Enter Sandman

An iconic moment. It begins with a rustic Johnny Cash anthem, a synchronized clap, and a familiar edge in the air—you can feel it building. The music fades, and 65,000 Hokies pledge their allegiance with the roar of the stadium yell:

“Let’s go… Hokies.”

The anticipation climbs, all of Southwest Virginia waiting for that one beat to drop. Then it hits. Enter Sandman erupts, and Lane Stadium takes over. The sound, the bounce, the surge of energy—it’s a moment so powerful it’s registered on the Richter scale. And when the music cuts, the crowd doesn’t. Players reach up to touch the “Hokie Stone” and an ear-ringing a cappella chorus carries through the stadium:

“Exit light. Enter night.”

It’s not a performance. It’s who we are. And it sets the stage for what’s to come.

Hokie Nation

Hokie Nation doesn’t just show up. They show up ready—loud, loyal, and locked into every moment.

It’s a crowd made up of students who live for Saturdays in Lane. Alumni who haven’t missed a home game in decades. Families introducing the next generation to their first jump. And lifers who remember what it felt like in Miles Stadium before Lane even opened its gates. It’s young and old, loud and louder. Different voices. Same purpose. 

After taking the field against Virginia Tech in 2003, a visiting quarterback summed it up:

“I don’t like losing to these fans. They think they play, too.”

Gameday has evolved, but what’s never changed is the heart behind it. The instinctive feel. The way 65,000 fans don’t just react—they anticipate. They understand the moment. And they rise to it.

You don’t just attend a game in Lane. 

You experience it.

The Sounds of Gameday 

The cadence of the Marching Virginians rolling through campus. The sharp precision of the Highty-Tighties leading the Corps of Cadets. The pulse of DJ TMMPO echoing through the pregame build. Each brings a distinct sound. Together, they define gameday in Lane.

Founded in 1974, the Marching Virginians have grown into one of the largest college marching bands in the country—known for their power, pageantry, and unmistakable sound from the north end zone. From Tech Triumph to the Hokie Pokie, they set the rhythm of the day from kickoff to the postgame loop around the stadium.

The Highty-Tighties are even older—Virginia Tech’s regimental band since 1893. With deep military roots, they bring tradition, discipline, and ceremony to every home game, leading the Corps march and presenting the colors with unmatched pride.

These aren’t just sounds, they’re what keep Lane connected between the whistles.

Key Plays

Third down in Lane Stadium carries weight. That’s when Hokie fans reach for their keys—a tradition born in the late 1980s. The sound builds: thousands of keys rattling in unison. Then comes the Gobble over the loudspeaker—sharp, unmistakable, rooted in history. 

More than noise, it’s disruption. It’s chaos. A calculated push to rattle the quarterback, shift momentum, and give the defense that extra edge. It’s loud. It’s precise. And it works. 

For those who’ve done it a thousand times, it’s muscle memory. For first-timers, it’s instinctive from the moment you hear it. 

When it’s third down, the keys come out, and the decibel level hits a new gear.

Skipper

Skipper has been part of Virginia Tech football since 1963. Built by members of the Corps of Cadets, the cannon was created to match the intensity of gameday and silence rival chants. It debuted during the Thanksgiving Day game against VMI and immediately became a fixture in Hokie tradition.

Forged from brass and built entirely by students, Skipper is now fired after every Virginia Tech score. Operated by the Skipper Crew—a select group of cadets—the cannon is prepared and maintained with precision and pride.

It’s one of the loudest moments inside Lane Stadium and one of the longest-standing symbols of the Corps' presence on gameday.

The Lane Leg

It’s become one of the most talked-about bites in Lane Stadium: the turkey leg. 

Smoked, massive, and unmistakable—it’s not subtle. The smell alone is part of the experience. And while it might seem odd to eat a version of your own mascot, it just works. 

Whether it’s your first game or your fiftieth, grabbing a Lane Leg has become a bucket list item for fans looking to take in the full experience. 

But the Lane Leg is just the start. 

From Hokie Dogs to grab-and-go BBQ, Lane Stadium offers a wide range of concessions across every concourse. Local vendors, traditional stadium favorites, and new rotating items ensure there's something for every appetite. 

Celebrating Service

Service is central to the Virginia Tech experience—on campus, in the stands, and on the field. 

Each home game features a military salute, honoring those who serve or have served in the armed forces. On Military Appreciation Day, the recognition deepens, marked by Corps of Cadets traditions, pregame ceremonies, and the unmistakable sound of a military flyover echoing above Lane Stadium. 

Lane also salutes everyday service. Throughout the season, designated games recognize educators, healthcare workers, and first responders—those who embody service in their own way and make communities stronger. 

It’s all part of something bigger: a living expression of Ut Prosim—That I May Serve. From the roar of the crowd to the reverence of these tributes, game day in Lane is about more than football. It’s about honoring those who put others first.