Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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cavalier sports 8 CAVALIER CORNER S ome of the most loyal sports fans are the ones that, for whatever reason, just pick a certain team as the one they will support. Not be- cause they attended a particu- lar university or live in a cer- tain city, it's simply because one day they decided, "This is my team." Although Troy Foster did not attend the University of Virginia, he's had UVA in- fluences in his life and ulti- mately became "a big UVA advocate." "My dad and his friend Will Burgess have been go- ing to sporting events there for years," he explained. "He and my father have known each other for many years and that's what got me going to UVA at a young age, about 8 years old. "Probably around 1985-86, I attended my first game and it just rocketed from there as far as going to UVA sports." Foster and his family are football and men's basketball season ticket hold- ers, and they try to make as many baseball games as possible each spring. Foster took his fan experience to the next level when he joined the Vir- ginia Athletics Foundation. "When I was young, it was all about the games and tailgating with friends and family," he admitted. "As I got older, Wilton [Burgess] talked to me a little bit and told me his story about going to the games and finally some- body sat down and told him, 'You need to give back.'" Foster took that advice to heart. Always looking for new ways to get others involved with UVA athletics, Foster was a founding member of the Stadium Road Hoo Crew Tailgate. The popular tailgate frequently gets visits from players, coaches and even direc- tor of athletics Carla Williams has dropped by. The "Crew" was recently featured on 7 Cities Shop Talk Sports out of Chesapeake, Va. Foster says his support for VAF is based on the fact that Virginia does things the right way and the need to give back to the students. "First of all, Virginia is a class-act university," he said. "They have their priorities in order — student, then athlete. Every time you talk to a student from UVA, everyone is a class act and they're all about getting their education. "The money to support these players and their sports has got to come from somewhere. Nothing's too small. That's what I tell all my friends. It doesn't matter what you do, just get your tickets, donate to the VAF, and get involved and get into the game." Foster is fond of the VAF socials with coaches like Tony Bennett or Bronco Mendenhall, and he added that he enjoys meeting the student- athletes. "One year they brought a soccer player who came from the other side of the world," Foster said. "You look through different eyes and how they got to where they are, whether they're from here in Virginia to wherever they're from. "It's great seeing the different walks of life that come through Virginia and all of them act as one and do the right thing." — Greg Waters Troy Foster WAHOO NATION Foster started attending UVA sporting events in the mid-1980s when he was a kid and has been a fan ever since. PHOTO COURTESY TROY FOSTER JOE BELL — SOCCER The third-year midfielder from Wa- naka, New Zealand, led the way for a school-record seven Cavaliers on the 2019 All-ACC teams. He was one of two who earned first-team honors and was also tabbed as the Midfielder of the Year. Bell is the first Cavalier to take home a major confer- ence award since 2008 when Tony Tchani was named the league's Rookie of the Year. He tallied three goals this season, all on penalty kicks, and recorded four assists in conference play, the third most of any ACC player. He has started all 55 games of his career and missed just seven minutes of action in 17 games this season prior to being called up to the New Zealand National Team in early November. MEGAN MCCOOL — SOCCER The fourth-year forward from Glen- side, Pa., was among a program- record seven Wahoos that earned All-ACC accolades. She was UVA's lone first-team selection after putting together the best offensive season by any player in the league, scoring in 13 of the Cavaliers' first 21 matches this season. As of Nov. 18, McCool led the ACC in both overall goals (14) and game-winning markers (six). She also ranked fourth in total points (30) and fifth in points per game (1.43). Five of McCool's six game-winners came against ACC opposition, and her 14 goals were more than she had in her first three seasons combined (12). Heading into UVA's second-round matchup in the NCAA Tourna- ment, she had career totals of 26 goals and 58 points. JOE REED — FOOTBALL The fourth-year wide receiver and kick return specialist from Charlotte Court House, Va., was named one of four finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is presented to the most versatile player in major college football. Through 10 games, Reed had 1,301 all-purpose yards through receiving, returning kicks and rushing. As of Nov. 18, he was second in the nation with an average of 35.4 yards per kickoff return and was the only player in the country with 500-plus kick return yards (743) and 500-plus receiving yards (530). Heading into the final two contests of the regular season, Reed had five touchdown receptions and a pair of kickoff return scores (100 yards against Wil- liam & Mary and 95 yards versus Duke). 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.