Since the early 1990s, my dad has been purchasing Virginia Tech season football tickets for all the home games. When I was younger I remember going to several of the games throughout the year.

And back before the football program gained a more national notoriety, I even remember a season when I believe the team only won 2 games. We still went to the games. It goes without saying, but the stands weren’t exactly packed back then, and you weren’t as likely to see VT car magnets and window flags either. But that’s a whole other post.

In recent years, usually for 1 or 2 games out of the year, I’ll go with dad in lieu of his wife. The entire 2008 season was nearly over (just 2 games left) and we hadn’t made it to one of the games yet. But we weren’t about to break tradition.

So, this past Saturday we bundled up and headed to the game. And, all I gotta say is, it was dang cold!

Recent snow had yet to melt around parts of the Virginia Tech campus.

Heading to the stadium. Short sleeves were a bit out of style for this kind of game.

Kickoff was set for right around dusk, and I believe the temperatures around then had to be in the mid to upper 30s. By the time the sunlight retreated and the game was underway, I’d say that temperatures may have been flirting more with the 20s. I could see my breath the entire time. It was cold, and it only was going to get colder as the night went on.

Pregame festivities on the field.

Considering the frigid temperatures, I was surprised to see a decent crowd turnout for the game. I believe it was on TV on some ESPN station. And because of that, for some ticket holders, being able to recline back in the old easy chair at home was probably considered a bit more comfortable than a cramped and cold stadium.

Occasionally, I caught the smell of various liquid “spirits” that had been smuggled in to, if nothing else, help to numb one from the cold. I wondered why I didn’t think of that, but I’m not really much of a drinker anyways.

The home team makes their entrance on the field.

Before going, I think dad and I had both suggested that if the game was considered “over” by the 3rd quarter then we would go ahead and leave. But, as the 3rd quarter rolled around, the game was hardly over by any means. (The game itself wasn’t the most exciting one I’ve ever seen, and if you watched it or read the news then you know what I mean.)

Doing the Hokie Pokie before the start of the 4th quarter.

As the 4th quarter starts, VT is still only ahead 7-3, and my toes were starting to go numb from the cold. My face and cheeks felt like I had just left the dentist’s office after having a cavity filled. And, as tempting as the warm sanctuary of a running car heading home was, I had already decided to tough it out one way or the other.

The game really did go down to the final minute or so when the defense scored and pretty much clinched it. I had to take a photo of the scoreboard to prove we stayed to the end!

Scoreboard at the game's final.

And, as an extra and unexpected event after the game ended, they set off a series of fireworks that lasted for a few minutes. As I watched, I nearly forgot how cold I was.

A short fireworks show to end the game.

On the way home we listened to the post game reports on the radio, and I think it was said that this was the 2nd coldest home game since Beamer has been the coach. I would certainly believe it!