Enough with the romanticization, myth-making and heartless criticism. Let me tell you how I really feel.
I've watched Virginia athletics through the eyes of a fan, a writer and a critic over the past four years. I've spent too much time analyzing what could have been, rather than enjoying what was. Therefore, for my final Cavalier Daily column, I'd like to recap some of the best Virginia sports moments from the past four years.
The National Champions
In 1999, the Virginia men's lacrosse team won the national championship. Led by national player of the year Tucker Radenbaugh, future national player of year Drew McKnight and budding freshman star Conor Gill, Virginia defeated Syracuse, 12-10. The Cavaliers looked like they could play for the title in each of the next three years, but they never made it back into the finals.
A painful loss
On May 14, 2000, I saw the most gutsy athletic performance I have seen in my four years at University. The Virginia women's lacrosse team was battling No. 3 James Madison in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Virginia seniors Jamie Haas and Ashley Widger wanted to cap their college careers with an NCAA title and played despite sustaining major injuries. Haas had, according to coach Julie Myers, "torn knee stuff," and played the entire game wearing a brace, while Widger suffered from leg problems. Both battled despite the pain. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers lost to the Dukes, 12-5. At the post-game press conference, Haas' knee was noticeably swollen and purple and Widger had to sit on the grass. From that point on, no one could tell me that female athletes did not hurt as much nor play through as much pain as male athletes. In fact, Haas and Widger demonstrated more determination and ability to play hurt than most male athletes I have seen during the past four years.
Rags to riches
Last year, the men's basketball team made it back to the NCAA tournament. When I arrived at the University, Pete Gillen had just taken the helm and the Virginia roster was rife with walk-ons. The Cavaliers could not compete for the ACC title, much less the NCAA crown. Every game against Florida State was a challenge. Two years after that, I saw the Cavaliers finish a running-jumper away from its first postseason victory under Gillen. I let out a very audible groan on press row when Roger Mason Jr.'s shot fell short, forgetting for once the journalistic code of stoicism and becoming a fan once again. The 2000-2001 squad displayed an unmatched passion to accomplish. They fought for pride because everyone counted them out. They played with a chip on their shoulder, knowing that they had the talent to win any game.
Pure perfection
The men's soccer team went undefeated in the 2001 regular season. Sure, they ended their season with two straight tournament losses, but it was a pleasure watching the finest college soccer team in the nation play. Junior Kyle Martino was so skinny he looked like he would break if anyone knocked him down, but he kept on breaking down opponents with his fancy footwork and pinpoint passes. Sophomore Alecko Eskandarian had the talent to score from any part of the field, but also the mean streak to fight back if the opposition tried to push him around. At 6-foot-5, goalkeeper David Comfort simply was big. A season-opening tie to UCLA notwithstanding, this team had the best regular season anyone could have hoped for.
Before you leave the University and its often-frustrating athletic fortunes, don't forget to remember the successes, no matter how small or insignificant, that make you proud to be a Virginia sports fan.
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