Consider this a preemptory strike in the hopes of standing out from the soon-to-be overwhelming lists of "how to's," "must-do's," "don't miss these" and "should see's" that will bombard all new students during their first few weeks at the University.
Unlike those tour guide ramblings of bus lines and cafeteria times, visits to Monticello and Lawn leaves turning yellow, this "must-see" list is my humble attempt at a "First-Year's Guide to Cavalier Sports and Sporting Events." This should not be confused with the "Idiot's Guide to Cavalier Sports" or "Cavalier Sporting Events for Dummies," which are both best-sellers in Blacksburg for Hokies unfamiliar with games that lack tractors or livestock.
Your first key encounter with Virginia sports will be a Sept. 7th home football game against South Carolina. For anyone unfamiliar with Cavalier tradition, Virginia football's founding fans decided that no matter how sweltering the heat or pathetic the play, 'Hoos supporters in attendance should always look respectable and classy - or, as another theory posits, no matter the Cavalier deficit, girls in sundresses and guys in ties will swathe the students' section.
Lucky for you, this year's Virginia football team has some promise of letting you partake in another tradition that has been practiced sparsely the past few years - the singing of the "Good Old Song" after a Virginia score (yes, even after a field goal, however, to be honest, I'm not sure about after a safety). Don't worry if you don't know the words the first few times (or in my case, first few months), just move your mouth and sway back and forth and you'll be fine.
One last nugget of Cavalier football advice, in only the worst-case scenarios - whether it's extreme heat, boredom or embarrassment - find the inflated mascot Lil' Hoo and watch to your heart's content. He's good for at least one quarter of enjoyment. Just wait, you'll see.
Your next trip should be to the Virginia men's and women's basketball "Hoos in the Hall" at the soon-to-be-defunct University Hall in mid-October. Representing the first day teams can officially practice together, "Hoos in the Hall" (synonymous with "Midnight Madness" for most other schools) is a late-night celebration for the beginning of the roundball season. The excitement of and anticipation for the start of Cavalier basketball is the perfect medicine for a struggling football team that's already out of the ACC race by mid-October.
After attending this display of high-flying dunks and Pete Gillen antics to get you revved up for the season, the next requirement on any Cavalier's checklist is a camp-out for a men's basketball game. A spectacle that began two years ago, it is an experience every student should have. There is no better method of bonding than forcing a dozen people to keep a tent occupied for 150 consecutive hours in all forms of winter weather - hail, rain, sleet, or snow. Although my camping experience for a game against UNC consisted of a hailstorm and snowstorm in back-to-back days and living conditions that made those at Woodstock seem enviable, camping out is still one of my most treasured memories from my first year. Moreover, there is no feeling like winning a game after sleeping in a tent for a week just to get in the building.
Although the men's team is far more popular, don't forget to check out at least one women's basketball game. Coach Debbie Ryan is a living legend in her sport and has the best scowl this side of Tampa Bay Buccaneer coach Jon Gruden. Good seats are always available and the play is better than you might think.
Our little tour has one last stop before the end, and that's a pilgrimage to a Virginia baseball game. Thanks to an anonymous donor, a program that was on its last legs now has a beautiful new stadium worthy of even a non-sports fan's attention. Try going to one of the games on a nice, warm spring day and take in the sights, sounds and scenery of the afternoon. I promise you'll find yourself coming back, even if you don't remember who won.
I know this is only the tip of the iceberg for Cavalier sports, but Title IX doesn't require equal time or space in sports columns. Furthermore, with all the learning you'll have to do, I figured spoon-feeding was the way to go this first time around. But if you're feeling adventurous, attend any game that grabs your interest, whether it's soccer, lacrosse or even an intramural contest for that matter. No matter what you do, don't miss out on the fun of Cavalier sports.
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