Cavalier Corner

August 2019

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cavalier sports 12 CAVALIER CORNER G. Richard (Dick) Fletcher Jr. had a passion for sports, a passion for knowledge and an even bigger pas- sion for people. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1972 with a BA in international relations and earned his master's from the Johns Hopkins Uni- versity's School for Advanced International Studies in 1974. Fletcher enjoyed a highly accomplished and successful career as a senior banking execu- tive, both domestically and internationally. He was an alumnus of the WK Kellogg Founda- tion National Fellow- ship Program, a former Fulbright Scholar and a Phi Beta Kappa mem- ber. He traveled exten- sively in Central Amer- ica and South America, and spoke Spanish and Portuguese. Our world lost Dick Fletcher on July 4, 2018, but his work and lifetime of phi- lanthropy and community development continues. In his honor, his wife, Alison, is endowing the G. Richard Fletcher Jr. Bicentennial Scholars Fund for Virginia baseball. Head coach Brian O'Connor said he was "very moved at the commitment the family has made in Dick's honor." "Endowed scholarships for our athletic programs make a significant difference in the operation of our athletic teams and the opportunities it provides to those who wear a uniform," the coach added. "The genesis of the scholarship was ba- sically that Dick wanted to donate to the University of Virginia athletics program," Alison said. "Dick played freshman bas- ketball, but he played baseball and basket- ball all the way through high school, and he loved both sports. "He was very sick, and I told him I would figure this out. I gave a lot of thought to what he would want and what I wanted to do to honor him." With a desire to make the biggest im- pact, and knowing that baseball players only receive partial scholarship support, Mrs. Fletcher opted to fund the baseball program with the endowment. "I wanted to fund a scholarship because these are people that are passionate about their sport. They are also passionate about their school, and they will graduate and do something with their life," she explained. "It was important to donate to student academics around the athletic department rather than donate $100,000 for a building or locker. "That is what led me to the scholarship idea." O'Connor noted that endowed scholarships make a huge difference for the athletic programs because it cuts down on the high annual cost of scholarships. "In my opinion, the key to future successes of athletic departments is endowed scholar- ships," he said. "It makes a big difference. An endowment is one of the most powerful gifts a donor can make to Virginia athletics. "Endowed funds provide a lasting source of support for Virginia athletics." Barry Parkhill, the associate director of athletics for development for the VAF, called Fletcher a very special personal friend and a friend of UVA athletics. "Dick loved the University of Virginia, he loved UVA athletics and he truly loved his family," Parkhill added. "He was so very proud of his kids. Alison and Dick were and are very generous supporters of UVA athletics. "What Alison is doing to honor Dick is about as special as it gets. Dick will be remembered forever." The Fletcher family philanthropy does not end with UVA. Dick was a board member of the Canal Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving the needs of immi- grant families and their communities in Northern California. He also served on the board of trustees for EARTH University in Costa Rica, an organization dedicated to sustainable agri- culture and natural resource development. Locally the Fletchers have supported the Fair Food Foundation Fund, the Boys & Girls Club of Oakland, the Chabot Space & Science Center, and the Women's Initia- tive and Youth Business America in Oak- land. The endowment honoring Mr. Fletcher is a worthwhile tribute to a man who em- bodied generosity and selflessness. — Greg Waters Alison And Dick Fletcher WAHOO NATION PAVIN SMITH — BASEBALL In 2017, Smith set a UVA record with 77 RBI in a season. Now, two years removed from his his- toric campaign, the 2017 first-round draft choice is at the top of his game again. Smith is in the top 15 of Southern League players in at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, total bases and walks. The Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand has stepped up his play in the month of July especially, notching 27 hits, 17 RBI and a .333 batting average over a 23-game stretch for the Jackson Generals, Ari- zona's Double-A affiliate. JC ARAGONE — TENNIS The two-time ACC Tour- nament MVP (2015 and 2017) and member of three UVA national championship teams (2015, 2016 and 2017) added another impressive achievement to his résumé in July by capturing the Nielsen Men's Pro Tennis Challenger doubles title at Winnetka. Aragone and his partner Bradley Klahn topped Christopher Eubanks and former Cavalier teammate Thai-Son Kwiatkowski in straight sets (7-5, 6-4). Aragone also won the Challenger dou- bles trophy at Indian Wells earlier this year and has moved up to a career-high No. 172 in the ATP doubles rankings. HAELEY WOTNOSKY — GOLF The rising second-year from Wake Forest, N.C., qualified for the USGA Women's Amateur Championship after firing a round of 71 at Oceans- ide Country Club. Wotnosky started off her round with two birdies on the first four holes and was steady from there, recording 16 pars or better on the day. The championship is a combination of stroke and match play and will take place Aug. 5-11 at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. HOO'S HOT Recognizing the "Who's Hoo" in UVA athletics — Cavalier student-athletes, past, present and future who are making news around the world of sports. G. Richard (Dick) Fletcher Jr.

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