By Dick Harris, F272774
January 2016
Members of the Hokie Travelers celebrated the chapter’s 10th anniversary on September 6, 2015, on the campus of Virginia Tech, whose sports teams are nicknamed the Hokies. Hokie Travelers is one of several FMCA chapters created by sports fans of a major college or university.
The celebration, held before a Monday football game, was attended by 76 members, former members, and associates. Among them were 30 active members, including 12 charter members who seldom miss a Virginia Tech football game.
The activities began with cornhole and ladderball tournaments. The winners had the privilege of being first in line at the catered picnic.
Next, Bill Gerloff served as emcee for a “Family Feud” contest featuring gals versus guys in teams of five. They answered trivia questions related to humorous situations experienced over the chapter’s 10-year existence. Bill kept the program running smoothly as the teams consulted on some of the more difficult questions. The contest taxed the contestants but was amusing to the audience.
The next emcee, Gordon Hill, recognized the chapter’s founder, Bryan Katz, and presented him with a plaque. Gordon then handed out certificates to members who were honored for their contributions to the organization. They included charter member officers, wagon masters of caravans that traveled to away games, hosts of pregame tailgates, and others.
The highlight of the afternoon was a catered meal served by a local restaurant. Guests enjoyed their meal at picnic tables in the pavilion.
Guests also enjoyed a poster board of pictures taken at various events, a slide show put together by Dave Reemsnyder, and a binder of 8-by-10 photographs compiled by Dick Harris. The displays brought back fond memories of some of our activities.
The Hokie Travelers chapter got its start during the 2004 football season. It received its FMCA charter on November 5, 2005.
Road trips have included a game at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, led by Gordon Hill; a caravan to Pittsburgh, with side trips before and after, led by Don Jensen; and a trip led by Dick Harris to the Marshall University game in Huntington, West Virginia, including scenic and educational stops through the southern part of the state. In addition, Dave Reemsnyder and Bob Krieger led an educational and entertaining tour through southwestern Virginia. During that two-week journey along Virginia’s Musical Heritage Trail, our group was entertained by some 19 acts performing old-time mountain and bluegrass music.
In 2015, Susie Brady led the Hokie Travelers to West Lafayette, Indiana, for a game at Purdue University. Some members extended the trip to include the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio; the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio; and Watkins Glen, New York, before returning to Blacksburg, Virginia, for another Virginia Tech home football game.