Column: Orange and maroon nationwide
David Covucci, CT Regular Columnist
April 20 2007
Over 60,000 people can fit in to Lane Stadium, and when they all wear orange and maroon, it is an awe-inspiring sight. However, today, those 60,000 might look miniscule in comparison.
Today is Orange and Maroon Effect Day, a nation-wide event urging all of America and the world to don the Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange that Tech students dress in so frequently
The idea seems to have taken off and Hokie merchandise is flying off shelves everywhere. A Dick's Sporting Goods in Fairfax County was entirely sold out yesterday, according to a store clerk. She noted, however, that Dick's, the world's largest sporting goods company, has pledged to have every one of its stores stocked with Virginia Tech apparel by noon today.
For an event so broad and wide-reaching, it's surprising that no one knows how it originated. While the general consensus is that the Virginia Tech Alumni Association created the event, even the alumni association on campus is unaware of who specifically had the impetus.
The original flier for the event started in circulation from the alumni association's website. It's entitled "Hokie Hope" and the nexus behind the event is for the nation to wear "maroon and orange to support the families of those who were lost and to support the school and community we all love so much."
Even the SGA is in the dark as to who actually decided on the event, but they are happy that it has taken on a life all its own.
"I don't know anything about who started it," said Marc Saint Raymond SGA Director of University Relations. "All we know is it originated from the alumni. But it has certainly taken on a grassroots effect, both from the alumni and people from around the nation."
The nationwide grassroots effect has been spurred on by, of course, Facebook.com. Ninety-eight groups are dedicated to today's cause, with membership in groups ranging from a few hundred people to over 20,000.
People across the nation have started groups, but the largest came from close to home. A student at VCU created, "Orange and Maroon Effect Day," which has over 20,000 members. During one 15 minute span yesterday, three thousand people joined the group.
Alumni, however, have used more traditional means to help spread the event.
Amit Kulkarni, class of 2000, sent out an email to his company asking for everyone's participation.
"I sent the flier to my company, my brother, also an alum, sent an email to everyone at his company, and so did my wife (who is not an alum)," Kulkarni said. "I think it's a good way to show our support for the victims and their families, to show them that everyone is supporting them in their time of need."
Kulkarni lives in Northern Virginia, an area rife with alumni, where support is expected to be strong.
"I know almost everyone in my office will be participating," said Chris Hogeboom, class of 2006, who works for HITT Contracting Inc, a company with a strong Virginia Tech base. "Everyone in this company cares about what happened and wants to do what they can to help."
Participation in this event is by no means limited to Northern Virginia and Blacksburg, though.
Mike Moshier, class of 2006, works for Mapquest in Denver. He received the flier from a friend.
"I sent it straight to the CEO of our company," said Moshier. "He forwarded it to the entire company. He was really in support of it, thought it was a great idea. It's great to show that all parts of the nation support (Tech)."
While it will almost certainly be a nationwide effect, a Virginia Tech student summed up the ideas and emotions behind it best.
"We wear orange and maroon to show Hokie support and to have some sort of positive effect on our sports teams, we call it maroon and orange effect," said senior biology major Jake Edwards. "I hope that by broadening this to America and the world it will have a positive effect on everyone."