Breaking barriers at Lane Stadium

Gamedays in Lane Stadium are always electric, and Virginia Tech football's 2024 home opener against Marshall was no exception. As the first note of Metallica’s Enter Sandman rang out just before kickoff, the sold-out crowd of 66,000 erupted, shaking the stadium in unison with the legendary tradition. 

But the excitement didn't stop with the iconic entrance – or even the game itself. For the first time in Virginia Tech Athletics history, women led every department of gameday production, including marketing, game operations, The Marching Virginians marching band, social media and in-venue experience. 

From orchestrating Enter Sandman to leading the 330-member Marching Virginians, these behind-the-scenes women are the driving force behind an unforgettable gameday experience. Crafting the electrifying atmosphere that Hokie fans cherish takes months of planning and teamwork, but their dedication and expertise ensure every moment exceeds expectations. 

Tori Thurston, director of marketing and fan development, oversees all field activations and experiences for fans, such as the Maroon and Orange Memories, experiencing Enter Sandman from the sideline, observing a quarter from the sideline, taking photos with the HokieBird and participating in the Team Walk. Thurston also ensures the team entrance and entertainment run smoothly, coordinating with those in the press box to make sure the team exits and enters the field at the right times. 

She sees her platform as an important opportunity to advocate for women’s athletics and inspire the next generation. 

“I've had the privilege of working under and admiring many strong, successful women leaders in this industry,” Thurston reflected. “Being able to serve as a role model for the next generation of interns and leaders is a responsibility I take very seriously. It's important to teach them how to be empathetic, caring and inspiring leaders who can make a positive impact on those around them.” 

Her teammate Cassie Walton, assistant director of marketing and fan development, sets up the fan-favorite Hokie Village, ensuring all the necessary equipment is in place and leading a group of student interns to provide first-class service to Hokie families. Walton also works to give fans who can't attend the game an unforgettable experience, hiring food trucks, the bookstore and musical artists to create a vibrant atmosphere. 

Another key player is Kathryn Dillin, assistant AD of marketing & fan development, who serves as the producer of the in-venue show, coordinating every element of the gameday experience in a cohesive and impactful way. This involves managing the music, video, in-venue host, bands and spirit program to create an engaging atmosphere for the fans. 

What Dillin loves most about her gameday role is the opportunity to make a difference. 

This past fall, she helped provide an unforgettable experience for 10 breast cancer survivors, fighters, and supporters by recognizing them on the field during the Sandman tradition at Lane Stadium. The heartfelt responses from those honored made it clear just how much the experience meant to them. 

"Doing things to help others and uplift our community means the most to me," Dillin reflected. "I enjoy welcoming back alumni pilots for flyovers and getting to recognize them and our veterans. Just working with everyone on game day to make a really positive experience for everyone is fulfilling to me, and then ultimately being able to pay it back to our community." 

While not directly involved with gameday operations, Virginia Tech’s social media managers Megan Bozzi and Spencer Tuttle bring Lane Stadium's atmosphere to Hokie fans nationwide. Managing the @HokiesFB and @HokieSports platforms, they juggle posting on X, Facebook and Instagram in real time - sometimes for five hours straight - while coordinating with photographers, livestreams and student interns capturing on-field content. 

On average, they produce around 192 posts per game, generating over 2.5 million impressions and 110k engagements. Their effort ensures that whether fans are in the stands or across the country, they can experience every unforgettable moment of Hokie football. 

" Working a football game in Lane is one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. Seeing the fans jump from inside the press box during Enter Sandman is a sight I’ll truly never forget, and I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to get to do what I do,” Tuttle said. “Seeing everything come together reminds me how special Virginia Tech is and why I love being a Hokie.” 

As leaders in college sports, Tech's gameday staff exemplifies the impact that strong, determined women can have in shaping the industry. National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a celebration of that impact — a chance to recognize the vital roles women play, not just as athletes but as the decision-makers, strategists and innovators behind the scenes. 

“Women in sports are powerful,” Thurston added. “They are champions. They are leaders. And they are important.”