As CavMan eagerly surfs the roaring football crowd, it would seem as if University students have limitless energy. The raucous party often starts even before the game in the form of tailgating in the stadium parking lot or pre-gaming at an apartment.
What amateurs.
The ultimate tailgate, which puts all other tailgates to shame, is thrown by Camp Wahoo. The members are diehard fans of the University and its athletics, although many of them have already graduated or never actually attended the University. Every morning before a home game, the group stakes out the land next to Clark Hall on McCormick Road. It may actually be more accurate to say "every sunrise," considering the group starts setting up at 6:30 a.m. for noon games and 7 a.m. for any later games.
For most college students, 6:30 on any morning, let alone a Saturday, is unheard of.
"I woke up at 8:00 this morning, and the sun was rising, and I could see them from my dorm," first-year College student Debra Cohen said. "I was like, 'Are you seriously eating a hot dog right now?'"
Passersby are drawn to the graveyard of defeated opponents and blaring loud music. Camp Wahoo, which can be seen before football, basketball and baseball games, did not always have all of the amenities that it does today, however.
When it first formed in 2003, the group had only a single tent and a hibachi grill, according to one of the founders, Tad Adams. Four years later, Camp Wahoo boasts four tents, a generator and grills galore. Different weeks have different themes, such as this past Saturday's Chili Cook-Off. Camp Wahoo was featured on Comcast Sports last year, and has been joined by Heath Miller, former University tight end, Adams said.
Since last year, the Virginia Pep Band also adds to the celebrations.
"I think they just flagged us down," said Stef Rutledge, a 2007 College graduate and member of the band.
When the band isn't jumping around, other music is played over a sound system in the background. The stereo blasts out everything from 50 Cent to Dashboard Confessional, including the country classic, "You Never Even Call Me by My Name." Everyone sings along to this last one with great gusto, cups in hand, as onlookers record with their video cameras. The large variety of music appeals to anyone and everyone.
All are welcome, according to Adams. With just an hour before the kickoff of the Wake Forest game, participants included a man in a Virginia Tech sweatshirt and a handful of children. Thirteen-year-old Matt Bowyer said he did not feel out of place at all, even though he was only one of a few there who were noticeably underage. The spirit and enthusiasm appears to have consumed him; he said he is dead-set on attending the University in several years.
It is not only the outstanding show of energy that distinguishes Camp Wahoo from a regular tailgate, however. The members of Camp Wahoo also take it upon themselves to go above and beyond the call of duty by, in fact, acting as though they have a duty to the community. According to Haven Casaday, who is married to co-founder Jon Casaday, the members clean up after themselves by recycling all of their cups and cans. There is never a single piece of trash on the ground, even while they are tailgating.
Camp Wahoo takes care of the surrounding community as well. The group sponsors a family through the Holiday Sharing program, organized by Madison House, to ensure others can enjoy the holidays. Jon Casaday, who is in charge of this project, also said the group plans to purchase extra tickets to a home football game next year to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club so several children can enjoy the fun atmosphere.
Furthermore, Camp Wahoo raises money for a high school scholarship in honor of Mike Morehead, another of the group's founders, who passed away in June. According to Adams, the group plans to collect donations for the scholarship at two tailgates each year.
"It's a party, but it's more than just that," Haven Casaday said.
Most people simply know Camp Wahoo, however, as the extremely enthusiastic fans by Clark Hall. They see the line of tombstones and the lists of jokes on the lamppost by the road, and their impression is of a group of funny, if not slightly crazy, people. On the morning of the Wake Forest game, a list of the "Top 5 Excuses Wake Forest Will Use Today" was one of the signs that caught the attention of people walking by, who then laughed at number one on the list: "Coaches hung out at Camp Wahoo before the game playing beer pong and discussing game plan." There was already a Wake Forest pennant on a gravestone, accompanied by a top hat that a Wake Forest fan put on his head for a picture. He was not the only one to feel compelled to snap a photo here, for many fans (and opponents) realize Camp Wahoo is something unique not to be found anywhere else.
Then again, Camp Wahoo has been known to travel on the road with the Cavaliers to some away games and all of the bowl games. Some of its members have traveled overseas to various countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Italy and Mexico, to create what they refer to as "Camp Wahoo International" -- simply Camp Wahoo fans on their vacations, taking pictures of themselves with Camp Wahoo paraphernalia that they then post on the organization's official Web site. Other members post pictures of Camp Wahoo bumper stickers stuck to the bottoms of their jeans under a section titled "Behind CW."
Despite not taking themselves seriously at times, buried beneath the gravestones and other jokes, consideration for the local community and the risk of addiction remain important aspects of the Camp Wahoo style.
Though it was only his second time visiting Camp Wahoo, attendee Ron Kotz expressed how many people feel about Camp Wahoo: "I'm hooked," Kotz said.
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