"Hey, can I get a picture with you?" For three of Scott Stadium's biggest superfans, this question has become a common request at each home game. After all, who can resist a guy who goes all out for the team, even past painted faces and cheers spelled out across blue and orange chests?
First-year College student Greg Crapanzano transferred his experience as a high school mascot into a whole new level of fandom. Now donning an orange tuxedo, dress shirt and top hat he found by chance on eBay, Crapanzano makes his presence known at each home football game.
"I like the idea of guys in ties and girls in pearls, and I like Al Groh's Sea of Orange," Crapanzano said. He chose his costume because it is "a perfect way to combine the two."
Another superfan, third-year Engineering student David Weiss, is well known not only for bearing one of the ACC flags pre-game, but also for his stand-out furry orange gorilla suit.
Unlike Crapanzano, Weiss received his costume as a present from his uncle five or six years ago. Until last year's Maryland game, when the gorilla-man made his debut, Weiss had used the costume only on Halloween.
"I was tired of wearing an orange shirt and painting my face," Weiss said. "I was looking for something a little more over-the-top that no one else had done."
Clearly, dressing up as an orange gorilla achieved his novel goal, although Weiss mentioned that there has been some confusion concerning exactly what he is.
"I let people think of me however they like," Weiss said.
In addition to being recognized as a gorilla (or "rorilla" as some of the younger Hoo-fans have called him), he also has been called a Yeti and a giant orange man.
A less furry superfan -- sporting an orange unitard, blue mask, Virginia cape and a straw hat complete with an orange feather -- made his debut at the beginning of this football season. "SuperHoo," also known as the mild-mannered third-year College student Ben Sydnor, enjoys his newfound alter-ego and the attention it brings at the stadium.
"I expected to get more attention from the other fans," Sydnor said. "When I'm in costume at the game, I talk to other people around me that I wouldn't normally talk to."
Perhaps this confidence and outgoing nature stems from the pride of wearing tights and a cape, or perhaps it comes from the overall energy that the student section provides each game.
"I feel like I'm more representative of the fans of U.Va. football when in costume," Sydnor said.
Of course, the three men also have had to deal with the responsibility that comes along with their different costumes. These include participating in all cheers and chants, remaining standing throughout the entire game, pumping up the people around them and even dealing with their own, personal fans.
"I've stopped wearing [the costume] on my way to games because it delayed my walk by 15-20 minutes because people would stop me to ask me for a picture," Weiss said.
Still, these fans work hard to increase the energy of the crowd in support of the Hoos on the field. They all said they believe the crowd has an intangible but big impact on the game. Certainly their efforts have been noted by the opposing teams when they come into Scott Stadium to a rowdy Sea of Orange.
"By dressing up, you really bring up the mood of the people around you, it makes them louder," Crapanzano said. "It brings up the intensity of the crowd, which brings up the intensity on the field."
John Phillips, a first-year College student and tight end for the Hoos, commented on the importance of a dynamic crowd.
"The louder the crowd is and the more the crowd is into the game, the more juiced we are to play," Phillips said. Phillips said the hostile environment really gets to the away team while providing extra motivation for the University's players.
With only three home games left, including the huge Virginia Tech game on Nov. 19, the opportunities to come out and join the superfans in cheering on the Hoos are dwindling for the year.
"I encourage everyone to try it once, especially if you're someone who usually just goes in a tie," Weiss said. "Maybe for the Virginia Tech game, go nuts, it's pretty enjoyable"
Read More
Students brave the cold for a whirlwind sorority rush
By Mia Tan | YesterdayStudents recount a mix of emotions from rush, with some disappointed after dropping from the recruitment process and others ecstatic to join Greek life.
Top 10 ways to avoid burnout this semester
By Sam Saks | 2 days agoAs you settle into this semester, try implementing these 10 tactics to take care of yourself and wave goodbye to burnout.
Top 10 things I learned the day TikTok went dark
By Elizabeth Parsons | 4 days agoI am poised to bestow newfound pieces of wisdom from my short-lived TikTok detox.
