Tailgating for Virginia Tech football games has become first class in the last decade as Frank Beamer has established the program to national prominence, and the fan following with it. The sales of Virginia Tech apparel has gotten bigger as Virginia Tech sports have grown, and Saturdays (and sometimes Thursdays or other days of the week) in Blacksburg are full of Hokies wearing a Virginia Tech sweatshirt, Virginia Tech t-shirt, or Virginia Tech jersey. Virginia Tech football tickets are in high demand.
The right tailgating for Hokie games takes proper equipment and methods. To begin with, you need your tailgating spot. Location is key. This all comes down to being or knowing a Hokie Club member with good ranking that has a good parking spot. The Hokie Club utilizes a bunch of parking lots on campus close (and some actually pretty far) to Lane Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to make sure you get a the best you can get. Buy a Virginia Tech football parking pass from online store site like eBay if necessary.
Next, make sure you are decked out for the occasion. It all depends on the weather, but an authentic Virginia Tech jersey (either maroon or white) works fine. If it’s a crisp fall day, get your best maroon Virginia Tech sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and warm, grab a Virginia Tech t-shirt, possibly a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to stay cool. A fleece, pullover, shell, or sleek Virginia Tech golf polo are also possibilities. I always try to wear maroon – VT is a maroon school. Orange, white, and other colors dilute the stadium effect.
Hokie tailgates are primarily about food and beverage, so this should be primary focus. I like getting there early so that the grill can be set up and given plenty time to smoke a variety of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the centerpiece of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, steaks, or fish can all make great tailgate fare. Hokie country is bar-b-que country, so select a sauce that fits what you are grilling and will make your tailgate guest fulfilled. Complement your meat with whatever sides and snacks you or your Hokie friends can bring.
Food is a priority, but beverages are the backbone of your tailgate. Personally, I equate football tailgating with ‘brown water’, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a fine Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whisky to get you ready for the game. However, this is a personal thing, and you need to have a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to satisfy your guest (or have them BYOB).
Other important components of your tailgate: How are people going to locate your spot? Get a colorful Virginia Tech Flag , personalize it some and fly it above your site. Also, accessorize your Hokie tailgate out with Virginia Tech chairs, coolers, and throws. Everyone should be drinking out of Hokie cups and mugs too.
While the Hokie football game is obviously the most important game on that Saturday, there will be lots of other great college games on. Attendees at your tailgate are going to want to see other games (or they’ll wander somewhere else). Do what many tailgaters do and get a portable satellite dish you hook up to a receiver and televisions you can quickly move to set up in the morning. A blow up Virginia Tech sofa right in front is also a nice
touch.
To me, the sign of a good tailgate is one that everyone wants to return to after the game.
Getting prepared for gameday in Blacksburg? Have a Hokie fan that needs a gift? You can find great gear like a Virginia Tech Sweatshirt or other Virginia Tech Apparel at VirginiaTechFan.com, the Hokie Sports Blog and Fan Store.
