Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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Charlottesville resident Ron Tydings is a double Hoo, having graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1962 and UVA's law school in 1966. From his Orange (Va.) County High School be- ginnings to his 1958 UVA acceptance to now, Tydings has a long and deep history with the University. He speaks sincerely about the importance of that relationship. "I've made a lot of connections, and I have a lot of great friends … friends for life and great camaraderie," Tydings said. His late wife, Barrie, was a huge part of that experience. As Tydings recalled with pride and recognition of his blessings, "My wife of 50 years was always at my side." Barrie, who was a '62 graduate of UVA with a BS in Nursing, passed away in May 2013 after a 20-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. The couple had two sons, Ron Jr. and Kevin ('89 UVA grad), and a grandson, Clay. Tydings has built a successful and rewarding career, which is now in its 50th year, practicing law. He peers recognize him as one of the best in the business. Through all of this, he was busy amassing a treasure trove of anecdotes, stories and remembrances, which he will joyfully share with anyone. Very little in the athletics arena at UVA escaped his attention — from Terry Holland's basketball pur- suits, George Welsh's football imprint, the successes of baseball coach Brian O'Connor and basketball headman Tony Bennett to first-year football coach Bronco Mendenhall. Tydings played baseball for Virginia under Ted Davenport, the man whose name is firmly attached to the Cavaliers' "Field of Dreams" — one of the best college baseball facilities in the country. He continues to support baseball by helping to sponsor the Step Up to the Plate Auction and bestowing The Ron and Barrie Tydings Endowed Baseball Scholarship. And he hasn't neglected other sports during his decades of giving back to the University he loves. Tydings has given to the VAF Annual Fund for 46 consecutive years, and supported the John Paul Jones Arena Capital Campaign, the building of the football indoor practice facility and the men's basketball program. — Jerry Reid Tydings played baseball for Virginia under Ted Davenport in the early 1960s and has given to the VAF Annual Fund for 46 con- secutive years. PHOTO COURTESY RON TYDINGS WAHOO NATION: RON TYDINGS