Keep “The Good Old Song” Good

The Virginia Cavaliers—hot off a season-opening win at Pitt and sitting atop the ACC Coastal Division—open the 2019 home football season on Friday with a primetime matchup against William & Mary.

Leaders from across Grounds have a message for fans as kickoff approaches: Keep “The Good Old Song” good.

The “not gay” shout in the midst of the fight song has been an embarrassment at Scott Stadium for long enough, even as it has thankfully waned in recent years. But replacing it with “f**k Tech”—though admirable in sentiment—doesn’t actually fix the problem: any shout at that point of the song sounds like the original, and it gives cover to people who continue to insist on degrading their fellow fans.

If you need convincing, don't take our word for it. Take Jay Huff’s, or Mamadi Diakite’s, or Bryce’s (Hall OR Perkins). Listen to Bronco or Carla or Jim or Larry or Allen. Save the chants for the end.

Hopefully we’ll all get plenty of practice doing it the right way after lots of scores this season.