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Hokies vs. Hoos

When it comes to American culture, a good old-fashion rivalry is just part of tradition. North vs. South, Republicans vs. Democrats, East Coast rappers vs. West Coast rappers -- these are all classic rivals who might not ever get along. But in Virginia, there's a glimmer of hope over the commonwealth's most notorious rivalry: Hokies vs. Hoos .

Anyone who has spent any time in Virginia knows that Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia are sworn enemies. Did the feud start because the Wahoos from UVA insist on referring to their school as "The University"? Or is it because Tech's Hokies have made sure that UVA can't remember what it feels like to win a football game?

Maybe it's a class issue. According to some Wahoos, Tech offers an entire curriculum devoted to cow tipping, corn shucking and barn razing. Then again, plenty of Hokies believe that their UVA counterparts spend four years learning about food and wine pairings and how to properly identify blue blood in a family tree. The spars seem to go on and on.

So how is it that such bitter adversaries could find a way to bury the hatchet … or, in this case, the Cavalier's sword?

It's simple: a good cause. For the past three years, Tech and UVA's Richmond alumni groups have been putting their animosity to good use by using some healthy competition to help out local charities. Under the name "Hokies vs. Hoos" this philanthropic partnership has helped raise thousands in donations and canned goods for the Central Virginia Food Bank by pitting Hokie against 'Hoo for a week-long "Food Fight" . (For the record, the score is Hokies 2 Wahoos 1).

But in the true spirit of competitiveness "Hokies vs. Hoos" has upped the ante. In addition to its February food drive, the group is launching its first annual Hokies vs. Hoos Habitat Challenge . This time, though, the alumni aren't just helping to feed a lot of hungry families; they're helping to house one deserving Richmond family in the first competitive collegiate build in the history of Habitat for Humanity .

"It's very ambitious because it's a lot of money to raise," said Matt Shaver , Philanthropy chairman for the UVA Club of Richmond. "I don't think either [alumni] club would have tried this on their own. But since we're able to work together so well, I think it's going to work. It's that next step for us outside of the Food Fight." Last Saturday, the feuding universities officially kicked off the competition to raise money, supplies and volunteers to build a house for the Richmond chapter of Habitat for Humanity with a "Raise the Roof" fundraising event.

"It cost $65,000 to build a house." Shaver said. "At the kickoff event we raised $3,100, which was double what we thought we would."

With more than 20,000 UVA and Tech alumni in the Richmond metro area, raising enough resources should be a breeze. According to Shaver, the groups are hoping to break ground and construct the entire home in eight weeks, which, by Shaver's own admission, is pretty ambitious. But Shaver, who is donating a full day of labor every week until the project is complete, has another goal in mind.

"It'd be great to have [the family] in by Thanksgiving, but I'd really love to have them in by the holidays. By Christmas," Shaver said.

There's a long way to go, though. Neither Hokie nor 'Hoo can break ground on the site until half the cost, or $32,500, is raised. Thus far, the Hokies and Wahoos are neck and neck in the fundraising department with the $3,100 raised. Although, with the Hokies' barn-raising skills and the Wahoos' blue-blood connections, it should be a heated competition.

"At the end of the day we both want to win for pride's sake," Shaver said.

Sure, there's the pride of winning, but there's also the pride of getting a family a new home. The family, for whom the house is being built, currently lives in sub-standard housing on Richmond's Southside, in a place they moved after an electrical fire forced them out of their apartment.

"They're in a rough neighborhood off of Jeff Davis," Shaver said. "Last year there were two drive-bys and they found a body in the Dumpster a couple of blocks up. I wouldn't go there at night."

And with four kids under the age of 15, safe and affordable housing is a priority for this family. "They're a great family," Shaver said. "She's got three kids of her own and then she's the guardian for her nephew as well. So she takes care of four kids and she works multiple jobs. She rarely has a day off, which is tough. She had to go to these [Habitat] classes outside of work and she had to donate time at other people's houses because you have to complete 350 hours on things not related to your house before you can get a house. So it took them awhile. But they're very excited."

The family's new home will be off Wamsley Boulevard in Richmond on a plot of land where Habitat for Humanity plans to build several houses.

"The house is on a cult-de-sac and there's a creek and some forest space," Shaver said.

And you don't have to be a Hokie or a Whoo to help. You can donate in honor of a certain school.

"We'll take in-kind [donations], definitely money and, as soon as we raise enough to get started, we'll need about 700 volunteers to get it done," Shaver said. "Habitat is allowed to take a third of the total amount that we need to raise in in-kind donations. So, they can take lumber, certain building supplies and professional services like plumbing."

With so many ways to give, this family might just be moved-in in time for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving … isn't that two days before the first UVA-Tech football game?

To get involved or for more information, check out Hokies vs. Hoos on the Web at www.hokiesvshoos.com. And be sure to check back with Richmond.com as we will periodically update the "score."