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30 CAVALIER CORNER & VAF NEWS NOTABLES Each year, the Virginia Athletics Founda- tion (VAF) honors its donors who reach their 40th and 50th consecutive years of giving to the Foundation since giving histories were re- corded beginning in 1971. Donors who reach these milestones are loyal and longtime sup- porters of the student-athletes and coaches who represent the University of Virginia and its athletics programs. This year, the VAF hosted the annual dinner at the Boar's Head Pavilion on Friday, Septem- ber 8 and honored fifty-three 40-year donors and thirty 50-year donors who reached their anniversary milestones in 2022. An opening surprise performance by the Vir- ginia Gentlemen was unfortunately canceled due to several members being ill, however the program was filled with other special ele- ments. Guests enjoyed a highlight video of memorable moments in the history of Virginia Athletics spanning the donors' years of giving. Barry Parkhill, VAF's associate director of ath- letics for development, opened the program highlighting the impressive lifetime giving totals for both milestone classes while Athlet- ics Director Carla Williams reflected on the accomplishments of Virginia Athletics and led a Q&A on the recent developments impacting our programs, including NIL and conference realignment. The evening's special guest, Men's Tennis Head Coach Andres Pedroso, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the donors on behalf of all coaches and shared insight into his career path full of lessons, successes, and an exciting recent National Champion- ship. Todd Kersey, VAF's chief operating officer, closed the program with entertaining facts on what was happening in the world and Virginia Athletics when the two donor classes began giving in 1972 and 1982. Photos were taken of each milestone group. The 40-year donors were toasted and then given a glass clock etched with the 40-year anniversary mark to represent their longtime contributions. The 50-year donors, the second group to be inducted into VAF's Sabre Society, were toasted to celebrate their unparalleled support, and were given their unique gift — a medieval champagne sabre with the 50-year mark embossed on a keepsake wooden box. Using a champagne sabre to kick off celebra- tions is a growing trend known as Sabrage and originated with the Cavaliers in the 1700s. After winning a battle, the Cavaliers celebrated with champagne and used their sabres to pop the cork and toast victory. Ty Grove, the vendor who helped VAF secure the gift, joined Kersey on stage to share the history of the keepsake and open two bottles of champagne with the sabre. Cheers erupted from the audi- ence as everyone marked another milestone of celebrating and toasting VAF Sabre Society members. The following day, these classes of 40-year and 50-year donors who reached their mile- stone anniversaries in 2022 were listed in the UVA vs. JMU football game-day program and recognized on the field during halftime. The VAF is honored to celebrate the remarkable contributions of these generous donors and looks forward to continuing the milestone event traditions in the future. VAF Milestone Dinner Recap