Go Hokies! April ‘07 As a Virginia Tech graduate (Agricultural Engineering, 1985) and Hall of Fame inductee, I am still struggling mightily with the tragic events of earlier in the week. I suppose most people are, but the Hokie family – students, alumni and staff – is feeling it most. Quite frankly I am nearly overcome with grief. Grief, sorrow, sadness – whichever word is most powerful – over the lost lives and the broken families, grief for the witnesses and grief for the other students who were lucky to be out of harm’s way but must now endure the aftermath. Grief, sorrow or sadness over the loss of innocence of a college in a town that was secluded, safe and isolated from the world. Grief, sorrow or sadness for the black mark that may always be attached to my beloved university. I decided to go to Tech, or VPI as we called it then, back in 7^th grade. It never occurred to me that I had another option. I was going to go to Tech and that was that. In fact, when I took my SAT’s as a senior, I had to list three schools for which to send my scores. I completely drew a blank after I put down Virginia Tech. Hastily, and almost with a twinge of betrayal, I added Penn State and Clemson only because they were also land grant universities with an agricultural background. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t get into Tech. I never applied anywhere else. As it turned out, I didn’t have to. I got accepted and that was that. Blacksburg here I come! Today of course, the competition to get into the school is much harder – I seriously doubt that I would be able to get in, especially the engineering college. I chose Tech for the school color – not the maroon and orange but green, my favorite color. Green grass and large open spaces at the drill field, in the ‘prairie’, around the dorms and classrooms and on the research farms surrounding the main part of the campus. It reminded me of home and the farm I grew up on and I felt very much at home. It impressed me on my first visit as a 7^th grader and every visit thereafter. Each June during high school I spent at week at Tech for the state FFA convention. This was my school! My dad went there, my uncle went there, my great aunt lived in Blacksburg for a time. It’s where I was going to go. There simply was no other option! I went out for track and cross country teams with the same simple logic – it never occurred to me that I couldn’t run at a division I school. Never mind that I wasn’t recruited by any school, never mind that my credentials were far from impressive. I was going to run for Tech and that was that. I think back to 1984. I was red-shirting outdoor track season to compete in the US Olympic Trials. I had qualified in the 10,000-meter run and traveled to Los Angeles to compete at the LA Coliseum. We stayed on the campus of Southern California. What struck me there was the security – a stone fence around the campus, security booths and tire spike plates at each entrance. What also struck me – hard – was the fact that I could not find a worthwhile patch of grass anywhere. I thought then I could never go to school at USC – it would be a prison to me. How could one study in such an atmosphere? The Trojans have their maroon as well but they don’t have their green. Give me my Blacksburg. Now our green is tarnished. But the healing is beginning. I was so stricken earlier in the week I thought – ‘how would I be able to compete in the ACC track and field championships if I were in school now?’ Would my mind be right? Now, a few days later I know it would be. I would be prouder than ever to wear the Hokie Maroon and Orange and stand on the starting line. I’m sure other runners from other teams would look at me and my teammates with sympathy. And that’s OK. But I would look back and say to myself: “I brought my ‘A’ game – I hope you brought yours.” I truly believe that Hokie Nation will rise above this crisis and respond in a way that will be extraordinary. The events and reactions to the events will necessitate change – and I believe Virginia Tech will find a tremendous way to handle tragic events. I’m certain faster, more effective communication will be the first priority but I also expect other responses we can’t yet comprehend. We’ll make it better for other schools and hopefully prevent them from ever having to face such a tragedy. And looking ahead, my oldest son has 15 years to decide where he wants to go to school. I know where I want him to go. But even with 15 years to think about it, I don’t think I can come up with a good second choice. Go Hokies!
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This page has been set up by Mark Stickley who covered Track and Field in the Northern Shenandoah Valley from 1992-2005. It is in a continual state of flux. Comments are welcome. Feel free to email me at: stickman at shentel.net
Last updated: 4/19/07