View source for Lane Stadium

{{infobox building
|name=Lane Stadium
|namesake =
|status = Active
|address = 
|location_city = [[Blacksburg]]
|logo =
|logo_size = 300px
|image = 
|image_size=300px
|owner=[[Virginia Tech]]
|completion_date={{Start date and age|1965}}
|renovation_date={{Start date and age|2006}},
|cost=
|material = Hokie Stone and Concrete
|former_name = 
|floor_count = 
|architecture_firm = Carneal and Johnston Smithey and Boynton
|building_type = Football Stadium
|architectural_style = [[w:Modern|Modern]]
}}

Lane Stadium seats 65,632. Lane Stadium/Worsham Field has gone through numerous changes, renovations, and additions. But through it all, it has always been regarded as one of the finest places to watch – and toughest places for opponents to play – a college football game. Lane Stadium memorializes Edward Hudson Lane Sr., a student here in the early 1900s and later a member of the board of visitors. He co-founded the Lane Company, the world's largest producer of cedar chests; served on four major corporation boards; and sat on the national Business Council. The playing area was named Worsham Field in 1991 in honor of longtime Hokie supporter Wes Worsham, who pledged $1 million to the university's Second Century Campaign.

Construction on a stadium to seat 35,000 started in 1964 and by 1969 most major construction had been completed. The work cost $2,113,047. It was first used on Sept. 24, 1965, for a freshman football game between Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland, which ended in 8-8 tie. The first varsity game was Virginia Tech vs. the College of William and Mary on Oct. 2, 1965, with Tech winning 9-7.

In 1971 an area underneath the cantilevered press box was glassed into seat members of the Golden Hokie Club. An additional 26,768-square-foot bathroom area and concourse on the east side were completed in 1977. An additional 12,500 seats (new tier on one side) were installed in 1981 at a cost of $3.17 million.

A modern lighting system was added in 1982 and then replaced in 2005. The first night game was played on Nov. 25, 1982. A new scoreboard was installed in 1991 and then replaced with a Jumbotron in 2005. The auxiliary scoreboard on the north end was added in  1994.

Permanent bleachers were added in 1999. The expansion of the south end zone, adding 11,120 seats and enclosing the south end zone, came in 2002 and cost $37 million. The old press box was removed in 2004.

The west end stands addition was completed in 2006. It brought another 11,000 seats -- including 1,160 bleacher seats with backs, 1,200 club seats, and 15 luxury suites -- plus an improved visitors’ locker room, a high-tech media center, and a new press area added for $52.5 million.

==Traditions==
=== Corps of Cadets ===
* Virginia Tech's [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] march into Lane Stadium and stand in formation on the field during the [[National anthem of the United States of America|National Anthem]] and Rendering of Colors.
* The [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] sit together in the lower level of the South end zone stands during every home game.
* Freshman [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|cadets]] do push-ups on the shoulders of their classmates equal to the point total after each score. 
* '''[[Skipper (cannon)|Skipper]]:''' The world's largest game cannon, "''Skipper''" is present at every home game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma4SK-RiBP0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Ma4SK-RiBP0 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Skipper: Virginia Tech (2007)|last=RaycomSportsVideo|date=2 September 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It was built in 1963 by a group of cadets, led by [[Homer Hickam]], author of the book, ''[[Rocket Boys]].'' "''Skipper''" was created in an effort to silence the chant of: "''Where's your cannon?''" by the students of then arch-rival, [[VMI Keydets football|VMI]] during the annual [[VMI-Virginia Tech football rivalry|Thanksgiving Day game]]. The cannon was named "''Skipper"'' to honor John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated at the same time the cannon was built. As the captain of a PT boat in WWII, JFK was commonly known as "''Skipper''".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/2540|title=Skipper Cannon Named for Kennedy, Cadets|last=Hoffman|first=Tiffany|date=November 21, 2003|newspaper=[[Collegiate Times]]|location=Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University|access-date=September 20, 2009}}</ref> In 2015, a custom display space in the new cadet dormitory, Pearson Hall, became the permanent home for ''Skipper,'' presenting the cannon in a highly visible location for students, alumni, and visitors to admire when not in use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/virginia_tech/rasche-hall-to-be-replaced-by-pearson-hall/article_f789dd42-ee07-11e4-b905-a7b8e4ac04b0.html|title=Rasche Hall to be replaced by Pearson Hall|last=Lewis Millholland|first=and Zach Hoopes|date=April 28, 2015|website=collegiatetimes.com|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> 
* '''The Highty-Tighties''': Virginia Tech's regimental band, the [[Highty-Tighties]] was founded in 1892 and is the oldest collegiate band in the [[Commonwealth of Virginia]]. It is composed completely of members of the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.band.vtcc.vt.edu/history.php|title=The History of the Virginia Tech Regimental Band|year=2016|website=band.vtcc.vt.edu|publisher=Virginia Tech|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>
* '''Growley II'<nowiki/>'': '''''The [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] welcomed a new canine ambassador among its ranks in the fall of 2016, a yellow [[Labrador Retriever]], named "''Growley II"'' (call sign ''“Tank”''). According to folklore, the name, "Growley" originated in the 1930s with the name of the commandant's dog. Cadets would regularly feed "''Growley"'' with portions of their breakfast since food was scarce. Cadets then began referring to breakfast as "''Growley",'' and the morning formation was typically announced as “''minutes to Growley''”. Today, "''Growley II"'' resides at Pearson Hall with his two cadet handlers and accompanies the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] to home football games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/08/corps-growley.html|title=Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets releases official photo of its new ambassador|last=Barnhart|first=Shay|date=August 26, 2016|website=vtnews.vt.edu|publisher=Virginia Tech|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref>
* '''Homecoming Game Traditions:'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blacksburglodging.com/virginia-tech-homecoming-traditions/|title=Virginia Tech Homecoming Traditions|year=2016|website=blacksburglodging.com|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref>
** '''Game Ball Run''': Started in 1977, the VT Corps of Cadets' Ranger Company run the game ball for {{convert|100|mi}} around campus, ending at the Homecoming Game Spirit Rally on Friday evening.
**'''Flaming VT''': Originating the mid 1960s, During the Homecoming Game Spirit Rally, the Corps of Cadets' Hotel Company lights a flaming VT with a torch. When it first began, cadets would thread rolls of toilet paper soaked in kerosene onto a metal VT shaped frame and run the flaming VT through campus, urging students to join the crowd.

=== Pre-game ===
* '''"Hokie Walk":''' A tradition where the team arrives in buses and walks to the locker room among the fans, and led by the [[Highty-Tighties]] and the [[Hokie Bird]]. 
* '''Hokie Village:'''  A game-day celebration near Lane Stadium that started in 2014. It's a family oriented, carnival atmosphere, featuring games, music, and appearances by cheerleaders, the [[Hokie Bird]],  and "''Skipper''". 
* '''Pre-Game Field Show:''' At every home game, the [[Highty-Tighties]] perform the pre-game field show. At least once a year, the [[Marching Virginians]] perform their pre-game show, which begins with the band forming the shape of the [[Virginia|Commonwealth of Virginia]] and features the MV's forming several recognizable shapes such as spelling out "VT," "HOKIES," and "TECH."
* Virginia Tech's [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] march into Lane Stadium and stand in formation on the field during the [[National anthem of the United States of America|National Anthem]] and Rendering of Colors."''Skipper''" is fired inside Lane Stadium in the south end zone at the completion of the anthem.
* '''Fireworks:''' Fireworks are set-off during and after the singing of the [[National anthem of the United States of America|National anthem]] at night games.

=== Team entrance ===
* Prior to the team entrance, the cheerleaders start an alternating chant of "''Let's Go''" and "''Hokies''" with the east and west stands before the game.
* '''Enter Sandman:''' Beginning in 2000, [[Metallica]]'s "[[Enter Sandman]]" is played as the [https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/9/7/9274009/virginia-tech-entrance-enter-sandman-metallica-tradition football team enters the field] through the tunnel behind the North end zone. As the music begins, [[The Marching Virginians]] lead the stadium in jumping in place, which has become known as the "''Blacksburg Bounce''". 
* '''Hokie Stone''': As the team runs out of the tunnel during ''Sandman'', each player reaches up and touches a slab of [[Hokie Stone]], then runs between two phalanxes, consisting of the [[Highty-Tighties]], [[The Marching Virginians|Marching Virginians]], and freshman [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|cadets]]. On the last home game of the season, senior cadets take the place of freshmen during the entrance as part of the corps of cadet's "Senior Day".

=== In-game ===
* '''Orange Effect:'''  Since 2002, the students have designated one game where all fans are asked to wear orange. The ''Orange Effect'' game is always played against a team that does not use orange as a team color (e.g., [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]], [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]], [[Virginia Cavaliers football|UVA]], or [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]]).
* '''Maroon Effect:'''  Added in 2005, The ''Maroon Effect'' game is always played against a team that does not use [[Maroon (color)|maroon]]/[[crimson]] as a team color  (includes regular opponents such as: [[Boston College Eagles football|Boston College]] or [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]]). The very first (unofficial) ''Maroon Effect'' game was in 2002 against the [[Virginia Cavaliers football|University of Virginia]].
* '''White Out:''' Added in 2008. The ''White Out'' game is typically done for an early season game, usually against an [[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] opponent, where all fans wear white. 
* '''Marching Virginians:''' The [[Marching Virginians]] occupy the field level bleachers, in front of the student section behind the North end zone during the game, and play songs throughout.
* '''Turkey Gobble:''' A turkey gobble sound is periodically played over the PA system to rile up the crowd during lulls, most commonly on opponent's third down plays. The turkey gobble is in memory of Floyd H. "Hard Times" Meade, a local boy who was adopted by the corps and became the school's first "mascot" in the late 19th century. Floyd later brought live trained turkeys to games to walk the sidelines during games and gobble on command.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vtspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2016/02/25/the-man-the-myth-the-mascot-floyd-h-meade-virginia-techs-first-mascot-performer/|title=The Man, the Myth, the Mascot: Floyd H. Meade, Virginia Tech's First Mascot Performer|year=2016|website=vtspecialcollections.wordpress.com|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>
* '''Key Play:''' A tradition started in the late 1980s: Virginia Tech fans shake their keys as a distraction during opponent's third down plays, signifying a "''key play''".
* '''Growley II:''' Since the beginning of the 2016 season, the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]]' canine ambassador, ''Growley II ('Tank')'', can be seen along the sidelines, in front of the cadet seating section, often chewing on a doll of the opposing team's mascot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/09/corps-growleyupdate.html|title=Corps of Cadets ambassador eating up campus life|last=Barnhart|first=Shay|date=September 29, 2016|website=vtcc.vt.edu/about/growley.html|publisher=Virginia Tech|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref>
* '''Halftime Field Show:''' [[The Marching Virginians]] perform the half-time field show at every game. At every field show, the band usually performs up to three songs followed by "[[Tech Triumph]]" as they march off the field. The [[Highty-Tighties]] perform the halftime show at least once a year.
* '''Hokie Pokie''': The tuba section of [[The Marching Virginians]] lines up on the goal line of the north end zone to play and dance the [[Hokey Pokey|Hokie Pokie ("Hokey Pokey")]]. This is performed during halftime at select games during the season. Prior to 2017, the "Hokie Pokie" was performed between the 3rd and 4th quarters of every home game.

==== Scoring plays ====
*'''Student Toss:''' Groups of students, most of whom are seated in the student section in the north end zone, lift up a student (usually female) to toss in the air for every point scored.
* '''Bench Press:''' The school mascot, the [[Hokie Bird]] does one bench press for every point the Hokies score on a weight bench in the end zone.
* '''Push-Ups:''' Freshman cadets complete push-ups on the shoulders of their cadets seated in front of them, completing one push-up for every point scored by the Hokies.
* '''Flags:''' Following every touchdown, members of the cheer squad run onto the field carrying six large flags, each with a single letter, spelling: "H-O-K-I-E-S"
*'''Tech Triumph:''' After a scoring play, the [[The Marching Virginians|Marching Virginians]] will play the fight song, [[Tech Triumph]]. During a touchdown, the band will reduce their sound while the team attempts the extra point, returning to normal following the kick. 
*'''Skipper:''' During the game, ''Skipper'', the cannon is fired behind the north end zone stands of Lane Stadium after every score by Virginia Tech.
* '''Fireworks:''' Fireworks are set-off on scoring plays at night games.

{{#display_map:37.21997,-80.41873|zoom=18|height=200|service=openlayers}}

==External Links==
* [https://www.vt.edu/about/locations/buildings/lane-stadium-worsham-field.html General information about Lane Staduim] 

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Buildings]]