"My athletic scholarship led my family and me
to a life that we could not have imagined — a U.S.
Air Force officer and subsequently to being a pro-
fessor at one of the nation's greatest universities."
Throughout the years, Abidin and his family
have supported Virginia athletics through thick
and thin.
"While there are moments of shared disap-
pointment, there also are moments of shared joy,"
he said. "Clearly, winning is better than losing.
But being able to share in the journey of others
is what, to us, it's all about. It's like going to see
your own children."
Virginia roots run deep in the Abidin family.
His daughter Lynn ('83) married another Vir-
ginia grad, Gregory A. Canty ('81), who received
a degree in engineering and competed in track
and field.
Twin sons Joseph and Michael graduated in
1984.
Grandson Ben Canty is in the university's en-
gineering school.
Their late grandson, Gregory J. Canty ('12),
also majored in engineering.
"We're proud of them," Abidin said. "It's kind
of a family tradition."
Virginia's overall standards are another reason
for the Abidins' association with the VAF.
"Beyond having high academic standards, I
think the university attracts high-quality individu-
als — good people who care about their friends,
their colleagues and their professors," he said.
"The teams are successful because we don't have
a star system. We have a team system that speaks
well of the coaches."
— Mike Scandura
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