Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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wahoo nation Patsy and Jess Franklin Josh Arbaugh ('96) didn't need a second when asked players. By that I mean their sportsmanship and the when he became hooked on following Virginia's footfact they seem to be nice guys and are very engaging ball and men's basketball teams. with the fans." "Obviously when we were at Virginia in the mid-90s Josh has his own take on why the family's association both teams were in the middle of fantastic runs," he with UVa athletes is important. said. "The football team went to bowl games and the "It seems like UVa student-athletes are in a class of men's basketball team went to the Elite Eight. their own," he said. "They're so approachable and seem "Being in school at the same time [Josh's wife, Tracy, to do everything right." also graduated UVa in '96] made As far as Josh is concerned, the us fans and it carried over. That's Cavaliers did everything right in why we chose to stay involved the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl. with the athletic programs." "One of my favorite memories Stay involved, indeed. in recent years was the ContinenThe Arbaughs have been foottal Tire Bowl in Charlotte," he said. ball season ticket holders since "I remember going there and 1999 and have had season tickets UVa had an exciting young team for men's basketball since 2003. with [quarterback] Matt Schaub. Since 1999, Josh has missed only "We beat [48-22] a West Virone home football game. ginia team [that was ranked 13th "I haven't missed a home footat the time] that we weren't exball game since our wedding on pected to beat." October 25, 2003," he said. "It was The Franklins have been VAF donors Not surprisingly, the Arbaughs a homecoming game against for 30 consecutive years, as well have been VAF donors for the last as football season ticket holders 15 years. Troy State. "We were married in the area for 30 years and men's basketball "Tracy and I both feel we're and that was the last home game season ticket holders for 25 years. both so connected to UVa that Photo courtesy Patsy and Jess Franklin I missed." we wanted the student-athletes The Arbaughs have been in the process of introducto have the same university experiences that we did. ing their daughters, 7-year-old Corena and 6-year-old "We want to make sure these kids are able to have Lila, to UVa sports. similar experiences that we had." "One thing we love about UVa sports is introducIf the Arbaughs had one word they would use to ing our daughters to the culture and the studentdescribe UVa student-athletes it would be integrity. athletes," Tracy said. "We try to attend the meet-and"I would say the integrity of the student-athletes and greet events. We take them to all the home basketball the overall program," Josh said. "You always get the games. We tailgate with them. We're trying to show sense they're doing things the correct way. them the fun of college sports and the culture of sports "I've always been proud to be a supporter of UVa that UVa has built. athletics." "The other thing we enjoy is getting to meet the — Mike Scandura