Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/83494
Dear Cavalier Friends, The Grounds are once again bustling with students and the pace around Charlottesville has definitely quickened. Just a few weeks ago, 650 student-athletes began classes, including 160 first-year student-athletes. The experience they will have over the next four or five years will truly be one of the most memorable times of their lives. As the new academic year gets underway, it brings a new sense of excitement and oppor- tunities, not just for the students and student- athletes, but also for the community, alumni, donors and fans. Each year athletic events give thousands of people the opportunity to recon- nect with each other and with the university as they join together to cheer for the Cavalier teams. The student-athletes who participate in these events will remember the passion and enthusiasm in the stands for the rest of their lives. This is just one aspect that encompasses the broader student-athlete experience. As we follow our teams, many of us will watch the scoreboards, check the standings and review statistics, making it easy to overlook the impact that donors and fans have on the student-athlete experience. We are fortunate to have a donor base that has made significant investments in our program for many years. We do not take this level of support for granted. Making an investment in the form of a contribu- tion is much more than an avenue to get a good seat at a football game or parking space close to the main gate. These investments fund schol- arships, academic affairs support for student- athletes, facilities and much more. The return on these investments can be seen on the field, the court, in the pool, and on the track, but more importantly, on the Lawn at graduation. We are getting ready to enter the fourth quar- ter of our fund-raising year as our annual fund campaign ends on Dec. 31. This will be an important quarter for our fund-raising efforts as we try to close the gap to meet our annual fund goal ($13 million raised to date versus a goal of $14.525 million). We will simultaneously be completing the indoor practice facility fund- raising goal of $14.5 million. These are two im- portant campaigns for the athletics department and affect each student-athlete in our program. You have already made a significant invest- ment in our program and we are thankful that you have provided so much support for our student-athletes. As you think about your end of the year giving plans, please consider making an additional investment or encourage another Cavalier fan to join our efforts. The investment continued on next page CAVALIER CORNER ◆ OCTOBER 2012 ◆ 4