Va Tech Hokies

I have had several people ask me when did Va Tech get serious about football. The answer is something like 1879 or so but if you mean when did we start showing up to play, I would say about 1993 on a somewhat consistent basis. To get some history VPI as it was known then, was a member of the Southern Conference. They were members from 1921 to 1965. When I attended from '47 to '52 other teams were Clemson, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Washington & Lee, South Carolina, Maryland, VMI, Citadel, Davidson, Furman, Wake Forest, Richmond, Furman, Wm & Mary, Duke and West Virginia entered in 1950. Not sure but there were about 17 teams. VPI usually got clobbered by all of them, even Wm & Mary and Richmond. The fun part of it was we went into a game not expecting to win so they would try anything, statue of liberty or whatever. Many of the teams formed the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference. I'm not sure what Tech did from 1965 to 1991 but in 1991 they joined the Big East as a football only member. Then in 2004 they joined the Atlantic Coast Confernce.

Frank Beamer took over in 1987 and like Obama had a major rebuilding task, but unlike Obama he did achieve some results.

In 1993 the record was 9-3, final ranking was 22 and beat Indiana in the Independence Bowl. One I attended.

1994 we were 8-4 and lost to Tennessee in the Gator Bowl

1995 we were 10-2 and beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl, final ranking 10. I also attended that in New Orleans - Go Hokies.

1996 record was 10 -2 and we lost to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, final ranking 13.

1997 record was 7-5 and lost to North Carolina in the Gator Bowl

1998 record was 9-3 and beat Alabama in the Music City Bowl, final ranking 23.

1999 record was 11-1 and lost to Florida State for National Championship in Sugar Bowl, final ranking 2.

2000 record was 11-1 and beat Clemson in Gator Bowl, final ranking 6.

2001 record was 8-4 and lost to Florida State in Gator Bowl, final ranking 18.

2002 record was 10-4 and beat Air Force in San Francisco, final ranking 18.

2003 record was 8-5 and lost to California (49-52) in the Insight Bowl. Unranked.

2004 record was 10-3 and lost to Auburn 13-16 in Sugar Bowl, ranked 10.

2005 record was 11-2 and beat Louisville in Gator Bowl, ranked 7.

2006 record was 10-3 and lost to Georgia in Chik Fil A Bowl, ranked 19.

2007 record was 11-3 and lost to Kansas 21-24 in Orange Bowl, ranked 9.

2008 record was 10-4 and beat Cincinnatti in Orange Bowl, ranked 15.

2009 record was 10-3 and beat Tennessee in Chik Fil A Bowl, ranked 10.

2010 record was 11-3 and clobbered by Stanford in Orange Bowl, 40-12, final ranking 16

Va Tech went to some bowl games before 1993 but not very many and don't believe any of the major bowls. The win over TEXAS got things rolling. Since then have been to 6 major bowls as champs of Big East or Atlantic Coast Conference.
Hope they can keep it going. GO HOKIES !

What is a Hokie and why are the colors Orange & Maroon?

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. As a matter of information, the original name of Virginia Tech was PRESTON AND OLIN INSTITUTE. Preston was for William Preston of the Smithfield Prestons. [GENEALOGY NOTE: The Carol Newman Library at Virginia Tech contains considerable genealogy on both the Smithfield and Walnut Grove Prestons.] I am not sure of the dates but I believe it was formed in 1872 as Preston and Olin Institute. Later it became Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical, Virginia A&M, then Virginia Polytechnic Institute and finally "and State University" was added. Until the end of World War II it was primarily a military college where students wore uniforms all the time similar to West Point, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and others. With veterans coming back they obviously did not have to take ROTC so the civilian population increased dramatically. Later, being a member of the corp was made optional however, I believe taking military courses for ROTC was still required.

Tech Songs & Cheers

Excert from Tech Triumph

"Old Hokie" Fight Song

Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi!

Tech, Tech, VPI

Sol-a-rex, Sol-a-rah

Poly Tech Vir-gin-ia

Ray rah VPI

Team! Team! Team!

Tech Triumph

Techmen, we're Techmen, with spirit true and faithful,

Backing up our teams with hopes undying;

Techmen, Oh, Techmen, we're out to win today,

Showing "pep" and life with which we're trying;

V.P., old V.P., you know our hearts are with you

In our luck which never seems to die;

Win or lose, we'll greet you with a glad returning,

You're the pride of V.P.I.

Chorus:

Just watch our men so big and active

Support the Orange and Maroon. Let's go Techs.

We know our ends and backs are stronger,

With winning hopes, we fear defeat no longer.

To see our team plow through the line, boys.

Determined now to win or die:

So give a Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi,

Rae, Ri, old V.P.I.

VPI Victory March
Verse:
You have seen the Hoyas Tumble,
You have made the indians cry;
And you know the Army mule
Once took a kick at V.P.I.
Worthy teams from Lexington
Have fought with all their might;
And now it's time to show the world
That victory is ours tonight!

Break Strain:
GO, TECH!
GO, TECH!
H-O-K-I-E-S, HOKIES!

Repeat Verse

Virginia Tech Alma Mater
Verse:
Sing praise to Alma Mater dear,
For V.P.I. we'll ever cheer;
Come lift your voices, swell the song,
Our loyalties to her belong.

Chorus
So stand and sing, all hail to thee.
V.P., all hail to thee.

Verse:
The Orange and Maroon you see,
That's fighting on to victory;
Our strife will not be long this day,
For glory lies within this fray.

Verse:
All loyal sons and daughters, one,
We raise our banner to the sun;
Our motto brings a spirit true,
That we may ever serve you.

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Original 11/14/99
Last Updated 8/26/2011
Author-Fred Preston