Some Events Are Just Better That Way

   A quick background of this story.

   The score is 20-14 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. The homestanding Hokies have just given up a long pass that brought the Pitt Panthers all the way to the VT one yard line with little time left on the clock.

   First down, Pitt runs left, and is stopped short of the goal line.

   Second down, Pitt runs again, and again is stopped.

   Third down, a fade pattern into the end zone, broken up by the cornerback.

   Fourth down, and in the words of the Hokies radio announcer:

   "Pitt's quarterback will operate from the gun, Hokies crowd the line of scrimmage, a quick handoff to Hall, he slips a tackle in the backfield,

   BUT...THE...HOKIES...WILL...STONEWALL...HIM...

   Hokies make an unbelievable goal line stand to take the victory 20-14...unbelievable"

   Those words as written above don't hold a candle to the noise of the crowd, the yelling of the announcer and the color man in the booth. So what if I could not see it on TV, the mental picture described on the radio was something I will remember for a long while.

   The game will be remembered for its unbelievable outcome, but for me the voices over the airwaves made the day.

   I can remember growing up, listening to all sorts of games on the radio.

   Chattanooga Lookouts in the Southern League

   Chattanooga Mocs football and basketball

   Major League baseball, College football (especially the Tennessee Vols)

   And it was all by mental picture, described by the guy in the booth, no TV yet.

   You could listen while doing something else, raking leaves, working in the barn, even playing tennis.

   I guess it just fits in to my old fashioned idea that college football should be played in the daytime, in any kind of weather, outdoors and on real grass.

   And added to that list hearing your favorite team on the radio, and now on a streaming feed out of the computer.

   Some things are just better that way...