As the 2016-17 year comes to an end, the Sports staff takes a look at some of the most memorable moments from this past year. From on-the-field to off-the-field moments, writers explain why their moment is the most impactful of them all.
Virginia basketball retires Malcolm Brogdon’s No. 15 jersey
Virginia may have lost to Miami Feb. 20, but the highlight of the night was the pregame ceremony in which Malcolm Brogdon’s No. 15 jersey was retired. In the midst of a potential Rookie of the Year NBA season, Brogdon became the eighth player in program history to have his jersey retired. Brogdon received his master’s degree diploma and was welcomed back to John Paul Jones Arena with a standing ovation from the crowd and speech from Coach Tony Bennett.
— Mariel Messier, Sports Editor
Coach Brian Boland announces he will be leaving Virginia
With three national championships, Coach Brian Boland has helped propel Virginia men’s tennis to the best tennis program in the nation. After 16 years at the helm, Boland will be leaving Virginia to head men’s tennis for USTA Player Development. With a 436-57 record at Virginia, Boland will go down as one of the greatest coaches in Virginia history.
— Rahul Shah, Sport Editor
Virginia football loses to Louisville
Even though this game culminated in a loss, leading a top-five team in the nation in the fourth quarter showed the kind of atmosphere Scott Stadium can have when the Cavaliers are competitive. The excitement in the stadium was palpable, and in a year that featured relatively disappointing finishes in both basketball and football, this moment stands out as the most fun.
— Jake Blank, Senior Associate
Women's basketball upsets No. 4 Florida State at JPJ
This was undoubtedly one of the biggest upsets for Virginia sports this year. The game was a back-and-forth thriller until Virginia took over in the fourth quarter to get its best win of the season. Freshman guard Dominique Toussaint, who was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, broke out with 14 points to lead the Cavaliers. The game showcased the great promise Virginia's young stars will carry into the future.
— Alec Dougherty, Senior Associate
Virginia basketball loses three players in two days
The week following Virginia men's basketball’s exit from March Madness was undoubtedly the most hectic for Virginia sports. Starting with dismissed junior transfer Austin Nichols declaring for the NBA Draft Tuesday, the Cavaliers proceeded to lose sophomore Jared Reuter and junior Marial Shayok Wednesday and junior Darius Thompson Thursday. Add in rumors surrounding Coach Tony Bennett's potential departure and the Cavalier fanbase was in a frenzy — making these moments the most memorable of the year.
— Ben Tobin, Sports Columnist
Read More
Virginia volleyball falls to No. 3 Louisville in competitive match
By Cole Huff | 15 hours agoThe Cavaliers fought admirably but predictably fell short against one of the best teams in college volleyball.
Appleton and Martin shine as women’s cross cross country finishes 14th, men 21st at NCAA Championships
By Caroline Wulff | 15 hours agoEach of Virginia's teams moved up one spot from their finishes at last year's NCAA Championships.
The bleacher-stomping tradition that animates Virginia’s home soccer games
By Michael Liebermann | 17 hours ago"A great tradition," Coach George Gelnovatch called it.
