Nothing can divide a town, or University Grounds for that matter, more than a quarterback controversy - a dilemma Virginia faces entering the 2001 season. Both red-shirt sophomores Bryson Spinner and Matt Schaub knew two years ago that this time would come as soon as the ink dried on their respective letters-of-intent.
For the first time in 19 years, a new head football coach, other than George Welsh, was prowling the Virginia sidelines.
(This is the last article examining proposed restructuring of the Virginia athletics program.) It's no secret the big boys of the Tier One sports comprised of football, men's basketball and women's basketball help to support many of the University's 21 other varsity sports. Coaches believe the Strategic Planning Task Force on Athletics' recommendations to divide varsity athletics into four tiers would not impact these popular sports.
(This is the second article in a four-part daily series examining proposed restructuring of the Virginia athletics program.) At a glance, it's easy to see that the Tier Three sports in the Strategic Planning Task Force on Athletics' proposal are all female sports. Tier Three programs are essentially the female equivalents of the Tier Four programs.
Rutgers sophomore basketball player Todd Billet, who Virginia coach Pete Gillen originally recruited two years ago, announced todayhis intentions to transfer to Virginia.
The No. 12 Virginia men's basketball team begins postseason play Firday in the ACC Tournament. For the first time since the 1996-97 season - after which the Cavaliers struggled for even the easiest ACC win - the team is likely to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The turnaround is remarkable, but it is no match for Virginia's rise to national dominance just two decades ago.
The odds were stacked against Virginia men's tennis players Brian Vahaly and Huntley Montgomery as they entered National Indoors this past weekend. The senior co-captains are both 5-foot-11, which served as a disadvantage on the fast courts in Dallas, where taller players who hit hard possess an upper hand. Montgomery defeated Rene Combette of Mississippi State, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, in the first round.
What's in a name? Pete Gillen and the Virginia men's basketball team hope a lot. Newly signed high school power forward Elton Brown has a similar name - and the Cavs hope an equally effective game - as former Duke star Elton Brand. Brown, a senior at Warwick High in Newport News, Va., compares favorably to Brand, the No.
The Virginia men's basketball team came out hot, led by the inspired play of Stephane Dondon, and defeated the Nantucket Nectars 95-80 in its final exhibition game. Dondon appeared in the starting lineup because Adam Hall sat out nursing a knee injury.
Two years after putting together a top-five recruiting class, the Virginia men's basketball program again has an abundance of scholarships to hand out and plenty of talented prospects to pursue. Seniors Donald Hand, Keith Friel and Stephane Dondon will graduate following this season.
