With only two days left until the Virginia men's basketball team faces the Maryland Terrapins in University Hall, many students already have staked a claim in the line to get seats to the ACC match-up. This small tent city is affectionately known as "Hooville."
More students will continue to sign up every hour to call Hooville home until the big game Thursday night. At approximately 11 a.m. yesterday, 52 groups comprised of 500 students total had signed up. By 3:45 p.m., 64 groups for a total of approximately 575 students had added on to the line list.
"I was surprised to see how many are out here," third-year College student Brandon Long said.
A few students expressed more excitement for the upcoming game in light of the Cavaliers' performance against top-ranked Duke in Durham, N.C. Sunday night.
Blair Putnam, a member of the "Hoo Crew," a student group that manages the line list, said, "After the loss [to Duke] last night, everyone is ready for Maryland."
"After we played the way we did at Duke, we overcame that problem of coming out with intensity," third-year College student Preston Jones said.
"We looked strong against Duke," first-year Engineering student Kevin Sproule said. "We can beat Maryland at home."
Despite a rowdier scene at night, many campers said Hooville remains quiet and conducive to studying during the day.
"I get a lot of work done" in the daytime, said third-year Engineering student Tiffany Lane, who has been camping out since the Cavaliers hosted VMI Thursday.
"Everyone keeps really quiet," first-year College student Jade Laughlin said.
Nighttime at Hooville appears more festive and rowdier, with one tent featuring a grill and charcoal.
"It's a little louder," Laughlin said. "People were grilling and making food."
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"It's an all around good time," first-year College student Dave Wattenmaker said. "Everyone's cool, and it's nice to meet people who care about the game. I wish I could put Hooville on my housing intent form."
A general sense of camaraderie appears to dominate Hooville, according to campers.
"People watch movies, hang out and are having a good time," fourth-year College student Gavin Young said. "Everyone is united in the common cause of school spirit and it makes me proud to be a Wahoo."
There were even a few Pete Gillen sightings several nights. The popular men's basketball coach has been known to bring students donuts, pizza, buffalo wings and soft drinks as a reward for their loyalty.
In addition to schmoozing with Gillen, a few students also commended the revamped line system outside University Hall.
"I like the new system," Lane said. "Especially since they let us in slowly. Last year I was almost trampled."
"I'm impressed with the Hoo Crew," Young said. "And this is a great example of student self governance. I applaud their work."
Students are allotted 2,738 seats in University Hall. Last year, when Duke played in Charlottesville, a number of empty seats remained during the game because students wrongly assumed the campers would take all the seats and would not leave room for late-comers.
John Steck, a third-year College student and line supervisor, emphasized that non-campers still would be able to see the game.
"Even if you don't camp out, you still have a chance to get in," Steck said.
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