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Even though Dr. Herb Sanders has followed a variety of sports since his days as a student at the University of Virginia, one basketball moment stands out above the rest. The Cavaliers were in the midst of a losing season in 1963-64 when Chip Connor Night was scheduled on Feb. 24 to honor Virginia's leading scorer. Connor, how- ever, underwent emergency surgery earlier in the day, which precluded him from playing in the game against ACC rival North Carolina. "The best player wasn't going to be there on his night in the old Memorial Gym and we beat the pants off the Tar Heels, 79-64," recalled Sanders, who graduated from Virginia's medical school in 1968 and went on to practice neurology until he retired. "The Tar Heels' Billy Cunningham was leading the ACC in scoring and rebounding. He had six points that night. "It was a special moment." Sanders' affinity for basketball is underscored by the fact he's attended every ACC Men's Basketball Tourna- ment since 1980. "I purchased men's basketball season tickets during the Ralph Sampson years," Sanders said. "During the Sampson years, I only was able to get one ticket. As years went by, more seats were available." There's more: • He's been a VAF donor for 44 consecutive years. • He's contributed to the John Paul Jones Arena Capi- tal Campaign. • He's had football season tickets since 1982. • He has season tickets for baseball; men's and wom- en's lacrosse; men's and women's soccer; and baseball. Since Sanders and his wife Sharon reside in Savannah, Ga., and driving to Charlottesville wouldn't be practical, he purchased a condo in the latter which has been more convenient. "We have family in the state plus college friends that are close by," Sanders said. "Over the years we've had many trips to Charlottesville for athletic events. We at- tend more events since my retirement. "On average, I attend about 45 games [per academic year]." Sanders also possessed a great deal of foresight when it came to being able to attend Virginia's home football games. "At one time, you could see future football schedules," he said. "I saw that Penn State was coming here in the late 1980s. I decided to purchase season tickets. Then, Virginia wins the Peach Bowl. "Once that happened, there was a great demand for season tickets. But I was ahead of the curve and pur- chased season tickets before we won the Peach Bowl. I still have the same tickets today." Sanders, admittedly, has been a VAF donor for a spe- cific reason. "I want to participate in something that does it right," he said. "As a general rule, the school does it right. "The VAF, the athletic department and the university as a whole try to do it the proper way." As a result, Sanders takes a great deal of pride in the young men and women who play sports for his alma mater. "I'm impressed by the student-athletes," he said. "By and large, we've recruited good representatives of the university." — Mike Scandura WAHOO NATION DR. HERB SANDERS Dr. Sanders and his wife, Sharon, reside in Savannah, Ga., but also own a condo in Char- lottesville so that they can more conveniently attend UVa athletic events. PHOTO COURTESY DR. HERB SANDERS