Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1355158
APRIL 2021 21 grow up with that euphoria of coming here and playing for such a historic program. "Once you are in it and playing, you can lose that nostalgic feel of what it was like when you were 5 years old watching UVA lacrosse on TV. Coach Starsia's book is re- ally good storytelling and you can see what the legacy of Virginia lacrosse is." The sixth and final book, The Obstacle Is he Way, is about turning trials into triumphs. Tiffany had the team read that for the first time after UVA's incredible run to the 2019 NCAA title. Tiffany would like to add at least two more books to the rotation in order to have eight so a student-athlete can cycle through each of them during their four years in the program. He has had the opportunity to ask the UVA Fralin Family Head Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall for recommen- dations. "The thing I ask Bronco, or anyone that gives me recommendations," Tiffany said, "is this a good book for the team? Did you think about the men and the mindset in that age group when you thought about it? Do you think this is a better book for the cap- tains, because we have separate selections for the leadership of a team, or would you put this in a category that it's better for the coaching staff? "Maybe just the head coach or the entire coaching staff, because sometimes I'll read a great book and I'm like, that's great, but that's really helping the leadership. That doesn't help the people who I'm in charge of, who I'm taking care of." In regard to captains, Tiffany recently added a book that he gives to his team leaders to read in addition to the normal reading list. "We have separate book selections for the leadership of our team," Tiffany said. "We have given our captains The Captain Class by Sam Walker, a relatively new book with a 2017 copyright. It is a fantastic book for captains. "The writer went out and subjectively picked the 16 greatest professional or na- tional sports clubs in the history of sports. He just dives in and describes these 16 cap- tains, and it's cool because you get to learn about different captains of fantastic pro teams, and who they were. "What he was hopeful for with his hy- pothesis was to find a similarity of traits. He begrudgingly admits at the end there's not a lot of common theme there. And just that in itself is fantastic, because not only do you learn about all these captains and the traits they had, but it's also saying, you don't have to fit into a one-size-fits-all formula here. It's really about being you." What started in 2017 as an experiment to change the culture of UVA men's lacrosse has taken a stronghold within the program. So far, Tiffany has found a stable of books that generate conversation and have really resonated with his men. One day the sun will set on the athletic career of every student-athlete that passes through Tiffany's program. It will be mo- ments together on Thursday afternoons be- fore practice that will leave a lasting impres- sion, helping shape and mold perspectives for years to come of every man that wears a Virginia jersey during Tiffany's watch. It will follow them into their future careers and endeavors. Together, they have created a unique cul- ture and belief system that has become so intrinsic to victory, not only on the lacrosse field for UVA but in life. And that there is a legacy. "Coach Tiffany fostered a culture of inclusion early on during his time at UVA. The 'Cultural Thursdays' were a huge part of that. He really pushed for a team environ- ment where as many voices as possible were heard and where underclassmen felt comfortable to share their thoughts and opinions." FORMER CAVALIER MIKEY HERRING The first semester of "Cultural Thursdays" resonated so much with former UVA captain Scott Hooper that he bought 50 copies of The Gates Of Fire with his own money so the team could study it. PHOTO BY PETER EMERSON/COURTESY UVA ATHLETICS