Some lines should never be crossed

The following is a letter to the editor of the Cavalier Daily.

To Whom It May Concern:

Each year, the Hokies and the Hoos duke it out on the football field for the Commonwealth Cup. This year was special for two specific reasons. First, it was the most important game we’d played in years; it was the game that decided the ACC Coastal Division champion, both teams were ranked, and a trip to Jacksonville was at stake. It was also the first time the two had met on the field since the tragedy at Virginia Tech on April 16th. As a Hokie, I was touched by the outpouring of support we received from all of the schools in the Commonwealth but particularly by that of UVA. Between the fact that UVA opened up its website to the Virginia Tech news after our servers crashed on the 16th and the Hoos for Hokies campaign, I was proud that the two rivals realized that what we have is really more of a sibling rivalry than anything substantive. We can point fingers and be mean all we want, but when it comes down to it, we’re here for each other as students, as Virginians, as people. That’s why I had such a hard time at the game this past Saturday. I was honored by the continued support – the moment of silence, the VT patch on the Virginia Pride banner, and the invitation for the Marching Virginians and President Steger to join in the halftime celebration. I was, however, a little disappointed by the fans. Of course things are going to get a little ugly, it’s a college football rivalry. But that’s just it, it’s football. Of course I expect the nasty comments about our players and coaches, and even the occasional snide remark about making minimum wage, roasting turkeys, and tipping cows. What I wasn’t prepared for, however, were the signs of disrespect toward the students, President Steger, and UVA’s own demonstrations of support. From comments about the VT being added to the Virginia Pride banner like, “Why is that VT on there, take it off!” to booing Steger and the Hokies United flag, to just generally inappropriate and tasteless comments such as, “I wish Cho had killed all you G-- d--- Hokies,” the fans crossed a line that was inappropriate even for a heated college football rivalry atmosphere. Some of my best friends go to UVA and we traded insults but in the end, we’re friends and we keep our animosity contained within the realm of football. I did experience some fan support – after the game, we encountered a pair of UVA alumni who were very friendly. They shook hands, gave hugs and congratulations, and were willing to put aside any differences to be friendly to visitors. Perhaps it is a bit much to ask that everyone be as nice as those two fans were, but I don’t feel that I and my fellow Hokies would be unjustified in asking for that support that we’ve had these past seven and a half months to continue, even when football is concerned.