The Marching Virginians were reunited for one final time this season in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2019 Belk Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Though the score of the game was less than ideal, the MVs still got the chance to make some unforgettable memories.
After a grueling 10 hour bus ride from Vienna, the final buses pulled up to the hotel in Charlotte and the last of the band checked into their rooms. The Marching Virginians were finally reunited! After collecting bowl swag and greeting the friends they haven’t seen in weeks, the MVs turned in for the night.
Part of the saxophone section practicing the Hokie Pokie during the bowl rehearsal! Source: Chloe Tenembaum
After a restful night’s sleep, the Marching Virginians piled into eight charter buses and headed into South Carolina to rehearse together one last time. Upon arriving at Catawba Ridge High School, we unloaded our instruments, flags, and other equipment from trucks and buses and made ourselves at home on the field. Through breathing and the warm-up, concert arcs, and drill walk-throughs, excitement and anticipation built as we prepared for our performance in front of thousands of Hokie fans the next day. Ending the rehearsal with two full runs, the MVs could not have been more prepared for our pregame and halftime performances.
After rehearsal, the band packed everything up and headed back into Charlotte for lunch on our own. Many groups of MVs headed to EpiCentre, the nearby mall full of cafés and diners. Coincidentally, this was also the location of the Fan Central Pep Band performance at 7pm that evening! Both the Marching Virginians and the Wildcat Marching Band gathered in front of hundreds of eager fans in EpiCentre and got the crowd excited for the game. The bands took turns playing tunes for the crowd, and the energy was electric. Both groups concluded their performances with their respective fight songs, giving the audience a chance to participate too. Hokie fans and Wildcat fans alike sang at the top of their lungs in support of their teams. Both teams even brought their cheerleaders for a little extra hype.
The MVs and Virginia Tech’s cheerleaders in EpiCentre for Fan Central; Source: Emery Poulsen
Game Day!
The day began with a wakeup call sent to all MVs at 6 am. Though it was an early start, the Marching Virginians could not have been more excited to get up and support the Hokies! After stopping by the Mint Ballroom of the hotel for a complimentary breakfast, the MVs once again piled into eight charter buses and headed toward the Bank of America Stadium.
The baritone sections of the Marching Virginians and the Wildcat Marching Band; Source: Matt Minter
By 10:30 am, the MVs had settled into our seats in section 121 of the stadium. With an hour and a half until kickoff, we had plenty of time to do things like visit concessions, take rank pictures, and meet members of the Wildcat Marching Band.
Before long, it was time for our pregame performance! As we walked from VT’s endzone to Kentucky’s through the concourse, the excitement was audible. Smiles and laughs were exchanged as friends teased and jostled each other. Because Kentucky performed their pregame show first, the MVs got a chance to watch from the sidelines and support our fellow members of the band community. Then, it was our turn.
330 people simultaneously let out a whoop as we began our run-on from Kentucky’s endzone. As we outlined the shape of the commonwealth one last time, I couldn’t help but smile. Once in position, we immediately launched into Superman and the signature bow. From there, we ran through Carry Me Back and VPI Victory March into the big VT facing our side of the stadium. With just a moment’s pause, the Marching Virginians launched into the chorus of Tech Triumph (including an immediate stepout) to get us off the field.
A few clarinets cheering on the Hokies during VTag; Source: Carla Neigh
Then, it was time for the game! The Hokies scored early with a field goal, putting us on the scoreboard first. Then Kentucky scored a touchdown, putting them in the lead. With less than two minutes left in the quarter, the Hokies scored again, putting the score at 10-7 Virginia Tech by the end of the first quarter.
The Hokies scored another touchdown early in the second quarter, giving us a ten-point lead over Kentucky. The energy in the stadium was electric. Kentucky responded with a touchdown in the middle of the second quarter, to the dismay of VT fans. With six minutes remaining in the half, the MVs began to file out of our seats to go put on the halftime show!
This time, we got to perform our show before Kentucky’s band. We started on the Wildcats’ side of the stadium and performed our run-on toward the maroon sea of Virginia Tech fans. We began our show with one last performance of Sucker, which was bittersweet. Then, after the tubas were in position, we jumped right into the Hokie Pokie! And what better way to end our final show of the season than with every Hokie’s favorite song? This time, we did the full version of Tech Triumph, complete with a stepoff right at the chorus. The Wildcat Marching Band was on the sideline waiting to perform and cheered us on as we marched off the field.
The Marching Virginians perform the Hokie Pokie during the halftime show! Source: Carla Neigh
Personally, performing at the Belk Bowl was the most fun I’ve had during a performance to date. I couldn’t stop smiling, especially while dancing the Hokie Pokie. I got lucky enough to be in the front row of the block, and looking up into a crowd of thousands of Virginia Tech fans dancing along with me is an experience I’ll never forget.
After returning to our seats near VT’s endzone, the game became increasingly nerve-wracking. The band did everything we could to keep morale up as Kentucky scored a field goal to even up the score at 17-17. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief as Deshawn McClease sprinted down the field to score another touchdown for the Hokies. Kentucky scored a touchdown and Tech kicked a successful field goal to put the score at 27-24 at the end of the third quarter.
Some excited MVs on the Jumbotron! Source: Carla Neigh
At the top of the fourth quarter, nerves on both sides ran high. The Belk Bowl was still anybody’s game, and both teams desperately wanted to end their season on a high note. Virginia Tech fans went wild as the Hokies scored another field goal, putting the score at 30-24 with just two minutes remaining in the game. Things were looking up for Hokie fans until the Wildcats gained some momentum and barrelled toward the endzone. A collective groan came from the maroon side of the stadium as Kentucky scored a touchdown and successful field goal, putting them at a one-point advantage with just 9 seconds left in the game. In an effort to take back the lead, the Hokies fumbled and the Wildcats recovered to score a final touchdown as the clock ran out, putting the final score at 37-30 Kentucky.
Whether the Belk Bowl was your first bowl game or your last, I hope you had some unforgettable experiences. If you graduated in December, congratulations. If you still have three or four more seasons with the MVs, you still have plenty of time to make memories. As we enter a new decade, it’s important to remember that you’ll always be a Marching Virginian.
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