of you, simply relax as your primal sixth sense for meat takes over, grabbing you forcefully by the navel and moving irresistibly toward the corner of the south end zone. Three words: smoked turkey leg. One thousand calories of skin-on dark meat satisfaction, every carnivorous bite a...

Wait...it costs nine bucks? Pass.

Atmosphere    5

Despite the addition of 11,000 seats in the south end zone in 2002 and an expanded set of press boxes and luxury suites atop the west-side stands, less than 1,500 of the ticketed butts in Lane Stadium get to plop down in anything fancier than an assigned space in the bleachers. That's old school.

There are two bands, one (the Highty Tighties) associated with the military and one (the Marching Virginians) for the student body at large, and the school's Corps of Cadets to provide pageantry. The intro to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" gets the seats on every side of the field shaking with jumping students, alumni and fans. Good luck trying to shout something to your neighbor while the Hokies' defense is on the field.

In short, the place gets itself rocking and stays that way as long as the home team is putting up a fight.

Neighborhood    4

Opinions vary on the trademark greyscale "Hokie Stone" look of the buildings on campus. Some consider it archaic and drab; others appreciate its unique story"" limited quantities of the stone, which debuted in campus buildings in 1901, is mined from a local quarry each year"" and the sturdy character it lends the structures.

The crenellated towers on the stadium's press box are a bit much, but any distinctive step away from the stereotypical collegiate faux-classical air should be applauded.

Fans    5

They adorn their vehicles with more magnets, bumper stickers, and flags than good taste would recommend. The vast majority of them refer to Tech's players"" especially the starters"" vicariously, by their first names. Half of them aren't alumni, and their ritual shaking of keychains during "key plays" (pun sadly intended) on defense creates a mind-numbing metallic din that's easily the most annoying sound in sports history.

But they show up, win or lose, and they care down to their cores.

Access    1

Here's hoping you enjoyed the aforementioned view from Southgate Drive. By the time you're out of sight of Lane Stadium on Route 460 after a game, you'll have it etched into your retinas. As an alternative, you could choose the gridlock on I-81 in both directions out of Blacksburg.

Unless our readers have other ideas, the only viable "shortcut" out involves taking Harding Avenue from downtown to Catawba Road, a winding, hilly route that links back with I-81 North via Catawba Valley Drive some 25 miles away from Blacksburg. It doesn't get there in a hurry, but it's a steadier pace than either of the main routes.

Return on Investment    4

Inevitably, big-time college football means a big-time hit to the wallet. Forget about the prime sideline seats, which are doled out as rewards to donors; even Tech students have to fork over $70 for a season ticket in the nosebleeds or gamble on winning a seat in the school's weekly ticket lottery.

But for the price, a seat in Lane Stadium will give you one of the best college game-day experiences north of SEC territory"" and, unlike those Southern gridiron temples, Blacksburg gets just cold enough to feel like football in the late fall and early winter.

Extras    1

Just one, to stress how awesome the weather can be...in all senses of that word. Depending on the time of day and year, Lane Stadium can be a summer hothouse or a breezy fall Virginia scene"" or, just as easily, the target of hurricane-force wind and rain or a mid-winter snowstorm. It's a handful of home-field advantages in one, doled out by Mother Nature and the luck of the draw.

Article underrates LANE Stadium Home of the HOKIES

This has to be one of the best places in the world to see a college football game!

Seats are close to the field with great sightlines - unless you decide to sitdown for the game. Warm, friendly, football-knowledgable Hokies make you feel welcome on campus as well as in the stadium. Be ready to make some - no - lots of noise: intense fan particaption is premium and required once "Enter Sandman" is heard. Night games are particularly magical in atmosphere. Fall day games with the surrounding trees in Orange and Maroon are beautiful. Two bands, 'Skipper,' the Corps, doing the Hokie Pokie, etc. and a hard hitting football team provide plenty of fun.

You know you're in Lane Stadium when " The Sandman does anything but put you to sleep; forgetting your keys for the game is a capital crime; and there are 66,233 screaming fans around you, yet every seat is empty."

Though Southgate Road may be narrow, i'll enjoy my "etched retina" image and all the great moments until i get to return the next time!

by ffunderdog | Dec 10, 2010 09:14 AM

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