Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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cavalier sports 8 CAVALIER CORNER E sther Cash (Col '79) is a longtime fan of Virginia Athletics. Her presence at athlet- ics events over the last 38 years has earned her a special place in the VAF donor family. As a College of Arts and Sciences graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, her pas- sion for the University began with academics. Born and raised in small town Vesuvius, Va., Esther described the transition to UVA as being like "hitting the big time, going to the big city. It was exciting because I was intro- duced to so many different people, cultures, ideas and personalities that I hadn't been ex- posed to up until that time. I hadn't traveled a lot and was sheltered in many ways." Esther has many fond memories of her college experience that presented her with a multitude of opportunities inside and out- side the classroom. As she reflected on fa- vorite memories, she was especially grateful for the exposure to the speakers and pro- grams that UVA introduced. Two favorite speakers were Leo Buscaglia and Leonard Nimoy. She was fascinated by Buscaglia as he spoke about relationships, love, and how you should treat other people and yourself in the '70s. Nimoy was also intriguing and drew a packed attendance for his speech in University Hall. It was even more memorable since it occurred on the same day as the seventh game of the World Series. These were just two of the unique experiences that helped Esther develop her appreciation of the many new opportunities she was afforded as a UVA undergraduate. During college, Esther attended football and basketball games. After graduating, she began donating to VAF. She was motivated to provide support and has continued doing so through the years because, as she says, "I do think it's important to give back to the athletics program and University in other ways as well." Her two loves and favorite UVA programs to support are athletics and the drama de- partment. She is a huge fan of the Heritage Repertory Theater. Esther became a season ticket holder for football and men's basketball in the late '80s. Her passion for UVA sporting events has had a big impact on her life and even her work. In 1990, she accepted a new job in Boston. When asked by her employer to begin in Sep- tember, she told them she needed a later start date since UVA football played Clemson that month and she needed to stay for the game. It ended up being the first time in program his- tory that UVA football defeated the Tigers! Athletics events have been a special bond- ing opportunity for Esther's family. Her niece Kerri, nephew Greg (also a UVA alum) and their children have attended games together for many years. They attend all the football and men's basketball home games, and the trips to football bowl games and men's bas- ketball tournaments have been an especially important part of their family time together. Esther described the 2019 UVA Men's Basketball Final Four run as a "once-in-a- lifetime experience, but hopes it wasn't the last time." Their family of nine followed the team to Colombia, Louisville and all the way to Minneapolis. They wore their "UVA Family" shirts and had their "own little team" following the team. Esther says, "It was truly the greatest ex- perience we could have possibly hoped for, almost regardless of the outcome. But the outcome made it more special." The family also attended the devastating loss men's basketball suffered in Charlotte in 2018, so they shared the emotional lows and disappointments with the team as well as the excitement and satisfaction of winning the national championship one year later. Esther is proud of the men's basketball program remarking, "the way the young men carried themselves throughout that time, I have so much respect. I think it's true of many of our other sports as well. I have a lot of respect for Coach [Bronco] Mendenhall, Coach [Brian] O'Connor and Coach [Tony] Bennett." Esther and her family went to Omaha the first time UVA Baseball advanced to the World Series in 2009. Before the team reached Omaha in 2011, the family watched the Super Regional game versus UC Irvine from their own homes hoping for a victory that would lead to another Omaha trip. As Esther watched the game alone, Chris Taylor's hit brought two runs home and at the very moment Corey Hunt's foot crossed the plate scoring the winning run, her great niece Clare called to ask, "Can we go to Omaha?!" Her niece Kerri couldn't go that time, but Esther took the children to Omaha and made wonderful memories, especially daily trips to the huge candy store next to their hotel. Each exciting adventure through various sports' successes continue to bring so much joy to the Cash family. Esther and her family have been a part of so many Virginia Athletics milestones and traveled thousands of miles to support the Hoos. Her passion for the University, gener- ous heart and dedication to supporting the student-athletes is immeasurable. The tradi- tions that she and her family have created around Virginia Athletics have given them shared experiences they will treasure forever. "I am especially proud to support Virginia Athletics because I think our coaches and players represent us well, not only in the ACC, but in the NCAA more broadly," Esther said. "I am proud of the way they handle them- selves and the reputation they have earned in the conference and in the sporting world." — Jessica Armistead Esther Cash WAHOO NATION The Cash clan — back row: Esther Cash, Amanda Cash, Kerri White and Greg Cash; front row: Lillian Cash, Paige White, Graham Cash and Clare White — at the Final Four in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY THE CASH FAMILY