"Skipper" is the name of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets' cannon that is sounded at home football games and other events. The  cannon was created by a group of cadets in 1963 for the rivalry game against the Virginia Military Institute, held annually on Thanksgiving Day in Roanoke, Virginia . In the days prior to the game, Hickam, Harper, and Fox met with Curt Tompkins, the Captain of The Virginia Tech Regimental Band, The "Highty-Tighties." They took the cannon to Roanoke the night before the game and hid it in the stadium. VPI allowed VMI 's pre-game ritual to proceed as usual. VMI shot off "Little John" and chanted, "Where's your Cannon?!?" At that moment, 50 Virginia Tech "Rat" (freshmen) cadets emerged from under the bleachers, pulling the 1,000 pound cannon with two long heavy ropes. As Skipper entered the stadium, the Highty-Tighties played, "The Parade of the Charioteers", a momentous song from the movie, Ben Hur. They  positioned Skipper on the field and shot it directly at the opposing sidelines. Cadets hats were blown off and football players nearby were almost knocked over. The VMI corps stopped cheering and never chanted again. During the game, Skipper was fired after every Virginia Tech score , a tradition that remains today. The Hokies kept Skipper busy, winning the game 35-20. After one touchdown, late in the game, the cadets gave Skipper a triple-charge, which sent a shock wave across the field and through the stands, cracking the plate glass windows in the press box. The public address announcer and a nearby policeman immediately directed the cadets to aim Skipper away from the press box.  Skipper's legacy Since the VMI game in 1963, Skipper has been fired after every Virginia Tech score at every home football game. Home games were played on the Virginia Tech campus at Miles Stadium until 1965, when the team's current home field, Lane Stadium opened. Beginning in 2014, Skipper has been on hand to sound the start of festivities at the "Hokie Village", a family oriented tailgate located near the stadium at all home games.223x223px|Skipper Crew with Skipper at Lane Stadium on game day.223x223px|Skipper's quarters were relocated to Pearson Hall in 2015.
"Skipper" is the name of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets' cannon that is sounded at home football games and other events. The game cannon was created by a group of cadets in 1963 for Virginia Tech football games and special events . Prior to the game, the cadets hid the cannon in the stadium. After the VMI cadets chanted, "Where's your Cannon?!?" fifty Virginia Tech cadets emerged from under the bleachers, pulling the 1,000 pound cannon with two heavy ropes. As Skipper entered the stadium, the Highty-Tighties played, "The Parade of the Charioteers", a grand song from the movie, Ben Hur. They strategically positioned Skipper on the field and shot it directly at the opposing sidelines. Cadets hats were blown off and football players nearby were almost knocked over. The VMI corps became silent and never chanted again. Skipper was fired after every Virginia Tech score ; a tradition that remains today. After one touchdown, late in the game, the cadets gave Skipper a triple-charge, which sent a shock wave across the field and through the stands, cracking the plate glass windows in the press box. The public address announcer and a nearby policeman immediately directed the cadets to aim Skipper away from the press box. The Hokies won the game 35-20. Skipper's legacy Since 1963, Skipper has been fired after every Virginia Tech score at every home football game. Home games were played on the Virginia Tech campus at Miles Stadium until 1965, when the team's current home field, Lane Stadium opened. Beginning in 2014, Skipper has been on hand to sound the start of festivities at the "Hokie Village", a family oriented tailgate located near the stadium at all home games.223x223px|Skipper Crew with Skipper at Lane Stadium on game day.223x223px|Skipper's quarters were relocated to Pearson Hall in 2015.
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game
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the rivalry game against the Virginia Military Institute, held annually on Thanksgiving Day in Roanoke, Virginia
Virginia Tech football games and special events
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In the days prior
Prior
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Hickam, Harper, and Fox met with Curt Tompkins, the Captain of The Virginia Tech Regimental Band, The "Highty-Tighties." They took the cannon to Roanoke the night before the game and hid it
the cadets hid the cannon
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VPI allowed VMI 's pre-game ritual to proceed as usual. VMI shot off "Little John" and
After the VMI cadets
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At that moment, 50 Virginia Tech "Rat" (freshmen)
fifty Virginia Tech
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long
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momentous
grand
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strategically
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stopped cheering
became silent
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During the game,
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,
;
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The Hokies kept Skipper busy, winning the game 35-20.
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The Hokies won the game 35-20.
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the VMI game in