On November 9, 2007, the Wahooligans embarked on their highly anticipated journey to support the Hoos in their last game of the regular season at Wake Forest. With numbers in the thirties, we packed into a bus headed for Spry Field. When we arrived, all eyes were on us as we marched to the bleachers, and you could say there was tension in the air. Even so, the feeling of being surrounded by the opposition brought out the real “hooligan” in us. It was clear that to the home fans, our presence was somewhat of a spectacle. Bringing the electrifying atmosphere we all know and love from Klockner to Spry, the Wahooligans began the evening by out-cheering 3000 Wake Forest fans.

Although the first goal came within five minutes of kick-off, our full onslaught of chants persisted. As usual we where hounded by the home fans especially the little kids, but strangely enough we were also hounded by a cop for using inappropriate language which apparently includes the word “sucks.” He must have failed the police exam or something. Wake Forest came away with another goal and the frustration we’d been feeling all season began to mount, yet doing what we do best we didn’t give up. A potential comeback was on the ropes as the Hoos soon replied with a goal of their own. Within one goal of a tie and the momentum in our direction, the volume at Spry field elevated not with Deacon cheers but with those from the Wahooligans.

Playing the best they’ve played all year, an equalizer was within reach, but Wake Forest wasn’t about to let the game head to overtime as they sealed the deal taking the game to a final score of 3-1. Unrewarded for our efforts, the Wahooligans quickly made for the bus. Heads up, we absorbed the taunts and provoking comments that were aimed our way. The ride back was quiet. But the evening had an unexpected twist in store for us. Twenty minutes down the road our bus broke down. Bewildered, the bus driver proceeded to do his best to get the bus rolling, but his efforts were futile. Sitting on the side of the road, dark, damp, and depressed, a light was eventually shed on the glum situation when Jadie De Lille managed to get a hold of Nino DiMaggio. Discovering the soccer team’s bus had just passed us, the notion that we may hitch a ride with them began to spread around. Suddenly, the emotions of the Wahooligans flipped a 180. When the news spread around that the team bus had turned around to pick us up, the evening quickly changed from being one to be forgotten to a story worth telling.

The Wahooligans quickly jumped on the team bus, excited to meet the team they work so hard to support. An unforgettable experience, we spent the next 3 hours with the UVA men’s soccer team. Although tired and disheartened, the coach and the team continuously praised us for our efforts. For me at least, the greatest reward for supporting the men’s team as much as we do is knowing that the players really do get something out of it. Being in such close proximity with names that we’ve made up songs for was somewhat exhilarating, but we couldn’t shake the fact that they’re just college students too. An evening filled with frustration ended with something that was a once in a lifetime event, because how often do you get to say that you’ve ridden on the UVA men’s soccer team bus?

Simply put, most fans would kill to get an autograph from players on the team they support. We did them one better - we got to ride on their bus.

-Guest contributor: UVA student Eric Stricklin

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