Legacies of Lane: The power of a moment

BLACKSBURG – There's something special about the way Lane Stadium brings people together. Perhaps it’s the community of 66,000 members of Hokie Nation packing the stands on Saturdays, or the feeling of pride one has in their institution. It could be the iconography, retired numbers standing as a reminder of generations past in the North End Zone, or even the mantra of “This is Home.” For some fans, however, their allegiance to Hokie football began after witnessing greatness on Worsham Field. 

Like many fans of Tech, Virginia native Noah Thompson had Chicago maroon and burnt orange coursing through his veins from a young age. The son of two Hokie parents, it would have been out of the ordinary if Thompson and his family hadn’t spent their fall Saturdays in Lane Stadium. 

“Even before I was born, they [Thompson’s parents] were going to Virginia Tech football games every year,” said Thompson. “They’ve had season tickets for a long time.” 

The Thompson family began to attend games more frequently after relocating to Roanoke when Noah was 9 years old. His older brother, who soon followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a Hokie, served as only more motivation to visit Tech on a recurring basis. 

Thompson spoke on how he continued to visit his brother even as he himself entered college. While his family had individually made their way to Tech, Thompson elected to spend time at James Madison University, just over two hours outside of Blacksburg in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Yet, after logging a year’s worth of time as a student at JMU, he decided to transfer to his parents’ alma mater. 

Thompson credits his return to Blacksburg to both his family and his experiences watching the Hokies in Lane Stadium. When asked about his favorite moments in the stands, he drew back two specific examples that perfectly illustrate what Tech football is all about: grit, tenacity and fighting to the very end.  

As a 13-year-old fan with his parents, Thompson had the once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness greatness on the gridiron. Seated on the front row of the stands, Thompson saw former Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor lead a dazzling late-game comeback against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, largely in part due to Taylor’s elite quickness and pinpoint throwing accuracy. 

After an 81-yard rocket downfield to former Tech wideout Danny Coale put the Hokies in the redzone, Taylor would scramble until finding wide receiver Dyrell Roberts for six with under a minute left. It was a play that, in a highly contested matchup, gave Thompson an instantly memorable moment. 

“It seemed like he [Taylor] was going back and forth [from] one side of the field to the other for ages before anybody could get to him,” said Thompson. “That was a really cool memory for me.” 

While Nebraska fought to regain its lead late in the fourth quarter, the then-No. 13 ranked Hokies would go on to win 16-15 on Sept. 19, 2009. The nail-biter was a crowning achievement in a season that saw Taylor throw for over 2,300 yards and secure 18 total touchdowns.  

“I have so many great memories of watching [Taylor] play at Tech,” said Thompson. “He’s probably the number one memory-giver for me.” 

As a student at Tech, Thompson continued his affinity for late-game matchups. In what is still the longest game in school history, Virginia Tech would outlast conference foe North Carolina 43-41 in a record six overtimes on Oct. 19, 2019. The game, which saw former third-string Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson bury the Tar Heels with a two-point conversion, was over four hours long. 

Where was Thompson? In the student section, cheering for the Hokies until the very end. 

“I think we were in the North End Zone until two in the morning watching that game,” reflected Thompson. “Thankfully, we ended up winning. That was probably my favorite memory as a student...I’m glad I stayed, because [the game] was great.”  

When asked about what makes Blacksburg such a unique epicenter of college football glory, Thompson believes it’s the area that makes it special. Hence, Thompson asserted, people come to Blacksburg with a purpose: To watch their team succeed. 

“Blacksburg is kind of a unique place...there’s not many major cities around here,” said Thompson. “People don’t come here because it’s easy to come here. They come here because they love it.” 

Now serving as the Director of Development and External Relations at the Campbell University School of Engineering, Thompson predicts he’ll be back for a handful of games this upcoming season. Alongside his Virginia Tech family members and loved ones, he’s aiming to see what the Hokies have in store this fall. 

Legacies of Lane Campaign 

Tech Athletics launched a multi-platform brand campaign celebrating Lane Stadium through the eyes of those who know it best — the fans. Over the course of the summer, Tech will spotlight Hokie fans and their favorite game day memories, capturing the passion, pride, and tradition that define the Virginia Tech experience. Fans can share their stories for a chance to be featured. 

As the memories that define Lane Stadium are honored, there’s no better time to create new ones. Whether it’s a fans' first time in the stands or hundredth, the 2025 season is a chance to be part of the next chapter in Hokie history. Don’t miss a moment — use the virtual ticket assistant to see which ticket package is best for you.