Legacies of Lane: How a retired father watches Virginia Tech change his son’s life—and his own

Rock Luppino, a recently retired father of two and former football player at Herkimer High School, located in Herkimer County, NY, has found new meaning in this chapter of life. Between cheering on his children as they graduate high school and pursue college, Luppino stays grounded in his passions: coaching football and staying active in his community. 

“I coach football at Hermiker high school now, an assistant coach on the varsity team, and a head coach of the JV team, which I really love,” Luppino said. “And that came along at a perfect time. It was just as, you know, both of our kids were going away to pursue their dreams.” 

But in recent years, the cozy and nestled town of Blacksburg, Virginia, took on a whole new significance for the Luppino family when they came to visit their son Patrick’s new home. 

Patrick, Luppino’s son, made the bold decision to become a Hokie after completing two years at community college. Traveling all the way from Herkimer, NY, he chose Virginia Tech on his own, drawn in by the academic offerings and the unique atmosphere of the school. Despite being accepted to places like Notre Dame and Syracuse, Patrick felt that something about Virginia Tech just clicked. 

“It was tough to have him that far away,” Luppino admitted. “But once he was there, it was like, oh my gosh, you know? Blacksburg was the place. VT was the place. So that’s where he went. And to be honest with you, when we first went down to see the school, it was like—this is it.” 

Patrick went on to pursue a master’s degree in political science. As he grew and thrived at Virginia Tech, his entire family found themselves inspired and uplifted by the supportive, tight-knit community in Blacksburg. 

“We just can’t say enough about it. We really can’t,” Luppino said. “It’s just the best school. It really is. And I could go on and on about it, but, Virginia Tech is great.” 

That feeling reached a whole new level in the fall of 2021—Patrick’s first year at Tech—when Rock and his family traveled down from New York to visit him. Their trip happened to line up with a Saturday night football game at Lane Stadium: Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame. 

“We had seen the excitement on TV,” Luppino said. “We’d heard about it. The team’s entrance, the roar of the crowd, “Enter Sandman” blasting as the players ran out. But nothing prepares you for the real thing. Experiencing it live? That was something else. When the Team finally made their entry, the combination of the music and the crowd cheering them, the bleachers literally vibrating and the stadium rocking sent chills down our spines and was a feeling we will never forget. But more than anything, we were thrilled that our son, in the student section with his friends, was now fulfilling his dream as a Virginia Tech Hokie."  

In that moment—surrounded by nearly 66,000 cheering fans, under the lights, and watching his son thrive— he felt the power of the Lane Stadium tradition—something deeper than the game itself, something that now felt like it belonged to his family too.” 

Patrick recently graduated, but according to Luppino, their connection to Virginia Tech is far from over. The family plans to keep coming back for as many games as they can, soaking up the energy, the town and the community that welcomed them in. 

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.