Nancy and I are flying east today. On Monday, will drive to Blacksburg, Virginia to watch my alma mater, Virginia Tech play the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

Just in case you missed it, my Hokies shocked the world last September when we beat the Buckeyes in Columbus.

Unfortunately for us, that was the highlight of our season. For, Ohio State it was there only loss. I have several Ohio State friends who have vowed things will be far different this year.

There is one thing I know for sure: When Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” is played and Lane Stadium is rocking, I will be excited to be back again.

If you have never seen it, and even if you don’t like football or Virginia Tech, you’ve got to watch the Virginia Tech players enter the stadium at least once. Here is ESPN’s Chris Fowler describing it from a game I attended a few years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRzMCOP2XI

After having said in the video that “this is an entrance unlike any other in college football, I read recently that last year Chris Fowler suggested that Virginia Tech no longer play Enter Sandman until “home field dominance is restored.” See:  ESPN’S CHRIS FOWLER SUGGESTS SHELVING ENTER SANDMAN.

Fowler is right about one thing. Virginia Tech has struggled the last three years. Every Virginia Tech grad would love to see home field dominance restored and would love to restore the 10 win seasons that became a regular expectation. But, doing away with something that unites the school, brings joy and energy to the fans, and inspires the team, makes no sense.

At Virginia Tech Enter Sandman has even been played to bring the fans to their feet at the end of an important game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blzftASduNc

A few years ago I came to Virginia to watch Virginia Tech and I gave a presentation to the Washington and Lee Law students. I told them that in 2010 it is more important than ever for law students and beginning lawyers to stand out from the crowd.

While it is a few months old at the time, the National Law Journal article: Tough Times for Law Firm Associate Market Not Over accurately describes the current market. It is even more true in 2015.

I agree with Kevin Donovan, head of the University of Virginia School of Law’s career services office, who suggests that students consider judicial clerkships, government agencies, nonprofits and smaller firms as ways to pick up experience on the longer road to securing a position at a larger firm.

I stood out from the crowd and was recruited as a partner to join a large firm in just the way Kevin Donovan describes. I believe the best thing that ever happened to me was being required to serve in the United States Air Force and starting my law firm career in a small Roanoke firm.

I gained experience trying government contract cases while in the Air Force that I would have never gotten in private practice. Starting in a small firm made it necessary for me to learn how to attract, retain and expand relationships with clients at an early stage of my career.

I will suggest that when students, or first year lawyers  have time, they read my book Prepare to WIn. If you would like to read a sample click here.

P.S. If you want to know what kind of mood I will be in next week, all you have to do is watch the game on ESPN on Monday, or check your sports page Tuesday morning.

Sorry for inundating you, but I wanted to share just one more ESPN Enter Sandman Thursday night entrance from Lane Stadium. This one is from another game I attended.