Sara Elwood finding her parents beneath the student stands in Lane Stadium; Source: Sara Elwood
On game days, the first thing I always did when entering Lane Stadium was look for my family’s faces, pre-COVID of course. I’d survey the crowd, squinting beneath the sunlight and feeling sticky in the heat, I’d always find them screaming, waving, and smiling.
I’m not the only MV with a story like this, many of us love seeing your faces in the crowd, introduce us to you at halftime and make a point to tell us how much they appreciate seeing you, their biggest fan base in the crowd of cheering Hokies.
Callie’s dad, Eloy, eating his fish dinner at The Tobacco Company; Source: Callie Ayala
As a marcher and as a manager, I’ve always felt the support of my dad. Even when I felt like I wasn’t good enough to be a part of the MVs when I got cut my freshman year, he always told me that no matter where I went or what I did I would always find a way to be strong for myself and others: To be supportive of my friends and the organization I loved so much as a marcher.
Usually, we make home-cooked meals in celebratory fashion for father’s day, you know, out on the grill and in the summer heat. But this year, we took my dad out to The Tobacco Company in Richmond, Virginia for a well deserved fancy meal, the overpriced bottled wine, and the live music.
Lexie Hackman and her family during the Charlotte Symphony’s live performance on Father’s Day in 2018: Source; Lexie Hackman
Another MV also enjoyed listening to live music with her father and sister. During pre-COVID times, it was tradition for Lexie Hackman, a now graduated MV with a B.S. in Clinical Neuroscience and Psychology, to attend the Charlotte Symphony’s outdoor concert venue in Charlotte, North Carolina. They’d share a picnic, have some good laughs spending time together and great smiles during the amazing performances.
Lexie and her father in Lane Stadium during a break between pep songs; Source: Lexie Hackman
As Lexie reflected on how much her father has supported her throughout high school and college marching, she says “he has always been a huge support system for me and my biggest fan! He has done early mornings, late nights, and sat through countless band concerts to support my love of band! He is always the loudest voice in the stands and I am so grateful to have him!”
We’d love to thank all of our MV families out there, moms and dads alike.