Ali, Tiger, Michael, Pele ... and now Lance. There exists an elite group of athletes who people refer to by simply a first name.
Tony Franklin finally may have found his home on the Virginia football team. The team journeyman, Franklin will most likely spend significant time at safety in 2005, following a season and a half of starting at cornerback. Franklin entered Virginia as a highly touted running back from St.
The Virginia field hockey team opened the season with two strong showings this weekend, defeating Virginia Commonwealth 3-0 Saturday before thrashing Ball State 7-1 yesterday. Headlining the victory over the Rams was junior Mia Link, who scored twice to become only the third Cavalier to reach 50 points in her career. Head Coach Jess Wilk said she was pleased with the team's opening performance but acknowledged that there was room for improvement heading into Sunday's contest. "I think we can move even quicker and be a little bit more of a threat," Wilk said. Senior Katie Phillips took that message to heart, picking up where she left off last year when she was second on the team in goals.
The day was clear and sunny for the women's soccer game at Klöckner field, but West Virginia's defense was like a cloud of fog the Cavaliers just couldn't work through.
In 1999, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and the St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl behind what came to be known as "The Greatest Show on Turf." Predicated on attacking at all costs, the Rams were led by grocery-store-stocker-turned-quarterback Kurt Warner. In 2005, head women's soccer coach Steve Swanson and the Cavaliers are hoping for similar success with similar personnel.
There is one main difference in the level of preseason hype that has been made over the Virginia football team in the past two seasons. Last year, it existed in plentiful amounts -- and was proven wrong. This year, it exists in moderation -- so it will be hard for this season to fall short of expectations. But of all the question marks being thrown out as Sept.
Emily Kirkwood doesn't need your attention. In the world of volleyball, eyes will always be drawn to the leaping hitters and diving defensive specialists.
The women's tennis program continued its rebuilding yesterday with the addition of assistant coach Troy Porco. Porco, who spent his last eight years at the University of Auburn, joins the staff of recently-hired head coach, Mark Guilbeau.
He complains about his salary when he makes tens of millions of dollars. He signs a sleazy agent and threatens to hold out.
The Virginia women's soccer team is excited. Junior defender Becky Sauerbrunn's face lit up during her interview.
A large number of people do not consider running an activity that carries positive and fun connotations, let alone long-distance running.
Starting senior Cavalier quarterback Marques Hagans has been designated as a preseason candidate for both the 2005 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the 2005 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, two of the most prestigious annual honors bestowed upon collegiate quarterbacks. Hagans is one of 33 candidates under consideration for this year's O'Brien Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate passer.
Luckily for the Virginia men's soccer team, Wednesday night's matchup against the Eagles of American University was just a pre-season exhibition.
Welcome, to the new ACC -- the "football" ACC. After 52 years of additions, subtractions and adjustments since its conception in May 1953, the Atlantic Coast Conference has seemingly found that "just right" mix of 12 institutions, while forgoing its basketball roots to pursue a football future. By relieving the Big East of its three flagship members beginning in the summer of 2003, the ACC in 2005 now joins the nation's elite mega-conferences as an emerging football giant. The new-look ACC stretches nearly the length of the U.S.'s Atlantic seaboard, over 1,500 miles from the crystal clear waters of Miami Beach, north to the lobster-filled harbors of Boston.
Last year, I had a conversation with two freshman football players that represents what Al Groh is all about.
Virginia senior Sarah Huffman was named to the preseason Hermann Trophy watch list Wednesday. The 25-member list recognizes early candidates for the top award in women's soccer. Huffman, a 2004 All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, set a new school record last season with 14 assists while being named the VaSID State Player of the Year. Huffman will help anchor the midfield when Virginia opens its season August 26 against Rhode Island at Klöckner Stadium.
The Cavaliers ended their preseason exhibition match against the American University Eagles with a scoreless tie last night. For much of the game the Cavaliers controlled the ball, keeping it on the American side of the midfield line with constant offensive pressure.
Virginia golfer Brad Tilley advanced in the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championships Wednesday after beating Jon-Michael Socaris in match play. The senior, who shot a one-under 69 on the first day of the tournament, advanced Tuesday tied for 24th out of 210 amateur golfers.
The Virginia men's soccer team is confident heading into tonight's preseason finale against American University.
Al Groh doesn't dread the end of summer. He yearns for it. While the students who form the "Sea of Orange" will spend this week reminiscing about summer jobs and internships that have come to a close, Groh is preparing to go to work. With four seasons in Charlottesville under his belt, this is now unequivocally Groh's team.
