Pry Comments on VT Having ‘the Best Gameday Atmosphere’

CHARLOTTE – During Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry’s press conference at the 2024 ACC Football Kickoff on Tuesday, a media member made the statement that the Hokies’ Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. “has the best gameday atmosphere.”

Pry didn’t disagree in his response to the reporter.

“Thank you, you’re right,” he said, smiling.

Lane Stadium was recently ranked as the ACC’s second-best venue by ESPN, coming in at No. 15 in ESPN’s college football stadiums ranking behind Clemson and Memorial Stadium at No. 11.

Of course, Virginia Tech’s gameday atmosphere features the team entering the field to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” song. Although the tradition is very well-known, it isn’t all that old, having started back in 2000.

“I love running out of that tunnel. Even when I watch the highlight video of it, I get chills. It’s special,” Pry said.

“I think for all of us, you love the competition, you love playing in front of big crowds, the excitement of the entrance. So we’re very fortunate that way.”

This season, Clemson will make its first trip to Virginia Tech since the pandemic-impacted 2020 season — and its first to a fully charged Lane Stadium atmosphere since 2017 — when the Tigers face the Hokies on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Clemson is 8-2 all-time at Lane Stadium since the facility opened in 1965 and has won its last three games there by an average of 23.0 points per game.

Pry praised the Hokies faithful, calling Virginia Tech fans “some of the best in the country.”

“They pack the place,” he said. “They’re jumping to that tune. We come out of the locker room and Johnny Cash’s (‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down’)  is slow playing as you take that walk. By the time you hit that tunnel, man, it’s the best.”

“I just try to make sure I don’t stumble coming out. That’s all,” Pry added, smiling.

This year will mark the first meeting between Pry, who is entering his third season as Virginia Tech’s head coach, and Swinney, who is 6-0 all-time against the Hokies.

–Photo courtesy Nell Redmond/ACC

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