As I sit here writing this column, my ears are still ringing from the Dave Matthews concert and my mind is still blown from Notre Dame's instant-classic comeback against Michigan State this weekend. Right now, the Cavaliers' thumping at the hands Georgia Tech seems like a distant, hazy nightmare.
So instead of beating the very, very dead horse that is Virginia football, I'm taking a cue from one of the best in the business, Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly, and making a laundry list of my wishes for Virginia athletics. I might be stretching on a few of these (alright, 95 percent), but I think some of you will agree with me when I say that before I graduate, I would love to see...
...Jameel Sewell leaping over the goal line Michael Vick style, causing a couple of defenders to smash into each other like two bad guys in a Home Alone movie. I don't care if we're down 49-0 when it happens.
...a basketball recruit take one look at the 16-by-9-foot plasma jumbotron in the John Paul Jones arena and refuse to sign his letter of intent because, "I was hoping to see myself a little bigger."
...a football player with a bumper sticker that reads "Will protect the quarterback (any quarterback) for Plus Dollars."
...student tickets reflecting the actual price being paid for each football game ($14,000 in-state tuition divided by six home games equals $2,333 per ticket). Shouldn't you get a luxury box for that much green?
...Athletic Director Craig Littlepage sending chauffeured limos to pick up super-loyal basketball fans from around grounds and drive them to the JPJ on game day.
...battle-hardened reporters in the press box actually cheer after Virginia knocks off a top-five team.
...two students get in a huge fight about whether they should wear ties or Orange Fever shirts to a field hockey game.
...President Casteen singing (and swaying to) the "Good Ol' Song." No lip synching allowed.
...a tent city outside Scott Stadium so big that mail is delivered daily to specific tent addresses.
...volleyball player Sarah Kirkwood, after notching a game-winning kill, stand over the other team's defender and say, "You like that? I'm also an Echols Scholar (expletive)."
...a varsity wrestler quit the team because he, "always wanted to be a male cheerleader."
...Cavman get his head knocked off after running into the goalpost. Wait -- didn't that just happen?
...men's basketball coach Dave Leitao get so angry that a game has to be delayed so workers can repair the crater he put in the hardwood with a particularly passionate foot stomp.
...Al Groh's fresh $1.7 million contract transferred over to men's lacrosse coach Dom Starsia. When Groh complains, Starsia can just point to the three national championship trophies in his office. Enough said.
...during one of the baseball/lacrosse double-headers, Brandon Guyer jack a home run out of the baseball stadium and onto the lacrosse field (bonus points if it lands in the opposing bench).
...Lee Corso put on the Cavalier head just once -- even if he meant to reach for the Hokie one.
...an old-fashioned faculty basketball game featuring Ken Elzinga talking trash in Chuck Taylors and Julian "Jellybean" Bond running the point.
...when Johns Hopkins lacrosse goalie Jesse Schwartzman comes to town, the entire crowd chant, "We're in your head Jesse" until he throws up his hands and walks off the field -- or jumps into the crowd swinging. Whichever comes first.
...Jason Cain at Hair Cuttery getting the buzz cut/mustache trim special.
...ME at Hair Cuttery getting the buzz cut/mustache trim special.
...a family battle between the Mayos (golf) and the Barlows (soccer). I'm thinking about a real sibling-rivalry contest: a round of fighting for the shotgun seat followed by a race for the last of the leftovers.
...that guy who popped up on ESPN's College Gameday with a "Christian Olsen for Heisman" sign show up at every Gameday location this season -- thereby forcing the NCAA powers that be to consider Virginia's backup quarterback for the highest honor in the country.
...an on-grounds cross country race that finishes at the Rotunda.
...Tunji Soroye starting at wide receiver.
...the voice of the Cavaliers.
...the final four.
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 19 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
