As many fourth years are doing this time of year, I've done a lot of reflecting upon my time at Virginia. I was recently asked what my most memorable moment as a U.Va. student was, and not surprisingly, I immediately knew the answer would be within the sports realm.
Upon thinking about sports memories during my four years in Charlottesville, I realized just how lucky we have been to attend a school with such incredible athletics across the board. The phenomenal sports combined with top-notch academics, picturesque campus architecture and diverse social scene are what put U.Va. on a different level from almost any other college in the nation and were the biggest enticements for me to attend the University. Moreover, in the world of athletics, the success has exceeded my wildest dreams.
Hence, for my final column I'd like to recall my 10 favorite sports memories as a Virginia student. Major props to all the student athletes who somehow find the time to balance the rigorous academics at U.Va. with tons of hours devoted daily to your sport. And kudos to our athletic director, Mr. Craig Littlepage, who never ceases to amaze me and (in my slightly biased world) is the best AD in the nation. Without further ado, the top 10:
No. 10: Spring 2004, covering the Virginia baseball team in Brian O'Connor's first year at the helm. With the Irishman in the dugout and current Washington National and runner-up NL Rookie-of-the-Year Ryan Zimmerman in the field, the Cavs hosted their first ever NCAA Regional.
No. 9: Nov. 7, 2004. Women's soccer won its first ever ACC Championship with a victory in penalty kicks over perennial powerhouse North Carolina. The victory snapped the Heels' 15-year run as conference champs.
No. 8: Oct. 23, 2004. In one of the wildest soccer matches at Klöckner Stadium, the Blue Devils lost two players in the second half to red card ejections and the No. 8 Virginia men's team scored two goals with under 3:30 to play to tie the game. Senior Mike Littlefield headed in the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Cavs the 3-2 triumph over No. 13 Duke.
No. 7: Feb. 18-28, 2004. In my first beat for The Cavalier Daily, swimming and diving, I was fortunate enough to witness both the men's and women's teams take home ACC titles at the AFC. The men's championship was its school record sixth in a row, and the squad would go on to win eight straight.
No. 6: Dec. 30, 2005. I traveled to Nashville to see the Wahoos play in the Music City Bowl against Minnesota. My friends and I received first-class examples of southern hospitality as we were offered free parking and free tailgate passes and watched Connor Hughes kick a 39-yard field goal with just over a minute remaining to propel Virginia to a 34-31 victory in Marques Hagans' last game as a Cavalier.
No. 5: Feb. 25, 2004. Senior tri-captain Todd Billet hit his third game-winning three pointer in four games as the Cavs beat No. 12 UNC at U-Hall, 74-72. It was one of three times I rushed the court that season.
No. 4: Nov. 29, 2003. I came back early from Thanksgiving break to watch the Wahoos score 21 straight second-half points to beat No. 21 Va. Tech, 35-21, in Matt Schaub's final game in college. The senior was 32 for 46 for 358 yards and Wali Lundy did what he did best -- made it to pay dirt four times.
No. 3: May 29, 2006. I made it up to Philadelphia to see the men's lacrosse Final Four and witnessed the Cavaliers win their fourth national championship and along the way become the first team in NCAA history to go 17-0. So cool to see high school buddy Adam Fassnacht take faceoffs for the Hoos.
No. 2: Feb. 1, 2007. In the first year of the crown jewel of the ACC, the John Paul Jones Arena, the men's basketball team played host to No. 8 Duke in its biggest home game of the season. After sprinting from my MCAT class all the way over to the John, I found front row seats in the top section (thanks to Mike Ryan and Sally Shonk) and watched with amazement as Sean Singletary hita falling one-handed floater over 6-foot-10 Josh McRoberts with one second left in overtime as Virginia won 68-66. The look on Singletary's face after he hit that shot -- No. 1 on "Sportscenter Top 10" that night -- will never leave my memory. Seeing all the players out at Jaberwoke that night with head manager and best buddy Timmy Mein smoking a cigar was the perfect end to the evening.
No. 1: Oct. 15, 2005, It was nearly 10 years to the day since Virginia's only victory over Florida State -- when Warrick Dunn was stopped on the goal line on the final play to preserve the Wahoo victory. The Seminoles returned to Scott Stadium and on the backs of 306 passing yards from the dynamic Marques Hagans and four Connor Hughes field goals, the Cavs beat the undefeated and No. 4 'Noles on national television, 26-21, in the biggest win of Al Groh's coaching career. I had somehow secured front row seats with my best buddies and with a girl I was crazy about rushing the field after that victory -- this was my most memorable moment as a student at Virginia.
That does it, folks. Special thanks to all my readers, including Gary Lefkowitz, Ms. Archambeault, Uncle John and my Dad, who commented on and read every single story, and special thanks to the students. You all made my fourth year by reading and commenting to me on my stories. It has been an honor and pleasure to write for you.
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