Who's vision?
A computer-animated man decked out in blue and orange battling it out with a wild beast in a scenic background. Though it may sound like something out of a sci-fi film, this scenario will now be a recurring part of the University football experience.
Before the team exploded onto the field Saturday afternoon, a pre-game animated short roused the crowd on HooVision. The Cavalier and his horse galloped through well-known University and Charlottesville landmarks, ranging from the Rotunda and Monticello to the Corner and the Downtown Mall.
"We tried to tie in what's unique to U.Va. and Charlottesville into the video," said Andrew Rader, Sports Marketing Director.
Ann Holland, wife of Athletic Director Terry Holland, proposed the idea of a team entrance video after viewing similar introductions at other universities, specifically at the University of Texas. Todd Goodale and Erik Elvgren, a Production Manager in Educational Technologies, worked with a group to create a theme and storyline before composing the small film. Elvgren spent three months creating the animation while Goodale worked on composing the film to support the animation.
While the HooVision board has been operating for two years and the Cavalier horse has charged through the field for the past five seasons, Saturday was the first time the two elements combined. This new combination will be altered slightly before every football game in the future to make the scene specific to the opposing team's mascot. This weekend, the Cavalier will battle it out with the Richmond Spider, a less intimidating opponent than the Bringham Young Cougar.
Rader said he supports this addition to football games as a way to get the crowd more involved in the excitement.
"We have always had trouble getting our fans excited at the beginning of the game," Rader said. "We want to get our fans to a pitch before the team gets out."
Rader said he has received positive responses to the new video.
Compiled by Stephanie Batten
Odds Ideas? Call Ryann at 924-1092.
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