Sports mailbag: WVU fan refutes Hokie’s claims

Associated Press | File 2012

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith celebrates with fans in the student section.

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RELATED COVERAGE

Mailbag: Virginia Tech should beware; WVU fans still dangerous as ever
July 6, 2013

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I can only imagine that July 6 must have been a slow mailbag day for your sports section for a fine publication such as yours to post that screed from “Wally”.

The West Virginia-Virginia Tech rivalry is one of the great ones in college football. Yes, there is always a bad apple on both sides that seems to grab a headline for bad behavior because it will sell or get the article more air time.

Morgantown has some of the most hard-core fans in all of sports, but I would ask Wally to contact the folks from Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, and K-State and ask how their fans were treated in Morgantown — like gold, and they were a pleasure to get to know and there was plenty of mutual respect.

I would remind many that Lane Stadium is no convent. In my time (since mid-1980s) I had more than a few unkind words hurled in my direction from the stands … but I always considered it an assumed risk. I still respect VT and many fans.

My guess is Wally was probably one of the few jack-wagons that decided to wear every VT burnt orange article of fan gear to an away game in Morgantown (never a good idea).

Next, this supreme doofus would then whoop it up, traipsing through the WVU Greek tailgates singing the VT alma mater. Lastly, he would wonder why he went back to Ashland smelling not very good after being pelted with hot dogs, stale beer and the like. I would consider it a parting gift.

Living in Virginia, I have many VT friends and respect the institution and I think I speak for many of my brethren in stating that we welcome you to Morgantown, look forward to the coming games and look forward to paying Blacksburg a visit.

Paul Lewis
Winchester

Some suggestions for Hokies fan wary of WVU

I read the letter regarding the author’s concerns about dying at the hands of a West Virginia fan when the WVU-Virginia Tech “rivalry” is renewed in eight years and felt the need to help. To be afraid for eight years is a terrible fate. To that end, I offer these suggestions for the issues you raised.

1. You stated that VT fans are attacked in both Morgantown and Blacksburg. I would recommend selling out your stadium so that it isn’t taken over by WVU fans like usual. Throw in a Slurpee coupon or other incentive with every ticket. Do whatever it takes to actually have more VT fans in your own stadium than WVU fans. Strength in numbers, Wally.

2. Do not bring any children between 50-80 pounds to the game. These are the favorite size to barbecue and are often targeted by WVU fans.

3. Attempt to have security or the national guard along the top row to discourage hangings of VT fans like in 2002.

4. Do not make eye contact. Simply play dead and most of the marauding hordes will pass you over for a fresh kill.

5. Try to not be obnoxious. You might trick them into thinking you’re not a Tech fan.

6. Carpet bomb the WVU section with Jell-O shots for at least four hours prior to kickoff.

7. Machine gun nests in both end zones could save lives.

8. Have Mike Vick bring his attack dogs for crowd control.

Rumors of attacks in Morgantown are greatly exaggerated. The stadium morgue recently laid off one of it’s coroners due to a lower body count, and the Mountaineer Field Cemetery hasn’t even reached half of it’s 10,000 capacity.

You have eight years to prepare. Semper Fi, Wally, and God help you.

Steve Hirzel
Coalville, Utah

There are out-of-control fans at every school

I have gone to close to 65 West Virginia home football games and roughly 10 away games, counting two bowl games since my first visit in 2004.

I have heard drunk alumni ragging on opposing fans (not OK in my book) but have never witnesses anything illegal such as physical contact or throwing objects.

In College Park, Md., I have personally seen Maryland fans throw beer cans and food at WVU fans. My wife and I try and visit other programs when our vacation time allows us. Last fall we took a 12-day vacation into Texas, where again we met up with some very disrespectful Texas Tech fans. All seemed to be drunken alumni. We were even warned in Austin, Texas the previous Saturday by University of Texas fans that TTU had horrible fans.

I will not make a claim that either Maryland or Texas Tech has horrible fans since it was clearly a few.

I put myself in others position when I see opposing fans in Morgantown. In Austin, my wife and I were treated so nicely with the utmost respect. I truly wish Morgantown had this reputation.

Unfortunately some feel being a diehard fan means one has to be disrespectful to others. I promise you that is not the normal in WV or at Morgantown on game day and a push from our university has asked for change.

My best friend’s wife was a cheerleader at WVU and has brought it up on several occasions of having objects thrown at them while they were cheering on the sidelines at Blacksburg during the game.

These things do happen from time to time by immature and normally heavily intoxicated fans. To write an article that only points out incidents at one venue is down right ludicrous.

If you have spent enough time at any venue on a Saturday (especially a rivalry game) these things will happen. Again, this is not the normal or is it accepted in Morgantown!

Robert A. Miller
Martinsburg W.Va.

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