AD Weaver requests no Thursday night game in ’13 to ‘thank fans’; Twitter reaction largely negative
When Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver told David Teel of the Daily Press earlier today that his request for the Hokies not to have a home Thursday night game in 2013 was to thank the fans by making it easier for some to attend, it opened the floodgates on Twitter.
Naturally, on a medium that caters to a younger crowd — and by extension, one that has grown up watching Virginia Tech play on Thursday nights in Lane Stadium each of the last 11 years — the reaction was largely negative.
Weaver said Tuesday afternoon that he had not gotten any feedback like that.
“I’ve not received any that I’ve seen yet,” he said. “If I have, it’s because I’ve been out. But it was done simply to help our fans.”
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His reasoning for the request was this: the Hokies have played on Thursday night games in each of the last 11 years and on Labor Day night twice in two of the last three years. That puts a burden on Virginia Tech fans who work or have children who might have to miss school to attend.
“I just thought that we needed to have a night off for our fans, because it’s very difficult travel from the other part of the state and from the different areas that they come from,” Weaver said. “And so that was the request I made of the conference office.”
The request came from Weaver alone. He said it wasn’t based on last year alone, when the Hokies played only four Saturday home games, having hosted Georgia Tech on Labor Day night and Florida State on a Thursday night in November.
Weaver didn’t solicit input from athletic department officials or survey fans. He said he received only a handful of letters or emails from fans complaining about the number of non-Saturday games.
“I just felt we needed to give them a chance to have a season where it’s normal in terms of the fan participation,” Weaver said.
The Hokies are expected to host a Thursday night game again in 2014.
While some schools look at Thursday night games as a burden, Virginia Tech’s fans seem to be on the other side of the issue. Did he consider that some Hokies fans consider the Thursday night experience, having been so crucial to the program’s exposure over the years, to be a normal part of their participation?
“That’s another way of looking at it, no question,” Weaver said.
On some other scheduling subjects, Weaver had this to say:
– Virginia Tech has a time frame that it would work well to insert Notre Dame on the schedule when it becomes a partial ACC member, although it’s still waiting to hear from the league office for when that might be. Weaver declined to get specific with it, but looking at the Hokies’ future schedules, 2015 is the only year in the near future with three non-conference games. That would possibly give Tech matchups that year with Notre Dame either home or away and Ohio State at home.
– Weaver said a home-and-home series with Louisville had to be scrapped once the Cardinals were extended an offer to join the ACC. He’s still in discussion with one or two Big Ten teams about home-and-home matchups down the line.
– He said he’s pushing for home-and-home matchups with BCS-level foes in the future and not neutral site games, like the Hokies have played in the past (Southern Cal and Boise State in Washington, D.C.,; Alabama in Atlanta twice; East Carolina in Charlotte). “It’s just a preference,” he said.
– Weaver said Virginia Tech has only so much input on the ACC schedule. It’s up to the league office to make decisions. For instance, the Hokies have three repeat games in 2013 — at Boston College, at Miami, vs. Duke. “I think the conference office has done a good job with everything that they’ve had to deal with,” he said, noting the complications arising from adding new teams. “But I have no idea who caused or what caused the people to be on the schedule as it is this year. That would be a question for the conference office.”
– The league said in January when the matchups were announced that the repeat matchups were meant to balance the overall ACC schedule. While it did not elaborate, many assume it was to get Miami on a schedule where it didn’t have to play Virginia Tech and Florida State on the road in the same season, as it had done in 2011, ’09, ’07 and ’05.
February 26, 2013 - 3:09 PM
I commend the AD for thinking about the people in the community.
Honestly, I like the Thursday night games. I like all the night games. I find it much more difficult to get out of bed for these early afternoon saturday games. I’d much rather be rolling to the stadium around 4-5pm for an 8pm game saturday night.
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I know they’ll never adjust that because of the looming fear of alcohol. Though it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem for larger, more party-centric schools in the SEC.
Is this some kind of joke?
“Weaver didn’t solicit input from athletic department officials or survey fans. He said he received only a handful of letters or emails from fans complaining about the number of non-Saturday games.”
That really says it all. Weaver screwed up on this one. He’s the one who likes to talk about the “brand” of Virginia Tech football, but he’s running this thing like the geniuses behind “New” Coke did. A different look every time we step on the field and now taking something away that not only put us on the map in terms of the Hokie football experience, but also what the people at ESPN have said is one of the greatest cornerstones of Thursday night football in general.
Stupid move. But then again, what game on that home schedule would actually make for a decent national game anyway?
I, too, commend the AD for thinking about the community. What a hassle with students wanting to skip the Friday classes; Montgomery Co schools closing on that day, traffic, etc. I’ve heard from many season ticket holders that complain about the Thursday game.
I do not believe that Thursday games benefit a team that is an established program. They typically benefit an upstart or low exposure team that feeds off of that exposure. Any wonder why Tech has lost recently on Thursday nights? Join the grown up table and play on Saturday!
Just look back at VT schedule. Beamer can only beat teams like his 2013 schedule start.
Win win. Weak schedule.. Same ole same ole.. Get excited hokie fans that what you want. Not good competition
Thursday night games have become a tradition. The atmosphere is totally different, totally electric a lot better than a 12:00 or 1:00 p.m. kickoff. If he wants to help the “community” or the fans that travel then don’t have 12:00 or 1:00 p.m. kickoffs. I know that TV dictates that but that’s what makes it hard for the fans having to arrive at 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. for a noon kickoff. When is Mr. Weaver going to retire? None to soon………….
The thing about the Thursday night games…it is a bit more difficult to travel for out of town folks, I’ll admit. But, the exposure we get, guaranteed time on ESPN, is great for Tech, and I think (unless we get drubbed) it certainly must help recruiting to get tv exposure. And there IS that certain Thursday night atmosphere.
I would much rather be thanked by Weaver by him managing the basketball program so that it becomes a winning program once again, and by managing football so that we can at least be in peripheral conversations regarding vying for the national championship, at least for some years.
I grew up in Blacksburg, went to VT, and have been a season ticket holder for a decade…I would have appreciated Mr. Weaver getting feedback from the fans whether they wanted the Thursday night game taken away or not. The Thursday night games are the loudest, everyone is pumped. Over the past years the VT crowd has become quite lame on Saturdays, unless the game is at 3:30 or later.
Fernando…Thursday night games benefit a program greatly. You and your opponent get the spotlight on national TV and you are the only game featured. Usually Thursday night games feature big time schools…If you want to call Oregon, Alabama, LSU low exposure teams then you need to do more research. Since 2001 we have lost a total of 3 Thursday night home games, all in the last few minutes…you have the same traffic on Saturday…Every season ticket holder I have spoken to are extremely upset by the Thursday night game being taken away.
I like at least one Thursday Night duringn the season – Good exposure! Wild night!
Bob
Thursday night ESPN games have become a tradition and despite any inconviences, it was great for most fans, good recruiting tool, and the most exciting venue of the year. Of course, Weaver has listened to the minority before – banning “Stick It In, Stick It In”. If we needed new blood in the coaching arena, maybe it’s time to get a progressive AD as well.
Weaver is a very wise man; he took a good look at the 2012 season results and correctly deduced that VT will win maybe 6 of their games this season. Sooooooooo it did not make sense to have a home game against Georgia Tech and get pounded into the turf. The notion about doing it to allow the fans a night off is nuts.
Come on Weaver! You killed the Thursday night game for more Saturday nooner snoozers?? FAIL!
I can’t imagine a Tech season with no Thursday night games. I understand that Thursday doesn’t work for everyone, but it has surely worked for a great many because that stadium is alive for Thursday night games. Those games always have a special feel to them. Nothing but disappointment from the fans that I heard talking about this today. I would imagine that this is about something other than pleasing those “few” people who had asked for this.
John Walter gets it right. If he truly was interested in fan comfort and safety, we would never play a noon / 1:00 p.m. game in the late summer and early fall. I would much rather attend an evening game anytime than risk heat exhaustion and driving to Blacksburg before dawn.
I would just like a team and program that is run by grown ups. Pick one home uniform and one road uniform and stick with them; and it shouldn’t be the bird track helmet that was voted one of the 10 ugliest at USA Today. Unless there is some snafu LSU uses the same uniform for home and road games. I can’t remember when the last time I saw an SEC of B1G team playing on Thursday night. Established programs don’t screw with the formula as alluded to by the “New” coke comment above. Just find good players and good coaches then dress them good and let them play. Everything else is just fru fru.
If AD Weaver wants to be considerate to the fans, he should have the number of Noon start times reduced. Now, I know some of that has to do with how well the team is playing, but it appears over the past ten years, we have had an inordinate number of noon starts, and that was with the team winning 10+ games per year.
Andy, love the pouty Weaver picture you put up there. It’s high time for that wheezy geezer to retire. He’s a blowhard who is completely out of touch with the fan base. This is the same dinosaur who torpedoed the basketball program (men’s and women’s), the same man who threw Seth Greenberg under the bus and didn’t have the guts to tell Greenberg he was fired. And held a press conference before Greenberg even knew he was fired! I have ZERO respect for that human being.
WEAVER MUST GO!!! HE’S RUINING THE PROGRAMS AND RUINING BUSINESS FOR THE COMMUNITY!!
WEAVER, PLEASE RETIRE. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO VA TECH. NOW, GO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND TAKE OF YOUR HEALTH.
Weaver needs to do everyone a favor and ‘RETIRE’. When it comes to hiring new coaches he will go down as the worst AD ever at tech.
We are Tech fans that travel from Maryland for every home game. We love the Thursday night games, our employers know that if there is a Thursday night VT game in Blacksburg, we’re traveling the 4+ hours to get there and we won’t be at work the next day. We’ve had season tickets for 13 years now and we make that trek up and down I-81 for all the games. Wouldn’t miss if for the world. I really think Mr. Weaver needs to think about retiring, he just doesn’t seem to be aware of what the majority of the fans want. How about some late afternoon games, it’s hard to get to those 12 or 12:30 games with all the traffic. Also upset when he wouldn’t allow the Stick It In cheer, not much use for him since that got started. Also getting pretty tired of the Hokies Respect, no one is listening anymore. Let’s get something going that will get the students fired up like they used to get for our Hokies!!!
Im so tired of hearing weak schedule…..The 2x defending national champs are’nt all that. Take that BooHoo stuff back to Cville. You guys need to play somebody……We played Boise when they were good and USC when they were also. And guess what we played them tight. You guys go and take that show money and get blown out!
I often wonder why fans of schools other Virginia Tech would bother to come to this site and make negative comments about our wonderful program. The only logical explanation is that they are jealous of the Hokie Nation. Please get off our site and get a life.
This just opens up more negative critism of AD Weaver. Everyone take a deep breath and think what he did and how it helps fans like me from having to drive 320 miles oneway for a game on Thurs. nite. I applaud this and look forwards to leaving on Fri and seeing a game on Sat and not traveling during a weekday.
Thanks to Jim Weaver for this decision.
Have yet to hear a reasonable explanation of why ( and I assume the ACC officialdom is the culprit) Tech plays Miami and BC back on their home fields, and why we play GT after only 5 days. The explanation that it’s because of the new teams on the schedule, doesn’t pass the smell test. No objective analysis of this issue could lead to any other conclusion other than this was an effort to hurt Tech. I am not really bothered by the no Thursday night game at home deal. My suspicion is that it had little to do with travel or traffic issues, but reflects losing on ‘prime time’ when you are the only game on TV!
Weaver didn’t poll the Hokie Nation about the Thursday night games. HE decided all on his own. It reminds me of his hires for both basketball programs. Don’t conduct a proper interview process, just hire somebody. Though I really hope Wolfe and JJ both succeed.
Thursday night games in B’burg are magic! ESPN always comments on what a great venue Lane Stadium is on Thursday. That’s it’s one of the best. If Weaver wants to think of the fans, please retire.
Jim Weaver took away a national holiday for Hokie fans. Bad Weaver, bad.
I didn’t write this but:
“A letter to the Hokie Nation”
I am a recent graduate of VT. I spent my time there questioning the decision makers ability to give Tech the best ability to promote itself and better their athletic reputation. I always felt that we are held back by conservative decision making. The main issue I bring up is with Athletic Director Jim Weaver. This year new screens will be installed in Cassell and Lane. This will really give Tech the ability to show how great our venues are. I looked at this decision to install new screens and couldn’t wait for our Thursday Night game this year. How impressive will Enter Sandman be basting on new speakers and shining on a brand new HD screen? Well I guess we have to enjoy it at noon for Western Carolina. I enjoy the passion and heritage Tech has established over the last two decades. It really is remarkable how quickly we have become a perennial power. ESPN waits all year to come to Blacksburg. Students have it marked on their calendars in April. I spent my 5 years at Tech and have never been as excited about anything (minus gameday and #1 Duke) than I have for Thursday night. My friend, who went to Penn State, asked my why we had a home Thursday night game every year. My response: watch for yourself. It is one of the best known college traditions of this era. It has now been eliminated to accomodate the only part of the fan base that isn’t responsible for the atmosphere Thursday night creates. The “alumni” fan base is a great one, I am now part of that. I love to see the “older” fans decked out in Tech gear. It is hard for me to think that this population is responsible for Weaver’s decision. To say that I would prefer to have all weekend games over having to watch one on ESPN because I have work is ridiculous. I can’t believe that any alumni would disagree. Apparently they have. Thursday Night is for the students. It is for the ones who never sit, who never leave, who never get tired. It is for the ones who call their friends the next morning and are too hoarse to speak. It is about tailgating at 1 pm, it’s about loving every second of every play and never thinking otherwise. It is about YOU! As students you will be the alumni, you will be the movers and the shakers. Remember that. Remember how you felt on Thursday night. Fight for what you deserve as students of one of the greatest schools in the country…In the end LET’S GO!!!!”
#26 DH, the reason that VT is playing Miami & BC away in back to back years is that Miami requested a change in their schedule to not play away at both F$U & VT every other year. Also, there was juggling done with the new schools coming into the conference.
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Jim Weaver is dishonest when he says he was unaware of that scheduling change. The ACC head office is EXTREMELY cooperative and effective in requesting and responding to feedback about scheduling with all of its’ member schools. Jim Weaver would NOT have been blindsided by the change. He knew of it all along. He either volunteered for VT to be involved (my assertion) or he did not dissent when asked. Make no mistake, he was aware.
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It’s the same as when we began having two Thursday night games each season. That was the beginning of the ACC participating in the Thursday night games. Weaver, with Beamer’s complete consent, volunteered VaTech to take two games each season. Then he turned around after there were some complaints about TWO Thursday games, and said he was helpless as he had no control over the ACC schedule. Again, totally false.
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It’s the same as when we suddenly began getting a lot of noon games. Weaver said it was because he got feedback from fans requesting that time slot for games, and that he was ‘responding to fan sentiment’. When pressed on the issue, he then modified his story to falsely claiming that he polled the season ticket holders, and the plurality requested noon games. Once again, a total lie. The truth is that he volunteered VaTech, again with Frank Beamer’s full support, for the noon games. Beamer has stated publicly that he prefers noon games, so the players don’t sit around all day and become anxious about playing.
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See, it is NEVER about the fans, and you can essentially write off virtually every public statement made by Weaver as false. He either uses semantic gymnastics to twist perception, or he just blatantly lies, like now.
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December 2015. We’ll finally be rid of him. I can’t wait. Maybe fresh perspective from outside the cloistered Hokie family bubble will arrive and we can join the 21st century with our athletic programs.
The Thursday night games were my yearly getaway (from the gf) trip. Another tradition broken. Jim Weaver = the fans man! NOT !!
…”whatever” on the Thursday night games…but night games in Lane are special…I understand tv dictates much of the “when”, but whatever happened to Saturday night games?
First of all Weaver doesn’t give a heck what the fans want. If he did Seth Greenberg would not have been fired, Stiney would have been fired earlier and Thursday night games would be played this year. He just decided…
I don’t care for Thursday night games but I know the students love them as do most of the fans. They’re a tradition and the stadium is rocking. I don’t believe there is ever a problem filling the stadium on thursday or saturday so who does he think is sitting in those seats, not-fans?
So in one year we have to repeat Duke at home and Miami on the road, plus no thursday night games, plus a 5 day turn for GT? And you don’t think the league could have boned us worse?
And he hadn’t had any negative feedback? Maybe he needs to get head his head out of his aspirin and listen for a change.
When will the fans take VT back from this egomaniac? Obviously it’s all about families. He fired Greenberg due to a lack of family atmosphere and canceled thursday night games for families. How does he get away with this stuff.
BREAKING NEWS !! In an attempt to appease the fans Jim Weaver announces this years spring game will be played on a Thursday night !!!!
You guys made a big bad mistake getting rid of Greenburg. How is that working out for you?
As one of the season ticket holders from “the other part of the state”, I would really appreciate it if King Jim would check with his constituents prior to making these types of moves. Thursday nights present the best atmosphere at Lane, show off our school and football program in their best lights and are great fun for all. While small sacrifices are required from all to accommodate Thursday games, they’re well worth it.
Here’s how desperate I am for a little Tech football right now. I just sat here and read this entire thread. 33 comments. 3 in favor of Weaver’s decision. There’s your handful.
But hey, why complain here? Why not tell Weaver yourself?
jweaver at vt dot edu
Really, Weaver did all the VT Fans a FAVOR. It appears VT is sailing a ship with no captain, retire and let some young creative folks sail the VT ship. Weaver has accomplished much but this type of call indicates a change at the guard is needed, maybe the entire Football Program.
If we fail to win ACC and lose 3 or more games again, Weaver might be able to give tickets away on Thursday or Sat.
Oh yeah what waste of the big jumbo screen WTF were u thinking, Guess u wern’t?
Chokie fans need to keep whining about the schedule. You do get an extra week to prepare for UVa this year.
Posted this type comment on the AMac blog, but I support Weaver on this. The novelty of the Thursday night game has worn off, significantly. It really isn’t much fun to go to those games. It is a rush. You either take 2 days off work, and make it a ‘regular’ game experience, and that can be difficult, because you can’t tailgate in certain lots, and you get stuck in the most horrific traffic you will ever experience, since everybody is leaving at the same time. Other schools, notable UNC, flat out refuse to have Thursday night home games. The logistics of doing so can be a nightmare. I don’t agree with everything Jim has done or proposed, but this is one I adamantly approve.
who cares. Win games. JUST WIN GAMES!
Besides, I can drink more watching on Saturday than I can on Thursday nights……
Zman, The Man.
My guess is Weavers favorite Ice Cream flavor is Vanilla without orange and maroon sprinkles.
Dave Perks has it right: What a dumb move. I would have never guessed that someone at VT actually requested “no Thursday night games.” What a full-blown, unhinged idiot. Weaver’s action is so out-of-touch with reality–and brand as noted by DP and others–that I’m at a loss to describe adequately his incompetence.
The Pitt game would have been great for Thursday night. Revenge for VT, Pitt up and coming under Paul Chryst, great coach with a following across the NE and midwest. EPSN would love it and both teams will be doing well when they meet early in October. Weaver is a fool if he thinks the fans would prefer to watch that game on a Saturday afternoon rather than a Thursday night. Does Weaver live in a cave somewhere? Does he watch the Thursday night games on tape with the sound off? ESPN commentators regularly describe VT’s atmosphere on Thursday nights as “electric.” Now the Stiney has a job that may help VT win, we need to send Weaver into retirement. Soon. Before he sets up a home and home with Indiana rather than Michigan or Penn State.
As a 2002 grad and continuous season ticket holder, I am absolutely appalled by this decision. It would be one thing if there were unavoidable conflicts that necessitated a change, but Weaver had a CHOICE! The fans were not consulted. I have attended every Thursday night game since 1999- VT v. Clemson. We travel from NC for these games, despite having children and having to take off work. My husband is a UNC-CH grad and has always been jealous of our Thursday night games. Now that UNC has a progressive athletic director that sees the value of Thursday night games, they have done everything they can to schedule one against Miami this year!! ((They have logistical problems that we do not have at Tech, ie. hospital next to the stadium and parking issues.)) I would urge all Hokie fans to write a letter to Mr. Weaver and the athletic department to express views that should have been obvious to someone that is truly connected to the fan base.
Weaver acted alone. One man search committee for bball coach. Only took 11 years to realize Thursday night games are hard on fans (not). Who is this guys boss? Has there ever been a more out of touch or incompetent AD at a BCS school?? Seriously, who is this guys boss. Ca
Can’t make this stuff up….please somebody retire him yesterday
Thursday night games are what built VT with a prime time tv showing. The stadium always looks alive on a Thursday night.
I’ve been taking my dad to the Thursday night game for 10 years for his birthday.
We’re going to get slotted with noon and 3 pm games all year.
Weak schedule, weak schedule, weak schedule !! Shame ! Shame!
What a liar ! The worst part of a liar is that he is saying he cares nothing for you, and has no respect for you ! !
I said there would be no Thursday night games ! MONEY ! ! It is all about money, and losing, failed programs do not draw viewers, and no viewers = no $$$, and that meanS no prime time or season openers.
The next big LIE !! Weaver says the Hokie fans are too busy with Labor Day vacation to attend a game with Alabama, so CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ! ! !
A season without a home thursday night game?! What the crap!!
Get the season ticket holders to commit to tickets, then finalize the schedule! Real “treat” suuure. This fan lives for the Thursday night game
Mr weaver get in touch with the fan base
Mr. Weaver is seriously out of touch with the fans if he said that with a straight face. This blunder is in addition to us having one of the worst home schedules that I can remember…
I can completely understand statements of personal preference here on the blog, and I always expect to see the few retarded comments on the board from those who always post them. I have not seen any comments asking about coaching input.
I don’t believe at all the statement that he did not solicit input from Beamer or Foster. Both coaches have commented on previous years’ efforts to tweak the schedule to either incorporate extra time before the GT game, or not execute a 5 day turnaround again after the JMU debacle. Over the last 5 years or more, VT has executed consecutive Thursday night games, or ONLY a home Thursday night game. In each of these seasons, intentional scheduling provided over 7 days before and after the Thursday scheduling (incorporating the bye week to provide the extra days).
It is unbelievable that Weaver would not have consulted the coaches on this- if VT was actually able to direct their schedule, then there is NO WAY that VT would allow for only 5 days of practice before the GT game. As mentioned previously in the blog, the two bye weeks are useless, before Duke and before Virginia, the two weakest teams in the conference.
Forget about personal preference of whether or not to have a home Thursday night game- how about insuring that VT has at least a full week of prep / rest before the GT game? GT is not a better team than VT- they just use an arcane style of offense that requires most teams to spend a week retooling their defenses. When VT does not have a week, they have challenges (even when they do have the time a week or more, it is still a challenge). VT erred when not placing a bye, or another Thursday night game, before the GT game.
On a side note, Andy, is it possible to put the blog titles back in where it now says previous or next? I don’t know if everyone here is on your site all of the time, but having that visual reference at the top is at least helpful to me to see what blog I am looking at on my small screen phone when I do get a chance to read your blog.
CAN YOU SAY “OUT OF TOUCH”?
Personally, I love the Thursday night home games. Good excuse to take two days off from work. Great atmosphere. But then again, I live in Salem and there’s little travel. Through the years I have sat near folks who live in No. VA, Richmond, Eastern NC and even further away who said it was difficult for them to get there and often had to sell their tickets.
All of you folks who are so sure you could be a better AD, apply for the job. How would you folks like it if there was a blog where people told you how to hand burgers and fries through the window?
Weaver needs out of Virginia Tech athletics for all of the reasons listed above, and many other reasons too numerous to mention now.
To say that Hokie fans need a break and a chance at normal participation in order to justify requesting not to have a Thursday night game does not make any sense. Thursday nights in Blacksburg have become a staple of our program. It has become a a permanent fixture on my calendar. It is without a doubt one of the best experiences as a fan of Virginia Tech football. Our program basically put this prime time event on the map for ESPN. And with so many potential marquee matchups across the country on Saturdays, Thursday night was at the very least our one guaranteed prime time home event.
I can understand if ESPN decided to move in another direction – totally their own call. But to have our own AD request that we not host a Thursday night game just proves how disconnected he is with this fan base.
peppers ferry what have you been drinking the game is going to be played. Give it up. It’s not like this is the first time they’ve played, your beating a dead horse.
I have been a season ticket holder since 1970 and never missed a Thursday night game or work on Friday. My drive is 3 hours each way.
I thank Mr Weaver for giving me two 15 yard “penalities” on the stadium re-seating. Mr Weaver, now not to have a Thurs night home game when the whole country can see our Hokies, just raise the cost of Cokes again.
Oh well, guess answer is more awful Noon games on Sat.
GFB-VT`63
Weaver’s best “thank you” would be a retirement press conference.
Sorry Rick H, you’re in the minority. In all honesty I don’t care for them either, but the students love them, they’re a needed VT tradition and it’s really been the only national exposure we get outside of our annual butt kicking by some OOC opponent to start the season.
OJ had an interesting post about how weak the OOC home schedule has been under Weaver, and it has. Only two OOC home games against ranked opponents have been scheduled at Lane since joining the ACC (VT won them both BTW). Following Weaver’s philosophy of playing only one significant OOC team per year, and that game is more likely to be away (including neutral sites) than home, it is very likely we’ll have the snooze fests that we have this year. It was also pointed out that UVa has started to schedule two significant OOC games a year, which I have to admit is nice but also easier for them to do than VT.
I just glanced at Bama’s and FSU’s home OOC schedule. This year Bama plays Col. St., Georgia St. and Chattanooga. Last year it was W. Kentucky, Fla. Atlantic and W. Carolina. This year at home FSU plays Bethune Cookman, Nevada and Idaho (I am not counting their Syracuse game). Last year they played Murray St., Savannah St. and Florida. The point is, unfortunately, Weaver is not the only AD who does it. And with teams such as those two and VT all the games are sold out so having a few thousand empty seats apparently is not a huge revenue loss. It is truly about the money and the “fan experience” is secondary at VT and many other schools. I admire UVa for doing what they’re doing ( and they really do need to try something).
Apparently Weaver hasn’t received any negative comments by mail. As a public service, the link below has the contact information for the VT Athletic Dept (including Weaver), in case anyone out there wants to make their voice heard:
http://www.athletics.vt.edu/staff.html
Sorry Andy I’m not following today’s thread though yesterday’s and today’s are somewhat related.
He could be using this as a cover-up for the lame home schedule this year. I could see ESPN laughing at VT when Weaver suggested a Thursday night game. ESPN probably said get a real schedule and we will put you on TV.
In fairness, there are a lot of people that complain about Thursday night games due to having to take two days off work. Case and point would be there are always many extra Thursday night tickets floating around due to people not being able to attend. That said they are a fun time and home they come back in the future after this one year experiment.
Also to clarify, all non televised VT games are at 1:30. If you do not like 12:00 kickoffs then blame the ACC network. Stating that Weaver schedules games for 12:00 is just plain wrong, and makes your argument lest credible. That said, there really is not a big difference between 12:00 and 1:30 in my book. Non televised games are early because that is the way Beamer like it. He can get the game over, review film and be home at a normal time. With a night game one night of prep is lost.
Poopers fairy, aka Tokyo Rose, we are not influenced by your drivel. We don’t care what you think. About the scheldule, don’t like the duke home game, two years in a row, or the miami road game two years in a row. Duke is a great road game, that is really blacksburg east. Easy game to get to and plenty of cheap tickets. Miami does not deserve to have that advantage in the conference.
They will do something stupid to screw up there post season again, anyway.
Crooked Road #30, I often disagree with your comments, but NOT TODAY!
I think the problem goes above Weaver to the top of school administration. Either FIRE Weaver or RETIRE Weaver. If you want national recognition, schedule some nationally recognized teams and then beat them. Quit changing the uniforms every game and stay with the traditional VT uniform that is recognizable (you don’t see the Alabama’s, Miami, Notre Dames, USC, etc., changing logo’s and uniform styles do you?). You become recognizable by EXPOSURE. Thursday night games give National exposure. Saturday games only give regional exposure, unless you’re playing a top ranked team. Commenter’s on here who think Tech has an “established” program are fantasizing. If we did have that reputation, we do no more. Exposure winning big games get’s you that reputation. I recently listened to a national sports radio channel who had three different shows that day discussing the topic of who the top college football conferences currently are. All the commentators and callers ranked the ACC at the bottom of the major conferences. And when they talked about specific teams, VA Tech was listed as a “wannabe” that has never achieved the “elite” status. Some commented that Tech was “at one time” climbing the ladder, but the Hokies have disappeared off the national scene in football. It’s time for the Hokie Nation to speak up, and speak up to the top, and demand change if they want our money.
#62 scott, the reason the SEC teams get a pass on playing weak OOC opponents is because they play such strong teams IN conference. Compare Alabama’s conference schedule to ours any season, and the difference is remarkable. No, VaTech isn’t the only school to schedule weak OOC teams. That doesn’t ease the pain for loyal Hokie fans any, though. One ranked OOC team coming to Lane every five years is not adequate.
Wow, Weaver simply can’t hold that position anymore and should be relieved of his duties. No Thursday night game? Thursday night football at VT is almost a national past-time! Everyone in the country knows that when VT plays a Thursday night game it’s going to be fun stuff to watch, even if you aren’t a fan of VT. It’s publicity, it’s good for the program, it’s good for the school. VT is Thursday night college football!!! His excuse is so poor I’m not sure it can be articulated just how poor of a decision this actually is. Weaver just isn’t really paying attention. We love the “sacrifice” of a Thursday night game. We look forward to it, even those of us with kids. We come from DC, Richmond, Newport, WV, Maryland, NJ, everywhere for it!!! Wow. Hokie Nation is flabbergasted right now.
CR, agree mostly but will not give SEC a pass on that. Doubt they would be any different from other conferences even if they weren’t the best. It’s a good reason for them to say why they do it but I don’t think their fans like seeing W. Kentucky anymore than we do.
I’m pleased to see that a Thursday night game will not be a factor in my planning for fall 2013 classes. Thursday night games can be a major problem for classes that meet on Thursday nights (one meeting per week) or Thursday afternoons or nights (two meetings per week). Each class is a big part of the semester. Although Tech officially does not cancel classes, the parking lots are closed to students and faculty after about 4:45 P.M., and it is a burden to hold classes under these conditions. Yet, since classes are not cancelled, we owe the students a class. It is not easy to find a different time when all of the students can meet.
I recognize that the Thursday night games are exciting, and I’ve felt the excitement myself. But there is a price for that excitement, and it is a relief to know that fall 2013 classes will not be hampered by a Thursday game.
HEY DA !!
No, I don’t mean AD, cause it’s as plain as the nose on your face, this AD is a DA. Time for you to step down has passed.
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Why you ask? If you have one Thursday game on your schedule you need two to balance the days – SO THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO PLAY WITH ONLY FIVE DAYS OF REST – or did the ACC just stick it to us now that we can’t win the ACC championship?
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Also, Mr. DA – thank you very much for no more MONDAY NIGHT games with a saturday game afterward. Want to do us a real favor, try avoiding these you DA so and so!
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Hugs and Kisses
/r
Richard
Sorry I’ve been gone awhile, but baseball season has started. When I read this yesterday I nearly flipped over in my chair. NO THURSDAY NIGHT GAME AT LANE? What in the heck are we doing in Blacksburg? Crooked, feel free to lead this Army of Hokies who are geniunely ticked off by this. I couldn’t agree more that 12 noon and 1 o’clock kickoffs are both not as enjoyable for fans as a 3 pm or a late kickoff on a Saturday night. I love to cookout and on those days we cook ALL day long. Our tailgates have been known to have some of the biggest spreads in our parking area, but it’s nearly impossible to enjoy on a 12 or 1 kickoff.
My buddies and I often take an RV down for the first home game of the season and make it weekend but…..BUT….Thursday night games are what made other programs, other fan bases, and commentators say, “This is what Virginia Tech is all about!” How many times have you seen or heard a commentator say something like, “This Thursday night atmosphere in Blacksburg is electric.” or “Lane Stadium on Thursday night is one of the toughest places to play in the country.” I agree, It’s about the students and the die hards who are gonna stand the whole game and cheer louder than any other game of the season. Many people can’t make it on a Thursday, so they SELL their ticket to another die hard Hokie fan, and in return it get’s used. The person who can’t make it, waits until they get off work, and then heads to the local bar or scurries home with a carry-out pizza to flip on ESPN.
If this doesn’t get some “influential” alumni hot under the collar and put pressure on Mr. Weaver to retire, then I don’t know what will. Thanks for the service Mr. Weaver, but just like the football team who needed a shot in the arm, it’s time for a change at AD.
This just goes to show how out of touch Old Man Weaver really is with the fan base and that he’s a complete and utter moron to boot. Between the shabby out of conference schedule he pieces together with all the sisters of the poor and blind schools on the docket and the outrageous ticket prices to see those same schools play Tech and the final straw of eliminating a Thurday night home game is an insult to all die-hard Tech fans. Weaver expects us to drink the kool-aid and to feel privileged to be a part of his circus show.
when was that last home thursday night Hokie football game that didn’t sell out?
#71, Tech Teacher,….come on! You’re saying ONE Thursday night game causes you too much trouble? No matter how beneficial (financially and otherwise) to Virginia Tech? It’s not like you don’t have weeks and months to plan for it (for examble, next years schedule is already out now)! Maybe you need to be in a job where you only get a couple days notice about changes like a lot of us do! Come On Man (or woman)!
Tech teacher, I am an educator as well. You cannot possibly be serious that you can’t work around one game as an instructor. It’s the biggest event on campus all year other than being selected as the ESPN gameday site. As educators we have work around special events all the time but this event is one the entire campus rallies around. Even those deans list scholars jump on board on Thursday nights in Lane. Loosen up and enjoy the experience with rest of the VT faithful. It couldn’t hurt, especially this year.
Weaver = Out of touch.
It is absolutely ridiculous that Weaver believes that he made the decision to nix the Thursday night games in favor of the fans and the community. Of all the programs in the FBS VT has one of the strongest and most profound presences of Thursday night games. Ask any reporter, commentator, or sports analyst around the league what the most intimidating and exciting game they have been to and when it comes to the ACC, it will hands down be a VT Thrusday night game. The fans love the games, the community loves the games (and trust me the locals like Thrusday night games just as much because this now means a warm and quiet weekend not associated with football or the program for a weekend). Weaver has done us wrong once again and for him to stand behind a guise of statements that he has heard no negative feedback about his decisions alludes to the stupidity that he weilds the position that he holds just as equally.
To Weaver: Thursday Night Football on ESPN is the closet equivalent to Monday Night Football for the NFL. Giving up that exposure has to rank high – if it doesn’t top it – on the list of the most asinine decisions ever reach by ANY college AD. We ARE Thursday Night Football you insane, out of touch, bumbling fool.