Mailbag: Virginia Tech should beware; WVU fans still dangerous as ever

Recent news of Virginia Tech renewing the rivalry with West Virginia is alarming.

Hokie fans have experienced numerous violent acts, both physical and verbal, in the past from WVU. West Virginia University has done nothing to curb the violent behavior of their fans and Virginia Tech has been warned of the violence.

Whether Virginia Tech fans go to West Virginia or play at Blacksburg, they are subject to violence from WVU fans. Check out recent chat boards. No matter what board you choose, you will find not just one or two but hundreds of Tech fans talking about the violence they experienced from WVU fans.

The violence ranges from a simple shoving to being pelted with numerous foreign objects, plus bodily injuries and property damage. Even complaints of sexual harassment are being discussed. These issues may have been in the past but more alarming is they are still being practiced at WVU.

You only have to look at the WVU-LSU game to see that violence is still being practiced at WVU. That game in the fall of 2011 ended with a rock being thrown through a car window. One LSU fan had to have surgery after his "friendly beating." His pregnant wife was assaulted, as well as two other passengers.

This viciousness is not in the distant past. This present brutality is supported by the pride they take in their hooligan promotions. It's a name that comes from their violent practices and has nothing to do with being mountain men.

Let WVU go 10 years without violent behavior to visiting teams before we say it's in the past and not the present.

Presently, Virginia Tech is more concerned about the trees they might lose to a new indoor practice facility, or the "Stick It In" cheer, than they are for the safety of the fans, players and coaches.

There are great rivalries between the ACC and the SEC that are easier to travel to than WVU, like South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Wally Scott
Ashland, Va.

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