Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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Hoos return to the CWS, the Virginia Athletics Foundation sponsored two pre-game tailgates as well as team pep rallies prior to every Virginia game during the two-week period. The first event was on June 15 prior to Virginia's first CWS game and was held at the team hotel, the Hilton Omaha. Over 70 Virginia fans came out to cheer on the 'Hoos and enjoy baseball snacks. Once the 'Hoos advanced to the championship series, the Foundation coordinated another event on June 23 to kick off the CWS finals. This time over 200 donors, fans and baseball family members joined the Virginia Athletics Foundation at the Union Sports Bar and Grill in the Holiday Inn, Virginia's team hotel during their first-ever CWS appearance in 2009. "We so enjoyed the send-offs and events the VAF did every day before the games," said Wanda Meyers, mother of Virginia baseball manager and bullpen catcher Taylor Meyers (CLAS '14). "It was a special time to see the players and fans interact. It meant so much to the players to sign autographs and communicate with the fans on a daily basis. You felt that special bond that the team has and they let you experience that with them." Meyers also got to experience Omahooville. Just like the Virginia baseball team, Virginia base- ball parents came together for the CWS. Through- out the two-week period, a group of parents and fans created a spirited mini 'Hooville in Omaha by renting RVs and staging in a parking lot near TD Ameritrade. "What a time we had at the RV park! We got to spend all our time together before and after games, when everyone would come back and gather around the TV to watch it all over again," said Meyers. "We became a closer family because you really don't know someone until you live with them. When we got back to the RV park after our loss in the championship game, tears filled our eyes because some players will be back, others will go on to the next level of baseball and others go on to new adventures, but we will always be family." The future is bright for Virginia baseball and the spirit of the 'Hoos thrives, not just on game day, but each and every day through the lives of the players, coaches, managers, families, donors and fans that the program has touched. Wahoowa! Bob and Judy Williams enjoying the VAF tailgate. Dave and Christina Weiss with the youngest fan at the game.