There are thousands of people who donate money to Virginia Tech, especially their football program. But one of the most loyal and well known boosters is Wes Worsham, and it’s hard to decide what’s more recognizable — his pants or his name. But what is clear is that Worsham has become a staple on the Hokie sideline.
“It’s unbelievable,” Worsham said. “I thoroughly enjoy it. It looks like the last few years people seem to know me and they didn’t at first.”
But as much as people see his name at Lane Stadium, not many people know how his love for Tech came to be. It all started when he was in the service and a friend of his, who was from Blacksburg, didn’t make it back from Korea.
“That kind of got me interested in Tech,” Worsham said. “When I came up to see his family when I managed to get back. There wasn’t much else up here but Virginia Tech then in Blacksburg. Then a few years later, a neighbor of mine came to Tech — Paul Davis—and played defense. I got extremely interested then and about the same time I was becoming successful and I was able to help him.”
From then he’s been supporting Virginia Tech with his earnings from his sprinkler system businesses, making his biggest contribution in 1991—a pledge of a million dollars toward the school’s Second Century Campaign. That same year, they named the field at Lane Stadium after him.
“The year that I made my largest donation was the year that we were 2-8-1,” Worsham said. “I know there’s a lot of fair weather fans but when they’re down and out, that’s the time they need help. I didn’t know they were going to name the field after me until they announced it when I made the pledge.”
As for the Hokie bird pants, he’s been wearing them since the 70’s, and since he’s a very superstitious person, he wears the same pair until he’s forced to get new ones.
“I finally wore all the corduroy off those on the seat so then I changed to these,” Worsham said. “And I’m getting ready to change them. This change will be the third change, but I’m waiting. I don’t want to change them.”
The one thing that has changed is the players on the team from season to season. But with each new group brings new friendships.
“Every year I kind of have a favorite through the years,” Worsham said. “Up to date now, I guess Hosley is my favorite this year.”
