Virginia Tech taught a beautiful lesson in Southern hospitality on Sept. 1. After attending years of college football games, we have never witnessed such a friendly, welcoming atmosphere as exhibited by Virginia Tech fans this past weekend.

We were greeted congenially long before our walk into the stadium. We became acquainted with loyal VT supporters, the King family of Roanoke, as they assisted us with our parking and then invited us to their delicious RV tailgate both before and after the game.

Long before we walked into the stadium, we were thanked for coming, for our support and wished good luck to our Pirate team. We lost count of the number of people shaking our hands, patting us on the back and welcoming us to Virginia Tech before the game ever started.

We saw our teams enter the field together with heartfelt cheering for both. Then we saw our teams come together as one before the kickoff. We could only feel pride for both competitors. We saw the same hospitality and sportsmanship among the fans once the game began, as we left the stadium, as we walked the streets of Blacksburg and as we enjoyed dinner and our hotel stay in nearby Roanoke.

Our ECU Pirate attire brought nothing but congratulations on our well played game and sincere best wishes as we traveled back home and for the remaining season. We left Virginia Tech with genuine fondness for the Hokies.

In their effort to overcome the despair of tragedy, Virginia Tech demonstrated the best of human nature. We challenge fellow ECU Pirates to show the same hospitality and congenial sportsmanship to all teams invited to Greenville.

Purple Pride and Hokie Pride mixed well this weekend. May all teams remember that athletic competition is an opportunity to discover the very best in all of us both on and off the field.

Congratulations Hokies, and go Pirates!

PAUL & CATHERINE SCHIFFEL

Hickory