Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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snapshot PIONEER Virginia athletics lost a legend when longtime football coach George Welsh passed away peacefully Jan. 2 in Charlottes- ville. He was 85 years old. In 1982, Welsh inherited a UVA football program that had experienced only two winning campaigns in the previous 29 years. He went on to compile a 134-86-3 record with the Cavaliers over 19 seasons. Along the way, he posted the first 12 bowl appearances in program history, 13 straight seasons with seven or more wins from 1987-99, four nine-win sea- sons (including a school-record 10 in 1989) and two shared ACC titles (1989 and 1995). In addition, his 1990 team was ranked No. 1 in both college football polls for two weeks in October, and he was awarded the Bobby Dodd Award as the National Coach of the Year in 1991. He also was named the ACC Coach of the Year four times — 1983, 1984, 1991 and 1995. Welsh, who retired as the winningest coach in ACC history, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. "I am saddened to hear that Coach Welsh passed away this week," current UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "My condolences go out to his family. He was a true pioneer for UVA football and provided the model of success we are work- ing hard to replicate. "We will miss his frequent visits to the football offices." In mid-January, Virginia announced it will host an event to celebrate the life and contributions of Welsh on April 27, the same day as UVA's annual spring football game. The time, location and details of the event will be announced at a later date. PHOTO COURTESY UVA