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30 CAVALIER CORNER & VAF Milestone Dinner Recap Each year, the Virginia Athletics Founda- tion (VAF) honors its donors who reach their 40th and 50th consecutive year of giving to the Foundation since giving histories were recorded beginning in 1971. Donors who reach these milestones are loyal and longtime supporters of the student-athletes and coaches who represent the University of Virginia and its athletics programs. This year, the VAF hosted the annual din- ner at the Boar's Head Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 13 and honored 67 40-year donors and 63 50-year donors who reached their anniversary milestones in 2023. An opening surprise performance by the Virginia Gentlemen was a big treat with a grand finale "Good Old Song" swaying by the entire room. Guests enjoyed a highlight video of memorable moments in the history of Virginia Athletics spanning the donors' years of giving. Kevin Miller, VAF's Executive Director, opened the program providing gratitude for the donors' longtime support, highlighting the impressive lifetime giving totals for both milestone classes ($9.9 million for 40-year and $10.8 million for 50-year) and sharing entertaining facts on what was happening in the world and Virginia Athletics when the two donor classes began giving. Athletics Director Carla Williams reflected on the accomplishments of Virginia Athletics, and developments and challenges impacting our programs. The evening's special guest, Men's Swim- ming & Diving Head Coach Todd DeSorbo, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the donors on behalf of all coaches and shared insight into his career including his women's team's fourth consecutive National Cham- pionship title this year and his rewarding Olympic coaching experiences, most recently in Paris with many UVA student-athletes. 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 third group to be inducted into VAF's Golden Sabre Society, were toasted to celebrate their unparalleled support, and were given their unique gift — a me- dieval champagne sabre with the 50-year 40-year anniversary milestone donors, Class of 2023 50-year anniversary milestone donors, Class of 2023