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LET'S GO [Your College Here]!!!

Loyalty, pride and strong ties run thick when it comes to college students, fans and, most of all, alumni. And whether you bleed purple, navy blue, gold, orange or maroon, it's no secret that college is not just four years (or five, or six, or 11) but for life.

It's also no secret that the great state of Virginia itself has produced some of the best and brightest alumni in the nation -- not to mention some rather competitive football rivalries.

But for at least one night, Richmond's various alumni chapters are asking that we put down the Hokie Bird heads on sticks, leave the "JMU: Just Missed UVA" t-shirts at home, lose the ties and un-pop our collars for the first-ever Virginia Colleges Alumni Celebration .

Event organizers, Bryant Getzel (JMU '07) and Chris Vidler (VT '07) were willing and able to do so -- why shouldn't we all?

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, alumni from the colleges, institutes and universities of Virginia Tech , James Madison , William & Mary , Virginia Military , Virginia Commonwealth , Randolph Macon , Richmond and Virginia, are invited to gather at Toad's Place for appetizers, drink specials, the sharing of ideas and maybe, just maybe, a little trash talking.

"Chris and I are the social chairs for our alumni associations and we were talking about the trials and tribulations of reaching out to younger alumni," Getzel said.

"We both have friends who love the colleges and schools, but who were just not getting connected back so he and I said let's put on an event, make it fun and entertaining, but at the same time allow these people to get back with their universities."

All college alumni associations in Virginia are invited to set up a booth during the event to help raise awareness of all that each organization does to keep it's members connected, raise funds for their alma mater and simply meet people who share the same love for the university that you do.

Taking to the stage will be openers Steve Carter Connextion , taking the place of Black Cash, who were originally slated for the event .

"The lead singer [of Black Cash] actually just had a son, so he's going to be spending time with his family, which we totally understand and we're very happy for him," Getzel said.

Headliners The Big Payback are still scheduled to perform their regional and nationally recognized tribute to James Brown.

Getzel and Vidler were also able to partner with Vitamin Water and provide delicious and "healthy" drinks specials which you won't want to miss.

Tickets for the event at $7 in advance, $10 on the day of the show and rest assured that your money won't be going to waste.

"We brought together the eight alumni sponsors who were interested in putting up $100 as an initial investment and then all the ticket proceeds that go past covering the cost of staff will go back to the universities," Getzel said.

"All the profits will be split up evenly among the sponsoring universities for them to use towards a charity or a scholarship."

And if you think this is the last time Richmond alumni chapters will come together as one or in a playful rivalry against one another, think again.

"There's an event that Chris and I are trying to assist with, we're not putting it on by any means, but it's with the Richmond Braves!"

"This being their last year, they're doing an event where it's a 'Show Your Pride' night and they'll be sectioning off where each university will be to show their pride at the Braves game, but that won't be for another two months."

As a JMU alumni myself, this event is going to be great for Richmond Alumni Associations, not only socially but in regard to networking as well.

And you can be sure, Richmond, that when it comes to who has the best booth, most attendees and obviously the most fun, it's sure to be the J-M-U Duuuuuuukes!