Cavalier Corner

February 2015

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CAVS FOR LIFE SPOTLIGHT: MEGHAN O'LEARY When you think of an Olympian, you often assume they participated in their sport at an early age, or at least by the time they reached college. For former UVa standout, Meghan O'Leary, this was not the case. O'Leary, a two time rowing National team member and "2016 Olympic hopeful" was surprisingly not a rower during her time at the University. In fact, O'Leary didn't pick up an oar until 2010. A softball standout, O'Leary competed on the women's volleyball team her first year at the University before joining the softball squad. "I knew playing two sports was going to be a challenge, but that's why I was there, because I wanted to chal- lenge myself and I knew UVa would do that," O'Leary said. A naturally blessed athlete, O'Leary was also very committed in the classroom completing her bachelor's degree in Sociology and Religious Studies in 2007 and then a Master's of Education in Social Foundations and Policy in 2008. After graduation, O'Leary worked for ESPN in Production and Programming for close to five years before deciding to pursue the Olympics full time. "UVa does that to people. It says 'go out there and be more than you think you can be,' and that's how I've approached rowing. I feel fully confident in my abilities as a rower and an athlete and know that if I put in the time and work, things will happen. You may not always get the outcome you want, but you get the outcome that makes you a better person," O'Leary noted. As she trains day in and day out to make the 2016 Olympics, O'Leary recognizes the impact the University has had on her. "Everyone from the donors who financially support the program to the individuals who are there everyday to support student-athletes helped me accomplish so much while I was there. It is important to give back as a student-athlete alumnus. I've given back every year since I've graduated because it's important to me. It doesn't need to be a huge amount; the act of giving alone holds so much more weight as a student-athlete alumnus than the dollar amount. My time here was so important to me and it stays with you for the rest of your life. Donating is my little way of saying 'thank you.'" The University of Virginia Athletics Depart- ment and Virginia Athletics Foundation have un- dergone a review of the Cavalier Corner magazine as a result of a recent NCAA publication review. Since the Cavalier Corner is the official magazine of VAF, it is considered an institutional magazine and must meet NCAA rules. As such, we cannot include information about recruits who have not yet signed with the University. The magazine will continue to include details on student-athletes who have committed to UVa. This change will allow us to con- tinue to be in full compliance with NCAA rules. Thank you for your un- derstanding and GO 'HOOS! Eric Baumgartner Associate Athletics Director for Compliance COMPLIANCE CORNER CHANGES TO CAVALIER CORNER MAGAZINE

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