Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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wahoo nation Doug Luke Even though Doug Luke ('64) never scored a touchdown while he was a student-athlete at Virginia, he occupies a prominent place in the annals of the school's football program. In 1963, Luke revived a tradition that had been dormant since the end of the 1947 season: he morphed into the second Luke — seen here at Scott Stadium with his coming of the Cavalier, the person dressed as a Cavalier who family, from left to right, daughter-in-law rode a horse into the football stadium. Natalie, granddaughter Annie, granddaugh"That was at a time when the whole spirit and cheerleading ter Charlotte and wife Sarah — endowed a activity didn't exist," Luke said. "A classmate, Jeffrey Bohem, put partial scholarship for UVa men's soccer. Photo courtesy the Luke family together a group of us to be spirit leaders for football games. "I was the only one who could ride a horse. I would fox hunt in the morning at Farmington and then ride in with the funny hat, gallop around the field and go home. I know it's a great honor to be the Cavalier now. But back then it was whoever could do it." Riding horses along with fly fishing and bird hunting also are on Luke's résumé when it comes to outdoor activities. Case in point: Luke was a trustee for the National Outdoor Leadership School for nine years; he's served on the NOLS Advisory Council; and he's a graduate of the NOLS Wind River Wilderness horsepacking course. There's more. "I lived on a farm most of the time I was at Virginia," he said. "I went to college with horses and dogs, which was wonderful." But Luke did play soccer while at Virginia. "I showed up at Charlottesville and was 6-1 and weighed 158 pounds, so I wasn't strong enough to compete at the ACC level in track," he said. "The guys were bigger and stronger than me. I needed a sport and soccer was a natural. "I played fullback for three years and crashed into people when they got near me. It was a sport I never played until I got to Virginia." Even though Luke admittedly wasn't an ACC-caliber soccer player, he recently endowed a partial scholarship for men's soccer. "It's one sport that does not make a lot of money," Luke said. "I have a great fondness for my three years of playing soccer and it's my way of giving back some." In the same vein, Luke also is a donor to the Virginia Athletics Foundation, which is how he came to appreciate the men and women connected with UVa athletics. "What impresses me most is the dedication of the athletic department and staff — the dedication of the coaches whom I've met as a result of being on the VAF board," he said. "They've shown a commitment to Virginia and having a high-quality sports activity that I'm sure other colleges have, but Virginia has by dedications." Luke received his bachelor's degree in foreign affairs, his MBA from the Darden School and has spent his career as a venture capitalist. "At Darden, I developed my entrepreneurial spirit," Luke said. "Virginia gave me a big dose of confidence and independence. The University really resonates with me." — Mike Scandura i8-11.V-Sports.indd 5 11/5/13 3:51 PM