I'm a VT alum who traveled to the game with my two daughters. I must admit, like many others unfamiliar with OSU and Columbus I had heard urban legends about how rough the atmosphere and especially OSU fans could be to fans of opposing teams. I was prepared to have to endure a brutal day of tailgating, harsh language and a rough time at the game, especially given we were surrounded by a sea of scarlet, well away from the VT section..
All I have to say is, every fan was super nice, friendly, eager to chat, and not anything at all like I had been led to believe my experience would be like. Everyone was very welcoming, not a mean or rough person anywhere, and having been to stadiums all around this country, the whole game day experience will go down as one of the best I've ever encountered. My kids absolutely loved the whole experience and I must say, you're stadium rocks and your band is unlike anything I have ever seen. By far the best and most entertaining band I have ever seen in my life. The game was certainly a nail biter at the end and even with things not going as you had hoped, I never even heard a single foul word. With younger daughters I was worried about language and had been warned about the likelihood of frequent non-stop f-bombs. Again, all these rumors proved completely unfounded. Literally, neither I nor my daughters heard a single foul word the entire game. Not one. That is amazing, and something I've rarely encountered ever at any other stadium. It helped make an already fun day even more enjoyable because I could share it with my kids without worry.
We encountered no harsh or insulting epithets, only genuine friendliness and hospitality. People smiled and welcomed us to the campus. Numerous OSU fans throughout the day would approach me and my kids, thank us for coming, seemed genuinely concerned that we were enjoying our time, and even asked if the OSU fans we encountered were friendly. They wished us luck before the game and despite a VT win, congratulated us with sincerity after the game. Wow. And I'm not just talking about the elderly or statesmanlike alumni. Everyone, from young students to parking lot attendants, and ushers to every local business employee. If those rumors or urban legends ever had any basis in fact, then what my family and I witnessed on Saturday was the exact opposite.
So, from a very impressed VT fan I just want to say thanks to OSU for a great time. Yes, the win was nice (ok, maybe for us, but you will get a chance to square things up when we host the next game), but what made the day especially memorable and a remarkable experience was that everyone was so nice and that the whole day was a joy.. I hope we can schedule you guys again just so I have an excuse to come up for a game again, regardless of how it turns out for my team. Great job OSU. Game was good but the atmosphere and fans were even better.
