The small thing I miss at the games !

[SWVAFB 218]

Hey guys, there are some things that I miss at high schools games, that are

gone now. Maybe some schools still have it, but few, if any.

First, I like to eat. That is a fact. I love those Hot Dogs from the consession

Stands. What I miss most, is the guys going through the stands selling the dogs, and pop corn. It not that am too lazy to get up on go to the concessions, it

Is when I go, I going to miss the half time band performance.

 

Heck, those kids in the band practice hard all week just to perform a few minutes for us, and here I stand in a long line waiting for my hot dog. What

A bummer! Where are those kids or boosters going through the stands selling

The hot dogs? I miss that guy hollering......Hot Dogs, Hot Dogs, get your

Hot Dogs...Pop Corn, Pot Corn, anybody?

 

By the time I get back, well I missed the band. And that walk to the consessions,it seems like a mile, and what about meeting up with an old

Friend you haven't seen for ages. Yah, I should have got my dog before the

Game, but nobody does that....you are not hungry then....It halftime when

That hunger bug hits you.

 

I know that I am old school, but things like that in those days, we took for

Normal. Long gone. It just faded away. Any of you folks got any things that

You miss about the games, that have faded way? What about those hot dogs, how

Do they taste at your school?

 

And back to the band. Let's give those kids a hand for all the hard work they

Put in. You bet their parents are not standing in line; a few may be selling

Inside the stand, but somebody got to do it.

[swva_havok_fan 1,261]

I just miss it being Haysi and not Ridgeview, where I knew practically everyone in the stands, whereas I know very few people at the games now.

[redtiger 1,740]

I miss the atmosphere at Haysi, Ridgeview is bland and a pretty bad viewing experience compared with the stands at Haysi which were right on top of the field(the way it should be)

[Bigrhsfan 884]

I miss the atmosphere at Haysi, Ridgeview is bland and a pretty bad viewing experience compared with the stands at Haysi which were right on top of the field(the way it should be)

 

I'm with you redtiger !  Of course most everybody on here knows I am a Richlands fan,  but my wife graduated from Honaker and still teaches at an elementary school there so we always go to at least a couple of Honaker games every season.  The one game we always went to was the battle of the Tigers.  

I always enjoyed the trip to Haysi to watch a game there.  Always a great atmosphere and a good place to watch that game.  I hate that we are losing that small school/town feeling and atmosphere with all the consolidations.  I know it's just the way it is at most places now because of the economic issues,  but still sad.

[bgibb 207]

 If Mitchell Stadium and Graham brought back the steak burgers/sandwiches they made a few years ago, I would be a very happy man

[SXSW 557]

Stands close to the field are both good and bad, too close it's chaos to far away and you get that battle at Bristol feel.

[swva_havok_fan 1,261]

 If Mitchell Stadium and Graham brought back the steak burgers/sandwiches they made a few years ago, I would be a very happy man

 

Heck, if they just made those deep fried oreos, like the freaking sign says they do, I'd be happy.  Lol!

[FalconVoice 38]

Abingdon's game hot dogs are really good. I'm somewhat of a "hot dog connoisseur" you could say (if there's such a thing), meaning I'm constantly searching for the best dog at a game. I almost got my fill when I was working for the Norfolk Tides, as they had a voucher for employees to eat every game with the choices of cheeseburger (lactose intolerant and wouldn't eat their hamburgers after working there), chicken fingers (not a huge chicken finger guy) or hot dogs. Being a baseball purist, I went with a hot dog almost every day, and then when I left that job, probably didn't eat another hot dog for 2-3 years. I switched to brats, and hopefully we'll start seeing those in SWVA at games more often.

 

Now that I'm back into going to games at least every week, hot dogs are a food of convenience (easy for my broadcast as I can just pop down to the concession stands and then back up to the press box), and I think I'm over my hot dog overload of a few years back. I definitely won't visit the concession stands at Tazewell this week, as they are downright some of the nicest people we deal with every year and put out quite the spread for opposing broadcasters. Last time they ordered so many pizzas (and so many different kinds) that I felt bad not partaking because if not they would go to waste. They still had something like 10+ boxes at the end of the game, even after my partner and I gorged on them. Lebanon also treats opposing broadcasters incredibly well. I can't tell you how many fond memories I have of Merle Allen from broadcasting.

 

Anyway, back to hot dogs, why I like the Abingdon frankfurters at games: 1. They come with chili (a MUST), 2. They come with fresh chopped onions if you want them, 3. They have every major condiment you can want (ketchup, mustard, relish and even BBQ I believe, so if you want to get weird...). Delicious. I also think I feel this way because of the last hot dog I had at Malcolm Stadium, which fell apart upon picking it up, wasn't very flavorful, didn't have onions and was more expensive. Also, if others of you have places I should be trying hot dogs when I go on the road, PLEASE let me know that info STAT!

[sixcat 2,919]

I don't sense the same level of "community" surrounding high school athletics that existed when I was in school.  I can't help but think consolidation has had a significant impact.  Home football games at Fries, with a town population of less than 1,000, had more support than what I see at any of the three local high schools today.  

[Ryan4VT 4,550]

I don't sense the same level of "community" surrounding high school athletics that existed when I was in school.  I can't help but think consolidation has had a significant impact.  Home football games at Fries, with a town population of less than 1,000, had more support than what I see at any of the three local high schools today.  

Just come on down to Richlands, Union, or GC then. They support, home or away, doesn't matter.

[1inStripes 932]

I miss the gray haired lady at Ervinton that gave you down the road no matter what.  The water standing on the elevated baseball infield at St. Paul but not the rest of the field.  The wildcat sounds at Pound.  JJ Kellys announcer calling out every play even though you shouldnt during the play.  The ambiance of Ralph Cummins Field.   A Haysi fan or three literally right in your ear while awaiting an extra point.  The three course meal the fine folks at Appalachia had awaiting you, one part pregame, one part halftime and more after the game.  

[swva_havok_fan 1,261]

A Haysi fan or three literally right in your ear while awaiting an extra point.  

 

I, very well, could've been one of those three.  Lmao.

[Union_Fan 2,154]

I don't sense the same level of "community" surrounding high school athletics that existed when I was in school.  I can't help but think consolidation has had a significant impact.  Home football games at Fries, with a town population of less than 1,000, had more support than what I see at any of the three local high schools today.  

It's a shame that you see that in your area. I realize that Union is unique because consolidation has had the exact opposite effect that other communities have experienced. The small things that I loved growing up watching both Appy and PV games...the crowds, support, excitement, atmosphere, sounds, and smells.....were all but gone in the final years of the two schools. Consolidation has brought all that back, and it's only gotten better each year. Hot dogs are pretty good too. :)

 

I've shared this before, but it's worth posting again. Hope it stays this way for a LONG time.

 

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/it-s-a-tradition-union-fans-pack-bullitt-park-to/article_892232fa-932f-11e5-9127-d3b79d845962.html

[futbolking 766]

I miss going to the games and the folks at the stadium actually sat and watched the game.... Now half of the crowd walks around the track the entire time....

[sixcat 2,919]

Just come on down to Richlands, Union, or GC then. They support, home or away, doesn't matter.

I attended a game at Gate City in 1997 when they destroyed my brothers team at Grayson.  It was impressive as was Gate City's football team.  I went to the Graham-Abingdon game a few weeks ago and enjoyed the experience.  I look forward to getting to Richlands and Union for a game soon.  Hopefully in the postseason. 

[sixcat 2,919]

It's a shame that you see that in your area. I realize that Union is unique because consolidation has had the exact opposite effect that other communities have experienced. The small things that I loved growing up watching both Appy and PV games...the crowds, support, excitement, atmosphere, sounds, and smells.....were all but gone in the final years of the two schools. Consolidation has brought all that back, and it's only gotten better each year. Hot dogs are pretty good too. :)

 

I've shared this before, but it's worth posting again. Hope it stays this way for a LONG time.

 

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/it-s-a-tradition-union-fans-pack-bullitt-park-to/article_892232fa-932f-11e5-9127-d3b79d845962.html

One would think, given the recent athletic success of Galax, they would have more fan and community support.  I know politics play a role and probably always will.  As I have said before, Galax and Abingdon have a lot in common from a community standpoint.  Art, music and "hippie" culture prevail. 

 

It also says a lot about this area that nearly 10% of school age children are home-schooled according to state statistics. 

[Motorhead 5150 21]

Abingdon's game hot dogs are really good. I'm somewhat of a "hot dog connoisseur" you could say (if there's such a thing), meaning I'm constantly searching for the best dog at a game. I almost got my fill when I was working for the Norfolk Tides, as they had a voucher for employees to eat every game with the choices of cheeseburger (lactose intolerant and wouldn't eat their hamburgers after working there), chicken fingers (not a huge chicken finger guy) or hot dogs. Being a baseball purist, I went with a hot dog almost every day, and then when I left that job, probably didn't eat another hot dog for 2-3 years. I switched to brats, and hopefully we'll start seeing those in SWVA at games more often.

 

Now that I'm back into going to games at least every week, hot dogs are a food of convenience (easy for my broadcast as I can just pop down to the concession stands and then back up to the press box), and I think I'm over my hot dog overload of a few years back. I definitely won't visit the concession stands at Tazewell this week, as they are downright some of the nicest people we deal with every year and put out quite the spread for opposing broadcasters. Last time they ordered so many pizzas (and so many different kinds) that I felt bad not partaking because if not they would go to waste. They still had something like 10+ boxes at the end of the game, even after my partner and I gorged on them. Lebanon also treats opposing broadcasters incredibly well. I can't tell you how many fond memories I have of Merle Allen from broadcasting.

 

Anyway, back to hot dogs, why I like the Abingdon frankfurters at games: 1. They come with chili (a MUST), 2. They come with fresh chopped onions if you want them, 3. They have every major condiment you can want (ketchup, mustard, relish and even BBQ I believe, so if you want to get weird...). Delicious. I also think I feel this way because of the last hot dog I had at Malcolm Stadium, which fell apart upon picking it up, wasn't very flavorful, didn't have onions and was more expensive. Also, if others of you have places I should be trying hot dogs when I go on the road, PLEASE let me know that info STAT!

 

 

 

 

I've heard that Tazewell treats the broadcasters well. My brother was in college when we played Martinsville on our way to the state title that year. He knew a guy at school whose dad worked the FB games for the Martinsville radio station. He said he never saw as much food in a press box. 

[redtiger 1,740]

The small things that I loved growing up watching both Appy and PV games...the crowds, support, excitement, atmosphere, sounds, and smells.....were all but gone in the final years of the two schools. Consolidation has brought all that back, and it's only gotten better each year. Hot dogs are pretty good too. :)

 

I've shared this before, but it's worth posting again. Hope it stays this way for a LONG time.

 

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/it-s-a-tradition-union-fans-pack-bullitt-park-to/article_892232fa-932f-11e5-9127-d3b79d845962.html

Union definitely has their act together. Great atmosphere

[BigO 316]

Winning helps atmosphere more than anything. Look at Abingdon as a prime example. My sons senior year was Reeds first....and I have never seen the stadium as packed as it was the night we played, and finally beat, Richlands. There were more people there for that game than all season combined in Bowles' final year. The thing I miss at AHS concessions are Chik-Fil-A sandwiches. I realize that's not very nostalgic, but I enjoy a good chicken sandwich. I agree though, the hot dogs are pretty good. If you don't limit yourself to high school stadiums, Neyland has the very best hot dogs period. Well, that's about the only stadium I go to with any regularity, so my opinion is limited to Neyland...but man they are good!

[redtiger 1,740]

Smokey Dogs are incredible, as a VT fan that was about the only thing I enjoyed about my trip to Neyland... well the dogs and the fact that Ohio almost beat them lol

[swvafbrespect 67]

Great post. I miss the how the coaches after the game would go into the opposing locker room and speak to players and coaches the game was played harder but in the end there was better sportsmanship. I miss that no one knew the scores until highlights tonight or the next day in the Bristol Paper. The fans were different as they actually watched the game and not spent time on the phone socializing. Going to Rye Cove and getting a bologna sandwhich and chips. Walking home after practice with no ride. The passion the players had for the game and it was evident on the field.

And of course the oldtimers telling me how great it was when they played and how much tougher the players were! LOL

[rvtne216 278]

Can't beat a Jim McVey hot dog at Ernie Hicks.

[Leatherhead Larry 530]

I miss the days watching games as a kid and how much bigger everything looked from the stadium to the players. There was nothing like wearing that blue and white jersey to elementary school, going home and throw the football around and play in the yard like your facing whoever the Devils are playing that night, then your papaw coming by to pick you up, swinging by Pals to get a couple of hotdogs to share, then buy some peanuts and a program while you're waiting on the gates to open, then when Big Blue took the field the fans would form a tunnel from the gate to the fieldhouse. (Man those train horns seemed really loud back then). There was nothing like getting a "High Five" from the heros of Friday as a kid. Everything was so much more simple back then, when the only thing in the world that mattered was Friday night lights.

 

I grew up a pretty diehard Gate City fan, as a player I wore my heart on my sleeve because the colors and name on my chest meant so much to me. I felt like I had a legacy to hold up. I didn't want to let the ones who came before me down. I think a lot of that mentality is gone now days. There's still some out there. I have some family who still wears the blue and white, though they're not as emotional as I was, I still know they care and I know they don't want let the program down. It just seems like things have changed just the little while I have been away from the sport. Kids are just different now days. But I still wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to Gate City, I just never grew out of it. No shame.

[mv91 259]

I miss watching Richlands football from the top of the stands at Ernie Hicks Stadium! 

 

Wheelchair seating on the 50 is great but prefer higher up for a better view of the entire field!!! :)

[Ryan4VT 4,550]

I miss watching Richlands football from the top of the stands at Ernie Hicks Stadium!

 

Wheelchair seating on the 50 is great but prefer higher up for a better view of the entire field!!! :)

Did y'all notice they put wheelchair accessible seating on the visitor side at Ernie last week?