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Destination: Sports

Adrenaline, excitement, unity

There is nothing quite like being a diehard fan for a team that means so much to you and your family. You put your absolute all into supporting your team no matter what; missing a game or leaving at halftime is never an option. My passion for being a sports fan began with my dad and his ties to the British soccer scene.

My dad was born in Bournemouth, England, a town not too far from north London. While milestones such as crawling and walking were important, learning to kick a soccer ball was arguably just as significant. At five years old, my dad joined his first soccer team, igniting a love and passion for soccer that burns in him to this day.

A family affair

It was no surprise that my brother quickly followed in my dad’s footsteps, starting his 18-year soccer career at age three. Of course, that meant I was dragged along to all of his Saturday soccer games and holiday weekend tournaments. I didn’t mind. Watching my whole family come together to cheer on my brother made me excited. I grew to love the collective chatter and chants of the crowd, chiming in at every chance I had to support my brother and his team. The adrenaline I felt when the first whistle blew to signal the start of the game or when my brother’s team scored a last-minute goal became a feeling that I wanted more of.

During my childhood years in the UK, I saw how sharing a passion for sports can be powerful in uniting people.

“Soccer became a key part of not only my family, but my life. It brought my family members and me closer together, and it turned strangers into friends as we shared a mutual love for a team.”

It’s football, not soccer

When I moved to the US at age nine, my love for soccer and the way it bonded my family didn’t change. The only thing that did was getting used to calling it soccer instead of football.

My passion for sports and the excitement they bring expanded. The game-going experience, whether football, hockey, soccer or baseball, inspires me. Sports allow me to be part of something bigger than myself. When I stand at the field, court or rink in solidarity with the rest of the team’s fans, all differences or disagreements disappear.

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Another kind of football...enter sports fans

College football in America introduced me to a whole new world of sports. There is nothing quite like being in Lane Stadium with thousands of fellow Virginia Tech Hokies. The team takes the field to Metallica's “Enter Sandman” as fans stomp on the bleachers and channel their energy into being as loud as possible. Looking around the stadium, I see a wave of burnt orange and Chicago maroon that signals the power of coming together around sports. I stomp and think of nothing else; it’s just me, my team, my friends and our collective determination to win.

The Blacksburg community also rallies around our football team. A weather station near campus actually records the level of vibration they pick up from our stomping and jumping. Not to brag, but we’ve created three mini earthquakes while cheering for our football team!

Ice ice baby…holy puck!

One of the most powerful ways I have seen sports bring people together was during the 2018 Stanley Cup Championship. I was living right outside of Washington, DC at the time.

“After seeing how much soccer connected people in the UK, I knew I had to be part of the sports fan camaraderie in DC.”

June 7, 2018 was the day the Washington Capitals clinched the Stanley Cup and DC went wild. The adrenaline and energy present that day was unlike anything I had experienced. Thousands of people flooded the streets, creating a bright sea of red as some wore jerseys with players’ names proudly displayed on their backs and some wore T-shirts with the team name displayed on the front.

Kicking off the fun with tailgating

The perfect way to kick off game day is with the ultimate tailgate: Food, fans and FUN! Gather not too far from the stadium with your closest friends a few hours before kickoff. Bring lots of delicious homemade food, whether its mac and cheese, hot dogs and hamburgers, chips and dips, or best of all: buffalo chicken dip. It never disappoints, even if your team does!

Corn hole toss is another staple of the ultimate tailgating experience. I guarantee that you will see this game at any tailgate, because it perfectly pairs socializing and competition. The winner is granted the last bite of Buffalo chicken dip, so you better practice your toss.

As kickoff approaches, grab one last plate of your favorite food and join the tide of hundreds of fans in your team’s colors walking toward the stadium, all radiating with exhilaration at the thought of being here for the team.

Game day tailgating essentials

Team gear!!!!
Cooler
Drinks and food
Rain or shine…sunscreen and a rain jacket
Comfy shoes
Sunglasses or a hat
Tailgating games
Favorite friends
And don’t forget your ticket!

Unbeatable Buffalo Chicken Dip

What you need:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 cup cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (my personal favorite is Frank’s Hot Sauce)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
2 cups shredded mozzarella Jack cheese
French bread baguette slices, celery ribs or tortilla chip

How to make the best tailgate dip:

Pull the chicken apart into bite size pieces. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add cream cheese that has been softened and cubed.
Add Buffalo wing sauce.
Add ranch dressing.
Mix until well combined.
Spread the chicken mixture into an even layer in a baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Serve hot and enjoy the best tailgate dip with warm baguette slices, celery sticks, or classic tortilla chips.

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London calling

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As I write about my love for sports during a time where game highlights and reruns have become the norm, I long for the day I get to experience the adrenaline, excitement and togetherness of being at an actual game. My dream destination game is to see Tottenham play in London. Tottenham is the team my dad was raised on, and it’s the team I grew up on too. To see an actual game in London would be the coolest experience. Although I now live on a different continent and love a variety of sports, I will always be a UK soccer fan at heart.

Megan Thornhill, Marketing Intern- Furniture Solutions Division, Senior at Virginia Tech studying Public Relations and Marketing.

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Megan Thornhill, Marketing Intern- Furniture Solutions Division, Senior at Virginia Tech studying Public Relations and Marketing.

My favorite sports projects:

Cleveland Browns Stadium | Cleveland, OH

REHAU turf conditioning keeps playing field at 60° to 65°F to promote grass growth

Chicago White Sox | Visitors’ Clubhouse | Chicago

RAUVISIO terra Mountain Oak in a league of its own

Broncos Stadium at Mile High | Denver, CO

A hydronic turf system to extend the grass growing season a mile high

Denver Broncos Practice Field | Denver, CO

A hydronic turf system to maintain a consistent grass root zone temperature