| 04 September 2007
Alas, it's time! We have officially kicked off the 2007-2008 college football season! For most teams, it's just like any other start: the same 1AA cupcakes, the same ole' blowouts; just another game. However, for an emotional Virginia Tech team, this day could not have come soon enough.
Date back to April 16, 2007, a day that will forever be remembered as the Virginia Tech massacre. A day when a student opened fire and took the lives of 32 innocent souls who were in the wrong place at the wrong time; another handful were injured; the entire Hokie nation dismantled.
No one has to tell you twice that the tragedy at Virginia Tech affected everyone. Hearts were broken, souls were lost, and emotions were high. What would save the Hokies? How could we ever overcome this horrible tragedy?
I realize, of course, that Virginia Tech is a unified campus. We are not just one to shut down after something horrible has happened; we are one to unify and rebuild. Yes, our students, faculty, and staff all came together after this tragedy to make the Hokie nation stronger; yes, we were able to move on and continue with our lives, but the Hokies still needed something...just SOMETHING to bring it all together.
So, here we are...September 1st, 2007, opening day vs East Carolina University; just another home-opener, right? Wrong. This is what put VT on the map. Yes, our academics are high in quality and our campus life is like no other, but this is what Virginia Tech is all about: football.
Lane Stadium has become a home venue that no team wants to play in - the noise and the emotion has always made Lane one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. This is what will bring the Hokie Nation closer than ever - 4 quarters...60 minutes...3600 seconds - however you want to put it. But in that little bit of time, Virginia Tech will take one giant leap toward recovery; albeit one small step in the grand scheme of things.
So, give me "Enter Sandman" and let the road to recovery continue. This game will be played not just for the 32 victims in the tragedy, but the entire Hokie Nation.
And even if just for today, we are ALL Hokies.
Barry (BDubs)
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