Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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6 CAVALIER CORNER I t is January 2020, and UVA students, alumni, and fans are riding high af- ter a historic season for the Virginia Cavaliers football team. Our student- athletes defeated Virginia Tech for the first time in 15 years; electrified fans with a hard-fought game in Miami at Virginia's first appearance in the Orange Bowl; and placed ten student-athletes on the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Football Team, the most single-year selections from a UVA squad since the ACC started the recognition program in 1954. In the five years since Bronco Mendenhall accepted the position of head football coach at the University of Virginia, he has the program on track for "unbroken growth," inspiring a new generation of fans along the way with popular traditions like breaking the rock and the 4th Side. Since January 2020, the world has changed dramatically. Spring athletics were abruptly canceled across the country, and the 2020 football season has progressed despite changes and uncertainty. During this period of global upheaval, Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall and his staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of their team while preparing them to play inspired football on the field. He and his staff clearly prioritize the best interests of his student-athletes. Their leadership of the team on and off the field is inspiring. Now, UVA athletics continues to face an uncertain period ahead. As our student- athletes train with socially-distanced prac- tices, confront changing game schedules and compete in front of limited fans due to attendance restrictions, now is the time for bold action to secure and grow the future of the Virginia football program. At this moment, perhaps more than any in the past, we need visionary philanthropic leaders who will send a clear message that Virginia Football will overcome this challenge and continue to succeed and thrive. ENDOWED COACHING POSITIONS With all the accomplishments and vic- tories we have enjoyed recently, our pro- gram also faces immense challenges from a global pandemic and recession. To inspire new philanthropic commitments, the Vir- ginia Athletics Foundation and the athlet- ics department are deploying unrestricted funds to create a matching gift opportunity to endow each of the football coaching po- sitions. These endowments will be critical to providing the secure, long-term, reliable funding our coaches and student-athletes need to bring their best game to the field. The income distributed annually from the named endowed positions will support the coaching staff and all facets of the football program. Perhaps even more important than this is the strong message it will send to other donors that, whatever challenges we face, the Virginia Football program will not only endure but will soar to new heights. MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY The unrestricted matching funds will cre- ate a 50% match on gifts for each position endowment as listed below and will provide critical and permanent operating resources to the athletics department. Donor commitments must be paid within a five-year period and distributions will be- gin in June of each year once half of the pledged amount has been paid. Matching funds will be applied in the quarter after the donor has made a pledge payment. The annual distribution (approximately 5%) from the total endowment (gift plus matching funds and associated investment returns) will be distributed to the athletics department annual operating budget to sup- port the football program. University of virginia football ENDOWED COACHING POSITIONS Building a Legacy of Excellence Matching Gift Opportunity The unrestricted matching funds will create a 50% match on gifts for each position endowment as listed below and will provide critical and permanent operating resources to the Athletics Department. Donor commitments must be paid within a five-year period and distributions will begin in June of each year once half of the pledged amount has been paid. Matching funds will be applied in the quarter after the donor has made a pledge payment. The annual distribution (approximately 5%) from the total endowment (gift plus matching funds and associated investment returns) will be distributed to the Athletics Department annual operating budget to support the football program. The positions eligible for the matching funds are as follows: Position Gift Match Total Endowment Director of Athletics $5,000,000 $2,500,000 $7,500,000 Head Coach RESERVED $5,000,000 $2,500,000 $7,500,000 Offensive Coordinator $1,000,000 $500,000 $1,500,000 Defensive Coordinator $1,000,000 $500,000 $1,500,000 Quarterbacks coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Running backs coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Wide receivers coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Offensive line coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Defensive line coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Outside linebackers coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Inside linebackers coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Secondary coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Strength and conditioning coach $500,000 $250,000 $750,000 Establishing a Legacy Donors can name a coaching position to create a lasting personal or family legacy at the University of Virginia. These prestigious recognitions will appear in all Virginia Athletics Department and Virginia Athletics Foundation THE POSITIONS ELIGIBLE FOR THE MATCHING FUNDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: