Cavalier Corner

June 2022

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30 CAVALIER CORNER The men's and women's tennis teams and friends of the program came together to celebrate another milestone for Virginia Tennis. On Saturday, April 30, close friends of Gordon Burris (Ed '67) and the Virginia men's and women's tennis programs gath- ered to dedicate the new Gordon Burris Center Court at the outdoor portion of the Virginia Tennis Complex at the Boar's Head Sports Club. Guests enjoyed cocktails and lunch under a tent next to the tennis pavilion and six outdoor competition courts while historical pictures of Gordon Burris' career looped on the main scoreboard. The speaking program included VAF Executive Director Dirk Katstra, Director of Athletics Carla Wil- liams, donor and alumna Lindsay Wortham (Ed '74), and head coaches Sara O'Leary and Andres Pedroso. Each speaker shared remarks about Burris and how his lasting impact on so many lives during his multi- sport coaching career led to the impressive support from generous donors who were moved to name a court in his honor. Other donors who contributed to the competition courts and made the facility improvements possible were also acknowledged during the day. Burris closed the program by recogniz- ing individuals who influenced him along the way and sharing how proud he is of the Virginia Tennis programs. At that time, both programs were among the top 6 teams in the country and looking forward to their up- coming competitions. Following lunch, guests made their way to the main concourse, which overlooks the competition courts and the new Gor- don Burris Center Court. Burris, along with coaches O'Leary and Pedroso, Williams, Wortham and President Jim Ryan posed for the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony before Coach Pedroso and Lindsay Wortham provided the ceremonial first hit. The remainder of the event involved student- athlete representatives from the men's and women's tennis teams playing a mixed-dou- ble exhibition for the crowd's entertainment. "I am thrilled we were able to name the exhibition court in Gordon's honor," Coach O'Leary shared. "Gordon has had such a positive impact on the University, the com- munity and so many other lives especially mine! He is a man of integrity, respect and humility, and those are values I promise to continue to work to instill in all of my student-athletes. I look forward to watching our men's and women's tennis players con- tinue to grow and compete on this beautiful court!" "Gordon has had a tremendous influence on the entire UVA community," Coach Pe- droso reflects, "and personally, I will always consider him to be one of my greatest men- tors. The Gordon Burris Court will forever symbolize the love, dedication and pas- sion of a great man for his University, and everyone associated with UVA Tennis is so excited to bestow this honor on Gordon and the Burris Family. Gordon's court will not be a court where solely tennis is played, but also a court where our coaches continue to build close relationships with our student- athletes, teach them strong values and prepare them for life like Gordon Burris has done throughout his career at UVA." From left: Dirk Katstra, Gordon Burris and Lindsay Wortham Gordon Burris Center Court Dedication Celebrating 2022 Student-Athlete Graduates The Virginia Athletics Foundation and the Athletics Academic Affairs office hon- ored more than 170 fourth- and fifth-year graduating student-athletes on Friday, May 20, at the John Paul Jones Arena. Stu- dent-athletes were joined by their families, coaches, faculty members and academic advisors to recognize their outstanding ac- complishments in and out of competition. Congratulations Class of 2022 — you are now Cavaliers for Life!

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