Last weekend, as I sat in the Virginia section of College Park's Byrd Stadium, one of the country's oddest football stadiums, there was only one thought going through my mind: Wow.
Not because the Cavaliers were "shell-shocked" as the sports page called Saturday's 45-33 loss to the Turtles of Maryland. Not because my seats were four rows from the top of upper deck section 304, one of the steepest inclines in a stadium I've ever seen.
No, my "wow" moment came from the realization of just how deep the Virginia-Maryland rivalry burns in the hearts of Maryland fans.
I was born and raised a Virginia fan by my parents, both of whom are alumni of the University. I consider myself to be somewhat knowledgeable on Virginia sports, past and present. Growing up in North Carolina, however, obviously has blinded me to the amount of contempt that both sides -- Virginia and Maryland -- have for one another. I grew up believing Virginia Tech and North Carolina to be Virginia's two main rivals, and I always perceived Maryland as a rival on par to a N.C. State or Duke -- a neighboring state ACC school that receives attention, but is not the end-all-be-all rivalry. Apparently, in the eyes of most Maryland fans and some Virginia fans, I was wrong.
I am basing this little theory on my experiences this past weekend as a Virginia football fan going into the lion's den at Maryland. Upon deciding to go the game, I had heard the stories of how vicious Maryland fans can be. Many people told me the story of how at a Maryland-Duke basketball game, Maryland fans threw batteries at Shane Battier's mother. Battier was a Duke star, which brought on most of the hate, but he was also known as a generally good guy and not very confrontational to his opponents. So, going in, I knew I would not be the most welcome sight at the game.
Nevertheless, I attended Saturday's game with three buddies, and almost as a joke, almost just to see what kind of response we would get, we played up the Virginia stereotype, wearing button-down shirts, ties and khakis to the game. And if there is anything that will get a rival of Virginia's more riled up, it's seeing a "good ol' boy" at a football game. (I also think it's hilarious that a vast majority of people think that Virginia is the only school where students dress up to go to football games. Check out most any Ole Miss, Georgia and UNC game, and you'll see what I mean.)
Suffice it to say, we were not met in the most welcoming environment by our Maryland brethren. We had a full beer can thrown at us while walking through a parking lot. We were called names I can't print. And we took a lot of the heat for the clothes. Our main response: "We're going to an interview. Submit your résumé anytime."
It was obvious we provoked a lot of the action that Maryland fans took upon us. And looking back, it never amounted to any sort of damage. But the one thing that stuck out in my mind was not the words, actions or insults. It was the hate behind the words that caught me off guard. I had no idea Maryland fans took this game so seriously. Again, apparently I was wrong.
All in all, it was quite an experience. This was only the second Virginia away game I've been to, and the first one was in 2003 at Chapel Hill, where the Cavs destroyed the Heels by a score of about 236-9 (I might be a little off, my memory isn't great). So while this go-round was not what I wanted out of the final score, I can at least say the game and overall atmosphere were a tad more exciting.
I can also tell you that in five to 10 years, I will gladly accept résumés from Maryland grads. I can always use a good right-hand man.
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