Virginia Tech Hokies might have one of the most electrifying traditions in all of college football. Every time the team takes the field at Lane Stadium, Metallica’s iconic track ‘Enter Sandman’ blares through the speakers, sending thousands of fans into a frenzy, including head coach Brent Pry.
Just days ago, the legendary heavy metal band had the honor of performing right at the home of the Hokies. Among the crowd was none other than head coach himself. Stunned by the experience, Pry shared what it meant to witness the band led by James Hetfield live, and right in his own backyard.
Standing out on that platform, you know, watching and listening that I get chills, and it’s special,” Pry said on Sirius XM. “And, you know, I’m very thankful. The couple of guys that came up with using this song for our entrance are still here working at Virginia Tech. They were young guys. They also had an opportunity to meet the band yesterday, you know, along with myself.
“And it’s just, it’s another very cool story in, you know, in our fabric, in our history … Our guys are very, very appreciative and so very fortunate to have that type of entrance. It’s the greatest entrance in all of college football.“
He also added: “And to have that, to run out of that turtle and experience that, that’s a lifetime experience, and one that they’ll never forget. So you know, I do remind them often of how fortunate they are, and I think, you know, they appreciate it, and it’s special. No better way to kick off a football game than coming out to ‘Enter Sandman’ with 70,000 jumping, going crazy and singing. They’re singing at the top of their lungs
Enter Sandman: The anthem that shook Lane Stadium to its core
For the past 25 years, ‘Enter Sandman’ has quite literally become an anthem for Virginia Tech fans. Every time Brent Pry’s squad takes the field, the thousands packed into Lane Stadium erupt with emotion as the iconic song sets the stage for one of college football’s most electrifying entrances.
Capping off their tour at one of the band’s most iconic spots in the United States, frontman James Hetfield knew just how special the moment was — and he made it clear with his words: “I think we’re missing something,” the vocalist said.
And just before the opening riffs of the song rang out, he fired up the crowd with a powerful shout: ‘Let’s go, Hokies!’
