Ritualized Taunting? ME!?

Never.

Not when you have a team that is self-taunting.

WHAT'S A HOKIE?
The answer leads all the way back to 1896 when Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College changed its name to Virginia Polytechnic Institute. With the change came the necessity for writing a new cheer and a contest for such a purpose was held by the student body.

Senior O.M. Stull won first prize for his "Hokie" yell which is still used today. Later, when asked if "Hokie" had any special meaning, Stull explained the word was solely the product of his imagination and was used only as an attention-getter for his yell. It soon became a nickname for all Tech teams and for those people loyal to Tech athletics.

The official university school colors - Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange - also were introduced in 1896. The colors were chosen by a committee because they made a 'unique combination' not worn elsewhere at the time.

The official definition of "hokie" is "a loyal Virginia Tech Fan".

The HokieBird The bird is a "HokieBird" which has evolved from a turkey.

Virginia Tech teams were once called the "gobblers"!

Yes, it's that time--the Sugar Bowl game has once again rolled around, and undefeated ugly stepchild Auburn gets to play in a bowl game that has absolutely no bearing on anything. It is a nice thing for 9th ranked Virginia Tech, though--they've got even less to lose than Auburn does. As with every other opponent this year, if they win, it's because Auburn really isn't any good. If they lose, it's because Auburn is okay, but not really any good. Not that there's any sort of latent inferiority complex building, here. Honest. Anyway, we're probably not good enough to have an inferiority complex.

Anyway, the Boys from Blacksburg will be giving it all they have down in the Superbowl with a strong arm to try to pry apart the swarming Auburn defense, and a lot of looks on defense as they try to unsettle Al Borges' offensive strategies. Auburn counters with stripes earned this year for a well-balanced attack on both offense and defense, which has been the downfall of their last twelve opponents. The biggest obstacle the Tigers will face is overconfidence, and the combined effects of having so much time between the Bama game and this one and slopping around New Orleans taking in the "atmosphere."

It will probably be an okay game to watch tonight--it'll be on at 8/7 Central on ABC. Then again, Antiques Roadshow will be in St. Paul, and they're supposed to have a runabout, an armchair, some rare and valuable pots, and a pocket watch. And I really do need to get the Christmas decorations put away.

::sigh::
posted by Terry at 9:42:00 AM