Tailgating for Virginia Tech football games has become first class in the last decade as Frank Beamer has built the program to national prominence, and the fan following with it. The sales of Virginia Tech apparel has expanded as Virginia Tech sports have grown, and Saturdays (and sometimes Thursdays or other days of the week) in Blacksburg are filled with people wearing a Virginia Tech sweatshirt, Virginia Tech t-shirt, or Virginia Tech jersey. Virginia Tech football tickets are tough to get.

Proper tailgating for Hokie games takes proper gear and methods. To start, you need your tailgating spot. Location is key. This many times comes down to being or knowing a Hokie Club member with sufficient ranking that has a good parking spot. The Hokie Club utilizes a whole variety of parking lots on campus close (and some not very close) to Lane Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to be sure you get a prime spot. Buy a Virginia Tech football parking pass from online store site like eBay if necessary.

Next, make sure you are dressed for the occasion. It all depends on the weather, but an authentic Virginia Tech jersey (either maroon or white) works fine. If it’s a crisp fall day, get your best Virginia Tech sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and warm, slip on a Virginia Tech t-shirt, possibly a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to stay cool. A fleece, pullover, shell, or sleek Virginia Tech golf polo are also possibilities. I always try to wear maroon – Virginia Tech is a maroon school. Orange, white, and other colors dilute the stadium effect.

Hokie tailgates are all about food and drinks, so this should be your first focus. I like getting there early so that the grill can be set up and given ample time to smoke some sort of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the main attention of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, sirlions, or fish can all make great tailgate food. Hokie country is bar-b-que country, so choose a sauce that fits what you are grilling and will ensure your tailgate guest happy. Complement your grilling with whatever sides and extras you or your buddies can bring.

Food is a priority, but beverages are the backbone of your tailgate. Personally, I equate football tailgating with ‘brown water’, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a good Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whisky to get you ready for the game. However, this is my thing, and you need to have a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to satisfy your guest (or have them BYOB).

Other important aspects of your tailgate: How are people going to find your spot? Get a tall Virginia Tech Flag , customize it some and fly it up in the sky. Also, accessorize your Hokie tailgate out with Virginia Tech chairs, coolers, and throws. Everyone should be drinking out of Hokie cups and mugs too.

While the Hokie football game is obviously the most important game on that Saturday, there will be lots of other great college games on. People at your tailgate are going to want to watch other games (or they’ll head somewhere else). Do what the best tailgaters do and get a portable satellite dish you hook up to a receiver and TVs you can quickly move to set up in the morning. A blow up Virginia Tech sofa right in front is also a nice
touch.

To me, the sign of a satisfactory tailgate is one that everyone wants to go back to after the game.

Getting ready for gameday in Blacksburg? Have a Hokie fan that needs a gift? You can find great gear like a Virginia Tech Sweatshirt or other Virginia Tech Apparel at VirginiaTechFan.com, the Hokie Sports Blog and Fan Store.