Everyone knows that Travis Watson and company are slaving away preparing for Saturday in order to give the fans something great to watch. Well, the Offices of Facilities Management and Sports Promotions aim to do the same, albeit in a less overt way.
"My office serves as the game day contact for officials, the opposing team and fans," Jason Bauman, associate athletic director for facilities and operations, said. "I don't think we do anything too sexy, but it needs to be that way. It's much like the analogy that in a game that is officiated well, you don't even notice the officials. It should just be the expectation that you'll have a great time at our event."
Bauman's department monitors all of the physical facilities, including the venue itself, security -- which has been heightened in the wake of the recent national change to level 'orange' -- and even protection of the floor if people storm the court.
"Facility-wise, that's way down on the list" of worries, Bauman said. "We can wipe the floor. We would prefer that we don't have fans on the court after the game -- not because we don't want them to be excited but because of safety for the players, the staffs and the officials. Our program is at a place where we should expect to win games like this."
The hardy spirits of 'Hooville who have been braving the elements since Sunday night will be rewarded with choice seats for the game -- and with a visit from 3WV (97.5 FM) Friday afternoon.
Friday's radio broadcast is just one of several promotions 'Hooville residents and all Virginia basketball fans can expect this week, said Andrew Rader, associate athletic director of marketing, promotions and licensing. Hardees is the game's official sponsor, but Rader was tight-lipped about any specifics.
Rader also took the time to address one common misunderstanding about student ticketing for games.
"Our main concern is that while there's certainly anticipation for the Duke game, the last two years we have failed to fill the student section," Rader said. "There is availability despite the perception that we turn people away."
Rader said this was not the case.
"Students were not turned away until after the game had started," Rader said. "Our main objective is to fill the arena. We'd prefer to have students for the energy that they bring but our goal is to fill the arena."
Adding to the expected fervor will be recognition of the 2002 Virginia football team at halftime. Quarterback Matt Schaub and coach Al Groh will be honored for their ACC accolades during the proceedings. There also will be a commemoration of the team's effort for its victory over West Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl.
"That will add to the excitement, and we're already expecting to have our most enthusiastic crowd for the Duke game," Rader said.
As for those curious about the opportunity to add to their ever-growing orange men's basketball t-shirt collection, Rader did not indicate that there would be a similar promotion for this game. He urged students to make U-Hall a more orange place by bringing their own orange apparel.
"Wearing orange has really been an advantage we've had over Duke the last few years," Rader said. "The students are making it into their own tradition."
In conjunction with Saturday's game, Virginia Blood Services, the University Health System and the men's basketball team will be hosting minority blood and bone marrow registration drives in the Cage from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Junior guard Todd Billet has been spearheading this effort, emphasizing registering minorities in the national bone marrow index.
"We're really getting a lot of support from Todd, from volunteer groups on Grounds and from our graduate schools," Rader said. "There is a large deficit of minorities. The chances for a Caucasian to find a match are pretty good. The chance for a minority is pretty rare."
The most highly anticipated home basketball game of the year would not tip off without the behind-the-scenes hard work of these two departments. Bauman declined the opportunity to make a formal prediction about Saturday's outcome.
"I predict that our game management will go very smoothly," Bauman said. "I'll stick to things that I can control."
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