This week, catch a glimpse into the sports culture of the past. With Virginia basketball on its way to greatness and winter sports in full swing, take a look at the victories and defeats of earlier athletic programs. From ice hockey to wrestling, Virginia sports reporting captures both the excitement of the game and the unbeatable dedication of the student body.
1950s
Jan. 31, 1952
“Sportin’ Around”
By Widdy Tazewell
In this piece, Tazewell highlighted the Cavaliers’ boxing lineup, of which all but one were new members. He covers the newcomers’ boxing experiences, some coming from other colleges while others only had amateur experience. He ends the column with an anecdote about a basketball coach’s strategy and a recap on the division’s top basketball scorers.
1960s
Jan. 31, 1961
“Varsity, Freshmen Grapplers Bow to V.P.I; Injuries, Grades, Thin Ranks of Both Squads”
Could you walk on to the Virginia wrestling team? In 1961, the Virginia wrestling program, after scraping together almost enough men to field both a varsity and freshman squad, still lacked the depth to beat Virginia Polytechnic Institute, or, colloquially, the Hokies. The “grapplers” were forced to forfeit multiple matches due to injuries along with other team members being unable to participate due to academic ineligibility. The team’s desperation jumps off the page. This article calls to the student body, in a cry for help, inviting anyone of any weight and any level of experience to step up.
1970s
Jan. 31, 1973
“Up To Us”
The Virginia basketball team is best described as “mercurial,” according to this 1973 sports article. Capable of both incredible wins and depressing defeats, the team’s success may hinge on an outside variable: its fans. The article urges students not only to show up, but to reconsider how they show up. Rather than cursing officials or heckling opposing players, fans are asked to channel their energy into “common courtesy,” citing “sportsmanship” as the winning formula.
1980s
Jan. 24, 1980
“Cavs halt No. 3 Duke, 90-84”
By William Rittenburg and Larry Cohen
The 1980 Cavalier underdogs, ranked No. 17, overtook the Blue Devils, ranked No. 3 in a nail-biting game with Virginia being down four points at the half before making its second half comeback. Several incredible plays were made throughout the game, including Virginia point guard Jeff Jones who made four free throws in the final 53 seconds, and center Ralph Sampson who scored 23 points, achieved 13 rebounds and blocked three shots from the opposing team. Duke too, played an incredible game, with player Chip Engelland being described as a “one-man blitzkrieg.”
1990s
Jan. 23, 1996
“Pucks still fly; ice hockey club skates despite difficulties”
By Emily Heil
Photos by Roger Voisinet
The University’s club ice hockey team faced a number of struggles, many of which stemmed from a lack of funding due to its club sport status. One of its greatest setbacks was a lack of a home rink, which forced them to practice in Richmond and travel for almost all games, which impacted their roster at several games. Another struggle the team grappled with was the loss of teammate Brian Cooke in October 1995, for whom the team honored by the addition of patches on their team shirts. Despite these difficulties, the team still continued to the league tournament and continued to grow in numbers due to recruitment efforts.
2000s
Jan. 25, 2001
“60 things I hate about sports”
By Sam Le
Taking shots at everyone from ’N Sync to George W. Bush, sports editor Sam Le critiques commercialization, defensive play and media clichés. He argues that the “sanctity” of the NFL is being eroded, while also dismissing baseball, golf, professional men’s soccer and the NHL’s regular season. While this piece is comedic and satirical, it is also reflective of early-2000s sports culture, as one of the only references to women's sports is debating which female athlete “looks better in soccer shorts.”
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