Re "Putting on Airs," Nov. 17:
The idea that the current Virginia football program is deserving of any form of new tradition whatsoever is laughably foolish. Why should our school implement a tradition, which merely assimilates the University into the multitude of Division 1 schools that lack a rich spectator tradition dating back to 1888? This is especially true for one fabricated by a coach who has overseen a 40 percent drop in wins against conference opponents since 2000. Every competitive school has an aspect of its football program that makes it a unique venue: Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium is consistently rated as one of the most intimidating places to play in America, Penn State institutes a "white out" against its toughest opponents, Oregon's student body embraces the multitude of uniform combinations and alters their game day attire weekly. These are schools with consistent winning records that allow them the freedom to establish traditions that the student body will rally behind. Without a change in the course our football program has taken, there will be no general embracement of orange T-shirts. The culprit in the lack of spirit at Scott Stadium is not formal wear; it is the inability of the team and coaching staff to put points on the board, plain and simple. Rather than simply become a school that wears one of its colors every game, I encourage the student body to rally around a distinguishing aspect of the University of Virginia that is dying out at other schools, and make our game day environment truly unique. I would rather wear my blazer and tie to recall the glory days of U.Va. football under George Welsh (who was the winningest coach in ACC history at the time of his retirement) than settle for a poorly conceived attempt to generate support for a team and coaching staff that has produced at best mediocrity in recent years.
Michael Craigmile\nCLAS II
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