SabreMail Contest, Week #10

Last week's contest: What's your worst experience with an opposing fan (or fans)?

Wow, a lot of entries this week. It's amazing how many of you have been pelted by ice, beer, cups and assorted trash while at opponent's stadiums. One fan was barfed on. (Ew.) Another was nailed by dozens of Chick-Fil-A beanie cows at the 1998 Peach Bowl. A drunk fan pushed an old lady into one of you. (Nice.) Many of these incidents occurred, of course, in Blacksburg, and the runner-up entry by Connell Mullins is printed further down in SabreMail.

The winner of a free month of Sabre Edge is John Andersen (VetHoo), who titled his entry, "The Ugly Duckling - A Story of Self Improvement"

My worst experience with an opposing fan was with myself. No, this wasn't a time when I sprained my right hand...it was worse - I used to be a Hokie.

Now, please, Wahoo faithful - I can't be blamed here. I went to JMU without any Division I football. Following my Dukiehood, I went on to veterinary school at Virginia Tech for 4 years and I was spellbound by the big-time college football phenomenon. I always loved football and I never realized how much better college FB was than the pros, and hence I became a huge Hokie fan. I wore Maroon, I respected the RVs, my southern drawl increased, and naturally I was brainwashed to hate UVa. Please forgive me.

Now this story comes at the end of the 1998 season - "the great comeback" game for UVa at Tech. I was there on the student side, relishing in the first half whooping Tech was giving UVa. I had WAY too much bourbon on board and was just obnoxious along with pretty much all my surrounding Hokies (bags of bourbon smuggled in being passed around). Along with us were my girlfriend (current wife) and a few other close friends who were UVa alums. I was really enjoying shouting slurs and obscenities to them and with the combination of a 29-7 halftime lead and a blood alcohol level that was way too high, I was probably the most obnoxious person they had ever experienced. (I thank my wife to this day for sticking with me.) Dear Lord, please forgive me.

The climax of this story (and the low point in life) was when one of the UVa players became injured, I think in the early second half, but I really can't remember. What can I say, I was truly a Hokie - I was actually shouting things like "get him off the field," and letting slip a few choice terms to reflect my opinion of the injured player. I think my wife had left my section by then. Please, please forgive me.

During this terrible display of white trash behavior, all of a sudden, a state trooper came up the stairs, headed right to me. He said, "You need to be quiet, I don't want to hear another word from you," and left. And the surrounding 'Hoo fans as well as the few mature Hokie fans began to applaud the trooper's message. At that point I awoke from my drunken stupor to see what I had done...I was that guy. I was a terrible, disrespectful, drunken Hokie. Repent!? Repent!? (Editors note: I am not saying all Hokies are like this, they do have a great number of good, respectful fans.)

At that point, I did shut up. I passed on any more bagged bourbon offerings, and sobered up just in time to watch UVa come back and in the final minutes with a pass from Brooks to Hawkins win the game. My wife and her fellow UVa alums were politely clapping and cheering their team. It was an epiphany that would take me a few years to comprehend.

Well, 3½ years later I moved from Blacksburg, and a year after that moved to Charlottesville. My wife convinced me to get UVa season tix (2003 season) and I grudgingly agreed. But I was more mature. I had quit drinking (for obvious reasons) and went into the games with an open mind. I found that I really liked the players and coaches for people as well as players. There was a certain character and integrity at UVa that you just cannot dislike. I did root for VT that year (when UVa had a great win at Scott), but I even applauded that great, gutsy win. That's all it took. The next season at the time of the Commonwealth Cup, I was on the Right side - yelling and screaming for the 'Hoos to pull it off in Blacksburg.

I've never looked back. I root for a team that I know I can always be proud of, off and on the field. I'll never have that hatred for the Hokies that my wife has a master's degree in, but believe me - I'm a Wahoo for life. I look back at that drunk Hokie fan and literally cringe. That's an experience with an opposing fan I'd love to forget. I've been saved. The Ugly Duckling has come around.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Now to this week's contest:..

What's your best experience with an opposing fan (or fans)?

Enough of the ugly run-ins with jerks. Tell me a nice story about a time when opposing fans were gracious, kind or helped you out.

Please send your entry to [email protected] with the header: SabreMail Contest. Thanks, and good luck!

Football recruiting...

While we were not able to interview outstanding Highland Springs (VA) linebacker Jarrell Miller this week, his father called Jarrell's official visit to UVa "outstanding" and Highland Springs head coach Scott Burton said Miller "loved it." We hope to reach Jarrell over the weekend for a reflection on the official visit and to look forward to his future official visits.

Miller has taken official visits to Tennessee and Virginia and plans on taking officials to Florida (11/25), Virginia Tech (12/7) and UNC (12/10) as well. Miller has a tough playoff contest tonight, as the Springers take on John Graves and the Meadowbrook Monarchs.

Westmont Hilltop (Johnstown, PA) athlete Brad Kanuch had a great visit to Virginia but wants to take several other officials before making a final decision. Next up for the 6-0, 175-pound speedster is an official visit to Maryland. Connecticut and Wake Forest are in line for officials as well, but Wake has yet to offer.

Right now, it looks like the 'Hoos are in good shape, but the visit to Maryland will be a hurdle.

This weekend, Virginia will definitely host at least two prospects on official visits - 4-star DE Jared Odrick and 3-star OL Hutch Eckerson.

Odrick, who hails from Lebanon (PA), is one of Virginia's top remaining targets. The 6-6, 300-pound DE recruit has taken officials to Florida, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Georgia, so this will be his fifth and final official visit. Odrick likes the Virginia staff and players, but UVa needs a great weekend to feel like it has a good shot here.

Eckerson, a 6-6, 270-pound offensive lineman out of Lumberton (N.C.), is looking forward to finding out how he fits in at UVa. He already has an outstanding relationship with the coaches, something that has put Virginia #1 on his list. Eckerson also plans on taking official visits to Virginia Tech (10/2), South Carolina and N.C. State.

Commitment update.

QB O.C. Wardlow led Mount Tabor to an opening round playoff victory. He was unfortunately ejected from the game on what many spectators felt was a questionable call, but will be allowed to play in this week's contest.

WR Chris Dalton also helped his team to an opening round playoff victory. Fellow Virginia commits George Johnson (Glassboro (N.J.) and Joe Torchia (Queen of Peace (North Arlington, N.J.) helped their respective teams to opening round playoff victories as well.

Basketball recruiting.

Virginia signed three recruits this week, but it wasn't the three recruits you may expect. Solomon Tat, the 6-5, 225-pound Community Christian (Stockbridge, GA) shooting guard, followed through on what coach Linzy Davis said he would do and did not sign a letter of intent with UVa. Tat remains 100% committed to UVa and expects to sign in the spring. At this time, there is no reason to think that he won't follow through on that.

As expected, Virginia did sign 4-star forward Jamil Tucker and 3-star power forward/center Johnnie Lett. What was not expected was the signing of 6-6, 230-pound Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) small forward Will Harris (pictured right). Late last week, Brewster head coach Jason Smith believed his star was leaning toward a spring decision. But Harris changed his mind and signed with the 'Hoos this week.

Harris' commitment finishes up an outstanding class for the 'Hoos. And with Tat signing in the spring, Coach Leitao and company certainly should feel good about a class that likely will be ranked in the top 25 in the country. To check out Harris' comments on his decision, check out the EDGE article Q&A with UVa Signee Will Harris.

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A few weeks ago, Virginia Tech was looking unbeatable. Virginia's season was going nowhere. Now things have changed. The Hokies were whipped by Miami two Saturdays ago, while the Wahoos have won two straight, including an impressive 27-17 victory over Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech remains the favorite in the big rivalry game tomorrow, but there are more reasons for Cav fans to be optimistic.

Please check out the Virginia Tech Game Page and free articles below to read more about the 'Hoos...

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Notice to Sabre Edge subscribers from UVa Bookstores

The UVA Bookstores/Sabre Edge Discount Cards are ready for pick up! Sabre Edge members will need to come to the UVA Bookstore atop the Central Grounds Parking Garage and go to the Customer Service Desk (located at the front of the store to your right as you walk in). Your card will be there and you can start saving on great products throughout the Bookstore and TJ's Locker.

If you aren't going to be in town in the near future, remember to use your online discount.

Enjoy your savings! We are excited to be a part of TheSabre.com community.

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We're happy to post your tailgate pics and your vacation photos (as long as the V-Sabres logo is visible). Please send them to [email protected]. Mike also is taking pics of fans during games and has a new Fan(s) of the Week every week.

Sabre articles from the past week

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