FIFE: U.Va. fan’s survival guide

Jeff Fife
Published: September 21, 2008

It’s not easy being a U.Va. fan. The open date this weekend gave me an opportunity to reflect what has become of the football program and make me question my sanity as I continue to cling loyally to a team and that hasn’t brought me much joy in recent years.
As long as I could remember, I’ve bled blue and orange. As a kid, Mom and Dad had season tickets for both basketball and football. I grew up loving U.Va. and having a healthy dislike for all things related to Virginia Tech. I’ve started my children on a similar path (ask my children where Hokie Bird lives – one will answer, with a smile, “in my belly,” and another will say “the storm sewer”). I wonder if I’m setting my children up for the same pain and frustration I’ve experienced.
My brother, who got one of his degrees from U.Va., chooses to pull for Virginia Tech to a level of fandom that even I can not comprehend. As he is my next door neighbor as well, I’m constantly surrounded by maroon and orange – we’re talking bathroom sets, Christmas decorations, bizarre headgear, etc. Since I’m surrounded by Hokie Nation — and U.Va. doesn’t seem to have the ability to relieve me of my pain – I’m just going to have to survive another year with Al Groh’s gang of misfits.
I’m sure there are other lost souls like myself in the Valley, so I’m putting together a U.Va. fan’s survival guide – here are some things to do if you are a WAHOO this year:
*Raid your medicine cabinet. Get some Advil, Tums and Imodium AD. You’re going to need them.
* Make sure you own an analog television set. In 2009, you don’t want to have the ability to watch next year’s team either. With U.Va.’s top quarterback recruit, Peter Lalich, being removed from the team for behaving, well, like a Hokie, next year won’t be any better.
*Replay the Virginia Tech/ECU game every time Virginia plays. At least there’s some solace in sharing the pain.
*Since you can’t have signs at the stadium, grab seven of your friends at the next U.Va. game and paint the following letters on your chests, F-I-R-E G-R-O-H.
*Try to convince yourself that Virginia Tech isn’t that good either and at least a U.Va. victory on their soil would we worth losing the remaining games of the season (then take more Imodium AD).
* Take up a hobby. Bird watching will probably have more aerial action than U.Va.’s offense.
*Become a Virginia Tech fan – Naaahhh.
Editor’s Note: Jeff Fife, born and raised in Waynesboro is the executive director of the Waynesboro Family YMCA. He graduated from Radford University and Waynesboro High School.
Word from the Y is a weekly column featuring members of the Waynesboro YMCA staff.