ESPN’s College GameDay is Back Home in Blacksburg, Virginia

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE!

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE!

Ladies and gentlemen this is Virginia Tech’s biggest game in recent memory. The No. 2 Clemson Tigers (4-0) have invaded Blacksburg to face the undefeated No. 12 Virginia Tech Hokies!

Sure, the game against Ohio State back in 2015 was hyped, but it simply didn’t carry the implications that today’s match up does.

ESPN’s College GameDay is back in Blacksburg, and they opened the show appropriately with Metallica’s Enter Sandman, which has become synonymous with the Virginia Tech Hokies football program and their intimidating home field advantage.

After a quick recap of the Washington State Cougars surprising upset of the USC Trojans, Kirk Herbstreit’s first comments were a reminiscing of College GameDay during its infancy and how Virginia Tech helped establish the program.

“Man, I remember when I first started on the show… It was about the third year I was on the show, in 1999, and College Game Day was still kind of growing. And, honestly this place and these fans and Frank Beamer, first guy to really embrace the show, and I think it helped change the culture of not just their program, but College Game Day. Forever.”

Within the first hour of broadcast second year head coach, Justin Fuente, was on set for a quick interview. His first order of business was to lead the raucous crowd of Hokie Faithful in an iteration of the “Let’s Go... Hokies!” chant. Coach Fuente immediately credited Coach Beamer for all that he has done for the school, the program, and for putting them in a position to be where they are today.

Back in 1999 GameDay made their first and second appearances in Blackburg, Virginia. When one includes the National Championship broadcast, GameDay attended three Virginia Tech games during the 1999-2000 season.

For those that are overwhelmingly nostalgic creatures, as I am, let’s hearken back to when GameDay first came to Blacksburg.

First Time: October 16, 1999, No. 16 Syracuse Orange vs No. 4 Virginia Tech Hokies (62-0, VT)

Second Time: November 13, 1999, No. 19 Miami-Florida Hurricanes vs No. 2 Virginia Tech Hokies (43-10, VT)

Welcome home, College GameDay!

GO HOKIES!!!