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cavalier profile HAL BURROWS Alum • Tennis Virginia men's tennis coach Brian Boland still remembers the day when he first heard about the late Hal Burrows ('50), who passed away in September. "When I arrived at Virginia in the fall of 2001, I went to South Bend to meet Bobby Bayliss, who was the Notre Dame coach for 30 years," Boland recalled. "The first name he brought up was Hal Burrows. He said Hal was a great tennis player, but an even better human being. "Hal's name was continuously brought up because he was one of the all-time great tennis players that played for Virginia. He was recognized as an ambassador for the game and Virginia. Hal defined the Virginia gentleman." What Burrows accomplished at Virginia may be nearly impossible to duplicate. For example: • He's the only Cavalier to play for the United States Davis Cup team. • After graduating from Virginia, he beat 33 different Davis Cup players. • He captured the Virginia state championship in 1946, 1947 and 1948. • In 1948, he reached the round of 16 at the NCAA Tournament which, at that time, was the equivalent of receiving All-America honors. • He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. "I think what made him a great player was how emotionally centered he was," Boland said. "He had incredible focus and determination." Moreover, Burrows maintained a lifelong affinity for his alma mater. "He always was so gracious with his time and complimentary of the program," Boland said. "I think he lived through the program. He had a wonderful affection for Virginia. He would see the team's success and it brought a great joy to his life." What also brought joy to Burrows was when the lobby of the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar's Head Sports Club was named in his honor. Among other things, it displays exhibits of tennis teams and of Bur- rows' accomplishments. "That was a wonderful moment in his life," Boland said. "You could see the smile on his face. "He defined character and integrity. I never had anybody say one negative thing about Hal." — Mike Scandura ◆ Photo courtesy UVa