snapshot
REST IN PEACE DOC
The University of Virginia lost a great one on Nov. 3,
when Dr. John "Doc" Risher passed away at the age
of 107. Risher was the Cavaliers' oldest living foot-
ball player. He was a member of the 1931 team, and
though an ankle injury kept him from playing he was
on the sidelines when Virginia played its first-ever
game in Scott Stadium against VMI on Oct. 15, 1931.
Risher graduated from UVA in 1932 with a degree
in chemistry and then earned his medical doctorate
from UVA's School of Medicine in 1936. He went on to
practice medicine for 35 years in Lynchburg, Va., as an
ear, nose and throat specialist, but stayed connected
to UVA athletics. He became a season ticket holder in
the 1950s before serving as an active member of the
football stats crew in the Scott Stadium press box from
1963-2016.
"There has been no better friend of the university
and athletics than Dr. John Risher," UVA director of
athletics Craig Littlepage said. "His love and support
of UVA athletics was unconditional and unequaled.
"He will be missed by everyone that followed our
program; our prayers and thanks go out to his family
for sharing 'Doc' with us all of these years."
PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA
