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Around 19 months ago, the sports world shut down. Teams at all levels around the country saw their seasons come to an abrupt end as the COVID-19 virus wreaked havoc on communities worldwide. For Virginia student athletes, many were left wondering whether they’d even get the chance to play again — and if so, when that would be.
As sports seasons ramped back up last fall and Charlottesville slowly reopened, there was something inherently different and immediately noticeable about Virginia sports. Scott Stadium was practically empty, along with Klöckner Stadium, Memorial Gym and every other facility. At the earliest point in the fall 2020 semester, no fans were permitted in the stands, and the reality of playing in front of an empty crowd was a tough trade-off for many athletes.
Despite these difficulties, the fall 2020 season unfolded, and student-athletes had no choice but to accept their fate of playing in front of bare stands — trying to make it through the season as if life was normal and nothing had happened.
A glimmer of hope appeared within the sports community when it was announced June 18 that families were allowed in Scott Stadium. The only fans permitted were family members of the players and the coaching staff, capped at 1,000 people total in the stadium. Due to the University’s public health guidelines regarding events, fans had to wear masks and could only sit next to their own family members.
This policy changed May 15 when the University announced that vaccinated people did not have to wear masks either inside or outside. Thirteen days later, Virginia Athletics announced that all home athletic events would operate at full capacity.
On Aug. 6, however, the University announced that anyone — vaccinated or unvaccinated — who entered a University facility or property must wear a mask. This policy has been extended twice this semester and is currently in effect until the end of the fall semester.
A handful of athletes spoke about what full attendance has meant to them after such a long break without the Charlottesville community cheering them on.
“[Having fans at home games] adds a totally different element to the game and provides us with a huge advantage — feeding off the crowd helps all phases of our team,” senior wide receiver Hayden Mitchell said.
In the opening matchup against William & Mary, attendance in Scott Stadium was 42,982 — around 70 percent of Scott Stadium’s 61,500-person capacity. Since then, attendance has been over 36,000 in every other home football game this year — including an early 11 a.m. kickoff against Illinois, which saw 36,036 fans show up. The Cavaliers have stormed to a 6-2 record, and the most recent game against Georgia Tech saw the highest attendance of the year with 45,837 fans.
Sophomore goalkeeper Holden Brown from the men’s soccer team also expressed similar feelings of admiration for fans at home games. Until this year, he hadn’t experienced a season with fans in Charlottesville. This season, he’s played in multiple games with upwards of 1,900 fans in attendance at Klöckner.
“It’s a constant reminder of the community that we represent,” Brown said. “I love being out there and seeing people of all ages watching our games.”
While outdoor stadiums did allow families to watch games starting in the fall of 2020, these crowds were not the same as the ones seen in packed, pre-pandemic stands.
“Playing in an empty stadium is a weird feeling,” Brown said. “Once you get used to having fans, it’s weird just having your parents there. I appreciate the energy and atmosphere [all of the fans] create.”
Mitchell also emphasized how fan engagement tactics like the 4th Side have added to the level of hype the community is bringing this year. The 4th Side is a “rallying point around which Cavaliers can join together and support Virginia Football,” according to the University. Virginia football consists of the offense, defense and special teams, which serve as three sides of the team. The fans make up the 4th Side, and the movement was brought to life to encourage fan support and involvement for the Cavaliers.
“We’re all really hopeful and looking forward to what the new 4th Side movement will bring in terms of fan support,” Mitchell said. “It’s been a term we’ve used within our team the past couple of years, so now that the fans are on board I think it will take it to the next level.”
Fans this season in Scott Stadium have already been treated to three night games, an early game and an afternoon game. Mitchell said the first game of the season — a night game against William & Mary — was one of the highlights of having fans back this year.
The football team has a few more exciting games left in Charlottesville this season. The Cavaliers are set to take on both Notre Dame and Virginia Tech at home — a couple of matchups that Mitchell is particularly looking forward to.
“With a program like [Notre Dame], there will be a different feel to the weekend, and a lot of people that would normally be on the fence about coming will show up,” Mitchell said.
In big games like the Notre Dame matchup, fans can make all the difference. This is not only felt at Scott Stadium, but other athletic facilities too. Amber Ezechiels, a senior back for the field hockey team, described the unique energy that fans bring to a game and how without them, sports simply aren’t the same.
“It was sometimes so quiet last year, even with the other sporting events, [and] having fans back in the stands now makes you realize that they are a part of the game too,” Ezechiels said. “The most crowded game so far has been Duke. The stands were packed. Tied 2-2 in regular time, we made the difference and scored. [Fans] make such a difference.”
As a senior, Ezechiels is looking forward to having fans at field hockey’s senior day, which is scheduled for Friday’s matchup against North Carolina.
“It’s my last home game ever for U.Va., so that is definitely a game with a lot of emotions, and I expect a lot of people to show up,” Ezechiels said.
Even student-athletes who are new to Virginia recognize the importance of fans being in the stands at games. Graduate middle blocker Alana Walker, a transfer from Northwestern, is in her first year as a Cavalier with the volleyball team. She noted that fans at Memorial Gym have already welcomed her with open arms.
“The fans are always so loud and supportive, it truly feels like home,” Walker said. “I think they elevate our play … You don’t realize that impact they have on the game until they’re gone … My family comes to every game, so not having them there also impacted me and was something I had to adjust to.”
Now that full-capacity sports events are back after a long year, the crowds have been electric. From tailgating before football games to watching soccer and field hockey win thrillers in overtime, the community has rallied around the Cavaliers and made the turnout for athletic events special this fall.
Clearly, the support and dedication that Virginia fans provide doesn’t go unnoticed. These athletes offer just a glimpse into Virginia Athletics and the appreciation Virginia athletes feel towards the Charlottesville community in general — a community that is integral to the University’s success. The more we get out there, watch games and support our student-athletes, the better off this community will be.
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