Its been a long time coming for the Virginia athletic program. Over 13 years in fact. 13 years without an official student fan group -- the core of any fan base. But as of this fall, with the creation of the Hoo Crew, Virginia will once again have an official student fan group. Although the group is still awaiting official approval from the athletic department and the President's office, its creation is all but ensured.
While the Hoo Crew will be entering its first year in existence, the group previously existed as Team Cavalier -- an unofficial student fan group that organized trips to away football games and worked to increase student's excitement for Virginia athletics.
According to third-year Darius Nabors, the executive vice president of Student Council, the desire to create a fan group officially tied to the University has been around for some time.
"We wanted to establish a student group sponsored by the athletic department and we're hoping that by having a student fan group we can get the fans to go crazy at football and basketball games," Nabors said.
The group has geared their opening year to focus primarily on the men's basketball season, though they do plan to have a seating section in Scott Stadium for the 2006 football season. In recently hired basketball Coach Dave Leitao, the group found a strong base of support for student involvement in athletics, and Leitao has pledged his support to the Hoo Crew in any way possible.
In the fall, the Crew will co-sponsor the third-year "Back to School Night Barbeque" held at Alumni Hall where coach Leitao is scheduled to speak. The group also hosted a meet and greet between Leitao and students at the Old Dorms quad at the end of April where 400 students attended.
"He's been very, very receptive when we've meet with him," third-year Hoo Crew President Graham Tucker said. "He said that if we needed him or any other players to come out there [to group events] to give him a call and they would do their best to send somebody to help us at our event."
While a primary goal of the Crew is to turn the quiet University Hall into a hostile environment, Tucker also has a grasp on the deeper impact the Hoo Crew can make.
The Hoo Crew "not only helps with the atmosphere in the game but it also helps with recruiting. And as a player you'd want to play in front of that," Tucker said.
Upon joining the group, members will receive a Hoo Crew t-shirt and will sit together in a newly designated reserved seating section in U-Hall that encompasses the lower bowl of sections 23-26 as well as the upper part of section 24.
Editor's note: This article was edited online after publication due to a correction.
Read More
Shoddy bullpen pitching kills Virginia’s bid for a series sweep of No. 24 Georgia Tech
By Ryan Weiner | 10 minutes agoThe Cavaliers nearly captured a sweep, but fell just short.
Virginia women emerge victorious in the DMR and high jump at Penn Relays
By Caroline Wulff | 52 minutes agoThe 2025 Cavaliers etched a new chapter into the program's record books.
Live tracker: the 2025 spring football transfer window
By Xander Tilock , Ben McNiff and Ryan Weiner | 8 hours agoVirginia football can add more talent through the portal.
