Football time is here and what a weekend we just had! Some close games, some upsets, some come from behind wins! Making for my favorite time of the year…Fall…football…family…friends…food!
This Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m.The Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee will be the site of the largest football game ever. Over 150,000 fans will be on hand to root for their favorite team, the Tennessee Volunteers or the Virginia Tech Hokies.
What makes this game so intriguing…Bristol sits on the state border of Tennessee and Virginia. There’s the Bristol, Tennessee side and the Bristol, Virginia side. The schools are approximately the same distance from the Speedway.
ESPN COLLEGEGAME DAY WILL BE BROADCASTING THERE Click here for video
On our trip back from Vermont and Maine, Dave and I decided to stop over in Blacksburg to visit the Virginia Tech campus. We loved the campus and its beautiful buildings.
Burress Hall
War Memorial Chapel on the Drill Field
Lane Stadium
And of course I had to include a few from the campus of the University of Tennessee.
Ayres Hall on The Hill
The Hill
The Knoxville Skyline overlooking The Tennessee River and The University of Tennessee
Ready for The Vol Navy
Neyland Stadium and running through the T
As we enjoy the college rivalries, game day spectacles, marching bands, food, tailgating and friendships, I would like to remember those 32 students and faculty members at Virginia Tech who lost their lives on that terrible day, April 16, 2007.
Dave and I visited the April 16 Memorial and were moved by the 32 engraved Hokie stones. Two had flowers on them in rememberance of their birthdays.
Nicole Peterson, 19 at the time would have been 28.
Dr. Liviu Librescu, 76 years old on that terrible day would have been 86.
“The revelation that Dr. Liviu Librescu blocked the door of his classroom in Norris Hall on the morning of April 16 so that his students could escape through the windows came as no surprise to his family, friends, and colleagues. The renowned aeronautical engineering educator and researcher had demonstrated profound courage throughout the 76 years of his life…” (from Virginia Tech We Remember site…click here to read his life story.)
What tears at my heartstrings, he was a Holocaust survivor.
As we get ready to enjoy the big event in Bristol, I would like fans to remember that football is a game. Even though it brings so much enjoyment to our Saturdays, in the big scheme of things, life is about sportsmanship, courage, respect for others, love for family, country and friends.
And for all of us who have a House Divided…
the center beauty, Darcy will be sporting her VT attire instead of UT Vols. Her son, Sean, played baseball at VT. Husband, John will be really divided as his daughter, Amanda and soon to be husband, Trevor are avid UT newly graduated alums.
Amanda, Kathy, John, Darcy, Trevor and Cindy
Watch for upcoming stories from my tailgating travels.
Come celebrate with me. I’ll save you a seat at the table.
6 Comments
Thanks Kathy for another great post and reminding us what it is all about. You have a such a special way with words and pictures that touched my heart. I will be pulling for our Vols on Sat. at Bristol. What a great venue and atmosphere that will be for a football game. Wish I was there to experience it live.
Thank you Michael for your special comment. I felt very emotional writing this story because of the bigger picture. I am a true believer in good sportsmanship and look forward to both the Vol fans and Hokie fans enjoying the moment with class.
The largest game ever this weekend? 150,000 is a lot of mouths to feed. Not sure how you’re going to do that.
HO HO Bob! Leave it to you for a laugh! Think I will have a lot of cooking to do!
What a great story Kathy! You have a fantastic way with words and I love the way you put everything in prospective, especially when it comes to families. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment Cindy! As you know families are important especially when they are on opposite sides in a football match. I try not to forget my manners when rooting for my team lol. Ask my kids if I do a good job .