Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following every Virginia Tech home football game surveys are emailed to a sample population requesting feedback on their experience. As a result of many Hokies fans submitting their feedback following the season's first two home games, a variety of gameday adjustments will be instituted for Tech's home game on Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Duke on Sept. 27, along with some new initiatives that we hope our fans appreciated.
While not every change can be made immediately, and some adjustments require extensive investment and/or support from other constituents, the VT athletics department will continue to evaluate all feedback received with the goal of continually evolving the fan experience in and around Lane Stadium.
Listed below are some of the new programming and improvements that will be made along with some of the comments that were provided by fans to help spark the adjustments (some of which were edited for length).
What is happening on Sept. 27 when the Hokies take on Duke?
- Live music in Hokie Village: Join us prior to the game for the first of two pregame concerts this season in Hokie Village. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. will be well-known local band, The Worx. Kicking off at 5:00 p.m. will be Nashville recording artist Jay Allen.
- Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1999 team: Throughout the game we will honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the 1999 team who went undefeated in the regular season, capped off by an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game.
- Pre-game and in-game
- Skydive performance at halftime by Team Fastrax: Stay in your seats at halftime as Team Fastrax jumps into Lane Stadium capping off the Marching Virginians halftime show (weather permitting).
- Cell phone light show at the end of the third quarter: Similar to previous light shows executed in Cassell Coliseum, we'll add a special light show at the end of the third quarter. To participate, download the HokieSports app (Apple Store | Google Play) PRIOR to gameday. As the final seconds tick off in the third quarter, pull out your phone, open the app, click the hamburger menu in the top left corner and open "Hokie Lights." From there all you have to do is hold up your phone to join the show.
- White Effect! Don't forget to wear white for the first ever White Effect game under the lights. Official White Effect t-shirts will be available for purchase at Hokie Shops in and around Lane Stadium with proceeds benefiting the Fisher House Foundation.
Enhanced Gameday Central
"It would be more helpful if there was somewhere on the HokieSports.com website that had more information that was individual game specific with times, locations and details of the different activities happening around Lane Stadium on game day." – Linda T.
Update: While Gameday Central has always been the best one-stop-shop for gameday information, it's getting a refresh for the next home game and the remainder of the season. The new look will make it much easier to quickly find the gameday information that you're looking for. A link to Gameday Central will still be able to be found on the HokieSports.com football page and will be shared in all pre-game communication (e-mails, social posts, push notifications, etc.).
North concourse traffic evaluation and improvement:
"I typically enter stadium at the gate on the NW corner of the stadium and walk under the north end zone bleachers to get to my seats in the east stands (Section 3). I have never had any issues doing this. I was there for about 20 minutes before kickoff. It took us 20 minutes to walk 100 yards to get through under the North end zone bleachers. There was confusion and too many people trying to get to the north bleachers blocking the narrow path and not allowing people to walk from west to east to get to the east section." – Joseph M.
Update: This was a common response in survey feedback and through a collaborative effort with all parties responsible for gameday, we hope to solve this complex problem throughout the remainder of the season. In the near-term the entry point at Gate 7 will be altered to direct traffic flow based on student seating location (North and East). The goal of this modification is to improve traffic flow for all fans under the North bleachers. Stay tuned for more updates this week on the matter. Fan safety is of the utmost importance and will help drive these adjustments.
Hokie Hospitality
"Would like an announcement about Hokie Respect. Had "Boos" shouted to ODU when entering the field." – Linda B.
"Do you have a number to text during a game to report any incident?" – Jaime P.
"Surprised by behavior of student section. Recommend more security and enforcement in student sections as well as etiquette and appropriate behavior guidelines that must be followed for all attendees. Provide emails and communications of what type of behavior is and is not acceptable as well as stating good sportsmanship expectations before the game" – Jennifer T.
Update: Various concerns regarding fan behavior have been shared both on surveys and via email from the first two home games. Lane Stadium is known for being one of the most intimidating venues in college football and we should foster a hospitable atmosphere for all fans, teams, and staff members. This issue is multi-layered and does not have one simple fix. In the near-term fans are encouraged to use a fan text line to report issues as they occur. To use the text line, send your issue and location to 540-739-0089. If stadium event staff or police are nearby, please make them aware of situations that require attention. We encourage immediate notification of the issues so they may be addressed and identified in real time.
The athletics department will continue to explore other means of sharing and reminding fans of Hokie Hospitality and that treating our guests, teams and staff members with respect is of utmost importance.
Additional cup holder installation in chairback seating areas
"I still wish I didn't have to share a cup holder with our seat neighbors. Row N, we have seats 1-2, they have 3-4" – Mary L.
Update: Additional cupholders are currently being installed to solve this issue in South end zone chairback seating areas.
West, East and South concourse traffic adjustments
"The congestion under the west stands is (difficult) during half time. Concession lines block thru traffic. Vendors, drink machines, water fountains on the walls opposite the concession stands additionally cut down on traffic egress. I suggest that you keep the walls closest to the stands free of any items that block traffic. Especially relocate the water station under Section 18 to a location away from the concession area. Outside in the open corners would be a better location." – Donald R.
Update: While relocating locations can't be completed in the short term, we are working to add more stanchions at concession stands and the water refill stations to improve line direction in these areas. While no one wants to miss any game action, fans are encouraged to take trips to the concourse during non-peak times.
Water Policy Clarification
"I got an email you can bring one bottle of water. Got to the gate and they said they changed their mind" – James F.
"Would love to see a place to refill the clear empty water bottles that are allowed in the stadium. Water refill stations would be good."
- Deborah J.
"More water filling stations please!" – Greg C
Update: To clarify on what can and cannot be brought into the stadium regarding containers, any empty liquid container can be brought in for the purpose of filling with water at water refilling stations. The container must be clear/see-through (no specific color) and it must be plastic. These stations can be found on the West side by Section 18, South End Zone by Section 105 and East Side by Section 7. We are currently exploring the installation of additional stations to help keep up with demand. To help locate these stations, additional signage within the stadium has been added.
In-Game Production
"I don't care for the current music selection. I know you have to appeal to the audience, 17 to 22 year old, but some of us are older and listen to a different style of music. Mix it up!" - John W.
"More Marching Virginians and Highty Tighties. Less canned music and fan shots that interfere with game coverage. I'm here to watch the game, not the fans on the scoreboard." - Laura F.
"Please show more replays - we can probably say how many replays were shown in the last two games, right? I think the new software we use has that capacity." Ged M.
Update: The in-game production is always evolving, but the goal of delivering a product that is great for all fans in attendance remains the same. The number of replays shown this season has actually increased from previous seasons, with an average of 90 replays shown during the first two games. Additional cameras have also been added to capture more angles. An emphasis will continue to be placed on providing as much in-game coverage as possible, both in the form of replays and live action. In-game music, whether it be from one of our bands or canned, is a difficult balance but one that we take seriously. Conversations are on-going to find ways to better feature both the Marching Virginians and Highty Tighties. We'll continue to identify music from all genres and eras that fans of all types can enjoy. Lastly, adjustments have been made to how the game info and out of town scores are displayed, making them easier to see.
Stadium Connectivity
"Fix the WIFI!" - Nicholas M.
"Something really needs to be done about the poor wi-fi/internet in the stadium." - Jeremy R.
"Need to upgrade the availability to get WIFI in the stadium. The current system for the past few years lacks a lot." - Rusty M.
Update: AT&T was added to the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) in the off season, and AT&T mobile carriers should notice a significant improvement in cell phone reception. Verizon has always been included on the DAS and will remain on the system. Adding WiFi to Lane Stadium would be a considerable investment and conversations have been and continue to progress on future WiFi accessibility for the athletic venues.
Trees Trimmed
"My seats are in section 2 and trees are starting to block our view of the video board...something should be done or possible not renewing my season tickets...thanks" - Mark C.
"Tree limbs have grown out into tailgating areas in Lot 4 grass areas, and have not been properly trimmed back." - Jeffrey P.
Update: Thank you for this feedback. These trees have been trimmed in both locations.
Additional Flyovers
"No flyover on military day?" – Raymond F.
Update: Unfortunately due to weather and low cloud cover, the C-17 flyover scheduled for pregame of the Furman game had to be canceled at the last minute. Thanks to the support of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, additional flyovers have been scheduled for Homecoming (Oct. 19 vs. North Carolina) and the Hokies' match-up with Wake Forest (Nov. 9) pending weather and kickoff times.
Recognizing Accomplishments
"Honor Mekhi Lewis, first VT NCAA wrestling champion during a game" – Berry J.
Update: Throughout the season our student-athletes and coaches are recognized for their tremendous accomplishments. These are planned based on availability. Mekhi Lewis will be recognized for his wrestling national championship during the North Carolina game on Oct. 19. Other recognitions scheduled for the remainder of the year include: Celebrating the 1999 team (9/27), Maui Invitational presentation with men's basketball (9/27), Beamer/Dodd (more details to add), Celebrating the career of Bud Foster (11/9).
The first two games featured recognitions of our men's ACC Outdoor Track & Field champions (9/7), the 1969 football team celebrating their 50th reunion (9/7), and AD Honor Roll Student-Athletes (9/14).