Virginia Tech to restrict 'selfish, inappropriate, and embarrassing student behavior' at football games

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Ryan Gaydos | Fox News




Virginia Tech announced Thursday it was taking steps to crack down on student behavior at football games ahead of the team’s matchup against Pittsburgh.

In a joint letter from Virginia Tech athletics director Whit Babcock, vice president of student affairs Frank Shushok Jr. and Virginia Tech police chief Mac Babb, the school addressed the need to curb the behavior of students who go to home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.



"It troubles us to write this message because of the high regard we hold for our students and the joy, curiosity, and excellence with which you embrace your education every day," the letter read. "Over the last several weeks, we have heard too many stories of selfish, inappropriate, and embarrassing student behavior at home football games. What we have heard falls short of Virginia Tech standards — and most importantly, creates an unsafe environment for all who attend."

Student attendance for Hokies games will be "restricted to season ticket holders and a more limited number of student lottery winners," and students will have to "follow all new guidance for gate entry." There will also be more law enforcement officers on hand to "support a positive and safe fan experience."



"Virginia Tech is such a strong, vibrant community guided by our Principles of Community, which are always on display at our home football games in the fall," the letter added. "This year especially, we have so much to be proud of with being back on campus and in the full swing of the semester. But this is one area where we haven’t brought our best. Let’s change that starting Saturday and remind our community that we know and honor what it means to be a Hokie."

The new measures came amid some fans’ concerns about being trampled while entering the venue. One student detailed the chaos in a recent video. The person’s girlfriend was having a panic attack amid the brouhaha entering the stadium, and it took a while for paramedics to reach her.

"Too many people were able to get in without a ticket, and then they just didn't have enough people on crowd management," Virginia Tech student Dalton Philips told WTVR-TV. "It's to the point where, the crowd is bad enough, paramedics can't get through, people are having panic attacks and passing out — that kind of thing can't happen."

Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh play in a huge ACC matchup on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

[Muddy]

That place is a cult in my town... It's alumni are like a secret society of favors and back scratches for their kinsmen.

[deebakes]

ummm... what specific behavior are they talking about? just being college students?

[lost in melb.]

Agree, but also, frankly, self-regulation doesn't work for kids in the first few years of college.

They have just left (or in the process of leaving) the parental home and are at maximum wildness.