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8 CAVALIER CORNER cavalier sports B efore Virginia's home fi- nale against SMU Nov. 23, the program honored 41 of its fourth-years and gradu- ate students in a traditional Senior Day ceremony. One of those names was that of graduate student defensive back Elijah Gaines. Primarily a special teams contributor for the Cavaliers, Gaines may not possess a long list of on- field accolades, but rest as- sured he is a one-of-one UVA student-athlete. As described by Fralin Family Head Football Coach Tony Elliott, Gaines "repre- sents what it is to be the model student-athlete." A native of Queens, N.Y., Gaines is perhaps the most involved student-athlete at Virginia — across all sports — in the UVA and Charlot- tesville communities. Since stepping on Grounds in the fall of 2020, Gaines has vol- unteered with the Ronald Mc- Donald House, UVA Campus Cleanup, UVA Equity Center, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Colby's Crew Rescue, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and Greer Elementary School — just to name a few. Gaines has "taken full advantage of his opportunities," Elliott said. "And that's what you would wish for every young man while they're here, that they maximize every resource available, every opportunity, and not just focus solely on football." Throughout his college career, Gaines has overcome unconscio- nable adversity. His first season was 2020, which was overshadowed by COVID-19 and the ensuing health protocols. In 2021, COVID-19 issues ultimately led to the cancellation of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, in which the Hoos and SMU were slated to go head to head. Three weeks before UVA's postseason was cut short, Gaines' then-head coach Bronco Mendenhall unexpectedly announced that he was stepping down as UVA head coach. About a year later, a horrific shooting on Grounds claimed the lives of UVA football players Devin Chandler, D'Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. Before that, Gaines, Davis and teammate Chico Bennett Jr. could always be seen together and were nicknamed "The Big Three." During a memorial service for Chandler, Davis and Perry, Gaines was asked by Elliott to speak in front of more than 9,000 people who attended the service at John Paul Jones Arena. This past summer, Gaines was also one of several speakers invited to give remarks for the grand open- ing of the Molly and Robert Hardie Football Operations Center, the Cavaliers' new 93,000-square-foot training space. Last fall, Gaines joined UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams and Perry's mother, Happy, in a community conver- sation for local youth on the topics of mentorship, reaching one's potential and finding community. Gaines also cur- rently serves as a member of Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA), a program designed to develop leaders within the local community through youth development initiatives. In October, Gaines and Wil- liams were named recipients of the ACC's UNITE Award, which was created to honor individuals affiliated within the conference who promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy. "It's an honor just to be recognized for not only things that I've done, but things that I've been able to do with other people in the community," Gaines said. "I love doing things for the community. I love making a difference for people." A standout in the classroom, Gaines earned his undergraduate degree at UVA one semester ahead of schedule in the fall of 2023 as a double major in media studies and African American and African studies. He is currently enrolled in UVA's Higher Education master's program and is expected to earn his second degree in the spring of 2025. "I feel like I've done everything I could have done to maximize my opportunity here," Gaines said. "And even this upcoming spring, my last semester here at UVA, I'm still gonna try to maximize and do even more. "I'm extremely grateful for everything that I've been able to do here at UVA." — Patrick Boling behind the scenes Football Graduate Student Defensive Back Elijah Gaines Gaines was named a recipient of the ACC's UNITE Award, which was created to honor individuals affiliated within the conference who promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy. (Photo courtesy UVA)