Another view on the lacrosse tragedy
May 9th
Really outstanding look by Jerry Ratcliffe here on the lacrosse tragedy…from the perspective of former UVa hoops coach Pete Gillen? I know, strange angle, but it’s a good read on what UVa’s lacrosse coaches have been dealing with.
Mike London making a good impression
May 6th
The coaches are out making their rounds on the rubber chicken circuit, schmoozing with donors. It appears that head football coach Mike London and assistant hoops coach Jason Williford made a pretty good impression in Suffolk.
I’m hoping to catch basketball coach Tony Bennett later this summer when he’s speaking to alums down here in my end of the state.
Yeardley Love vigil
May 6th
UPDATE: By the way, I agree with Craig Littlepage: it’s the right decision for the lacrosse teams to continue their seasons in the face of this tragedy.
Phil Gosselin and Danny Hultzen honored
May 4th
STL informs us that the top-ranked UVa baseball team has won a couple more honors. Second baseman Phil Gosselin was named Player of the Week in the ACC, and Danny Hultzen won Pitcher of the Week in the conference.
The official release with all the relevant information is in the extended entry. The Hoos play VCU tonight. It’s the last game before a 9-day break for final exams. After that break, Virginia will host the UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Holes in an important ACC matchup.
After tonight, only seven games remaining in the regular season before the fun really begins.
UVa Lacrosse Murder
May 4th
This has been one of the best springs the University of Virginia athletics department has ever experienced. That has all changed, and the University is now mourning one of its own:
George Huguely, 22, of Chevy Chase had been the starting quarterback, an honor roll student and a lacrosse all-American at the renowned Landon School.
Yeardley Love, 22, of Baltimore County had been a four-year member of the lacrosse and field hockey teams at Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore.
At some point, they had a romantic relationship. But early Monday, Love was found dead inside her apartment, and a few hours later, Huguely was charged in her death.
The university community was grappling with Love’s slaying. Members of the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams closed ranks and were keeping to themselves. But the rest of the campus was openly devastated by the news. “This death moves us to deep anguish for the loss of a student of uncommon talent and promise,” U-Va. President John Casteen said.
I just can’t imagine what the Love family is experiencing, and our thoughts go out to them. What a tragedy, in the midst of what should be a time of celebration, with NCAA tournaments and graduation right around the corner.
Sad. Just sad.
Wahoo baseball is rollin’
May 3rd
Another great weekend for the baseball team. Yeah, it was just Duke, but still…these are games Virginia must win.
The Hoos are ranked number one in the country, swept Duke, and perhaps most importantly, moved into a tie atop the Coastal Division in the ACC standings. Glad to see Coach O’Connor’s guys taking care of business.
Come on, Mike London
May 3rd
Mike London, I’m a big fan and I was excited when you were hired to be UVa’s head football coach…but this isn’t good. I know it’s minor, but you gotta know better than that.
On Branden Kline
May 1st
VirginiaSports.com has a good interview with Branden Kline, one of the more exciting young pitchers in the ACC.
Director’s Cup Update
Apr 30th
The updated Director’s Cup standings have been released, and UVa has dropped to 8th (they were 5th previously). Eighth, of course, is the highest finish Virginia has ever accomplished in this particular competition (UVa was 8th last year and in 1999).
The baseball, lacrosse, and tennis teams are almost assured of garnering more points for the University, so Virginia appears to be almost a lock for their highest Cup finish ever. That’s a credit to the individual coaches, but also to Craig Littlepage who, as AD, has presided over the rise to prominence of the Athletic Department as a whole (even as the football and basketball programs have cratered).
Still recruiting?
Apr 30th
Tony Bennett is still looking around, possibly seeking to add another player to the 2010-11 recruiting class. Bennett already has about thirty new kids in that class, so what’s another one?
I’d be pretty surprised if Bennett actually signed someone else. There are six kids coming in as first-years this fall, and I can’t imagine they’ll want 7 kids in the same class. To add another, it would have to be a player that the staff just couldn’t pass up, and there aren’t many of those guys still available.
