When fans crashed onto the field Sept. 26 after Virginia upset No. 8 Florida State, most of them came from the Hill. It is Scott Stadium’s signature student section and, uniquely, is without a barrier between the fans and the field, allowing for the rabid speed of the field storm.
But as much as the students were running toward the field, they were also fleeing a place in which many had been almost trapped for around four hours.
The Hill, since Oct. 2, 2024, has operated on a capacity basis. Once it reaches capacity, access or re-entry is granted on a one in, one out basis. Under this policy and in a packed game like the one against the Seminoles, leaving the Hill could mean missing the equivalent of a whole quarter, something which fourth-year College student Daniel Sitrin experienced.
Knowing that, many students remained on the Hill for the game’s entire four hours — closer to five if they had arrived early — afraid that if they left to get water or go to the bathroom, they, like Sitrin, could miss a significant chunk of the game.
“I was also unsure if I'd be able to get back in, because it seemed like there was a long line to get back into the Hill, even at halftime,” fourth-year College student Landon Jones said. “So I just decided not to risk it and just stay there and power through.”
Jones said he had multiple friends relieve themselves in empty water bottles. For second-year Engineering student Jacob Peters, the lack of water access on the Hill, combined with the lengthy wait times, led to dehydration.
“I didn’t want to leave the Hill,” Peters said. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to get back on due to capacity … I think all of that probably accelerated the dehydration.”
His friends ended up helping alleviate his dehydration by finding another student on the Hill with some lemonade. Peters suggested there should be steps available to prevent the possibility of dehydration, and he offered the potential solution of a small water vendor setup at a location that does not require leaving the Hill.
Second-year College student Jonathan Notis also said he suffered from dehydration and the need to go to the bathroom.
“When we thought we were going to win in the fourth, they immediately started signaling everybody to pack in the Hill, like we're about to rush it,” Notis said. “And then we stood there for another two overtimes until we actually did rush it.”
The Hill was an entirely open, general-admission space until the beginning of last season. A fence was installed before Virginia’s first game of 2024, with entry points that limited entry to students, Virginia Athletics Foundation membership card holders, season-ticket holders, mini-plan ticket holders, Cavman’s Crew and designated groups.
The new policies, including a capacity cap and re-entry through a sticker system, received significant attention in the form of student backlash, mainly centered around the sticker system. That ill-fated policy did not last long and was removed halfway through the year. The “one in, one out” system was installed.
That has been the policy since, with Hill access this season — except for the season finale against Virginia Tech — open to all fans on a first come, first served basis. But no game had truly tested the limits of this policy until the Friday night showdown with Florida State.
That night, 19 students were hospitalized — and more were likely injured — during the wild field storming at the end.
When asked about the student experience on the Hill during the Florida State game, Scott Fitzgerald, a program spokesperson, referred a reporter to a forthcoming community message about safety. That message, released Tuesday with the subject line “UVA Athletics Fan Safety and ACC Policy,” focused on the field storming and did not mention the Hill.
Virginia’s next game is an Oct. 18 date with Washington State. That particular matchup, against a team that does not have any Power Four wins and has allowed nearly 60 points twice, is unlikely to bring similar chaos to the Florida State game. Most likely, the University’s Hill policy will not be tested again until the final home Nov. 29 showdown with Virginia Tech.
Despite the discomfort and frustration, there have been no reports of lasting injuries stemming from the Hill during the game. Jones, unscathed if not unshaken, felt the overall experience was worth it.
“It was very hard still on the Hill the entire time with no bathroom breaks and being a little dehydrated,” Jones said. “But I think it was all worth it to see that lovely game. Didn’t want to miss a beat.”
Read More
Volleyball falls to No. 5 Louisville, taking one set as Boothe returns
By Lauren Halak | 2 hours agoLouisville has only dropped 12 sets in 26 matches this season.
Missed opportunities and lapses plague No. 1 women’s soccer in defeat to No. 3 Stanford
By Peter Kratz | 3 hours agoVirginia's nearly two-month unbeaten run finally came to an end.
Virginia football has stayed true to Elliott and Williams’ vision — now it’s paying off
By Aimee Crosbie | Yesterday“At the end of the day, it’s all belief,” Elliott said. “The heart of a champion doesn’t mean you’re perfect… but you believe beyond your circumstances.”
