It’s one of the great modern rallying cries of college football. And it’s one of the most popular hard rock songs of all time.

And now, that’s coalesced into a fun, unique and timely collection of co-branded merchandise.

Virginia Tech and Metallica have collaborated on a new line of T-shirts and caps that feature designs inspired by the iconic heavy metal band, VT branding and original sketches by Virginia Tech artist Steven White.

The “Exit Light, Enter Night” short-sleeve T-shirt, which references lyrics in the “Enter Sandman” song, is part of the Virginia Tech/Metallica co-branded collection.

The collaboration is an outgrowth of a sports tradition at the university.

At home games at Lane Stadium, the football team runs out to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” – a thumping, powerful, aggressive track that’s one of hard rock’s most popular tunes of all time. The Hokies have been taking the field to the song since Aug. 27, 2000, when the first video scoreboard was installed and a new walk-out song was needed.

During the spectacle, the entire stadium thrums and jumps, the fans pumping their fists and singing along as “Enter Sandman” plays and the players rush the gridiron, creating one of the most powerful and memorable entrances in college football.

Enter Sandman at Virginia Tech is always perfect pic.twitter.com/Y3biVK9YRq

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 3, 2023

University officials said the merch collab was a long time in the coming and that they’re thrilled to see it take life.

“This partnership makes a dream of nearly 24 years come true,” Heather Ducote, senior director of marketing and brand management, said in a statement. “We’re excited to formalize our partnership with Metallica, since one of their most popular hits is already embraced at Virginia Tech athletics events as a beloved Hokie tradition.”

The collection got a bit of national airtime recently, making an appearance on the Aug. 12 version of NBC’s Today show as part of a birthday celebration for co-anchor Hoda Kotb, a Hokie alum.

The Virginia Tech/Metallica “Exit Light, Enter Night” 2024 football schedule women’s crop short-sleeve T-shirt.

The collection includes black-on-black “Metallica/VT” flat bill and curved bill hats, as well as shirts in which both the band and university branding is displayed with the school mascot and the football team’s schedule on the back, mimicking the look of a concert tour tee.

The collection represents another example of how licensed/branded merch opportunities continue to expand in the collegiate market. ASI Media recently reported how an NCAA settlement could again change and evolve the college merch game.

The Virginia Tech/Metallica merch is on sale now at merchants that include the Hokie Shop and the Hokie Sports Shop. The college football season begins in earnest on Thursday, Aug. 29. The Hokies play away at Vanderbilt on Aug. 31. Their first home game – and next go at “Enter Sandman” – is Sept. 7 against Marshall.