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Make Us Love…The University of Virginia
By Jay Busbee | February 27, 2007
Recently, we asked some of our friends out in the blogosphere — and you, too, if you want — to contribute to a feature called “Make Us Love…”, in which it’s up to you to get us liking your favorite team. Want in? Write us at tips AT sportsgonesouth dot com (but, you know, in email format) and tell us whom you’d like to cover.
Setting the bar is Eric Angevine, the brains behind must-read blogs like The Extrapolater and rookie sensation If I Ran… Plus, he took that picture at right, so that’s at least one that won’t get us sued. His challenge? To make you love the University of Virginia. Pucker up and say Hoo…
How many guys out there have a favorite hat? Show of hands.
Wow, that’s a lot of guys.
Mine is a dark blue baseball cap with the classic UVA logo on it - the White V with orange border, and crossed orange sabres underneath. The bill is one of those pre-rounded numbers, which ordinarily I hate. But in this case, it’s OK, because it’s my hat. I wear it to all outdoor events, and it’s got the white sweat rings under the brim to show for it. I wonder if you can tell how old a hat is by counting the rings?
Like most guys, I’m pretty superstitious about the hat. I think it helps UVA beat Duke. I have had it on my head for UVA victories over the hated Blue Devils in baseball and football, and most recently it really did the trick when UVA came back to beat Coach K and his prepsters 68-66 on February 1st of this year.. It was the Cavs’ first win over Duke in the beautiful new John Paul Jones arena, and it couldn’t have been more nerve-racking and therefore all the more satisfying when our boys won it with a dramatic last-second shot in overtime.
It’s nigh impossible to live in Charlottesville and not love the Cavaliers like you love the city. I know a few people who do it, but I consider them to be sad, irrevocably warped little people.
A few reasons why you should love the University of Virginia’s Cavaliers the way I do:
·The Lawn in the Academical Village. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, and visible from his beloved Monticello. Edgar Allen Poe slept in one of the warren-like rooms that line the greensward, and Ralph Sampson somehow folded his seven-foot frame into one as well. Stop by and watch the students streak for a cheap thrill.
·The logo. The orange V cannot be mistaken, and it’s painted on streets throughout Charlottesville to guide your wheels in the right direction. As mentioned above, the V with sabres is my favorite.
·The sports complex. John Paul Jones arena is the newest occupant of the area, right across the street from the old basketball arena, University Hall. Klockner stadium is next, providing an excellent home for UVA’s top-notch lacrosse and soccer teams. The baseball facility is nicer than any minor-league ballpark I’ve been in. Scott stadium is just a few blocks away.
·Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds. Two rock-solid upperclassmen who take and make all of the important shots for Virginia’s current team. They bridged the gap between Pete Gillen and Dave Leitao, and the Cavs are poised to sail into the NCAA tournament with these two cool hands at the tiller.
·Orange & Blue. At basketball games, it’s bright orange long-sleeved shirts lining the court, bouncing up and down and unnerving the opponent. At football games, blue blazers and orange ties are still in fashion. If you’re going to fight, clash!
·Ryan Zimmerman. He was UVA’s best hitter and pitcher during his time at Davenport Field, and he was able to make it to the show just one year after being drafted by the nearby Washington Nationals. By all accounts, he is a damn decent fella, too. Should have been the 2006 Rookie of the Year.
·The NFL pipeline. Do the names Thomas Jones, Heath Miller, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson mean anything to you? How about Tiki and Ronde Barber? And the League is full of other defensive standouts from Mr. Jefferson’s University as well. Coach Al Groh returned to his alma mater to coach some kids up, and he’s delivered. Howie Long’s kid is in the program right now, so the football Cavs will be putting QBs on the turf with alarming regularity in 2007.
·Columns. UVA scientists and architects have cooked up an optimum ratio of columns per hectare that is believed to guarantee winning seasons. Even the intramural fields have columns.
·The women are smart and gorgeous. And they show up to sporting events in droves. Former Cavalier notables include Katie Couric, Deidre Downs, and Melissa Stark. If you like a little nerd in your crush, 30 Rock star Tina Fey is also a former Wahoo. [Editor’s note: And Mrs. SGS. Hi, honey!]
I know what you’re thinking. Why did he stop at nine reasons? Because I’m American, and we don’t use the metric system. Besides, if you need a tenth reason to love UVA, come to town some time and find one for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Topics: ACC, UVa, Make Us Love... |
February 27th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
[…] Here’s my entry: Make Us Love… The Virginia Cavaliers. […]
February 28th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
No mention of the fine wine and cheese, offered by cardiganed alumni, that is available at all UVa tailgates? Sad.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
You, sir, are no gentleman, but you certainly are a masher.
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
[…] (Editor’s note: You can read more about UVA’s appeal at Sports Gone South) […]
March 15th, 2007 at 10:07 am
[…] Virginia hat (My residence is in C’ville, my son was born here, and I love the Leitao way. UVA doesn’t play until tomorrow, but I can’t be messing with my superstitions on day one) […]