From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
Sports Editor
The long-arm of the law, in this case the NCAA, told Virginia Tech there would be no playing of “Enter Sandman” as part of this weekend’s women’s tournament action. But the student body and other fans picked up the flag and ran with it, singing the opening verse we have all been accustomed to at the start of the game.
Many people were scratching their heads on whether the basketball games were being held on a neutral site or in Blacksburg. Somewhere, an official said we can’t have that—no home court advantage.
With the victory, the team is headed to the Sweet 16. But “Enter Sandman” will remain quiet and will have to wait to be played at a “national championship” celebration or next basketball season.
Enter darkness.
This comes on the heels of the NCAA telling the Hokies baseball team that could not use a sledgehammer to demonstrate after each homerun. But again, the team has found a temporary way around the ruling—the hammer is slammed into the ground only after homerun number 1.
The umpire then warns the team about the “no-no”, and it is pulled out of the equation. From the point on, homeruns mean an imaginary bat is driven into the ground.
The NCAA says props cannot be used. The question is whether the collegiate athletic body is enforcing similar things across the board and across the country.
In no way does this affect the other team, but the NCAA in their infamous wisdom says there will be no emotion, no celebration belongs in college athletics.
Athletes will have to be told this on Day 1 so no one will get in trouble in Blacksburg and other college communities.
Celebrations and Enter Sandman are both just a part of the history of college athletics. Somewhere else in the country, the War Eagle has been silenced.
Hokies fans keep singing.
